The Pirates’ star pitcher, Paul Skenes, on the mound at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.



Our region is known for its beaches, culture, architecture—and baseball. Every February, major league teams from all over the country descend on Florida for spring training, Major League Baseball’s pre-season, during which teams prepare for the 162-game regular season. 

Sarasota and Manatee counties are home to three spring training teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves. The Pirates play at LECOM Park in Bradenton, the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, and the Braves at CoolToday Park in North Port. 

This year, baseball fans can look forward to the return of Spring Breakout, in which young minor-league players show off their skills in the hopes of making it to the majors; games against international teams in preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic; and, in the case of the Orioles, the option to watch the team practice at Ed Smith Stadium up to four hours before a game kicks off. Each team will release specific game times and ticket information as the season gets closer. 

Here’s what else to expect.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training schedule includes 31 games, 16 of which will be played at LECOM Park in Bradenton. The Pirates open their 2026 spring schedule in Sarasota vs. the Baltimore Orioles on Feb. 21; their home opener will be played on Feb. 22 vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.

As part of the World Baseball Classic, the Pirates will host Team Colombia on March 3, and on March 5, they’ll face off against the St. Louis Cardinals—the Pirates’ first time hosting the Cardinals since March 29, 1998. Their spring breakout game is slated for March 20 against the Detroit Tigers, and the last game of the spring season will be against the Atlanta Braves on March 23. 

The Pirates’ complete 2026 spring training can be found at pirates.com/springtraining.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles’ 2026 Grapefruit League schedule begins Friday, Feb. 20, at Ed Smith Stadium against the New York Yankees. The club’s 2026 spring schedule features 17 home games, including nine home games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

The Orioles will also offer free admission to fans during open practices on home dates, with entry beginning about four hours before the game starts. Split squad dates are Saturday, March 7, vs. Minnesota and at Atlanta, and Thursday, March 19, vs. Pittsburgh and at New York (AL). Their World Baseball Classic game against Team Netherlands is March 3, and the third annual spring breakout game is against the Red Sox farmhands on Friday, March 20.

For the Orioles’ complete 2026 spring training schedule, visit mlb.com/orioles/schedule

Atlanta Braves

Atlanta will begin its spring schedule against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte on Feb. 21; the team’s home opener at CoolToday Park in will be against the Minnesota Twins on Feb. 22. Throughout the spring season, the team will also take on the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays.

To download the Braves’ complete 2026 spring training schedule, go to mlb.com/braves/schedule.

Special Events 
World Baseball Classic

Spring training game-goers in Arizona and Florida can catch some unique matchups between MLB clubs and international teams in preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. There will be 28 exhibition games—14 apiece on March 3 and 4—featuring a Major League team competing against a World Baseball Classic team.


The Pirates will take on Team Colombia on March 3
The Orioles will play Team Netherlands on March 3
The Braves will welcome Team Colombia on March 4

Spring Breakout

Spring Breakout allows MLB teams to identify the players they think are most likely to become future stars and send those prospects to spring training camps in Florida and Arizona, with the goal of bringing more attention to the 120 minor league clubs that are scattered around the country. 


The Pirates’ Spring Breakout will be against Detroit on March 20 at LECOM Park
The Orioles’ Spring Breakout game will take place against the Red Sox on Friday, March 20, at Ed Smith Stadium
The Braves’ Spring Breakout game is scheduled for March 21 agains the New York Yankees at CoolToday Park