The MLB announced its new media rights deal for the 2026 season. Which networks will air baseball games next season?
MLB Announcers Media Rights Deal
MLB has formed new three-year media rights agreements with Netflix, NBCUniversal, and ESPN.
The agreements, which cover rights for the 2026-2028 MLB seasons, mark the return of NBC to regularly airing MLB games on its broadcast network for the first time in 26 years, will expand… pic.twitter.com/uqMXYpbQFP
— MLB (@MLB) November 19, 2025
Next year, the MLB will have several familiar media partners as well as new networks.
On Wednesday, the MLB announced a new three-year media rights agreement with Netflix, NBCUniversal, and ESPN. These deals cover the 2026 to 2028 MLB seasons.
The deal is worth around $800 million per year — ESPN at $550 million, NBC at $200 million, and Netflix at $50 million.
Netflix
Netflix continues its growth into live sporting events by adding several MLB events.
Netflix will kick off the MLB season on its streamer with a single game on Opening Night. In 2026, the Opening Night game features the New York Yankees taking on the San Francisco Giants on March 25.
In 2026, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby moves from ESPN to Netflix. The event will be held at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park the night before the All-Star Game.
Netflix will broadcast a special event game each year. In 2026, that special event will be the Field of Dreams Game, held on August 13 in Dyersville, Iowa. The game will feature the Minnesota Twins vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.
Plus, all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic will stream on Netflix to its audience in Japan.
NBCUniversal
Next season, the MLB returns to NBCUniversal for the first time since 2000.
Sunday Night Baseball is moving from ESPN to NBC starting with the 2026 season. Games will air on Peacock and NBCSN during weeks when NBC has previously negotiated media rights deals with other entities.
NBC’s first game is a primetime Opening Day matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Peacock will have the rights to MLB’s Sunday Leadoff game. These 18 games will start around noon ET on Sundays.
Peacock will regularly feature a game of the day available to out-of-market fans.
Plus, NBC and Peacock will air the first hour of the MLB Draft. Peacock, NBCSN, and MLB Network will air the remainder of the deal.
NBC and Peacock will also feature the Futures Game, while Peacock will air a new event featuring players and celebrities during All-Star Week.
ESPN
ESPN loses Sunday Night Baseball, postseason games, and the Home Run Derby. However, ESPN becomes the rights holder for MLB.TV. It can now be purchased through the ESPN app.
ESPN will air roughly 30 games this season — a national midweek gam package that will air predominantly on weeknights and in the summer months.
ESPN also receives the in-market streaming rights for six teams — San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners. The MLB was producing games for those six teams.
What about FOX, Turner Sports, and Apple?
Fox, Turner, and Apple TV will remain as media partners next season.
Fox and FS1 will still air the All-Star Game, multiple regular-season games, the Division Series, the League Championship Series, and the World Series.
TBS will have Tuesday night regular-season games, the Division Series, and the League Championship Series.
Finally, Apple TV will broadcast regular-season games on Friday nights.
