While the Royals are not certain if their full slate of 2026 games will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Kansas City or an MLB channel, we do know this:
Some games will be shown on a local TV channel.
Cullen Maxey, the Royals’ president of business operations, said a handful of the team’s games will be broadcast as an over-the-air option in Kansas City. It’s the second consecutive season that games will air on KCTV (Ch. 5) and possibly KSMO (Ch. 62).
Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman confirmed Saturday that the team’s opener, which is March 27 against the Braves in Atlanta, will air on KCTV. First pitch is at 6:15 p.m.
Sherman is happy fans will have an over-the-air option to watch the Royals.
“We are excited about that,” Sherman said at Royals Rally. “What do have, we have 10 games again? Sundays and … opening day.
“I think when we’re over the air, those are the days that we have the most eyeballs on us locally, other than a national broadcast. So yeah, that’s a great part, and we’re excited about it.”
Some Friday night games also are expected to air on local television this season.
Those over-the-air games will be a simulcast of the Royals broadcast on FanDuel Sports KC (or MLB) with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler calling the action.
This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 8:49 AM.
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