Padres.TV: What Channel Is The Padres Game On?

There’s no bigger mess in baseball today than trying to watch your favorite team live on local TV. Broadcast rights are a tangle of ancient rules, regional restrictions and corporate deal-making. The good news: for 2026, things have actually simplified a bit. Here’s the full picture.

---

---

Padres Playoffs: Wild Card Series vs. Cubs

The Padres host the Cubs in the best-of-three NL Wild Card Series, with every game at Petco Park. The postseason is national TV only. Padres.TV does not carry playoff games, so you'll need Peacock or NBCSN.

• Game 1 — Tue, Sep 29, 7 pm — Peacock / NBCSN
• Game 2 — Wed, Sep 30, 7 pm — Peacock / NBCSN
• Game 3* — Thu, Oct 1, 7 pm — Peacock / NBCSN

*If necessary. Game 3’s start time may change. If at least two of the other Wild Card series end in sweeps, it moves to a 5 pm start on NBC 7.

Cutting the cord? Fubo also carries NBCSN.

Radio: 97.3 KWFN in English, XEMO 860 AM in Spanish.

Win the series and the Padres move on to the NL Division Series, which starts Saturday, Oct 3.

---

The Short Answer: Padres.TV

For San Diego-area fans, Padres.TV is your home base. MLB produces and distributes Padres games directly, and Padres.TV is where the vast majority of games live — every home and away game that isn’t a national exclusive. No blackouts for local viewers.

• Expect to pay around $99.99 for a full season when purchased before or near the start of the season.
• Monthly plans, bundles and midseason discounts are also available, and prices can change as the season progresses.
• Stream on the MLB app, MLB.com, or through participating cable/satellite providers.
• New subscribers may be eligible for a free trial.
• Subject to national exclusivities (more on those below).

See Current Padres.TV Options

Watch on Cable or Satellite

If you prefer a traditional TV setup, the Padres.TV feed is carried on these San Diego providers:

• DirecTV — channel 694-3
• Cox — channel 83
• Spectrum — channels 305 or 443
• AT&T U-Verse — channels 781 or 1781

Not sure what’s available in your area? Use the Padres channel finder — enter your zip code and it will tell you exactly where to find the game.

Free Over-the-Air Games — CBS 8 & CW San Diego

This is genuinely good news. In 2026, 10 regular-season Saturday games are being made available free over the air on CBS 8 and CW San Diego — no subscription or cable required.

That includes select games throughout the season, so if you’re hoping to catch a marquee matchup — including the Yankees series in September — it’s worth checking the broadcast schedule before you assume you need a subscription.

Check the official Padres broadcast schedule for the specific station and dates.

National Broadcasts — The Add-Ons

Some Padres games are moved from the local Padres.TV feed to national broadcasters. Depending on the game, that can mean Apple TV+, ESPN, FOX, NBC, Peacock or another national partner.

National broadcast assignments can change during the season, so rather than maintain a list of dates that may quickly become outdated, check the official schedule before game day.

For the full broadcast schedule, visit the official Padres programming guide.

Streaming Options

Padres.TV — The primary streaming option for fans inside the Padres home television territory. Expect a full-season price of around $99, with monthly plans and lower-priced options often available as the season progresses. No local blackouts, subject to national exclusivities.

Padres.TV + MLB.TV — A bundle for fans who want local Padres games plus out-of-market games from around Major League Baseball. Pricing and package options can change during the season, so check the current offer before subscribing.

MLB.TV — The primary option for watching Padres games if you live outside the Padres home television territory. Out-of-market restrictions apply, and current pricing varies during the season.

fuboTV — A live TV option for cord-cutters that carries Padres games in the San Diego market, along with many national sports channels. Available channels can vary by package and location. See current Fubo options.

Padres.TV FAQ

I live in San Diego. What do I need?
Subscribe to Padres.TV ($99.99/season or $19.99/month). This covers all home and away games without local blackouts, subject to national exclusivities.

I’m a Season Ticket Member with MLB.TV. Am I covered?
Not automatically. Padres Season Ticket Members receive a free MLB.TV All Teams subscription as a membership benefit, but that package does not include in-market Padres games. Members who want to stream Padres games inside the Padres home television territory need to separately purchase Padres.TV.

I live outside San Diego. What do I need?
MLB.TV covers out-of-market games. Monthly options are also available.

How do I know if I’m in the Padres home territory?
Use the zip code finder here.

Padres.TV support: Have questions about Padres.TV? Call 866-244-2291 or visit the MLB support page.

Opening Day 2026

The Padres open at home Thursday, March 26 against the Detroit Tigers. First pitch is 1:10 pm PDT. Nick Pivetta is the Opening Day starter. It’s also the first home opener for manager Craig Stammen. The game airs on Padres.TV and MLB Network.

Padres TV Announcers

Don Orsillo and Mark Grant (“Don and Mud”) are back in the booth for 2026, confirmed. Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn Jr. handle select games. In Spanish: Eduardo Ortega, el hombre, el mito, la leyenda, alongside former Padres catcher Carlos Hernandez.

Watch at a Bar

Misery loves company. Find one of these bars showing the game.

Radio

Old school never goes out of style. Catch every game on the Padres radio network — 97.3 KWFN in English, XEMO 860 AM in Spanish.

Wherever you’re watching, visit our Padres Store, support the site and get your gear for the season.