It’s a Cincinnati holiday.The Cincinnati Reds open the 2026 season at home against the Boston Red Sox.From the parade to the ceremonial first pitch and everything in between, here’s what you need know about Cincinnati’s hometown holiday.LET’S TALK BASEBALLThere is a lot of excitement for this year’s Reds team, and deservedly so. Cincinnati is coming off its first postseason appearance since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and the team has spent spring training talking as if they’re ready to take the next step in 2026.Shortstop Elly De La Cruz now has two full seasons under his belt and will look to anchor Cincinnati’s offense. Second-year skipper Terry Francona has high praise for second baseman Matt McLain, saying a bounce back season is on the horizon.Despite a spring training injury to Hunter Greene, the Reds’ formation is shaping up to be one of the more formidable ones in the division, if not the National League itself. All-Star Andrew Abbott will get the Opening Day start while Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, a healthy Rhett Lowder and flamethrowing Chase Burns round out the rotation to begin the year.In free agency, the Reds brought back an old friend, Eugenio Suarez, to bring some much-needed pop to Cincinnati’s lineup. Having hit 30 or more home runs in every season but one since 2021, Suarez crushed 49 last year, and drove in 118 runs to boot.Cincinnati made the playoffs last season, primarily due to another team (New York Mets) struggling in the second half. This year, the Reds have their sights set on taking ownership of their own destiny.FINDLAY MARKET OPENING DAY PARADEThe 2026 Findlay Market Opening Day Parade kicks off at noon.Former Cincinnati Reds closer and current broadcaster for the team Jeff Brantley will help bring the season to town as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Opening Day Parade.Brantley pitched for the Reds from 1994-1997, going 11-11 with a 2.64 ERA and 88 saves in 185 appearances for the club. This season marks the 30th anniversary of his 1996 season, where he tied for the major league lead in saves, with 44. He earned the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year that year for his efforts.His 44 saves that season are still the most in a single season for a Reds closer.Over his time in Cincinnati, Brantley went 11-11 with a 2.64 ERA and saved 88 games in 185 appearances. He also had stints with San Francisco (6 seasons), Philadelphia (2), St. Louis (1) and Texas (1).Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the founding partner of Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, is this year’s honorary Grand Marshal. He was appointed as the Reds’ team physician in 1996 and has also served as the team’s medical director and chief orthopedic surgeon.Drafted out of Mississippi State, Brantley was a four-year letterwinner and named a first-team All-American in 1985.In his 14 year career in the big leagues, “the Cowboy” was named to one All-Star Game, in 1990 with the Giants, and finished with 172 career saves and a 11.3 Wins Above Replacement, as calculated by Baseball Reference.Reds fans may know him better for his post-playing career. Since 2006, Brantley has been a commentator for the Reds on both radio and television broadcasts. He’s worked alongside Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman and Tommy Thrall during his time on the Reds Radio Network. Before joining the Reds broadcast teams, he did national broadcast work. After his retirement at the end of the 2001 season, he joined ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” studio show and was part of several telecasts for the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.Earlier this year, Brantley was named the National Sports Media Association’s Ohio Sportscaster of the Year. A native of Hoover, Alabama, Huntley will also be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame this May.He’s been honored by former clubs, too: At San Francisco’s Oracle Park, he’s enshrined on the Giants’ Walk of Fame and he’s a member of the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, where his uniform number—No. 8—is retired.The annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will step off at 12 p.m. with a procession of floats, bands and surprise guests to celebrate the return of baseball in the Queen City. You watch the parade LIVE on WLWT and WLWT.com starting at 12 p.m.PREGAME CEREMONIES Thursday’s pre-game ceremonies are set to begin around 3:30 p.m.Reds Hall of Famer Bronson Arroyo will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.Three AH-64 Apache helicopters and one UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (No Mercy), out of Fort Campbell, KY will conduct a flyover during the national anthem.Olympic Gold Medalist Connor Curran will deliver the official game ball.The Sharonville native helped Team USA win gold in the mixed team aerials freestyle skiing event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.Dave Concepción, Reds Hall of Famer and member of the Big Red Machine, will serve as the Honorary Captain of the game. