The Philadelphia Phillies opened the 2026 Major League Baseball season Thursday, March 26, hosting the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia with the first pitch scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET. The game aired on NBC and MLB’s platforms as the reigning National League East champions began the season at home while the stadium debuted several upgrades tied to the upcoming MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
Before the opener, Citizens Bank Park revealed multiple changes for the season, including expanded menu offerings developed with local chefs, a renovated Hall of Fame area, and a larger retail space with new merchandise. The team also released its early-season schedule and promotional events calendar as fans returned to the ballpark for Opening Day.
Philadelphia’s starting pitcher was left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, while the Rangers started Nathan Eovaldi.
Sánchez delivered six scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters to lead the Phillies to a 5-3 victory. The outing came days after the pitcher signed a six-year contract extension on Sunday. Sánchez allowed three hits and did not walk a batter, throwing 87 pitches with 59 strikes before leaving the game. His 10 strikeouts were one shy of the franchise record for an Opening Day start, a mark set by Chris Short in 1965 and matched by Curt Schilling in 1997. Sánchez closed his appearance by striking out the side in the sixth inning.
Philadelphia’s offense provided early support. Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run home run in the first inning after Trea Turner reached base by legging out an infield single. Schwarber drove a 1-2 curveball from Eovaldi over the wall in left-center field. The homer followed Schwarber’s career-high 56-home run season in 2025, his third Opening Day home run with the Phillies, and his second in consecutive seasons.
The Phillies added to the lead in the fifth inning. Justin Crawford and Turner opened the inning with singles before Alec Bohm sent a 2-0 cutter from Eovaldi over the wall in right field for a three-run opposite-field home run that extended the lead to 5-0. The home run ended Eovaldi’s outing after he allowed five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings and took the loss.
Crawford appeared in his Major League Baseball debut and singled on the first pitch he saw in the second inning. He added another single to open the fifth inning and finished with two hits. Crawford joined Turner, Brandon Marsh, and Bryson Stott, who also recorded two hits each as Philadelphia totaled 10 hits.
Texas responded late in the game. Jake Burger finished with three hits and hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning against Phillies reliever Kyle Backhus. Kyle Higashioka later singled and reached third base on an error before Jhoan Duran replaced Backhus on the mound. Duran allowed a two-out RBI single to Danny Jansen but ended the rally by getting Evan Carter to ground out, earning his first save of the season.
While the Phillies began the year with a win on the field, Citizens Bank Park also introduced a redesigned food program. The Phillies partnered with Aramark and chefs from several local restaurants to expand the stadium’s dining options. Participating restaurants include Middle Child, Vetri Group, De Rossi’s, El Chingon, Sahbyy Food, Emmett and Her Place Supper Club.
The effort is connected to Philadelphia hosting the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, with the ballpark expanding and updating menu offerings across concessions, premium areas and stadium restaurants.
Several menu additions were created in collaboration with Phillies players, with portions of sales benefiting their charitable foundations.
- “Sánchez Sliders” (Cristopher Sánchez): Two honey-stung chicken tenders tossed in a hot spice blend and served on potato rolls with garlic aioli and pickles. Available at Coca-Cola Corner in Left Field Plaza and in the Cadillac Hall of Fame Club. Proceeds support Sánchez’s Clínica de Familia nonprofit.
- “Schwarbomb Sundae” (Kyle Schwarber): Vanilla ice cream topped with a funnel-cake-fried strawberry Uncrustable, strawberry sauce, and fruity cereal pieces served in an All-Star Game batting helmet. Available at Coca-Cola Corner Treats in Left Field Plaza, benefiting Schwarber’s Neighborhood Heroes.
- “The Sweeper” (Jesús Luzardo): A specialty cheesesteak featuring ribeye steak with pizza sauce, provolone cheese, and pepperoni. The sandwich is sold at Campo’s in Ashburn Alley and is available only when Luzardo is pitching. Proceeds benefit The Luzardo Family Foundation.
Additional menu items introduced around the ballpark include:
- Wilt’s Chocolate Smothered Berries: Fresh strawberries covered in milk chocolate from the Reading Terminal Market dessert stand. Available at Section 111 and the Cadillac Hall of Fame Club.
- “Phootlong Hot Dog”: A jumbo-sized hot dog served on a Liscio’s Bakery potato roll. Sold at Hatfield Classics Grill in Sections 114, 129 and 314.
The ballpark’s version of the 9-9-9 challenge, which involves consuming a hot dog and a beer during each inning of a baseball game, is also returning. The Phillies’ version uses smaller portion sizes and packaging designed to make the challenge more manageable.
Some familiar promotions will not return. “Sam the Popcorn Girl” will not appear for most of the regular season, and “Dollar Dog Night” is not scheduled to return for the foreseeable future.
Alongside the food changes, Citizens Bank Park introduced a new bi-level New Era Team Store featuring expanded retail space and a large video wall. The store will carry merchandise tied to the upcoming MLB All-Star Game as well as apparel from brands including Lululemon, Ralph Lauren, Travis Mathew and Tommy Bahama.
Francis Winkey, Aramark’s senior merchandise manager for the Philadelphia Phillies, said a new collection of mascot-themed accessories is expected to be among the most popular items.
“We have an awesome new custom line of Phanatic women’s accessories,” Winkey said. “We’ve got a backpack, a purse, a clutch, all with Phanatic fur. They’re going to be one of our hottest items of the year.”
The Phillies also announced several promotions scheduled during the season. Star Wars Night will take place June 3. Philadelphia will host MLB All-Star events from July 11 through July 14, beginning with a fan experience takeover event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Home Run Derby will be held July 13, followed by the MLB All-Star Game on July 14.
Following Opening Day, the Phillies continue their home series against Texas with additional games scheduled:
- Saturday, March 28 at 4:05 p.m.
- Sunday, March 29 at 1:35 p.m.
The Phillies will then host the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park:
- Monday, March 30 at 6:40 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 31 at 6:40 p.m.
