It is mid-January, and if you are a Bronx faithful, you are likely already counting down the seconds until the smell of fresh-cut grass and overpriced stadium hot dogs returns. We are currently sitting in that weird dead zone of the winter where the hot stove has cooled slightly, and the actual crack of the bat feels a lifetime away. But if you’re asking how many games does the Yankees have left, the answer is technically all of them.
162.
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The full slate is sitting there, untouched and full of potential. The 2026 Major League Baseball season is shaping up to be a weird one, honestly. We have an incredibly early start date—the earliest in history for a domestic opener—and a schedule that feels like it was designed to keep fans on the edge of their seats from March until the final out in September.
The Road to 162: Breaking Down the Schedule
The Yankees are staring down a standard 162-game regular season. Since the schedule balanced out a couple of years ago, the way those games are distributed has changed. You don't just see the Red Sox and Orioles 19 times a piece anymore. It’s more of a "see everyone" vibe.
For 2026, the breakdown is pretty specific. New York will play 52 games against their AL East rivals. That’s 13 games each against the Sox, O's, Rays, and Blue Jays. Then you have 62 games against the rest of the American League—the "intraleague" stuff. Finally, there are 48 interleague games. This is where things get fun because every single National League team will face the Yanks at some point.
The season officially kicks off on March 25, 2026. It’s a standalone night game. The Yankees are headed to San Francisco to take on the Giants at Oracle Park. It’s a high-profile way to start, and since it's the only game on that Wednesday, the entire baseball world will be watching.
Key Series and Dates to Watch
If you are trying to plan your summer around the Bronx Bombers, there are a few clusters of games that stand out. Honestly, the August stretch looks like a gauntlet.
The Yankees have two separate nine-game homestands in August. The first runs from August 3 to August 13, featuring the Cardinals, Braves, and Mariners. If you've never been to the stadium for an interleague series against a historic team like the Cards, the energy is different. It’s less "division grit" and more "world series preview" hype.
Then, later that month, they have another nine-game stretch at home from August 21 to August 30 against the Blue Jays, Astros, and Red Sox. That is a brutal ten-day window. Playing the Astros and Red Sox back-to-back in late August? That’s where seasons are made or broken.
Important Milestone Dates:
- Opening Night: March 25 at San Francisco Giants.
- Jackie Robinson Day: April 15 vs. Los Angeles Angels (Home).
- Rivalry Weekend: May 15–17 at New York Mets (Citi Field).
- Lou Gehrig Day: June 2 vs. Cleveland Guardians (Home).
- Subway Series (Home): September 11–13 vs. New York Mets. This one is special—it marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Why the Final Games Matter Most
When we look at how many games does the Yankees have left as the season winds down, the final week is a doozy. MLB scheduled the Yankees to finish the year with a six-game homestand.
They play three against the Tampa Bay Rays from September 22 to 24. Immediately after that, the Baltimore Orioles come to town for a three-game set from September 25 to September 27. If the AL East is as competitive as it usually is, those final six games at Yankee Stadium will basically be playoff games.
The regular season officially ends on September 27, 2026.
Managing the Marathon
It’s easy to get caught up in the individual matchups, but the 162-game grind is about health and depth. The Yankees' longest road trip this year is a 10-game trek from July 24 to August 2. They'll be hitting Philly, then both sides of Chicago (White Sox and Cubs). That’s a lot of travel and a lot of different clubhouse vibes in a short window.
One thing most people get wrong about the schedule is assuming the "easy" stretches are actually easy. In 2026, the interleague play means fewer games against familiar foes. You're seeing pitchers you haven't scouted as much. You're playing in parks like Oracle or Wrigley where the wind does weird things.
The Subway Series and Special Events
We have to talk about the Mets. The 2026 Subway Series is split up, as per usual. The first three games are at Citi Field during "Rivalry Weekend" in mid-May. The return sets are in the Bronx in September.
There's also some interesting national TV stuff. NBC and Peacock are leaning heavily into baseball this year. The Yankees have several Sunday night and "Sunday Leadoff" games scheduled. For example, the Dodgers visit Yankee Stadium for a high-stakes series starting July 17. That July 19 game is already earmarked for a national broadcast.
The All-Star Game is also a big deal this year. It’s being held on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Expect a lot of Yankees to be making that short trip down I-95.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to track the countdown or attend a game, here is what you should do right now:
- Sync your calendar: Most fans use the "ECAL" or digital schedule downloads from the official Yankees site. Do this now so you don't accidentally book a wedding on the day they play the Red Sox.
- Check the Peacock schedule: Since many games are moving to streaming (Peacock/NBC), make sure your subscriptions are active for those specific "Leadoff" windows.
- Plan for the September Finale: If you want to see the end of the season, look at the September 22–27 homestand. Those tickets will likely spike in price if the divisional race is tight.
- Monitor the Spring Training start: Pitchers and catchers usually report in mid-February. That’s when the "162" number starts to feel real.
Whether the Yankees have 162 games left or just 10, the math always leads to the same goal: October. With a March 25 start, the 2026 season is a long, grueling journey that ends under the bright lights of the Bronx in late September. Keep an eye on that final Baltimore series; it’s going to be the one that defines the year.