If you’re staring at your remote right now wondering what channel is the diamondbacks game on today, I have some news that might be a little bit of a bummer depending on how much you’ve been keeping up with the calendar. It is mid-January. Specifically, it’s January 18, 2026.
The Arizona Diamondbacks aren't playing today.
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Basically, the boys are still in the final stretch of their winter break. Most of the roster is probably hitting the gym or enjoying the last few weeks of peace before the chaos of the 2026 season kicks into high gear.
When do the Diamondbacks actually play?
Even though there's no live action on the grass today, the wait is almost over. Spring Training 2026 is right around the corner.
Mark your calendar for February 10. That’s when pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The full squad shows up five days later on February 15. Honestly, that’s when the "real" baseball energy starts to return to the Valley.
If you’re looking for the first actual game to watch, the D-backs kick off their Cactus League schedule on Friday, February 20, 2026. They’ll be facing off against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields. It’s a 1:10 PM MST start.
New TV deals and where to watch in 2026
When the regular season officially starts in March, things are going to look a little different than they did a couple of years ago. The broadcasting landscape for MLB has shifted quite a bit, especially for teams like Arizona that moved away from the old regional sports network model.
For the 2026 season, the primary home for most games remains DBACKS.TV. This is the team’s direct-to-consumer streaming service that basically saved fans from the blackout headaches of the past.
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- DBACKS.TV: You can usually find this as a standalone subscription through the MLB app. It's the most reliable way to catch every single pitch without needing a massive cable bundle.
- Local Cable/Satellite: If you’re a "traditional" TV person, look for the dedicated Diamondbacks channel on providers like Cox or DIRECTV (Channel 686).
- National Games: This is where it gets interesting this year. NBC and Peacock have officially entered the chat.
The Opening Day primetime shift
You're going to want to pay attention to Opening Day this year. The Diamondbacks are actually part of a massive national broadcast to start the 2026 season.
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the D-backs head to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers. Because MLB just signed a huge new deal with NBCUniversal, this specific game is being featured as a primetime exclusive. You’ll likely find it on NBC and Peacock.
It’s a pretty big deal. Usually, Opening Day is a local affair, but 2026 is leaning heavily into these national windows.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic factor
There’s another reason why today feels quiet but the next few weeks will be intense. The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) is happening this spring.
Because of the WBC, the Spring Training schedule has some weird "exhibition" games tucked in. For example, in early March, several MLB teams will play against international squads. If you’re a die-hard fan, you might see some of your favorite D-backs players wearing their home country's colors instead of the Sedona Red for a few weeks.
Summary of where to look
So, to recap the "where to watch" situation for the upcoming season:
- Spring Training (Starting Feb 20): Most of these games are on DBACKS.TV or occasionally MLB Network if it’s a marquee matchup.
- Regular Season (Starting March 26): Your daily home is DBACKS.TV or your local cable provider's D-backs channel.
- Big National Windows: Check NBC, Peacock, and ESPN. ESPN still holds the rights to a bunch of weeknight games and "Sunday Night Baseball" slots.
If you’re looking for something to watch right now since there’s no game today, the D-backs usually have "Curtain Calls" or season reviews playing on their social media channels or the MLB app. It’s not live baseball, but it’s enough to get you through the January slump.
Your best move is to download the MLB app and link your account now. That way, when February 20 rolls around, you aren't scrambling to find the login while the first pitch is being thrown. Check your local listings on Cox or DIRECTV about a week before Opening Day to see if the channel numbers have shifted at all for the 2026 season.