Baseball is basically back, and if you're like me, you've been staring at a calendar since October waiting for the sound of a glove popping in North Port. The Atlanta Braves are heading back to CoolToday Park for their seventh season in the Florida sun, and honestly, the broadcast landscape looks a little different this year. Between the shift in regional sports networks and the expanded role of over-the-air "free" TV, catching a glimpse of Ronald Acuña Jr. or Spencer Strider's return requires a bit of a roadmap.
The 2026 spring season is a big one. Not just because the Braves are trying to shake off a weird, injury-riddled 2025, but because we’re seeing a new era in the dugout with Walt Weiss taking the reins as manager.
If you're hunting for the braves spring training tv schedule, you need to know that the games are split across three main buckets: FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally), Peachtree TV through the Gray Media partnership, and the occasional national spot on ESPN or MLB Network.
The Core 2026 Spring Schedule and Key Dates
Pitchers and catchers officially reported on February 10, with the full squad hitting the grass by February 15. The actual games kick off on Saturday, February 21.
The Braves open on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays at Port Charlotte. That first game is rarely on TV, usually relegated to a radio broadcast or a web-stream from the home team's feed. However, the home opener at CoolToday Park happens the very next day, Sunday, February 22, against the Minnesota Twins. That's usually where the TV cameras start rolling.
Early Schedule Highlights
- February 21: Opening Day at Tampa Bay (Away)
- February 22: Home Opener vs. Minnesota Twins (North Port)
- March 4: Special Exhibition vs. Team Colombia (World Baseball Classic Prep)
- March 21: Spring Breakout (Top Prospects vs. Yankees Prospects)
- March 24: Spring Finale vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The March 4 game against Team Colombia is a cool one. Since it’s a World Baseball Classic year, you’ll get to see international talent mixed with Braves regulars. It's often one of the games Gray Media picks up for a local broadcast.
Where to Find the Braves Spring Training TV Schedule
The TV schedule isn't a monolith anymore. You can't just flip to one channel and expect every game to be there.
Gray Media and Peachtree TV (The "Free" Games)
Gray Media stepped up big time. They have an agreement to exclusively produce and air 10 spring training games in 2026. If you live in Atlanta, these are on Peachtree TV (WPCH 17.1) or the Peachtree Sports Network.
The beauty of this is that it’s over-the-air. You just need a digital antenna. For fans outside of Atlanta, Gray distributes these games to their network of affiliates across the Southeast—places like Augusta, Birmingham, and even parts of the Gulf Coast. Check your local listings for "Peachtree Sports Network" or your local Gray-owned station (often the local CBS or FOX affiliate's sub-channel).
FanDuel Sports Network (The Cable Standard)
FanDuel Sports Network South and Southeast (which we are all still training our brains to not call Bally) will carry the bulk of the remaining "televised" games. In a typical spring, they'll air about 7 to 10 games.
One big change for 2026: you can now subscribe directly to the FanDuel Sports app for about $19.99 a month if you've cut the cord. You don't necessarily need a big cable package like Xfinity or Spectrum anymore, though those still carry the channel.
National Broadcasts and MLB Network
Don’t forget MLB Network. They often do "look-ins" or carry the opposing team's feed. If the Braves are playing the Yankees (March 13) or the Red Sox (March 14), there’s a high chance the game will show up on MLB Network using the New York or Boston broadcast crew. It’s better than nothing, even if you have to listen to them talk about the AL East for three hours.
Streaming Options for Cord-Cutters
If you don't have cable, you're not out of luck.
- FuboTV & DirecTV Stream: These are the only two major "Skinny Bundle" services that consistently carry the FanDuel Sports regional networks.
- The FanDuel Sports App: As mentioned, the direct-to-consumer (DTC) option is the cleanest way to get the games without a contract.
- YouTube TV: You’ll get Peachtree TV if you’re in the Atlanta market, but you won’t get the FanDuel Sports regional games here.
- MLB.TV: If you live outside of the Braves' home territory (the "blackout zone"), MLB.TV is your best friend. You can watch almost every televised spring game. If you live in Georgia, Alabama, or the Carolinas, however, you'll be blacked out of the live FanDuel broadcasts.
Radio: The Reliable Backup
Sometimes the TV schedule just doesn't align with your day. The Braves Radio Network is still the biggest in the majors. Ben Ingram and Joe Simpson usually call the weekend games during the spring, while the weekday games might feature a rotating cast.
You can find the games on 680 The Fan and 93.7 FM in Atlanta. If you're out of range, the 680 The Fan app usually streams the spring games for free, which is a lifesaver when you're stuck at work and just want to hear the ambient noise of a Florida afternoon.
Why This Spring Training Feels Different
It's the first spring under Walt Weiss. Brian Snitker moving into an advisory role was a bit of a shock to the system, and how the team responds in these "meaningless" games will be scrutinized.
You also have the Spring Breakout game on March 21. This isn't your standard spring game. It’s the top prospects—the guys we hope will be the next Austin Riley or Michael Harris II—facing off against the Yankees' best kids. It’s almost always televised because MLB wants to hype up the future stars.
Actionable Steps for Braves Fans
To make sure you don't miss a pitch, here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Check your antenna: If you’re in the Southeast, scan your channels for Peachtree Sports Network. That's where the 10 "free" games will live.
- Update your apps: If you use the FanDuel Sports app (formerly Bally Sports+), make sure your subscription is active before the first televised game on Feb 22.
- Mark March 21: Set a reminder for the Spring Breakout game. It's the best look you'll get at the farm system all year.
- Download the 680 The Fan App: It is the most reliable way to catch the games that don't make it to TV, especially those early-week road games in February.
The TV schedule is always "tentative" until the final week of February, so keep an eye on the official Braves social media accounts for last-minute additions to the broadcast slate.