If you’re waking up in New York, grabbing a coffee, and wondering at what time the mets play today, I have some news that might be a little frustrating if you already have the grill pulled out.
The short answer? They don’t play today. Not in the "nine innings, hot dogs in the stands, Keith Hernandez sighing into a microphone" kind of way. It is January 17, 2026. We are currently in the thick of the MLB offseason, which means the only thing the Mets are "playing" right now is a very expensive game of roster Tetris.
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Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird time to be a Mets fan. Usually, January is for hibernation, but Steve Cohen and David Stearns just blew the roof off the building yesterday. If you missed the late-night alerts, the Mets just reportedly signed Bo Bichette to a massive three-year, $126 million deal. So while there’s no first pitch today, the front office is basically throwing 100-mph fastballs at the free-agent market.
When Does the 2026 Season Actually Start?
Since you're looking for game times, let's mark the calendar for when the real action returns. We aren't as far off as it feels.
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Spring Training 2026 is just around the corner. The Mets are scheduled to open their Grapefruit League play on Saturday, February 21, 2026. They’ll be facing the Miami Marlins at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie. If you need a specific time to look forward to, that game is slated for 1:10 PM ET.
After that, the regular season officially kicks off at Citi Field on Thursday, March 26, 2026, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Opening Day times haven't been set in stone by the league yet, but history tells us to expect a 1:10 PM or 4:10 PM start for a home opener in Queens.
Important Dates for Your 2026 Calendar
- February 21: Spring Training Opener vs. Marlins (1:10 PM ET)
- February 22: First Spring Subway Series at Yankees (1:05 PM ET)
- March 26: Regular Season Opening Day vs. Pirates (Time TBA)
- May 15-17: Subway Series at Citi Field
Why Is Everyone Talking About the Mets Today?
Even though the "at what time the mets play today" answer is "never," the team is dominating the news cycle because of the Bo Bichette signing. This move is kind of a shocker. Just 48 hours ago, the vibes were pretty low after Kyle Tucker chose the Dodgers over the Mets.
Stearns didn't mope around. He pivoted. Bichette is expected to move to third base, which is a wild development considering he’s been a shortstop his whole career. This creates a fascinating infield with Francisco Lindor at short and the newly acquired Marcus Semien at second.
You've basically got an All-Star Game infield every single night starting in March. The defense might be a little "work in progress" at the hot corner, but the bats are going to be electric.
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Where to Find Real-Time Updates
Since it's the offseason, "game time" is replaced by "rumor time." If you’re trying to stay on top of what’s happening at Citi Field before the players actually report to Florida, you should be checking a few specific spots.
- Mets Twitter (X) and Reddit: The
r/NewYorkMetsdaily discussion threads are usually where the most obsessive fans hang out. Today’s thread is already buzzing about Bichette’s opt-outs and whether Cody Bellinger is next on the list. - SNY: This remains the gold standard for Mets coverage. They usually break down the "what time" questions for Spring Training broadcasts as we get into February.
- The Athletic: For the deep-dive stuff on how the luxury tax (which the Mets are absolutely shattering right now) works.
Basically, if you’re looking for a game to watch today, you’re out of luck on the baseball front. You might want to check the Rangers or Islanders schedule if you need a New York sports fix.
The Verdict for Today
There is no Mets game today, January 17, 2026. The players are still in their offseason workouts, and the stadium is likely covered in a light layer of winter frost.
However, the "game" being played in the front office is at an all-time high intensity. With the Bichette signing becoming official and rumors swirling that the Mets aren't done with the outfield yet, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and high-stakes years in franchise history.
Your Next Steps
- Check the Spring Training Ticket Portal: Tickets for Port St. Lucie games are already on sale. If you want to see the new-look infield on February 21, now is the time to book.
- Follow MLB Trade Rumors: Since the Mets just spent $126 million, they might be looking to trade some of their younger infielders like Brett Baty or Mark Vientos. Keep an eye on the wire today for any "smoke" regarding a trade.
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official Mets website and download the 2026 schedule directly to your phone. It will automatically update the "at what time the mets play today" info once the league finalizes the 4:10 PM vs. 7:10 PM slots.