Phillies' 2026 spring training schedule includes fun World Baseball Classic twist

The bad news for Philadelphia Phillies fans everywhere is that they must wait four months until they can see their team in action once again after another disappointing October. Some exciting news, however, was announced earlier this week when each MLB team's 2026 spring training schedule was revealed, with some interesting twists.

Next March marks the return of baseball's premier international tournament, the World Baseball Classic. Just as they've done in the past, WBC squads will tune up by playing against MLB teams in early March. The Phillies were chosen as one of those teams and will play Team Canada in a matchup that highlights their 80th season playing in Clearwater.

Team Canada scrimmage headlines important dates of Phillies' 2026 spring training schedule

The Phillies' spring training schedule begins on Feb. 21 and lasts until March 23, before an early March 26 Opening Day.

As what seems like the usual occurrence, the Phillies will open their Grapefruit League schedule up against the Toronto Blue Jays, their closest spring training neighbor in Dunedin. The next day is their first home game at BayCare Ballpark, where the Phillies have routinely ranked in the top five in spring training attendance and welcomed in nearly 150,000 fans last spring.

Their March 4 game against Team Canada isn't the first time the Phillies have played an international team before a WBC tournament, as in 2013 they got demolished 15-2 by the loaded Dominican Republic team that were the eventual champions of that year's tournament. The WBC is always an exciting event for baseball fans, and we could see a number of Phillies once again represent Team USA in the event.

About a month into the spring training schedule, the Phillies' stars of tomorrow will take the field for the annual Spring Breakout games on March 19 against the Minnesota Twins and March 21 versus the Blue Jays. Top prospects Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller and potential Opening Day center fielder Justin Crawford are good bets to be in action during those showcase games.

The Phillies' Grapefruit League schedule will conclude on March 23 at home against the Tampa Bay Rays before they travel back up north to Philadelphia to open their 2026 regular season schedule against the Texas Rangers on March 26.