Opening Day returns to Chavez Ravine on Thursday as the Los Angeles Dodgers begin their 2026 campaign hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. 

 After more than a month of spring exhibitions, the regular season officially gets underway with the first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Dodger Stadium.

Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound for the Dodgers, marking his second consecutive Opening Day start. 

The assignment places him in rare company in franchise history, joining Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax as the only pitchers to deliver the final pitch of a championship season and return the following year to throw the first pitch of the new campaign. 

Opening Day ceremonies will begin at 4:45 p.m. and feature several familiar traditions, including player introductions and the unveiling of the team’s 2025 World Series championship flag and commemorative emblem. 

Los Angeles native Keith Williams Jr. is scheduled to perform the national anthem, while Lakers legend Magic Johnson will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

The matchup will be broadcast nationally on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock. The network’s pregame coverage begins at 5 p.m. and includes former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who transitions this season into a television analyst role alongside veteran broadcaster Bob Costas.

Of course, KHTS AM 1220  and 98.1 FM will also broadcast the game.

While anticipation is high on the field, demand for seats inside Dodger Stadium has also drawn attention. According to data from TickPick, the average resale ticket price for Thursday’s game is approximately $392, the highest recorded price for a regular-season MLB game and the most expensive Opening Day ticket on record.

The Dodgers enter the season as defending back-to-back World Series champions, positioning themselves as a focal point across the MLB as other contenders attempt to unseat the perennial National League powerhouse.

Festivities will continue throughout the opening weekend. On Friday, the organization is set to present World Series rings to members of last season’s championship roster during a pregame ceremony before the second game of the series against Arizona.

With championship momentum, star talent and strong fan demand, the 2026 season begins under bright lights in Los Angeles as the Dodgers once again take center stage on Opening Day.

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