parks
MLB to have earliest opening day on March 24 in 2027 — if there is a season
By Darren Wolfson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Major League Baseball is set to have its earliest opening day next year except for international games, starting on March 24 — if there is an opening day.
For the third consecutive season, the Twins will play their earliest Opening Day game ever, beginning the 2027 campaign with a Thursday, Ma...
Key takeaway For the third consecutive season, the Twins will play their earliest Opening Day game ever, beginning the 2027 campaign with a Thursday, March 25 contest against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Twins' early start to the 2027 season, with their home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 2, will likely bring a welcome boost to local businesses around Target Field. Fans flocking to the stadium will also mean increased activity for nearby restaurants, bars, and shops, which can help kickstart the spring economy in Minneapolis . However, the looming labor contract expiration on December 1 and the potential for a management lockout may cast a shadow over these plans. If a lockout occurs, it could impact not only the Twins' schedule but also the livelihoods of workers who rely on the baseball season for income. As the situation unfolds, Minneapolis residents will be watching closely to see how the labor negotiations play out and whether the Twins will be able to start their season as planned.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Major League Baseball is set to have its earliest opening day next year except for international games, starting on March 24 — if there is an opening day.
For the third consecutive season, the Twins will play their earliest Opening Day game ever, beginning the 2027 campaign with a Thursday, Ma...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Darren Wolfson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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