The New York Yankees travel to Fenway Park for a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox from 21 to 23 April 2026. This is the first meeting of the season between baseball’s most storied rivals, with both AL East clubs looking to establish early-season momentum. The series opens on Tuesday evening with first pitch at 6:45 PM ET, broadcast live on TBS.
What is Yankees vs Red Sox?
This is a three-game regular season series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, two American League East division rivals whose history stretches back over a century. Every meeting between these clubs carries additional weight due to the intensity of the rivalry, but early-season series like this one also carry genuine divisional importance. With both teams expected to contend in 2026, each game matters in what promises to be a tight AL East race.
When is Yankees vs Red Sox?
The series runs from Tuesday 21 April to Thursday 23 April 2026. Game 1 on Tuesday is scheduled for 6:45 PM ET (11:45 PM BST). Game times for Wednesday and Thursday are typically confirmed closer to the date but are expected to follow standard evening scheduling. All three games are night fixtures at Fenway Park.
Where is Yankees vs Red Sox?
All three games take place at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Opened on 20 April 1912, Fenway is the oldest active ballpark in Major League Baseball and holds a capacity of approximately 37,755 for night games. The park is famous for the Green Monster, the 11.3-metre (37-foot) left-field wall that has defined the venue since the 1930s. A manually operated scoreboard remains embedded in the wall to this day. Fenway’s intimate dimensions and unique quirks make it one of the most atmospheric venues in all of professional sport.
Key Contenders
The Yankees enter 2026 with Aaron Judge once again leading the lineup. Judge, the team captain, won his third MVP award and second consecutive in 2025, and also claimed his first batting title. He is joined by Cody Bellinger, who re-signed on a long-term deal, and Giancarlo Stanton as the designated hitter. Ace Gerrit Cole is expected to begin the season on the injured list recovering from Tommy John surgery, with Max Fried leading the rotation alongside Luis Gil and Carlos Rodon. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells add further depth to a powerful batting order.
The Red Sox have built a young, competitive roster centred around emerging talents. Outfielder Roman Anthony headlines their future, while Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu provide Gold Glove-calibre defence. On the mound, Garrett Crochet finished second in the 2025 AL Cy Young race in his first full season in Boston and anchors a rotation that includes Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello. Aroldis Chapman leads the bullpen.
In the 2025 regular season, Boston dominated the head-to-head record with a 9-4 advantage. However, the Yankees gained the last word by winning the AL Wild Card Series 2-1 in October, overcoming a Game 1 defeat to take the final two contests and advance.
How to Watch
In the United States, Game 1 on Tuesday airs live on TBS as part of the MLB Tuesday national package. Games 2 and 3 are expected to air on MLB Network and Fox respectively, with all three available via MLB.TV for out-of-market subscribers. Local broadcasts will be carried on the YES Network (Yankees) and NESN (Red Sox) for in-market viewers.
In the United Kingdom, TNT Sports holds the rights to MLB coverage and streams select games throughout the season. MLB.TV is available internationally for fans outside the US, offering access to every regular season game. Apple TV+ also carries Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders throughout the season, though this Tuesday-to-Thursday series falls outside that window.
History and Records
The Yankees and Red Sox have met over 2,300 times in their history, making it the most played rivalry in Major League Baseball. The Yankees hold the all-time series lead with approximately 1,246 wins to the Red Sox’s 1,028. The rivalry’s modern era is often traced to the sale of Babe Ruth from Boston to New York in 1919, a transaction that preceded the so-called “Curse of the Bambino” as the Red Sox went 86 years without a World Series title. Iconic moments include Bucky Dent’s three-run home run over the Green Monster in the 1978 playoff tiebreaker and the Red Sox’s historic comeback from 3-0 down in the 2004 ALCS, widely regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. The teams have met five times in the postseason, with the Red Sox winning three of those series (2004, 2018, 2025) and the Yankees taking two (1999, 2003).
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for Yankees vs Red Sox at Fenway Park are available through the official Red Sox ticketing page on MLB.com, as well as authorised resellers including Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats. As one of the most in-demand regular season matchups in baseball, prices run higher than typical Red Sox home games. For the April series, tickets start from around $60 on the secondary market, with an average price of approximately $177. Premium seating and Monster Seats command significantly higher prices. Fenway’s relatively small capacity means that popular rivalry games often sell out, so early booking is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Yankees vs Red Sox series start?
Game 1 is on Tuesday 21 April 2026, with first pitch at 6:45 PM ET (11:45 PM BST).
Where is Yankees vs Red Sox being played?
All three games are at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.
How can I watch Yankees vs Red Sox?
Game 1 airs on TBS in the US. TNT Sports carries MLB coverage in the UK. MLB.TV is available internationally.
Who won the last Yankees vs Red Sox postseason series?
The Yankees won the 2025 AL Wild Card Series 2-1, taking Games 2 and 3 after losing the opener.