There seems to be a consensus in the baseball world about what will happen in the 2026 MLB Draft: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky will go No. 1 to the Chicago White Sox.
But there’s a wrinkle.
Cholowsky has some competition at No. 1. Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey and For Worth Christian High School shortstop Grady Emerson are both elite talents the White Sox could pick instead.
It all points to potential draft-night drama. And you can watch it all starting Saturday, July 11, at 1:00 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock, MLB Network, and MLB.com.
Coinciding with MLB All-Star Week, the draft is one of many exciting events happening around the Midsummer Classic. It’s also a great way to see high school and college baseball players enter the spotlight.
Keep reading to see how you can watch every draft round, and don’t miss our MLB All-Star Game viewing guide for more baseball festivities.
What channel shows the 2026 MLB Draft?
The first four rounds of the draft on Saturday, July 11, will air across a host of networks, broken down by pick ranges.
- Picks 1–10 (NBC, Peacock)
- Picks 11–40 (MLB Network, MLB.com)
- Picks 41–135 (MLB.com)
On Sunday, the remaining rounds will stream on MLB.com.
Pro tip: You can listen to the first round of the MLB Draft on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio (ch. 89). The satellite radio channel will also feature live coverage of the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby.
2025 MLB Draft TV schedule
The 2026 MLB Draft will take place in July during All-Star Week at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Grand Hall in Philadelphia. This two-day event will see 20 rounds of future baseball stars selected, with extensive media coverage available across MLB and ESPN platforms.
The upcoming NCAA Men’s College World Series will serve as a key final showcase, where standout performances from top prospects could generate significant buzz heading into the draft—or lower the stock of some players. Similarly, the MLB Draft Combine should provide another important look at draft-eligible players.
The MLB Draft Lottery occurred in December, with the White Sox landing the first pick.
Below, you’ll find the detailed TV schedule for the 2026 MLB Draft, including start times and channel listings.
| Event | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Draft Combine | June 23–26, 2026 | Various | MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB app |
| MLB Draft Day 1 (Rounds 1–4) | July 11, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, MLB Network, MLB.com |
| MLB Draft Day 2 (Rounds 5–20) | July 12, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. | MLB.com |
Data effective as of post date.
Best MLB Draft TV plans
The best TV plan for watching the MLB Draft depends on how much additional coverage you want. Peacock Premium is the least expensive at $10.99 per month, but that will only get you the first 10 picks of the draft, and you won’t get FOX for watching the MLB All-Star Game.
A simple over-the-air (OTA) antenna can set you up with NBC as long as you’re within range of a local affiliate station. But if you’re looking for a quick, short-term way of watching the draft and other All-Star events, you’re better off trying a live TV streaming free trial. Fubo offers a robust free trial that comes with FOX, NBC, and MLB Network.
Which TV providers carry the MLB Draft?
Most TV providers carry the opening rounds of the MLB Draft via NBC and MLB Network. Though, MLB Network may require a higher-tier plan or add-on package. Our table below illustrates which providers offer the two channels.
| Provider | Price | NBC | MLB Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $33.00/mo. | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How can I watch the MLB Draft for free?
The great thing about the MLB Draft is that you can watch most of it for free on MLB.com and the MLB app. But you’ll need a TV provider to watch the first four rounds across NBC and MLB Network. You can also watch part of the first round on Peacock.
Fortunately, live TV streaming services like Fubo and YouTube TV offer various free trials. If you haven’t signed up before, we recommend trying Fubo’s Elite plan during the MLB All-Star Week. Not only will you get access to Day 1 of the MLB Draft, but you’ll also be able to watch the Home Run Derby and MLB All-Star Game. Just be sure to cancel before your trial period ends—otherwise, you’ll strike out on the freeness.
How to watch the MLB Draft FAQ
How can I watch the MLB Draft without cable?
You’ll need a live TV streaming service that offers NBC and MLB Network to watch the first draft day. You can also stream the first 10 picks on Peacock. Otherwise, the other draft day streams entirely on MLB.com.
Who won the MLB Draft Lottery?
The Chicago White Sox got the first pick in the 2026 MLB Draft during the draft lottery, which occurred in December.
Where can I watch the 2026 MLB Draft Combine?
MLB Network is the home for the MLB Draft Combine in 2026. Viewers can also catch coverage on MLB.TV, MLB.com, and the MLB app.
Is the MLB Draft on ESPN?
No, the 2026 MLB Draft will not air on ESPN this summer. The first 10 picks will instead be broadcast on NBC and stream on Peacock.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com sports editor, Taylor Kujawa, has watched the MLB Draft over the last several years across various TV services and devices. Using that experience, he researched this year’s draft viewing options and compared popular TV services head to head. In addition, he researched several mock drafts to get an idea about what might happen on draft night. Ultimately, he based his provider recommendations on ease of use, pricing, and overall MLB event access.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
