San Diego Padres 2026 Schedule: Dates, Times & Opponents

Get Ready for Thrills: Unpacking the San Diego Padres 2026 Schedule

The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the anticipation of a new season – for San Diego Padres fans, 2026 promises another year filled with unforgettable baseball moments. As the team gears up for what’s sure to be an exciting campaign, understanding the full San Diego Padres Schedule is crucial for planning your fan experience. From the competitive energy of Spring Training to the high-stakes matchups of the regular season, every date on the calendar offers a fresh opportunity to cheer on your favorite Friars.

While the complete MLB schedule is always a highly anticipated release, we're diving deep into the confirmed dates, times, and opponents for the Padres' 2026 journey, offering insights into key series and what fans can expect. Whether you're planning a trip to Petco Park or setting your DVR, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the early phases of the Padres' 2026 season.

Spring Training 2026: Preparing for Glory

Before the regular season grind begins, Spring Training provides the crucial foundation for the Padres' success. It's a time for veterans to knock off the rust, for new talent to make their case, and for fans to get a sneak peek at the team's potential. The San Diego Padres Schedule for Spring Training 2026 kicks off in late February with a promising lineup of Cactus League matchups.

The Friars will begin their exhibition slate on Friday, February 20th, with an away game against the Seattle Mariners at 12:10 PM. This early matchup sets the tone for a busy preseason, featuring a mix of home and away contests against a diverse set of MLB teams. Key early Spring Training games to mark on your calendar include:

Fri, Feb 20: @ Seattle Mariners, 12:10 PM
Sat, Feb 21: @ Kansas City Royals, 12:05 PM
Sun, Feb 22: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 12:10 PM
Mon, Feb 23: vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 12:10 PM
Tue, Feb 24: @ Chicago Cubs, 12:05 PM
Wed, Feb 25: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 12:10 PM
Thu, Feb 26: @ Cincinnati Reds, 12:05 PM
Fri, Feb 27: @ Colorado Rockies, 12:10 PM
Sat, Feb 28: vs. Seattle Mariners, 12:10 PM
Sun, Mar 1: @ San Francisco Giants, 12:05 PM
Mon, Mar 2: vs. Oakland Athletics, 12:10 PM
Tue, Mar 3: @ Chicago Cubs, 12:05 PM

These early games offer a fantastic opportunity to see developing prospects alongside established stars. The repeated matchups against NL West rivals like the Dodgers, Rockies, and Giants, even in a preseason setting, provide an early taste of the division rivalries that will define the regular season. For a deeper dive into all the exhibition games, check out our dedicated guide: Padres Spring Training 2026: Full Game Schedule & Details.

Opening Homestand & Early Regular Season Highlights

The regular season action for the San Diego Padres begins with a highly anticipated opening homestand at the iconic Petco Park, setting the stage for what fans hope will be a triumphant year. The San Diego Padres Schedule for late March and early April features a compelling mix of interleague and divisional play right out of the gate.

Opening Day and First Series: Detroit Tigers

The Friars will kick off their 2026 regular season at home against the Detroit Tigers for a three-game series:

Thursday, March 26, 2026: vs. Detroit Tigers, 4:10 PM PST at Petco Park. The official Home Opener is always an electric atmosphere, marking the true start of baseball season in America's Finest City.
Friday, March 27, 2026: vs. Detroit Tigers, 9:40 PM PST at Petco Park.
Saturday, March 28, 2026: vs. Detroit Tigers, 8:40 PM PST at Petco Park.

Starting with an interleague opponent can often provide an interesting gauge of the team's readiness before diving deep into divisional play. The energy at Petco Park during this series will undoubtedly be at an all-time high.

Early Divisional Tests at Home

Following the Tigers series, the Padres immediately face a crucial divisional rival, the San Francisco Giants, for another three-game set:

Monday, March 30, 2026: vs. San Francisco Giants, 9:40 PM PST at Petco Park (broadcast on FS1).
Tuesday, March 31, 2026: vs. San Francisco Giants, 9:40 PM PST at Petco Park.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026: vs. San Francisco Giants, 4:10 PM PST at Petco Park.

These early divisional games are critical for setting the tone within the National League West. The rivalry with the Giants always brings an added level of intensity, and starting the season with these matchups will test the Padres' resolve early on.