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. to officially usher in the 2026 Cincinnati Reds campaign.Reds LHP Andrew Abbott will start on Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds.PARADE ROUTE/ROAD CLOSURESThis year’s route will be the standard 1.4 mile route, with the Parade starting at Findlay Market on Race Street. It will go straight down Race all the way down to 5th, turning east on 5th and ending at the Taft Theater. WHAT’S NEW AT THE BALL PARK? Friday is the first day of spring, but we’re already looking ahead toward how we’ll be spending summer nights.The Cincinnati Reds have announced what’s new at Great American Ball Park this year, highlighted by 14 new food and concession items fans can enjoy.New concession items this season include:Queen City Classic Burger (Fan Zone Food Hub near section 130): Double all-beef smash burger topped with American cheese, special sauce, lettuce and tomato on a potato roll with colossal crisp fries.Queen City Crunch Burger (Fan Zone Food Hub near section 130): Double all-beef smash burger topped with pimento cheese, crushed Grippo chips and pickles on a potato roll with colossal crisp fries.G.L.T. – Goetta, Lettuce & Tomato (Food Bars near sections 129 & 416): Crispy Glier’s goetta patty with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pickles, American cheese and Woeber’s horseradish aioli on slider buns.Glier’s Goetta Nachos (sections 129 & 416): Glier’s goetta crumbles with Funacho cheese sauce, chipotle sour cream and pickled jalapenos over tortilla chips.Stadium Burnt Ends (Scouts Club and Porkopolis near section 412): Bar-S southwest-style sausage pieces fried with a sweet BBQ rub and sauce, topped with pickled red onions and a white BBQ sauce.The Cincy Heat (Food Bar near section 109): Hempler’s double-smoked sausage with Italian braised peppers and onions with Woeber’s whole grain mustard on a hoagie roll.Hempler’s Jalapeno Cheddar Cajun Bowl (Food Bar near section 109): Hempler’s jalapeno cheddar sausage bites with sautéed peppers and onions on dirty Cajun rice topped with a Cajun cream sauce.Smoked Brisket Street Corn Bowl (Mr. Red’s Smokehouse near section 138): Montgomery Inn smoked brisket with Mexican street corn, pickled red onions, jalapenos, Cotija cheese and BBQ sauce.White Chicken Chili Fry Box (Frybox near sections 137 & 534): Grilled chicken, hatch green chili queso, white beans, sour cream, pickled red onions and cilantro on colossal crisp fries.Frito Chili Fry Box (Frybox near sections 137 & 534): Vegetarian Frito chili, Funacho cheese sauce, crushed Fritos, pickled jalapenos and ranch sauce on colossal fries.Tofuego Tacos (Scouts Club and Los Rojos Taco Cart near section 128): Three flour tortillas topped with chipotle shredded street tofu, jalapeno aioli, cilantro, pickled red onions and Cotija cheeseWings & Rings Boneless Wings (Food Hubs near sections 112 & 130): Boneless chicken wings with your choice of garlic medium or honey barbecue sauce. Ranch and blue cheese available upon request.Baby Ruth Brownie Sundae (Rosie’s Ice Cream Stands near sections 132 & 413): Baby Ruth chocolate brownies topped with soft serve ice cream, caramel syrup and whipped cream.Double Play Donut Parfait (Mr. Red’s Smokehouse near section 139): 12 cinnamon sugar donuts with house-made banana pudding, vanilla wafers, Cin-namon Toast Crunch, whipped cream and caramel sauce.In addition to new food items, three major new ballpark and gameday features are coming to GABP.The Fan Zone Food Hub, which first debuted in 2024 on the third-base concourse, is coming to the first-base side, with fan-favorite brands such as Skyline Chili, LaRosa’s Pizza and Rosie’s Ice Cream, as well as burgers, hot dogs, snacks and drinks.Two new Rosie’s Ice Cream Stands are also being added, in Section 132 on the first-base concourse and in Section 413 on the view level.A new 11-piece brass band, the Rockin’ Redlegs Band, will also be seen at home games throughout the season. They’ll perform pop, classic hits and New Orleans-style music at select games. The band will be seen performing pregame along Joe Nuxhall Way, on the field, and on the Budweiser Decks in right field during select inning breaks.For a full list of everything new coming to Great American Ball Park this year, click here.WHAT ROADS ARE CLOSED?The annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will kick off the home start to another exciting season of Cincinnati Reds baseball this year on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The parade will begin at 12:00 PM so fans will have plenty of time to enjoy the parade before heading down to Great American Ball Park for the Opening Day Game against the Boston Red Sox, which begins at 4:10 PM. In order to accommodate the staging area of the parade, the following streets in the Findlay Market area will close at 8:00 AM on Thursday, March 26:Race Street – closed between Liberty Street and McMicken StreetElm Street – closed between Liberty Street and McMicken StreetFindlay Street – closed between Central Parkway and Vine StreetElder Street – closed between Central Parkway and Vine StreetGreen Street – closed between Vine Street and Logan StreetHenry Street – closed between Race Street and Dunlap StreetDunlap Street – closed between Findlay Street and McMicken StreetLogan Street – closed between Liberty Street and Findlay StreetBeginning at 11:15 AM the following Parade Route and Cross Streets will be closed in advance of the parade:Parade Route: The parade will begin at the intersection of Race Street and Liberty Street, travel south on Race Street to Fifth Street, then travel east on Fifth Street to the demarcation area at Sentinel Street.Liberty Street- closed