Yankees baseball returns today as YES Network opens its 2026 spring training coverage from Tampa. The club begins a 33‑game slate that stretches across Florida and ends with a rare two‑game trip to Arizona. The schedule includes 16 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field and 17 road matchups, giving fans a steady stream of early‑season baseball.
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The Yankees will face every American League East opponent this spring. That includes four games each against Baltimore and Toronto, plus two games each against Boston and Tampa Bay. The heavy divisional slate offers an early look at how the Yankees stack up against familiar rivals.
Road Opener and First Home Game
The Yankees open their spring campaign on Thursday, February 20, with a road game at Baltimore. It marks the first of four meetings between the two clubs during the exhibition season.
The first home game arrives quickly. The Yankees return to George M. Steinbrenner Field on Friday, February 21, to host the Detroit Tigers. The home schedule is fan‑friendly, with eight of the 16 games taking place on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays.
Split Squads and AL East Battles
The Yankees will play split‑squad games twice this spring. The first comes on March 15, with one squad hosting Detroit and the other traveling to Baltimore. The second arrives on March 19, when the Yankees host Baltimore and visit Toronto.
The rivalry with Boston also gets its spring chapter. The Yankees travel to Fort Myers on March 4 to face the Red Sox, then host them on March 18 in Tampa.
Special Events and Showcase Games
The Yankees will host Team Panama on March 3 in preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The matchup gives fans a rare international exhibition at Steinbrenner Field.
The club will also participate in the 2026 Spring Breakout game on March 21, hosting Atlanta’s top prospects. The event highlights the next wave of young talent across baseball.
Final Stretch and Historic Arizona Trip
The Yankees play their final home game on March 22 against Philadelphia. After that, they close out their spring schedule with two road games on March 23 and March 24 against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona.
The Arizona trip is historic. It marks the Yankees’ first spring training appearance in the state since 1951, when they briefly swapped sites with the New York Giants. The Yankees trained in Phoenix that year, while the Giants spent the spring in St. Petersburg.
The 2026 schedule brings that history full circle, giving fans a unique finish to a busy and wide‑ranging spring.
