MLB released the 2026 schedule, and the Detroit Tigers’ year starts with a road-heavy arc that tees up an early test for the club. Opening Day is March 26 against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, marking the Tigers’ first game of the season away from home. They’ll play their initial six games on the road: a three-game set vs. the Padres (March 26-28) followed by a three-game series at the Arizona Diamondbacks (March 30-April 1) at Chase Field. The home opener is set for April 3 at Comerica Park against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Tigers haven’t opened Opening Day at Comerica Park since 2022. After the Cardinals series, Detroit heads back on the road for a four-game slate at the Minnesota Twins (April 6-9) at Target Field, meaning 10 of the first 13 games are away from Detroit.
The 2026 All-Star Game will be played July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. For Detroit, the unofficial first half ends at home against the Philadelphia Phillies, while the unofficial second half begins with a road trip to the Los Angeles Angels.
In a cross-country rhythm, the Tigers will be in Arlington, Texas for the Fourth of July against the Texas Rangers. Memorial Day weekend finds Detroit in Baltimore to take on the Orioles, and Labor Day weekend brings a trip to Minneapolis to play the Twins.
Mother’s Day falls on May 10, with a series finale in Kansas City against the Royals. Father’s Day arrives on June 21, when Detroit will be at home to face the White Sox.
The City of Boston will host Detroit on Patriots Day, March 20, at Fenway Park.
Detroit Tigers’ 2026 schedule (highlights)
March
– 26-28: at Padres
– 30-Apr 1: at Diamondbacks
April
– 3-6: vs Cardinals (home opener)
– 6-9: at Twins
– 10-12: vs Marlins
– 14-16: vs Royals
– 17-20: at Red Sox
– 21-23: vs Brewers
– 24-26: at Reds
– 28-30: at Braves
May
– 1-3: vs Rangers
– 4-6: vs Red Sox
– 8-10: at Royals
– 12-24: at Mets
– 15-17: vs Blue Jays
– 18-21: vs Guardians
– 22-24: at Orioles
– 26-28: vs Angels
– 29-31: at White Sox
June
– 1-3: at Rays
– 5-7: vs Mariners
– 9-11: vs Twins
– 12-14: at Guardians
– 15-17: at Astros
– 19-21: vs White Sox
– 22-24: vs Yankees
– 25-28: vs Astros
– 29-July 1: at Yankees
July
– 2, 4-5: at Rangers
– 7-9: vs Athletics
– 10-12: vs Phillies
– 15-18: at Angels
– 20-22: at Cubs
– 23-26: vs Royals
– 27-29: vs Orioles
– 31-Aug 2: at Athletics
August
– 4-6: at Mariners
– 7-9: at Giants
– 11-13: vs Guardians
– 14-15: vs White Sox
– 17-19: at Pirates
– 21-23: at Royals
– 24-26: vs Rays
– 28-30: vs Dodgers
– 31-Sept 2: at Twins
September
– 4-6: at Guardians
– 7-9: vs Twins
– 11-13: vs Rockies
– 14-16: at Blue Jays
– 17-20: at White Sox
– 21-23: vs Nationals
– 25-27: vs Pirates
Outlook and takeaways
– The early road-heavy start tests pitching depth and organizational depth right out of the gate, but also provides an opportunity to build on momentum away from home before returning to Comerica Park for a home-heavy stretch.
– The All-Star break comes in mid-July, with a schedule that features a mix of AL and NL opponents across varied ballparks, offering a broad challenge.
– The Tigers will face a wide slate of AL East and Interleague opponents, with notable trips to Boston, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and beyond, before finishing the season with late-September divisional play.
Summary
Detroit opens 2026 with six straight road games, follows with a road-focused early schedule and a home opener on April 3, and has a balanced mix of interleague and division games throughout the year, capped by a mid-July All-Star Game in Philadelphia. The stretch ahead includes several marquee matchups and key road trips that could shape the Tigers’ momentum as they navigate the season. A hopeful note: a schedule with varied opponents and a modern travel footprint could yield valuable experiences for a club aiming to contend.