The San Diego Padres have officially released their 2026 regular season schedule, with Opening Day set for March 26 at Petco Park. The team will kick off the season hosting the Detroit Tigers in a three-game series, marking the earliest traditional Opening Day in Major League Baseball history, excluding special season openers. This historic early start sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting and competitive season for the Padres and their fans.
Image by Conchi Martínez
The preliminary schedule announced Tuesday by Major League Baseball outlines a full slate of exciting matchups for Padres fans. Throughout the 2026 regular season schedule, the Padres will play numerous interleague games at Petco Park against notable American League teams such as the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, and New York Yankees. These interleague games provide a great opportunity for fans to see a variety of top-tier talent from across the league, enhancing the excitement at Petco Park.
Season Highlights & Key Matchups
Here’s a month-by-month snapshot of standout moments and matchups:
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Late March: Season kicks off March 26–28 with the Tigers; Giants follow shortly after Gaslamp BallABC 10 News San Diego KGTVPatch.
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Early April: First road swing starts April 3–5 in Boston, followed by April 6–8 at Pittsburgh Gaslamp BallABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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April Interleague Play: Includes series vs. Mariners, Angels, Rockies, and a special two-game series in Mexico City against Arizona, April 25–26 Gaslamp Ball.
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May: Padres have their longest homestand—11 consecutive days in San Diego Gaslamp Ball+1.
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Mid-May Rivalry Weekend: As part of MLB’s Rivalry Weekend tradition, a highlight series is expected May 15–17 Wikipedia.
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Dodgers Showdowns:
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First meet-up at Petco Park: May 18–20 ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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Dodgers’ Visit to San Diego: July 4 Weekend – a marquee Fourth of July series ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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National Holidays:
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Mother’s Day: Home game vs. St. Louis Cardinals, May 10 ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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Father’s Day: Away game at Texas Rangers, June 21 ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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Labor Day: Home showdown vs. Washington Nationals, Sept. 7 ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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All-Star Game: Hosted July 14, 2026, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia WikipediaABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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Summer Road Challenges: The longest road trip runs mid-July: at Kansas City, Atlanta, and Miami ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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Season Finale:
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Final regular-season series: vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, Sept. 25–27 ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV.
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Image by iStock|JakeOlimb
The Padres will face tough competition on the road and at home, making every game crucial in the pursuit of postseason success. This 2026 regular season promises to be one of the most thrilling in Padres history, with plenty of opportunities to see the team compete against top Major League Baseball opponents and create unforgettable moments for the San Diego community.
Stay tuned for more updates as the San Diego Padres prepare for the upcoming season, and get ready to cheer on the team at Petco Park and beyond! With the preliminary schedule announced Tuesday, fans can begin planning their attendance and support for what is shaping up to be a landmark season in Major League Baseball history.
Stay tuned for more updates as the San Diego Padres prepare for the upcoming season, and get ready to cheer on the team at Petco Park and beyond!
