Pirates End Long Opening Day Drought With 2027 Schedule
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates now know who and when they'll play for next season, but there is a big alteration to what they are used to.
The Pirates will open the season against the Athletics and host them at PNC Park, March 25-27, with Opening Day on the 25th, meaning they'll start this season in Pittsburgh.
It marks the first time the Pirates have began a season at home since 2016, when they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park 4-1 on April 3, a sellout crowd of 39,500 in attendance.
The Pirates will finally start their season at home and if the 2026 season ends with a postseason appearance, it should be a big crowd with a fantastic atmosphere.
Pirates Opening Up at Home in More Than Decade
Pittsburgh also makes it five straight seasons they've opened up their home slate against an American League team, doing so vs. the Chicago White Sox in 2023, the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 and 2026 and the New York Yankees in 2025.
The Pirates went on the road for 10 straight seasons before finally having Opening Day as their first game of the season.
Pittsburgh faced the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in 2017, the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in 2018, the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in 2019 and 2023, the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in 2020 and 2022, the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in 2021, the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park in 2024 and 2025 and the New York Mets at Citi Field in 2026.
Of course, the Pirates may have dates pushed back or may not play when expected, due to the impending lockout, with the current collective bargaining agreement expiring on Dec. 1.
If the players union (MLBPA) and MLB don't agree to a deal in time, then games could be lost and the Pirates may not end up having a home opener to start 2027 or even have a season at all.
Highlights For Rest of 2027
The Pirates will play all 29 other teams once again, which includes all 15 American League teams, all 10 National League East and West teams and the four other teams in the National League Central Divison.
Pittsburgh faces their divisional rivals 13 times each for 52 games total, with one four-games series against each and four series total, two at home and two on the road.
The Pirates will host the Cubs and Cardinals at home for a four-game series and travel to battle the Reds and Milwaukee Brewers for a four-games as well, just like this season.
National League Central Games
Team | Dates (Home) | Dates (Away) |
|---|---|---|
Chicago Cubs | May 3-6, Aug. 23-25 | April 23-25, July 19-21 |
Cincinnati Reds | April 16-18, Aug. 9-11 | March 29-31, Aug. 16-19 |
Milwaukee Brewers | May 11-13, Sept. 3-5 | April 12-15, June 28-30 |
St. Louis Cardinals | May 24-27, Sept. 14-16 | May 31-June 2, Sept. 24-26 |
The Pirates face all 10 other NL teams for two series, home-and-away, with two NL East opponents for a four-game series, which is the Marlins on the road and the Atlanta Braves at home.
This accounts for 62 games, with six games each against eight teams and then seven games agaisnt the Marlins and Braves.
National League East
Team | Dates (Home) | Dates (Road) |
|---|---|---|
Atlanta Braves | July 26-29 | May 28-30 |
Miami Marlins | June 9-11 | June 1-4 |
New York Mets | July 30-Aug. 1 | Sept. 21-23 |
Philadelphia Phillies | June 25-27 | June 16-18 |
Washington Nationals | April 30-May 2 | Aug. 3-5 |
National League West
Team | Dates (Home) | Dates (Road) |
|---|---|---|
Arizona Diamondbacks | July 23-25 | Sept. 6-8 |
Colorado Rockies | Aug. 27-29 | May 17-19 |
Los Angeles Dodgers | June 6-8 | June 11-13 |
San Diego Padres | April 2-4 | June 18-20 |
San Francisco Giants | April 20-22 | Sept. 10-12 |
The Pirates play all 15 AL teams, with one series, either at home or on the road, except for the Detroit Tigers, who they have a protected rivalry with, as they host and travel to Comerica Park each year.
Pittsburgh hosts the Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, Yankees, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays, while traveling to face the Orioles, Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays.
American League
Team | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
Athletics | March 25-27 | PNC Park |
Baltimore Orioles | Aug. 6-8 | Camden Yards |
Boston Red Sox | Aug. 20-22 | Fenway Park |
Chicago White Sox | May 21-23 | PNC Park |
Cleveland Guardians | Sept. 17-19 | PNC Park |
Detroit Tigers | June 22-24, Aug. 31-Sept. 2 | PNC Park (June) Comerica Park (August/September) |
Houston Astros | June 8-10 | PNC Park |
Kansas City Royals | April 9-11 | Kauffman Stadium |
Los Angeles Angels | June 14-16 | Angels Stadium |
Minnesota Twins | May 7-9 | Target Field |
New York Yankees | April 5-7 | PNC Park |
Seattle Mariners | May 14-16 | T-Mobile Park |
Tampa Bay Rays | April 27-29 | Tropicana Park |
Texas Rangers | Aug. 13-15 | PNC Park |
Toronto Blue Jays | June 4-6 | PNC Park |
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.