As the only major holiday on the spring training calendar, 2026 St. Patrick’s Day is a big event in March, celebrated both by ballpark workers and fans. Here some games worth a special trip.
We know plenty of fans plan their trips around a St. Patrick’s Day game, at least when the game is on a weekend. Alas, in 2026 St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) is on a Tuesday—not the optimal day for a cornerstone game schedule. Still, we can expect plenty of sellouts and perhaps even attendance records on a St. Patrick’s Day, as teams pull out all the stops with promos and more.
In particular, three Grapefruit League teams traditionally put on a show on St. Patrick’s Day, and as always they’re hosting games on March 17. (All are day games.) These three games are worth checking out:
Baltimore Orioles at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m. Most of the good seating on the inner rows of the Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium grandstand is controlled by long-time season-ticket holders on a first-name basis with the ushers. They’ll be out in force with plenty of St. Patrick’s Day spirit, decked out in green.
Minnesota Twins at Philadelphia Phillies, 1:05 p.m. The Phillies spring staff has a record of St. Patrick’s Day promotions on the merch front and on the food front. You may also see a green cap or two in the mix as well.
Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m. Like the Phillies, the Pirates have a long history of St. Patrick’s Day promotions on the merch front and on the food front. If there’s a green cap to be had, you likely will find it in Bradenton.
Also worth checking out: Atlanta Braves at Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p.m. You’d think that given Boston’s historic roots in the Irish community the Red Sox would make a bigger fuss on St. Patrick’s Day. But historically they have not. Maybe things will change in 2026.
It’s a different scene in the Cactus League, where there are fewer St. Patrick’s Day traditions but more emphasis on rivalry games. These games should feature packed houses:
Cleveland Guardians at Cincinnati Reds, 6:05 p.m. Goodyear Ballpark and the adjoining camps are the only spring-training facility featuring two teams from the same state. The attendance record at Goodyear Ballpark was set during a St. Patrick’s Day Reds-Guardians game. You can expect some giveaways, if previous springs are any indication, like the St. Pat’s Day pint glass given away a few springs ago.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Kansas City Royals, 6:05 p.m. The Dodgers are a major spring-training draw, and the Royals have developed a solid spring following. A St. Patrick’s Day evening game should bring out both the Dodgers faithful and the loyal Royals local following.
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