Atlanta Braves Prepare for Spring Training 2026: Key Dates, Players to Watch, and What’s Next

As the baseball offseason winds down, excitement is building for the Atlanta Braves as they prepare for Spring Training 2026.
With the official start of the season rapidly approaching, the Braves have already set the stage for another highly anticipated year.
The team’s pitchers and catchers are set to report to North Port on February 9, with their first workout taking place the following day, on February 10.
This is the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and competitive Spring Training session for the Braves, who are eager to build on their success from previous seasons.

Full-Squad Workouts and First Games: Countdown to Action

While the pitchers and catchers will be the first to report, the full squad will assemble shortly after.
Full-squad workouts for the Braves are scheduled to begin on February 15, bringing together players from all positions as they get ready for another season.
This is a critical time for the players, especially for those fighting for spots on the active roster.
The Braves’ management will closely observe each player’s performance during these workouts to make key decisions ahead of the season opener.

Spring Training games will officially kick off on February 21, when the Braves face off against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte.
This is always an exciting moment for fans, as it marks the return of baseball after the offseason.
The first home game in North Port will be held the following day, February 22, and fans are already eager to see their favorite Braves players in action once again.
These early games give the Braves an opportunity to start building team chemistry and test out different lineup configurations.

The Seventh Season in North Port: A Familiar Home

For the Atlanta Braves, 2026 marks the seventh year of Spring Training in North Port, Florida, at CoolToday Park.
The Braves made the move to this facility in 2019, after over 20 years of training at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World.
CoolToday Park has since become a familiar home for the team, providing state-of-the-art facilities that help them prepare for the long MLB season.
The park has proven to be a great venue for both players and fans, and it’s become a hallmark of the Braves’ Spring Training experience.

Over the years, the Braves’ training camp has evolved, with CoolToday Park now being the backdrop for intense preparation, with everything from batting practice to pitching drills taking place in a setting that fosters growth and development.
With so much history already behind them in North Port, 2026 is shaping up to be another exciting chapter for the Braves as they get ready to defend their division title and push for postseason success.

Players to Watch: Spring Training as a Crucial Period for Roster Decisions

For the players, Spring Training is a critical time, as roster spots are on the line, and every game provides an opportunity to make an impression.
Prospects will have the chance to show what they can do in real-game situations, and some may even force their way into the Braves’ plans for the regular season.
Injuries to key players can also provide openings for players to step in, and Spring Training is often where the team finds new contributors to their lineup.

Mike Yastrzemski, a new addition to the Braves this offseason, will be one of the players to watch.
This will be his first appearance in Braves uniform, and fans will be eager to see what kind of impact he can have on the team.
Yastrzemski has been known for his solid bat and defensive abilities, and he could prove to be a key piece in the Braves’ outfield.
Robert Suarez, another new addition, will also make his Spring Training debut, giving fans a first look at the promising reliever who could add depth to the Braves’ bullpen.

As always, Spring Training is a time when surprising players emerge.
Some under-the-radar prospects could catch the coaching staff’s eye and make a case for a spot on the active roster.
Players looking to earn spots on the team, whether as starters or bench contributors, will have to perform well in these early games to solidify their place.

Exciting Matchups and Key Dates in the Spring Training Schedule

While Spring Training games are always exciting, certain matchups add extra intrigue to the preseason schedule.
The Braves will face teams from both the American League and National League, with matchups against all five American League East teams, including the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, and Baltimore Orioles.
In addition to these familiar teams, the Braves will also face the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers.

The Braves have one split-squad game on the schedule, which will take place on March 1.
For this game, the Braves will send one squad to Fort Myers to face the Minnesota Twins, while another squad will host the Tampa Bay Rays in North Port.
This split-squad setup gives the Braves the opportunity to evaluate multiple players at once and test different lineup combinations.

Another special game to look forward to is March 4, when the Braves will take on the Colombian National Team in North Port.
This matchup is part of the preparations for the World Baseball Classic and offers fans the chance to see an exciting international game, adding an extra layer of excitement to Spring Training.

Spring Breakout and Other Key Dates

On March 21, the Braves will face the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers.
This game is one of the key matchups in the Spring Training schedule, as it pits two National League and American League contenders against each other.
At the same time, the Braves will be hosting a prospect showcase game in Tampa against the New York Yankees, known as the Spring Breakout.
This event will give fans a glimpse of the Braves’ future stars and offer some of the team’s top prospects a chance to show what they can do against high-caliber competition.

Preparing for the Regular Season: Opening Day 2026

As the final game of Spring Training approaches on March 24, the Braves will start preparing for the regular season, which will officially begin on March 27.
They will host the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park for Opening Day, marking the start of their quest to defend their National League crown and secure another World Series championship.

Spring Training is always an exciting time, filled with anticipation and hope for the new season.
For the Atlanta Braves, this year’s Spring Training offers the perfect opportunity to fine-tune their roster, evaluate talent, and make crucial decisions that will shape the team’s path for the 2026 season.
With new players, new opportunities, and a deep roster, the Braves are poised for another thrilling year of baseball.