Atlanta Braves opening day: What to know about 2026 season opener against Kansas City Royals

admin March 27, 2026

It’s Opening Day for the Atlanta Braves and for the first time since 2022, the Braves get to open the season at home.

The Braves host the Kansas City Royals for the first series of the weekend. The franchise begins a new era under manager Walt Weiss, but will also look back at 60 years of Braves baseball in Atlanta.

What fans can expect to see at Truist Park, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News This Morning from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

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GAME INFORMATION

First pitch: 7:15 p.m.; gates open two hours before first pitch. Chris Sale will take the mound for the Braves

Pregame festivities and giveaways: Fans are invited to line the streets of The Battery Atlanta at 4 p.m. for the Braves Walk. The Braves will also hold a special on-field presentation at 6:40 p.m. to celebrate their 60th anniversary of the move to Atlanta.

Tickets and parking: It’s expected to be a sold-out crowd Friday night. As of Friday morning, the Braves resale partner SeatGeek shows tickets starting around $60 and around $50 on Stubhub. Parking through the Braves website is sold out.

Giveaways: All fans in attendance will receive a magnetic schedule of the 2026 season and a rally towel.

Weather: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan says we’ll be at near-record highs for Friday.

The Bat Flip (Section 113): Seven inches of toasted brioche stacked with two pounds of seasoned hand-formed beef patties, braised short rib, crispy pork belly, melted cheese, crunchy onions, green leaf lettuce, sliced red tomatoes and a fried egg. Field of Greens (Section 129): Grilled ciabatta loaded with roasted veggies, red pepper aioli and collard-green gremolata. Served with salt and vinegar chips. Low Country Crunch (Section 113, 1871 Grill): Six Jumbo shrimp coated in crispy coconut breading and fried golden. Served with chili aioli and a lemon wedge. A-Town Melt (Sections 313, 343, Braves Market): A cheesy, spicy chicken melt loaded with creamy pepper jack fondue and toasted to perfection on muffaletta bread. The Baffle (Near Section 113, 1871 Grill): Slow-smoked brisket smothered in rich truffle cheese sauce, piled onto a crispy golden pocket and finished with savory seasoning. Peach Dingers (Sections 138, 320, Coop’s Championship Chicken): Crispy egg rolls filled with warm cinnamon-spiced peach cobbler and caramel sauce. The Walk-Off (Blue Moon Beer Garden): Flaky, buttery puff pastry filled with marinara-braised meatballs and melted mozzarella – baked to a golden finish. Blooperito (Sections 215, 239): Deep-fried burrito with chipotle-spiced beef, cotija cheese, fresh pico de gallo and a signature, house-made sauce. South End Trading Company, located inside the Right Field Gate at Truist Park, is a new store where Braves fans can connect with their heroes on the diamond and commemorate the shared experience of a day at the ballpark with family and friends. Fans can find a mix of unique collectibles from current and former Braves greats, exclusive game-used memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind mementos fans. South End Trading Company, located inside the Right Field Gate at Truist Park, is a new store where Braves fans can connect with their heroes on the diamond and commemorate the shared experience of a day at the ballpark with family and friends. Fans can find a mix of unique collectibles from current and former Braves greats, exclusive game-used memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind mementos fans. South End Trading Company, located inside the Right Field Gate at Truist Park, is a new store where Braves fans can connect with their heroes on the diamond and commemorate the shared experience of a day at the ballpark with family and friends. Fans can find a mix of unique collectibles from current and former Braves greats, exclusive game-used memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind mementos fans.