Key Matchups and Road Trips to Watch

The early part of the San Diego Padres Schedule doesn't ease up after the initial homestand. The team will embark on its first significant road trip, challenging them in historic ballparks before returning home for more crucial matchups.

East Coast Swing: Boston and Pittsburgh

The Padres' first road venture takes them to the East Coast, featuring two storied franchises:

Friday, April 3, 2026: @ Boston Red Sox, 2:10 PM EST at Fenway Park. Playing in Fenway is an experience in itself, and facing the Red Sox always draws national attention.
Saturday, April 4, 2026: @ Boston Red Sox, 4:10 PM EST at Fenway Park.
Sunday, April 5, 2026: @ Boston Red Sox, 1:35 PM EST at Fenway Park.

Following Boston, the Padres will head to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates:

Monday, April 6, 2026: @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:40 PM EST at PNC Park.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026: @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:40 PM EST at PNC Park.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026: @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 12:35 PM EST at PNC Park.

These early road trips are vital for building team chemistry and getting accustomed to travel. Performing well away from home, especially against challenging East Coast teams, can significantly boost confidence for the long season ahead.

Return to Petco Park: Colorado and Seattle

The Padres return to the comfort of Petco Park to host two more significant series, including a prolonged matchup with a division rival:

Thursday, April 9, 2026: vs. Colorado Rockies, 9:40 PM PST at Petco Park.
Friday, April 10, 2026: vs. Colorado Rockies, 9:40 PM PST at Petco Park.
Saturday, April 11, 2026: vs. Colorado Rockies, 8:40 PM PST at Petco Park.
Sunday, April 12, 2026: vs. Colorado Rockies, 4:10 PM PST at Petco Park.

A four-game series against a division opponent like the Rockies provides ample opportunity to gain ground or solidify an early lead in the NL West standings. This extended series will be a true test of pitching depth and offensive consistency.

Closing out this early stretch, the Padres welcome another interleague foe:

Tuesday, April 14, 2026: vs. Seattle Mariners, 9:40 PM PST at Petco Park.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026: vs. Seattle Mariners, 9:40 PM PST at Petco Park.
Thursday, April 16, 2026: vs. Seattle Mariners, 8:40 PM PST at Petco Park (broadcast on MLBN).

Facing the Mariners again, after their Spring Training encounter, offers another interesting West Coast interleague battle. These games are always competitive and draw significant fan interest from both fanbases.

Making the Most of the 2026 Padres Schedule

With the San Diego Padres Schedule taking shape, here are some practical tips to ensure you don't miss a single moment of the action:

Secure Your Tickets Early: Especially for opening day, weekend games, and matchups against key rivals (like the Giants or Dodgers), tickets at Petco Park can sell out quickly. Visit the official Padres website or trusted secondary markets as soon as sales begin.
Stay Updated on Game Times: While initial schedules are released, game times can be subject to change due to national television broadcasts or other factors. Always double-check closer to game day.
Plan Your Petco Park Visit: Consider parking options, public transportation (MTS trolley), and dining experiences around the Gaslamp Quarter to enhance your game day. Petco Park is consistently rated one of the best ballparks in MLB, offering more than just baseball.
Follow Broadcast Information: Note which games are scheduled for national broadcasts (FS1, MLBN) and stay tuned to local sports networks for regional coverage. Many games will be available on local sports channels or streaming services.
Consider Road Trips: If you're an adventurous fan, the early trips to Boston's Fenway Park and Pittsburgh's PNC Park offer unique opportunities to experience different MLB venues and support the Padres on the road.
Sign Up for Alerts: Many official team sites and sports news outlets offer email or app notifications for schedule changes, ticket releases, and game day reminders.
Engage with Fellow Fans: Join online forums, social media groups, or local fan clubs to share the excitement, discuss games, and plan watch parties.

Being prepared means you can fully immerse yourself in the Padres' 2026 season, cheering them on every step of the way.

The 2026 San Diego Padres season is already shaping up to be a thrilling ride. With an engaging Spring Training slate and a challenging, exciting start to the regular season, fans have plenty to look forward to. From the electric atmosphere of Petco Park for the home opener against the Tigers to the critical divisional clashes with the Giants and Rockies, every game on the San Diego Padres Schedule tells a story. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates as the full schedule is revealed, and prepare to cheer on your Padres all season long!