Highlights from the Brewers’ 2026 spring training schedule release

At times, the MLB offseason feels like an eternity. When the snow starts to fall and the sun sets at 4:00, summer afternoons at American Family Field feel like a distant dream, and one that won't return anytime soon.

However, in other ways, the MLB offseason is brief. After six months of the regular season and a month of the postseason, just three and a half short months remain before pitchers and catchers report for spring training next February. With several notable checkpoints along the way, including the Winter Meetings, Rule 5 Draft, and arbitration hearings, the Milwaukee Brewers will be headed down to Maryvale, Arizona before you know it.

Earlier this week, the Brewers released their spring training schedule, and it included several notable highlights.

Highlights from the Milwaukee Brewers 2026 spring training schedule

First game: February 21, 2026 vs. Cleveland Guardians at 2:10 p.m. CT

The Brewers will begin their spring exhibition season with a matchup against who many consider to be their American League counterpart: the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians have enjoyed a similar period of sustained success to the Brewers, while also being tied down to the financial limitations of being a small-market club. After another trip to the postseason last year, Cleveland has several questions to answer before next February, including whether or not they will trade away talented outfielder Steven Kwan.

Game against Team Great Britain: March 3, 2026 at 2:10 p.m. CT

2026 is a World Baseball Classic year. Starting on March 5 of next year, players will suit up for their home countries and compete against one another in a tournament-style competition. One such team representing Great Britain will compete in an exhibition game against the Brewers on March 3, three days before they are scheduled to take on Team Mexico in their first contest of the WBC. Former big league outfielder Trayce Thompson, who played for the Boston Red Sox Triple-A squad in 2025, and top Seattle Mariners prospect Harry Ford are both expected to suit up for Team Great Britain this year.

Two Spring Breakout games: March 20, 2026 vs. Seattle Mariners & March 22, 2026 @ Athletics

One of the best additions to the spring training schedule is the Spring Breakout games. The games are designed to showcase the top prospect talent in each organization's farm system, with the lineups made up entirely of minor leaguers. Most teams generally play just one Spring Breakout game each spring, but since there are 15 teams in Arizona for spring training (with the other 15 in Florida), one team is asked to play two. The Brewers, and their stacked farm system, have been selected as that team this year, meaning fans will have two opportunities to watch the future of Brewers baseball compete under the bright lights.

Final games of Spring Training: March 23/24, 2026 vs. Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field

To finish off the spring exhibition season, the Brewers will play two games at American Family Field in Milwaukee against the Cincinnati Reds. Teams don't always play these exhibition games in their big league ballparks to wrap up Spring Training, but it's not unheard of. Back in 2021, the Brewers played two games against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field before starting their regular season back at home against the Minnesota Twins. This year, it will be two games at home against the Reds, followed by a day off, and then Opening Day against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field.