Baseball is back. Sorta. Well, at least the calendar says it is. If you’re a Cleveland fan, you know the drill by now: we wait through the lake-effect snow just to watch the boys start the season somewhere else. For the ninth year in a row, the Cleveland Guardians games schedule kicks off on the road. It’s a long trip too.
The Brutal Opening Road Trip
Honestly, starting on the West Coast is a grind. The Guardians open up in Seattle against the Mariners on March 26. That’s a four-game set that’ll have us all staying up way too late on a school night. The finale of that series is actually getting the national spotlight—Peacock and NBCSN are picking it up for Sunday Night Baseball on March 29 at 7:00 PM ET.
But it doesn't end in Washington. From there, the team flies down to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers for three games from March 30 to April 1. You’ve basically got a week-long trial by fire before they even see Progressive Field. It's tough, but maybe seeing Shohei Ohtani early is better than catching him when the Dodgers are in a mid-season groove? Maybe.
Finally Coming Home: April 3
The date everyone actually cares about is Friday, April 3. That’s the home opener. It’s a bit weird this year because they’re playing a National League team, the Chicago Cubs. Usually, we expect a division rival like the Tigers or the White Sox, but the schedule makers went with an Interleague matchup. This is only the second time in franchise history we’ve hosted an NL team for the first home game.
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The Cubs series is just three games, followed immediately by a visit from the Kansas City Royals. If you’re looking for divisional action early, that April 6-8 series is basically all you get for a while. In fact, Kansas City is the only AL Central opponent the Guards face in the entire first month of the season.
Key Series You Can't Miss
- The Ohio Cup: The Reds come to Cleveland May 15-17. It’s always rowdy. The return trip to Cincinnati happens July 27-29.
- Yankees in Town: New York visits June 8-10. Love them or hate them, those games are always sold out.
- The Longest Homestand: Mark your calendars for June 26 through July 5. Ten straight games at home against the Mariners, Rangers, and White Sox. This is usually when the summer heat starts to bake the bleachers.
How to Watch the Guards in 2026
Watching the games has been... complicated lately. We’ve all been through the Bally Sports drama, but things are shifting. Most games are moving toward a more centralized MLB-led broadcast model, often involving the ESPN app or a specific streaming pass.
Local fans should keep an eye on the FanDuel Sports Network (the artist formerly known as Bally), but national games are scattered. Besides that Peacock game in March, you’ll see the Guards on FOX and FS1 occasionally, especially if they stay at the top of the AL Central like they did last year.
Interleague Road Trips
If you’re the type who likes to travel with the team, 2026 has some decent destinations. They’re playing at the Braves (April 10-12) and at the Cardinals (April 13-15). Those are two of the best stadiums in baseball, period.
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Later in the summer, they head to Miami (July 10-12) right before the All-Star break. The break itself is July 14, hosted in Philadelphia. If the pitching staff holds up like experts expect, we should see a couple of Cleveland jerseys in that Midsummer Classic.
Finishing Strong or Limping In?
The end of the Cleveland Guardians games schedule is a bit of a rollercoaster. The final homestand at Progressive Field is Sept. 14-20 against the White Sox and the A's (who are currently playing in Sacramento, keep in mind).
Then, the season ends on the road. Again. They finish with three in Boston and then a final three-game set in Kansas City. Closing the season at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 27 could be huge if the division race is as tight as it was last season.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're planning your summer around the diamond, here is what you need to do right now:
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- Check the Gate Times: For the home opener on April 3, gates usually open two hours early. If there’s a trophy presentation or a high-profile first pitch, you’ll want to be in your seat by 3:30 PM.
- Download the MLB Ballpark App: Paper tickets are basically extinct at Progressive Field. Get your digital wallet sorted before you're standing at the turnstile.
- Monitor the Pitching Rotation: With the addition of guys like Colin Holderman and Shawn Armstrong in the offseason, the bullpen looks deep. But keep an eye on the health of the young starters during Spring Training (which starts Feb. 21 against the Reds in Goodyear).
- Budget for "District" Tickets: If you just want the atmosphere without the high price tag, the District Ticket still includes your first drink and standing-room access, which is the best deal in the city.
The schedule is out, the tickets are hitting the secondary markets, and the snow will eventually melt. It's time to get ready for Cleveland baseball.