MLB Opening Night streamed live tonight on Netflix, with the New York Yankees dominating the San Francisco Giants in the 2026 season opener.
The Yankees’ prolific bats came alive early as a five-run second inning set the tone for a 7-0 victory over the Giants, streamed exclusively on Netflix.
Five-time All-Star Giancarlo Stanton (2-4, RBI), Trent Grisham (2 RBIs) and Ryan McMahon (2 RBIs) led the way for the Yankees offense, while starting pitcher Max Fried threw six scoreless innings, giving up only two hits.
Max Fried #54 delivered a dominant performance for the New York Yankees, firing six scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on MLB Opening Night.
Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Fried and Grisham earned game MVP honors, awarded with hot dogs from special guest Jameis Winston of the New York Giants, a former MLB Draft pick himself.
While MLB Opening Day is considered a national holiday of sorts, Netflix started the party early with an iconic Yankees vs. Giants matchup in primetime, ahead of a full slate of games on March 26.
Explainer
New in-game challenge technology will debut during Netflix’s MLB Opening Night broadcast tonight.
By Michael Ehrlich
March 26
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On-air talent includes Hall of Famers, World Series champions, and the Home Run King.
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“Opening Night is special regardless of which teams you’re talking about,” MLB Opening Night play-by-play lead Matt Vasgersian shared with Tudum. “When you have the Yankees and the Giants — two of the more storied franchises, not just in baseball but in all of sports — and you have them on a standalone night with the rest of the league and the whole world watching, it changes the stakes.”
MLB Opening Night presented by Adobe marked the premiere of Netflix’s live baseball coverage in partnership with Major League Baseball with additional marquee events planned throughout the 2026 season, including the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and the MLB at Field of Dreams game for the 2026 season.
Keep reading for a full recap and higlights from the game.
BERT KREISCHER SET THE TONE FOR MLB OPENING NIGHT:
After a “kayak-camera” interview — shirtless, of course — from the waters of McCovey Cove during the MLB Opening Night pregame show, comedian Bert Kreischer (Lucky, Free Bert) fired up the Oracle Park crowd with a passionate game introduction.
A rousing national anthem followed by retired US serviceman Generald Wilson, culminating with a surprise larger-than-life American flag appearing in the outfield sky, made of red, white and blue smoke.
Legendary former Giant managers Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy shared ceremonial first pitch duties, each tossing a ball across the plate.
Finally, WWE Superstar Jey Uso added even more excitement to the pregame festivities with an enthusiastic “Play Ball!” announcement to officially start the game.
CHISHOLM JR. SHARED ONE PIECE FANDOM
One Piece superfan and Yankees’ star second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. started the new MLB season in a pair of custom cleats supporting his favorite Netflix series.
The All-Star and Silver Slugger’s colorful Air Jordan 1 cleats featured Straw Hat captain Monkey D. Luffy and the One Piece logo.
One Piece season 1 and 2 are available now to watch on Netflix.
WHO CALLED YANKEES vs. GIANTS?
Netflix set a legendary starting lineup of commentators for MLB Opening Night featuring Hall of Famers, World Series champions and perennial All-Stars. Headlined by home run king Barry Bonds and all-time greats Albert Pujols and CC Sabathia, the broadcast is anchored by MLB Network’s Matt Vasgersian as play-by-play lead and Emmy Award-winning host Elle Duncan as desk host. For the full MLB Opening Night broadcast roster, including Albert Pujols and CC Sabathia, read our full breakdown here.
“I think Opening Night is a ceremony, and it should be a national holiday,” Sabathia tells Tudum. “Baseball is America’s pastime. I remember as a kid going to so many Giants Opening Days and how special it was to be able to be a part of that. As a big leaguer, to see all the fans out there and see kids in the stands, it was always a celebration. Now, we are kicking off a baseball marathon throughout the whole spring and summer and to start the season with Opening Night is that official kickoff parade.”
KEY PLAYERS TO KNOW
NEW YORK YANKEES
The Yankees enter the season with one of the most recognizable rosters in baseball, including:
AARON JUDGE
Three-time MVP, seven-time All-Star
(outfielder)
GIANCARLO STANTON
MVP, five-time All-Star
(designated hitter/outfielder)
MAX FRIED
Four-time Gold Glove winner, three-time All-Star
(pitcher)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
The Giants are led by a mix of power and elite defense, including:
RAFAEL DEVERS
Three-time All-Star
(designated hitter)
LOGAN WEBB
Two-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner
(pitcher)
MATT CHAPMAN
All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner
(third baseman)
THE NEW AUTOMATED BALL-STRIKE (ABS) CHALLENGE SYSTEM:
Major League Baseball receives a tech upgrade this season in the form of the league’s new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System that now allows players and fans alike to get a clear view to confirm whether an umpire’s call is correct.
While ABS has been tested in the Minor Leagues, at Major League Spring Training and previewed last season during the MLB All-Star Game, MLB Opening Night marked the league’s first regular-season game using this new technology.
Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero became the first player in history to challenge an umpire call using ABS in a MLB regular season game. He requested another look at a called strike — but was ruled incorrect — so the call was confirmed.
So, how does the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System work? Check out Tudum’s ABS Challenge System explainer, including a video breakdown from Elle Duncan here.
YANKEES POP CULTURE SIGNIFICANCE:
“For more than a century, the Yankees have been more than a baseball team,” writes MLB.com Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch.
While the club has won a league-leading 27 World Series titles, the impact of the Yankees around the world extends well beyond the diamond.
From television to film to music and more, Hoch explores how the sport’s most storied franchise is a pop culture touchstone.
Read the full story on MLB.com
WHEN ARE NETFLIX’S OTHER MLB EVENTS THIS SEASON?
The 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby — the most-watched skills competition in sports — is scheduled to take place at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday, July 13, 2026, as part of MLB’s All-Star festivities. Recent participants include MLB stars like Judge, Stanton, 2025 National League home run leader Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, two-time winner Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and reigning champion Cal Raleigh.
Streaming live on Netflix from Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 13, 2026, MLB will bring a regular season game to the iconic Field of Dreams movie set for the first time in four years. The 2026 MLB at Field of Dreams game will feature All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton and the Minnesota Twins taking on eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies.
WHERE TO FIND MORE BASEBALL ON NETFLIX:
From 2026 to 2028, Netflix will kick off each MLB season with a single game on Opening Night, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, plus an additional special event game each year.
MLB Network’s Emmy Award–winning production team will produce Opening Night, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, and MLB at Field of Dreams in partnership with Netflix’s production team.