If you’re waking up in Baton Rouge today, January 15, 2026, and grabbing your purple and gold jersey, I have some news that might be a little bittersweet. You’re ready. The Box is ready. But the calendar? Not quite.
The most important thing to know right now regarding the lsu baseball start time today is that there isn't a game scheduled for this afternoon or tonight. We are currently in the heart of the "waiting game" phase of the season.
It’s that weird limbo where the football pads have been put away, the air is just starting to feel like baseball weather, and Jay Johnson is grinding behind closed doors at Alex Box Stadium. Honestly, the anticipation is probably at an all-time high because LSU is coming off that massive 2025 National Championship win. Everyone wants to see the encore.
When does the season actually start?
If you're looking for the first real lsu baseball start time today equivalent, mark your calendar for Friday, February 13, 2026. That is the official Opening Day. The Tigers will be hosting Milwaukee at Alex Box Stadium, and the first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. CT.
💡 You might also like: La Liga Next Games: What Fans Are Getting Wrong About the Title Race
Opening Day in Baton Rouge is basically a local holiday. You’ve got the smell of the grill, the sound of the ball hitting the mitt, and that specific energy only the Skip Bertman Field crowd can provide.
Following that Friday opener, the rest of the opening series follows a pretty standard weekend rhythm:
- Saturday, Feb 14: 1:00 p.m. CT
- Sunday, Feb 15: 12:00 p.m. CT
It's a daytime-heavy start to the year, which is great for those of us who like to soak up the early spring sun before the humidity really starts to try and kill us in May.
The 2026 Schedule Breakdown
Once we get past that first week, the schedule gets spicy. After Milwaukee, Kent State comes to town on Monday, Feb 16 (time still TBD, but likely a late afternoon slot), and then Nicholls swings by on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.
The big one to watch for in February isn't even in Baton Rouge. LSU is heading to Jacksonville, Florida, for the Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic from February 20–22. They’ll be facing Indiana, Notre Dame, and UCF. If you’re planning to follow along from home, those game times are staggered: Friday at 1:00 p.m., Saturday at 11:00 a.m. (brunch baseball!), and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Key SEC Matchups and Times
SEC play is where the real drama happens. This year, the conference gauntlet starts on the road against Vanderbilt on March 13. While many of those conference start times are still listed as "TBD" because of the SEC Network and ESPN television picks, we usually see Friday night games kick off around 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. CT.
One series you absolutely cannot miss is the home stand against Oklahoma starting March 20. It's one of those "welcome to the SEC" moments for the Sooners, and Alex Box is going to be a pressure cooker for that one.
Who are we watching this year?
Since there’s no lsu baseball start time today, let’s talk about why people are so hyped for February. Coach Jay Johnson has somehow reloaded this roster despite losing some huge names to the MLB Draft.
Keep an eye on Derek Curiel. He was the D1Baseball National Freshman of the Year in 2025 and he’s back as a sophomore. He hit .345 last year and was basically a walking highlight reel during the College World Series.
Then you’ve got the arms. William Schmidt and Casan Evans are both top-tier sophomore pitchers who are expected to anchor the rotation. Schmidt went 7-0 last year with a 4.73 ERA, and Evans was a lockdown closer/reliever with seven saves and a tiny 2.05 ERA. Having that kind of stability on the mound is why LSU is currently ranked No. 2 in the preseason polls by D1Baseball.
Logistics for the Season
If you’re a season ticket holder, I hope you hit that October 1 renewal deadline. If not, single-game tickets are the way to go. You can usually find them on LSUTIX.net, but for the big SEC series like Florida (May 14–16) or Texas A&M (April 17–19), you’ve gotta be fast.
Parking at The Box is its own sport. If you don't have a permit, the levee lots and the hayfield are usually your best bets, but honestly, show up at least two hours before the lsu baseball start time today or any day if you want a spot that doesn't involve a cross-campus hike.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
Since there is no game today, here is how you can actually prepare for the season:
- Check your gear: Dig out the jerseys and hats. If they’re looking a bit faded from the 2025 championship run, now is the time to hit the LSU SportShop.
- Download the LSU Sports App: This is the easiest way to get live alerts. When those "TBD" times for the SEC games finally get locked in by the networks, the app will ping you immediately.
- Plan the Jacksonville Trip: If you're going to the Jax College Baseball Classic in February, book your flights and hotels now. Jacksonville gets crowded, and Tiger fans travel better than anyone.
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official LSU Athletics site and export the schedule to your phone. It’ll update automatically if there are rain delays or time changes.
We’re less than a month away from the real thing. Hang in there.