What Time Is Rays Game Today: Why the 2026 Schedule Looks Different

Honestly, if you're looking for the first pitch right this second, you can take a breather. It is January 15, 2026, and the boys of summer are still mostly in "winter mode." There is no game today.

We are currently in that weird, quiet pocket of the MLB calendar where the hot stove has cooled off a bit and everyone is just counting down the days until the equipment trucks head south. But don't go anywhere. Even though there isn't a box score to check tonight, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most unique in Tampa Bay history. Between a temporary home in Tampa last year and a massive homecoming at Tropicana Field this spring, there's a lot to keep track of.

If you're asking what time is rays game today because you're planning your calendar for the months ahead, we finally have the hard dates.

The Road to Opening Day 2026

The real action starts next month. Mark February 21 on your calendar. That’s when the Rays officially kick off their Grapefruit League schedule. They’ll be facing the Atlanta Braves at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.

Most of these spring home games are scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET. It’s that classic Florida afternoon baseball vibe. You’ve got the sun, the smell of the grass, and a bunch of prospects you've never heard of trying to make the 40-man roster.

One date that is actually "today-adjacent" is January 14. If you didn't see the news yesterday, spring training tickets officially went on sale. They usually go fast, especially for the weekend matchups against big-market teams like the Red Sox or Yankees.

Key Spring Training Times to Watch:

• February 21: Spring Opener vs. Braves (1:05 p.m.)
• March 4: Special Exhibition vs. Team Netherlands (WBC Tune-up)
• March 6: Night game at the Yankees in Tampa (6:35 p.m.)
• March 19: "Spring Breakout" prospect game vs. Mets (7:10 p.m. in Port St. Lucie)

Why the Regular Season Start is a Huge Deal

After spending the 2025 season playing home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa—thanks to the catastrophic damage Hurricane Milton did to the Trop's roof—the Rays are finally going back to St. Pete.

The city and the new ownership group (led by Ken Babby) have been working overtime to get the dome ready. The fabric roof has been replaced, and the team just announced a bunch of "revitalized" areas. They’re calling one the MaintenX SkyDeck in left field. Basically, it’s a social area where you can hang out, grab a beer, and not be glued to a plastic seat for nine innings.

The regular season officially begins on March 26, 2026.

But here is the catch: they start on the road. You’ll have to wait until April 6 for the actual home opener at Tropicana Field against the Chicago Cubs. That game is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.

How to Watch and Follow the Action

When the games do start, the broadcast situation is a bit more streamlined than it used to be. FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports Sun) is still the primary home for almost every game.

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If you’re a cord-cutter, you’ve basically got three main paths. Fubo is usually the top pick for sports fans in the region because it carries the local RSNs. DirecTV Stream is the other big one. New for 2026, many fans are shifting toward the FanDuel Sports Network add-on through Amazon Prime Video. It sort of simplifies things if you’re already paying for Prime anyway.

For those of you living outside of Florida, MLB.tv is still your best friend, though the blackouts remain a headache for anyone trying to watch in-market.

Checking Times and Scores

To stay on top of daily start times once the season begins, the MLB Ballpark app is significantly more reliable than a random Google search. Game times can shift for national broadcasts on ESPN or FOX, sometimes moving a 1:10 p.m. Sunday game to a 7:00 p.m. night slot with very little notice.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans

Since there isn't a game to watch tonight, here is what you should actually do to get ready for the 2026 season:

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1. Grab Spring Training Tickets Now: Since they just went on sale yesterday (Jan 14), the $17-to-$30 seats at Charlotte Sports Park are still available. If you wait until February, you'll be paying double on the secondary market.
2. Verify Your TV Provider: Check if your current streaming setup includes FanDuel Sports Network. If you're using YouTube TV, remember they still don't carry the local Rays broadcasts, so you'll need an alternative before Opening Day.
3. Download the MLB Ballpark App: This is where your digital tickets will live and where the most accurate, real-time "what time is the game" info resides.
4. Plan for April 6: The return to the Trop is going to be a sellout. If you want to be there for the homecoming against the Cubs, keep an eye on the single-game ticket releases for the regular season, which usually drop shortly after the spring training rush.

The 2026 season represents a "reset" for the franchise. New ownership, a repaired stadium, and a return to the 72-degree air-conditioned comfort of St. Pete. It might be quiet today, but the roar of the crowd at the Trop is only a few months away.