Tuesday marks an eventful day around Major League Baseball, as the 2026 schedule release is finally here, and baseball fans can speculate when the biggest matchups will be. Although it is over six months away, MLB Opening Day is one of the biggest days on the baseball calendar, and fans want to know who their squad will open a fresh season with.
For the Detroit Tigers, it follows a similar pattern in 2026 as it did in 2025. The Tigers open up on the road against an NL West contender.
Tigers open 2026 season with San Diego Padres
Opening Day is March 26, and the Detroit Tigers will open up with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
The Tigers play their first six games next season on a West Coast road trip. Three games against the Padres, then another three-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Detroit will place its first contest at Comerica Park on April 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals. It’s not uncommon, but nine interleague games to start the season for the Tigers.
After they square off against the Cardinals, they will head on the road again for a four-game set with the Minnesota Twins, meaning 10 of Detroit’s first 13 games will be away from its home ballpark.
Detroit hasn’t had a home opener since 2022, and that trend will continue in 2026. Taking it a step further, the Tigers play four of their first five official series against National League teams. They have eight series against American League foes before the All-Star break, which starts on July 13, a day after they finish off a three-game set with the Philadelphia Phillies, who also happen to be hosting the Midsummer Classic next summer.
Here is the link to the full schedule from The Detroit Free Press.
