So, you’re looking for the Houston Astros game time today, Jan. 16, 2026? I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there isn't a game. Not a real one, anyway.
It’s mid-January. If you’re a die-hard Houston fan, you know this is the "dead zone." The winter meetings are long over, the big free-agent splashes have mostly settled, and we’re all just staring at our calendars waiting for the first crack of the bat in West Palm Beach. Honestly, the only thing hitting home runs in Houston right now is the humidity and maybe the Rockets over at Toyota Center.
But while there's no first pitch tonight, there is a ton of movement behind the scenes. 2026 is shaping up to be a weird, historic season for the "Space City" crew.
When Do They Actually Take the Field?
The countdown is officially on. If you’re itching for a Houston Astros game time today, you’ve basically got about five weeks of "hurry up and wait" left.
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The Astros kick off their Spring Training schedule on February 21, 2026. They’ll be facing off against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. That game starts at 6:05 p.m. local time, and it’ll be our first real look at how the roster is shaking out.
Here is the quick-and-dirty on the immediate road ahead:
- February 21: Spring Training Opener vs. Nationals (Away)
- February 22: First Home Spring Game vs. St. Louis Cardinals (1:05 p.m.)
- March 26: Opening Day vs. Los Angeles Angels (Home at Daikin Park)
Wait, "Daikin Park"? Yeah, if you haven't been keeping up, the juice box—formerly Minute Maid Park—has a new name. It's going to take some getting used to. Saying "I'm heading to Daikin" just doesn't have that same ring to it yet, does it?
The 2026 Schedule Quirk Nobody Is Talking About
There is a huge reason why the 2026 season feels heavier than usual. It’s the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
While the regular season starts in late March, Houston is actually hosting the WBC at Daikin Park from March 6 to March 11. We’re talking Pool B games and the quarterfinals. This means while the Astros are technically in Florida for Spring Training, their home turf is being taken over by international superstars.
This creates a weird dynamic. Usually, the team is just focusing on getting arms healthy. Now, they’re watching guys like Jose Altuve or Yordan Alvarez potentially jet off to represent their home countries right when they should be gelling with the squad. It’s exciting, sure, but it’s a logistical nightmare for a manager trying to set a rotation.
Opening Day Is Earlier Than Ever
Mark your calendar for March 26, 2026. This is officially the earliest traditional Opening Day in MLB history.
The Astros are hosting the Los Angeles Angels. It’s only the second time the franchise has opened against the Halos, and the very first time they’ve done it at home. In 2022, they beat the Angels 3-1 on the road to start the year, so the vibes are technically on our side.
The first homestand is a seven-game stretch. After the four-game series with the Angels, the Boston Red Sox come to town for three games. If you’re planning on being there, tickets are already floating around the $78 mark for the opener, though you can find them cheaper for the following Friday.
Why Today Matters (Even Without a Game)
You might think searching for a Houston Astros game time today in January is a waste of time. It’s not.
This is the window where the roster is "baked." We’re looking at the health of the pitching staff—especially the older guys who have a lot of miles on their arms. The front office is likely scouring the bargain bin for one more middle-relief arm or a bench bat that can hit lefties.
If you need a live sports fix tonight, your best bet is staying in town but switching jerseys. The Houston Rockets are playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m. ET. It’s not baseball, but with Kevin Durant now on the Rockets (a sentence that still feels like a fever dream in 2026), it's worth the watch while we wait for the grass to get green at the ballpark.
Actionable Next Steps for Astros Fans
Stop refreshing the scoreboard and start prepping for the season. Here’s how to handle the "no game" blues:
- Check your Spring Training travel: If you're heading to West Palm Beach, book now. Prices for those Feb. 21-22 games are already climbing as fans flee the cold.
- Update your apps: Make sure your MLB TV or local streaming apps are updated. The shift to "Daikin Park" and new regional sports network layouts often messes with login credentials.
- WBC Planning: If you want to see the World Baseball Classic in Houston this March, those tickets are moving faster than the actual Astros regular season tickets. Pool B games start March 6.
- Gear Up: Expect a flood of "Daikin Park" branded merch soon. If you want the old "Minute Maid" stuff, buy it now before it becomes "vintage" and double the price on eBay.
The wait is almost over. Five weeks. We can do this.
Fact Check: All schedule data is based on the official 2026 MLB release. Game times for the regular season (post-March 26) are often TBD until closer to the date, but Opening Day is confirmed for a home start against the Angels. The World Baseball Classic 2026 will indeed host games in Houston.