PEORIA, Ariz. — After months of silence and speculation, baseball is finally back. The Seattle Mariners will take the field Friday in their first Cactus League game of 2026 — and fans around the world are scrambling to find out how to watch every pitch, swing and breakout performance as spring action returns to the desert.

Scheduled to face the San Diego Padres 12:10 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, as the Mariners open their spring slate as the home team against their long-time Peoria rivals.

For fans who’ve been itching for baseball since the last out of the 2025 season, there are multiple easy ways to catch the action live — whether you’re in Seattle, across the country, or halfway around the world.

The Mariners have announced that 16 of their Cactus League games will be streamed for free on their new Mariners.TV platform this spring — including the Feb. 20 opener. That means you can watch live with just an MLB account and an internet connection, no expensive cable package required.

In addition to the free streaming option, fans can also tune in to spring action via the Mariners’ radio network, including Seattle Sports (710 AM), which will carry most games live with pre-game coverage starting roughly 10 minutes before first pitch.

For out-of-market viewers or those who prefer a broader platform, the game and select other Cactus League contests can also be accessed through the official MLB.TV service, which typically offers live streams of spring training matchups not covered on team platforms.

The easy access signal is part of a deliberate push from the organization: use spring training to build buzz early, not just on Opening Day. With new broadcast strategies in place and streaming technology improving every year, Mariners fans now have more access than ever to pre-season action.

But beyond the platforms and apps, what really has fans talking are the storylines behind this opener. In camp, young prospects are battling established veterans for meaningful playing time. Key players returning from injury are looking to prove their health. And every at-bat in Peoria suddenly carries a little more weight now that the snow has melted and the roster takes shape under the Arizona sun.

That makes watching this first game more than just a warm-up. For Mariners fans across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, this is the spring’s first real test — and now the tools to watch it are in your hands.

Whether you’re streaming on Mariners.TV, tuning into the radio broadcast, or logging into MLB.TV, there is no excuse to miss the first chapter of Seattle’s 2026 story.

And for those wondering what’s next after this opener, a full slate of spring matchups will follow through late March, culminating in a final spring game on March 23 before the regular season kicks off.

With free streams, radio coverage and streaming packages available, fans have more ways than ever to connect to the club’s journey — from first spring pitch to Opening Day. So mark your calendars, charge your devices, and set your alerts. This Friday’s game is where the Mariners’ 2026 campaign truly begins.