Now that many Milwaukee Brewers players have reported to Phoenix for spring training, we're officially in the home stretch of the offseason.
The first Cactus League game isn't far off, the Brewers will have a special exhibition game this spring and they'll have quite a few players in the World Baseball Classic. Then, near the end of March, it's the start of the 2026 regular season. For Milwaukee, the opener will be at American Family Field for the first time in several years.
Here are the dates to know as we get closer to Opening Day:
Feb. 21: Brewers' first preseason game
The Brewers will face the Cleveland Guardians at American Family Fields of Phoenix with a 2:10 p.m. CT start. The Brewers will have a game every day the rest of the way except March 2, 10 and 17, with the final game in Arizona on March 22.
March 3: Brewers will face Great Britain in World Baseball Classic tune-up
The Brewers will host Great Britain's World Baseball Classic team at their home facility, two days before WBC games themselves get going. Players involved will likely leave their teams to train with their teams in late February.
March 5: World Baseball Classic begins
A handful of Brewers players will be involved: second baseman Brice Turang, pitcher Abner Uribe, infielder Joey Ortiz, outfielder Jackson Chourio, catcher William Contreras, pitcher Angel Zerpa, pitcher Carlos Rodriguez, infielder Tyler Black and pitcher Rob Zastryzny.
Team USA, with Turang, will first play Brazil in Houston on March 6.
March 11: Pool play ends in WBC
Many players will return to camp, with half the field weeded out of the World Baseball Classic in pool play.
March 17: World Baseball Classic final
The WBC championship game takes place in Miami.
March 20 and 22: Spring Breakout games
Top prospects from within the Brewers organization will play the top prospects of the Seattle Mariners (March 20) at home and A's (March 22) in Mesa. The future-looking showcase has expanded from just one game last year. The Brewers will also play their final spring training game in Phoenix on March 22, facing the Chicago Cubs.
March 23-24: Exhibition games at American Family Field
The Brewers haven't played exhibition games in their own ballpark since 2017, but Milwaukee will host Cincinnati on March 23 and 24 at American Family Field, with reduced ticket prices for the games scheduled at 6:40 p.m. and 4:10 p.m. CT.
March 25: Baseball season begins
The San Francisco Giants host the New York Yankees in a standalone season opener; the rest of the league has to wait a day.
March 26: American Family Field hosts season opener
The Brewers host the Chicago White Sox at 1:10 p.m. CT at American Family Field in the season opener. It's the first time the Brewers have opened the season at home since 2021 (with a partially filled stadium on account of COVID-19 precautions) and the first time with full stands since 2019.
Planning to visit Brewers spring training?
The Brewers have a full page dedicated to planning a trip to Phoenix to watch, with information ranging from parking to nearby restaurants.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers spring training starts; Cactus League, WBC, Opening Day