PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates now know who and when they’ll play for next season, but there is a big alteration to what they are used to.
The Pirates will open the season against the Athletics and host them at PNC Park, March 25-27, with Opening Day on the 25th, meaning they’ll start this season in Pittsburgh.
It marks the first time the Pirates have began a season at home since 2016, when they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park 4-1 on April 3, a sellout crowd of 39,500 in attendance.
The Pirates will finally start their season at home and if the 2026 season ends with a postseason appearance, it should be a big crowd with a fantastic atmosphere.
Pirates Opening Up at Home in More Than Decade
Pittsburgh also makes it five straight seasons they’ve opened up their home slate against an American League team, doing so vs. the Chicago White Sox in 2023, the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 and 2026 and the New York Yankees in 2025.
The Pirates went on the road for 10 straight seasons before finally having Opening Day as their first game of the season.
Apr 3, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (6) greets teammates during player introductions and his major league debut against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Pittsburgh faced the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in 2017, the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in 2018, the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in 2019 and 2023, the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in 2020 and 2022, the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in 2021, the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park in 2024 and 2025 and the New York Mets at Citi Field in 2026.
Of course, the Pirates may have dates pushed back or may not play when expected, due to the impending lockout, with the current collective bargaining agreement expiring on Dec. 1.
If the players union (MLBPA) and MLB don’t agree to a deal in time, then games could be lost and the Pirates may not end up having a home opener to start 2027 or even have a season at all.
Highlights For Rest of 2027
The Pirates will play all 29 other teams once again, which includes all 15 American League teams, all 10 National League East and West teams and the four other teams in the National League Central Divison.
Pittsburgh faces their divisional rivals 13 times each for 52 games total, with one four-games series against each and four series total, two at home and two on the road.
May 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (right) tags Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) out at second base attempting to stretch a single during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Pirates will host the Cubs and Cardinals at home for a four-game series and travel to battle the Reds and Milwaukee Brewers for a four-games as well, just like this season.
National League Central Games
Team
Dates (Home)
Dates (Away)
Chicago Cubs
May 3-6, Aug. 23-25
April 23-25, July 19-21
Cincinnati Reds
April 16-18, Aug. 9-11
March 29-31, Aug. 16-19
Milwaukee Brewers
May 11-13, Sept. 3-5
April 12-15, June 28-30
St. Louis Cardinals
May 24-27, Sept. 14-16
May 31-June 2, Sept. 24-26
The Pirates face all 10 other NL teams for two series, home-and-away, with two NL East opponents for a four-game series, which is the Marlins on the road and the Atlanta Braves at home.
This accounts for 62 games, with six games each against eight teams and then seven games agaisnt the Marlins and Braves.
National League East
Team
Dates (Home)
Dates (Road)
Atlanta Braves
July 26-29
May 28-30
Miami Marlins
June 9-11
June 1-4
New York Mets
July 30-Aug. 1
Sept. 21-23
Philadelphia Phillies
June 25-27
June 16-18
Washington Nationals
April 30-May 2
Aug. 3-5
National League West
Team
Dates (Home)
Dates (Road)
Arizona Diamondbacks
July 23-25
Sept. 6-8
Colorado Rockies
Aug. 27-29
May 17-19
Los Angeles Dodgers
June 6-8
June 11-13
San Diego Padres
April 2-4
June 18-20
San Francisco Giants
April 20-22
Sept. 10-12
The Pirates play all 15 AL teams, with one series, either at home or on the road, except for the Detroit Tigers, who they have a protected rivalry with, as they host and travel to Comerica Park each year.
Pittsburgh hosts the Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, Yankees, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays, while traveling to face the Orioles, Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays.
American League
Team
Dates
Location
Athletics
March 25-27
PNC Park
Baltimore Orioles
Aug. 6-8
Camden Yards
Boston Red Sox
Aug. 20-22
Fenway Park
Chicago White Sox
May 21-23
PNC Park
Cleveland Guardians
Sept. 17-19
PNC Park
Detroit Tigers
June 22-24, Aug. 31-Sept. 2
PNC Park (June) Comerica Park (August/September)
Houston Astros
June 8-10
PNC Park
Kansas City Royals
April 9-11
Kauffman Stadium
Los Angeles Angels
June 14-16
Angels Stadium
Minnesota Twins
May 7-9
Target Field
New York Yankees
April 5-7
PNC Park
Seattle Mariners
May 14-16
T-Mobile Park
Tampa Bay Rays
April 27-29
Tropicana Park
Texas Rangers
Aug. 13-15
PNC Park
Toronto Blue Jays
June 4-6
PNC Park
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