Streaming MLB baseball in 2026 is a whole new ballgame. With the closure of ROOT SPORTS, the Mariners have moved to a new system that is actually more “cord-cutter” friendly, though it requires learning a few new terms.
To watch the 2026 season for free or low cost, you have to navigate the difference between a national “out-of-market” package and the new local “in-market” streaming.
The 2026 Mariners Streaming Strategy
The 2026 MLB season is officially underway! Here is how to “ladder” your trials to catch as many games as possible without paying for a massive cable bill.
1. The “Clean Slate” Trial: Mariners.TV
This is the biggest change for 2026. If you live in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, or Hawaii, you can finally stream games without a cable company.
- The Deal: MLB is offering a 7-day free trial for the new Mariners.TV package.
- What it covers: Every local Mariners broadcast with no blackouts.
- Cost after trial: $19.99/month or $99.99 for the full season.
- Strategy: Sign up today! This covers the current series against the Yankees and the upcoming road trip to play the Angels.
What’s the deal with the MLB app?
The biggest headache for fans is that everything now lives inside the MLB App, but what you see depends on what you buy. Think of the MLB App like a “lobby” with two different doors:
- Door A: MLB.TV (Out-of-Market): This is for Mariners fans living in Florida or New York. If you live in Seattle and buy this, the Mariners games will be blacked out.
- Door B: Mariners.TV (In-Market): This is the new door for 2026. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, this is what you want. It lives inside the MLB App but specifically unlocks the local games that used to be hidden behind a cable subscription.
Pro Tip: If you want “everything,” there is a Mariners.TV + MLB.TV bundle for $199/season. This gives you every Mariners game plus every other team in the league.
2. The “National” Trial: DIRECTV STREAM
For games that aren’t on the local Mariners channel (like those big Sunday matchups on ESPN or FS1) you’ll need a “Virtual Cable” trial.
- Trial Length: 5-day free trial (standard as of March 2026).
- What it covers: ESPN, FOX, FS1, and the new Mariners TV linear channel.
- Strategy: Save this for a week where the Mariners are playing a high-profile series (like the Astros on April 10) that might be picked up for national broadcast.
3. The “Exclusive” Trial: Apple TV+
MLB still has “Friday Night Baseball” exclusives that aren’t on any other channel or app.
- The Deal: Apple is currently offering a 2-month free trial for new and returning subscribers.
- Key Date: The Mariners play the Royals on May 1 exclusively on Apple TV+.
- Strategy: Activate this in late April. It will cover that May 1st game and keep you set for any other Friday night exclusives through June.
4. The “Old School” Freebie: KING 5 (Over-the-Air)
In a surprise move for 2026, the Mariners are broadcasting 10 regular-season games for free over-the-air.
- The Deal: No subscription needed—just a $20 digital antenna.
- Next Game: April 10 vs. Houston Astros.
Important Tips for “Trial Hopping”
- Use Different Emails: These trials are for “new customers.” If you’ve used your main email for one of these in the past, you may need to use a different one to qualify.
- Set “Cancel” Reminders: DIRECTV STREAM will hit your card for $84.99+ the second your trial days are up. Set a calendar alert for 1 day before expiration.
- Check Peacock: Sunday Night Baseball has moved to Peacock for certain games. They often have a “first month for $1” deal—watch for this around the All-Star break!
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*All trademarks and brand names owned by others are used here for nominal reference only. This information was verified online as of March 31, 2026. Streaming services may make changes at any time without notice, restrictions may apply. Whidbey Telecom does not endorse any particular service, nor is Whidbey Telecom responsible for any direct or indirect damages arising from or related to use or reliance of the above content.