between Vine Street and Central ParkwayCentral Parkway- closed between Vine Street and Elm StreetRace Street – closed between Liberty Street and Fourth StreetFifth Street – closed between Central Avenue and Sentinel StreetFifteenth Street – closed between Republic Street and Elm StreetFourteenth Street – closed between Elm Street and Republic StreetThirteenth Street- closed between Race Street and Vine StreetTwelfth Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine StreetCourt Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine StreetNinth Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine StreetCross Streets (close at 11:15 AM):Eighth Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine StreetSeventh Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine StreetSixth Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine StreetVine Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth StreetWalnut Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth StreetMain Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth StreetSycamore Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth StreetBroadway Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth StreetAccess to downtown hotels within the parade route closures will be maintained. For additional information motorists should seek the assistance of a Cincinnati Police Officer around the closure area.All parking within the closed areas will be restricted. Motorists are reminded to pay attention to any special parking restrictions and remove their vehicles to avoid being towed.Streets will remain closed until it is determined safe to open, after the parade has passed.Metro will maintain service but may alter downtown stops due to the parade. Streetcar service will begin at the conclusion of the parade. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes around the downtown area due to the congestion caused by the parade and heavier than normal traffic attending the Reds game.WHAT’S THE WEATHER LOOKING LIKE? Yes, there are two rounds of rain on Thursday, but timing is everything and, in this case, the timing is in our favor.There will be two chances of rain on Thursday, but they come in the morning and again late at night.There will be some rain or scattered storms Thursday morning, but they are mainly 6AM-10AM and are gone before the parade.We’re near 70 for the parade and closer to 79 for first pitch! A cold front moves in Thursday evening. Right now, the timing would be well after the gam e is over, likely 11 p.m. or later.With that front, we could see some strong or severe storms.
It’s a Cincinnati holiday.
The Cincinnati Reds open the 2026 season at home against the Boston Red Sox.
From the parade to the ceremonial first pitch and everything in between, here’s what you need know about Cincinnati’s hometown holiday.
LET’S TALK BASEBALL
There is a lot of excitement for this year’s Reds team, and deservedly so. Cincinnati is coming off its first postseason appearance since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and the team has spent spring training talking as if they’re ready to take the next step in 2026.
Shortstop Elly De La Cruz now has two full seasons under his belt and will look to anchor Cincinnati’s offense. Second-year skipper Terry Francona has high praise for second baseman Matt McLain, saying a bounce back season is on the horizon.
Despite a spring training injury to Hunter Greene, the Reds’ formation is shaping up to be one of the more formidable ones in the division, if not the National League itself. All-Star Andrew Abbott will get the Opening Day start while Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, a healthy Rhett Lowder and flamethrowing Chase Burns round out the rotation to begin the year.
In free agency, the Reds brought back an old friend, Eugenio Suarez, to bring some much-needed pop to Cincinnati’s lineup. Having hit 30 or more home runs in every season but one since 2021, Suarez crushed 49 last year, and drove in 118 runs to boot.
Cincinnati made the playoffs last season, primarily due to another team (New York Mets) struggling in the second half. This year, the Reds have their sights set on taking ownership of their own destiny.
FINDLAY MARKET OPENING DAY PARADE
The 2026 Findlay Market Opening Day Parade kicks off at noon.
Former Cincinnati Reds closer and current broadcaster for the team Jeff Brantley will help bring the season to town as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Opening Day Parade.
Brantley pitched for the Reds from 1994-1997, going 11-11 with a 2.64 ERA and 88 saves in 185 appearances for the club.
This season marks the 30th anniversary of his 1996 season, where he tied for the major league lead in saves, with 44. He earned the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year that year for his efforts.
His 44 saves that season are still the most in a single season for a Reds closer.
Over his time in Cincinnati, Brantley went 11-11 with a 2.64 ERA and saved 88 games in 185 appearances. He also had stints with San Francisco (6 seasons), Philadelphia (2), St. Louis (1) and Texas (1).
Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the founding partner of Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, is this year’s honorary Grand Marshal. He was appointed as the Reds’ team physician in 1996 and has also served as the team’s medical director and chief orthopedic surgeon.
