If you’re looking for a box score today, you’re about a month too early. But if you think nothing is happening with the Boston Red Sox schedule this week, you haven’t been paying attention to the massive shift in how the front office is handling the "Winter Weekend" tradition. Honestly, it’s a weird time to be a Sox fan. We’re currently in that dead zone of January where the hot stove is mostly lukewarm, yet the organizational gears are grinding toward the first truck leaving for Fort Myers.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you were planning on driving out to Springfield for the old multi-day Winter Weekend at the MassMutual Center, I hope you didn't book the hotel yet. The team basically killed that format. They’ve replaced it with something called Fenway Fest, and the timing of it—along with some massive roster moves this week—has completely changed the vibe of the 2026 preseason.
The Boston Red Sox schedule this week and the Fenway Fest shift
For years, we got used to the trek to Western Mass. This year, the "schedule" for the week of January 17 is centered entirely around the transition to Fenway Fest. Instead of a three-day marathon, the team has condensed the fan interaction into a high-intensity single-day event at Fenway Park and the MGM Music Hall.
Why the change? Efficiency, mostly. But also, it’s about the Netflix cameras.
You’ve probably heard about the Greg Whiteley docuseries covering the 2024/2025 transition. A huge part of the schedule this week involves "sneak peeks" and production wraps for that series. The team is leaning hard into the "New Boston" era, which is why the physical schedule for players this week involves more media shoots in the Back Bay than actual baseball drills.
✨ Don't miss: Why Borussia Mönchengladbach Still Matters in the Modern Bundesliga
What happened to Winter Weekend?
The old Winter Weekend was a vibe, but it was also a logistical nightmare for players living in Florida or California. By moving the primary fan event to Fenway Park (Fenway Fest), the team has essentially turned this week into a "homecoming" for the new acquisitions.
- Registration for fans who scored tickets happened throughout this week.
- Player arrivals started hitting Logan Airport on Thursday and Friday.
- The Town Hall is no longer a public shouting match; it's a televised NESN special.
If you’re looking for the Boston Red Sox schedule this week to find a game, you’re looking at the wrong calendar. But if you’re looking for the business of baseball, this is the week where the 2026 roster actually meets in person for the first time.
Ranger Suárez and the rotation shakeup
We can't talk about the schedule without talking about who is actually on the field. This week was huge. The Sox finally went big, signing Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million deal. That move, which became official just days ago, sent shockwaves through the clubhouse.
Suddenly, the "schedule" for guys like Johan Oviedo and Sonny Gray changed. They aren't just showing up to camp to compete; they’re now part of a revamped rotation that, on paper, looks like the best we’ve had since 2018. The Red Sox now have nearly ten viable starters if you count the depth in Worcester.
The Willson Contreras factor
Don't forget the trade. Willson Contreras joined the squad this week too. He’s been doing the media rounds, talking about the "winning culture" in Boston. Seeing him in a Red Sox hoodie during the Fenway Fest promos this weekend is going to be the "real" start of the season for a lot of people.
🔗 Read more: Kevin O'Connell Age: Why the Vikings Coach is Way Ahead of Schedule
The front office is still active. There are rumors flying today—literally as you read this—that the Sox might flip one of those extra starters for an infielder. They lost out on Alex Bregman earlier in the winter, which left a massive hole at third base. Whether Marcelo Mayer takes that spot or they trade for a veteran like Brendan Donovan is the big question hanging over Fenway this Saturday.
Looking ahead: The road to JetBlue Park
Since there are no games this week, your eyes should be on the mid-February dates. The Boston Red Sox schedule this week is the final "quiet" week before the equipment truck departs.
Key dates to circle:
- February 10: Pitchers and catchers report.
- February 15: First full-squad workout.
- February 20: First exhibition game against the Northeastern Huskies.
That February 20 game is the real deal. It’s played at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, and tickets are actually surprisingly cheap right now—some are going for as low as $12. If you’re sick of the Boston slush, that’s your escape hatch.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Allen Iverson on Grizzlies
Why the 2026 schedule feels different
Usually, by mid-January, we’re just complaining about the lack of spending. This year is different. The Suárez signing changed the narrative. The schedule this week is less about "hope" and more about "logistics."
The team is currently figuring out the "taxi squad" for the early season. With a rotation anchored by Garrett Crochet, Suárez, and Gray, the triple-A Worcester schedule actually becomes more important. You’ll want to keep an eye on the "WooSox" because that’s where the injury insurance is living.
Actionable steps for Red Sox fans this weekend
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just wait for Opening Day.
- Check the secondary market for Fenway Fest vouchers: Even though the main event is sold out, people are often trading the "April/May game vouchers" that came with the tickets.
- Download the MLB Ballpark App now: All the Fenway Fest entries and Spring Training tickets are strictly digital this year. No paper, no exceptions.
- Watch NESN tonight: They are running loops of the new player interviews, including the first long-form sit-down with Willson Contreras.
The Boston Red Sox schedule this week might not have a first pitch, but the 2026 season officially started the moment Ranger Suárez put on the jersey. The transition from the old "Winter Weekend" to the new "Fenway Fest" model is a clear sign: the team is done looking backward. They’re ready to play.
Next Step: You should verify your MLB Ballpark app login today, as the team is releasing the first wave of Spring Training "Theme Night" tickets this coming Monday at 10:00 AM.