Where to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball in 2026

For fans of Major League Baseball, and particularly the St. Louis Cardinals, accessing games is becoming increasingly complex. Recent shifts in broadcasting agreements and the ongoing instability of regional sports networks (RSNs) are creating uncertainty for viewers. Major League Baseball has restructured its national broadcast package, ending its relationship with ESPN for Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby, and Wild Card games.

National Broadcast Changes

The changes to the national broadcast lineup see NBC/Peacock taking over the Sunday Night Baseball package previously held by ESPN, and adding Sunday morning games to their schedule. The Home Run Derby will now be broadcast on Netflix. Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated a goal to resolve blackout issues and improve access to games by 2028, when current TV contracts expire.

Did You Know? Commissioner Rob Manfred is aiming to address blackout issues and improve access to games by 2028, coinciding with the expiration of current TV contracts.

The Cardinals and the RSN Model

The St. Louis Cardinals, like many teams, are grappling with the decline of the RSN model. For years, Cardinals fans enjoyed games on Fox Sports Midwest, which was later sold to Diamond Sports Group and rebranded as Bally Sports. Following Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy litigation after the 2024 season, FanDuel acquired the TV contracts, continuing the RSN model – though without altering access for fans.

Recent Developments with FanDuel

More recently, FanDuel failed to make its initial payment to the Cardinals, leading the Dewitt family to terminate the contract. As a result, the Cardinals are now seeking a new broadcast partner for the 2026 season. Commissioner Manfred has suggested a potential solution: broadcasting Cardinals games under an agreement similar to the one established with nine other teams following the Bally Sports fallout.

Expert Insight: The repeated shifts in broadcast partners and the financial instability of RSNs highlight the challenges MLB faces in delivering its product to fans. The league is clearly exploring alternative distribution models, but a stable, fan-friendly solution remains elusive.

The Cardinals currently offer a streaming-only option, available through the FanDuel app or integrated with Prime Video, for $20 per month, which also includes games from the St. Louis Blues. If MLB assumes streaming access for the Cardinals, games could be available through the MLB app as part of the MLB.TV package, with subscriptions for in-market teams costing $129.99 per year ($11 per month).

What This Means for Viewers

The primary question for viewers, particularly those with cable subscriptions, is how to access Cardinals games. If the team adopts the MLB Network option, games could be broadcast on sub-channels of MLB Network, potentially benefiting DISH customers who no longer have access to the former Fox Sports/Bally Sports/FanDuel RSN contract. Alternatively, the Cardinals could renegotiate a new RSN contract, maintaining the current channel lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the broadcast situation with the Cardinals change recently?

FanDuel failed to make its first payment to the Cardinals, leading the Dewitt family to end the contract. The Cardinals are now looking for a new TV partner for the 2026 season.

What options are available for streaming Cardinals games?

The Cardinals currently offer a streaming-only product through Bally Sports and FanDuel for $20 per month, accessible via the FanDuel app or Prime Video. If MLB obtains streaming access, games may be available through the MLB app as part of MLB.TV.

What is MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s goal regarding broadcast access?

Commissioner Rob Manfred aims to resolve blackout issues and create easier access to games for fans by 2028, when current TV contracts expire.

As the landscape of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, how will these changes ultimately impact the fan experience and the accessibility of America’s pastime?