Drafted out of Mississippi State, Brantley was a four-year letterwinner and named a first-team All-American in 1985.
In his 14 year career in the big leagues, “the Cowboy” was named to one All-Star Game, in 1990 with the Giants, and finished with 172 career saves and a 11.3 Wins Above Replacement, as calculated by Baseball Reference.
Reds fans may know him better for his post-playing career. Since 2006, Brantley has been a commentator for the Reds on both radio and television broadcasts. He’s worked alongside Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman and Tommy Thrall during his time on the Reds Radio Network.
Before joining the Reds broadcast teams, he did national broadcast work. After his retirement at the end of the 2001 season, he joined ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” studio show and was part of several telecasts for the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.
Earlier this year, Brantley was named the National Sports Media Association’s Ohio Sportscaster of the Year. A native of Hoover, Alabama, Huntley will also be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame this May.
He’s been honored by former clubs, too: At San Francisco’s Oracle Park, he’s enshrined on the Giants’ Walk of Fame and he’s a member of the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, where his uniform number—No. 8—is retired.
The annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will step off at 12 p.m. with a procession of floats, bands and surprise guests to celebrate the return of baseball in the Queen City.
You watch the parade LIVE on WLWT and WLWT.com starting at 12 p.m.
PREGAME CEREMONIES
Thursday’s pre-game ceremonies are set to begin around 3:30 p.m.
Reds Hall of Famer Bronson Arroyo will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Three AH-64 Apache helicopters and one UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (No Mercy), out of Fort Campbell, KY will conduct a flyover during the national anthem.
Olympic Gold Medalist Connor Curran will deliver the official game ball.
The Sharonville native helped Team USA win gold in the mixed team aerials freestyle skiing event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Dave Concepción, Reds Hall of Famer and member of the Big Red Machine, will serve as the Honorary Captain of the game.
First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. to officially usher in the 2026 Cincinnati Reds campaign.
Reds LHP Andrew Abbott will start on Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds.
PARADE ROUTE/ROAD CLOSURES
This year’s route will be the standard 1.4 mile route, with the Parade starting at Findlay Market on Race Street. It will go straight down Race all the way down to 5th, turning east on 5th and ending at the Taft Theater.
WHAT’S NEW AT THE BALL PARK?
Friday is the first day of spring, but we’re already looking ahead toward how we’ll be spending summer nights.
The Cincinnati Reds have announced what’s new at Great American Ball Park this year, highlighted by 14 new food and concession items fans can enjoy.
New concession items this season include:
Queen City Classic Burger (Fan Zone Food Hub near section 130): Double all-beef smash burger topped with American cheese, special sauce, lettuce and tomato on a potato roll with colossal crisp fries.Queen City Crunch Burger (Fan Zone Food Hub near section 130): Double all-beef smash burger topped with pimento cheese, crushed Grippo chips and pickles on a potato roll with colossal crisp fries.G.L.T. – Goetta, Lettuce & Tomato (Food Bars near sections 129 & 416): Crispy Glier’s goetta patty with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pickles, American cheese and Woeber’s horseradish aioli on slider buns.Glier’s Goetta Nachos (sections 129 & 416): Glier’s goetta crumbles with Funacho cheese sauce, chipotle sour cream and pickled jalapenos over tortilla chips.Stadium Burnt Ends (Scouts Club and Porkopolis near section 412): Bar-S southwest-style sausage pieces fried with a sweet BBQ rub and sauce, topped with pickled red onions and a white BBQ sauce.The Cincy Heat (Food Bar near section 109): Hempler’s double-smoked sausage with Italian braised peppers and onions with Woeber’s whole grain mustard on a hoagie roll.Hempler’s Jalapeno Cheddar Cajun Bowl (Food Bar near section 109): Hempler’s jalapeno cheddar sausage bites with sautéed peppers and onions on dirty Cajun rice topped with a Cajun cream sauce.Smoked Brisket Street Corn Bowl (Mr. Red’s Smokehouse near section 138): Montgomery Inn smoked brisket with Mexican street corn, pickled red onions, jalapenos, Cotija cheese and BBQ sauce.White Chicken Chili Fry Box (Frybox near sections 137 & 534): Grilled chicken, hatch green chili queso, white beans, sour cream, pickled red onions and cilantro on colossal crisp fries.Frito Chili Fry Box (Frybox near sections 137 & 534): Vegetarian Frito chili, Funacho cheese sauce, crushed Fritos, pickled jalapenos and ranch sauce on colossal fries.Tofuego Tacos (Scouts Club and Los Rojos Taco Cart near section 128): Three flour tortillas topped with chipotle shredded street tofu, jalapeno aioli, cilantro, pickled red onions and Cotija cheeseWings & Rings Boneless Wings (Food Hubs near sections 112 & 130): Boneless chicken wings with your choice of garlic medium or honey barbecue sauce. Ranch and blue cheese available upon request.Baby Ruth Brownie Sundae (Rosie’s Ice Cream Stands near sections 132 & 413): Baby Ruth chocolate brownies topped with soft serve ice cream, caramel syrup and whipped cream.Double Play Donut Parfait (Mr. Red’s Smokehouse near section 139): 12 cinnamon sugar donuts with house-made banana pudding, vanilla wafers, Cin-namon Toast Crunch, whipped cream and caramel sauce.
In addition to new food items, three major new ballpark and gameday features are coming to GABP.
The Fan Zone Food Hub, which first debuted in 2024 on the third-base concourse, is coming to the first-base side, with fan-favorite brands such as Skyline Chili, LaRosa’s Pizza and Rosie’s Ice Cream, as well as burgers, hot dogs, snacks and drinks.
Two new Rosie’s Ice Cream Stands are also being added, in Section 132 on the first-base concourse and in Section 413 on the view level.
A new 11-piece brass band, the Rockin’ Redlegs Band, will also be seen at home games throughout the season. They’ll perform pop, classic hits and New Orleans-style music at select games. The band will be seen performing pregame along Joe Nuxhall Way, on the field, and on the Budweiser Decks in right field during select inning breaks.
For a full list of everything new coming to Great American Ball Park this year, click here.
WHAT ROADS ARE CLOSED?
The annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will kick off the home start to another exciting season of Cincinnati Reds baseball this year on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The parade will begin at 12:00 PM so fans will have plenty of time to enjoy the parade before heading down to Great American Ball Park for the Opening Day Game against the Boston Red Sox, which begins at 4:10 PM. In order to accommodate the staging area of the parade, the following streets in the Findlay Market area will close at 8:00 AM on Thursday, March 26:
Race Street – closed between Liberty Street and McMicken Street
Elm Street – closed between Liberty Street and McMicken Street
Findlay Street – closed between Central Parkway and Vine Street
Elder Street – closed between Central Parkway and Vine Street
Green Street – closed between Vine Street and Logan Street
Henry Street – closed between Race Street and Dunlap Street
Dunlap Street – closed between Findlay Street and McMicken Street
Logan Street – closed between Liberty Street and Findlay Street
Beginning at 11:15 AM the following Parade Route and Cross Streets will be closed in advance of the parade:
Parade Route: The parade will begin at the intersection of Race Street and Liberty Street, travel south on Race Street to Fifth Street, then travel east on Fifth Street to the demarcation area at Sentinel Street.
Liberty Street- closed between Vine Street and Central Parkway
Central Parkway- closed between Vine Street and Elm Street
Race Street – closed between Liberty Street and Fourth Street
Fifth Street – closed between Central Avenue and Sentinel Street
Fifteenth Street – closed between Republic Street and Elm Street
Fourteenth Street – closed between Elm Street and Republic Street
Thirteenth Street- closed between Race Street and Vine Street
Twelfth Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine Street
Court Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine Street
Ninth Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine Street
Cross Streets (close at 11:15 AM):
Eighth Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine Street
Seventh Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine Street
Sixth Street – closed between Elm Street and Vine Street
Vine Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth Street
Walnut Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth Street
Main Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth Street
Sycamore Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth Street
Broadway Street – closed between Fourth Street and Sixth Street
Access to downtown hotels within the parade route closures will be maintained. For additional information motorists should seek the assistance of a Cincinnati Police Officer around the closure area.
All parking within the closed areas will be restricted. Motorists are reminded to pay attention to any special parking restrictions and remove their vehicles to avoid being towed.
Streets will remain closed until it is determined safe to open, after the parade has passed.
Metro will maintain service but may alter downtown stops due to the parade. Streetcar service will begin at the conclusion of the parade. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes around the downtown area due to the congestion caused by the parade and heavier than normal traffic attending the Reds game.
WHAT’S THE WEATHER LOOKING LIKE?
Yes, there are two rounds of rain on Thursday, but timing is everything and, in this case, the timing is in our favor.
There will be two chances of rain on Thursday, but they come in the morning and again late at night.
There will be some rain or scattered storms Thursday morning, but they are mainly 6AM-10AM and are gone before the parade.
We’re near 70 for the parade and closer to 79 for first pitch! A cold front moves in Thursday evening. Right now, the timing would be well after the gam e is over, likely 11 p.m. or later.
With that front, we could see some strong or severe storms.