How to Watch Seattle Mariners in 2026 After ROOT Sports Ends

The Brief

ROOT Sports, the Seattle Mariners' long-standing regional sports network, officially closed its doors after the 2025 season. This marks the end of nearly four decades of local broadcasts for the team. Starting in 2026, Major League Baseball (MLB) will take over the production and distribution of all Mariners telecasts, signaling a major shift in how fans will watch their favorite team.

Under this new arrangement, MLB will handle the technical production of games, while the Mariners will retain control over the broadcast lineup and content. Fans can expect to stream games through a variety of platforms, including the ESPN App, MLB.TV, and the MLB App.

In 2025, similar streaming markets for other MLB teams charged around $19.99 per month or $99.99 per season for in-market access. However, the exact pricing for Mariners fans in 2026 has not yet been announced.

SEATTLE

The closure of ROOT Sports brings an end to a significant chapter in Seattle's sports broadcasting history. For almost 40 years, the network was the primary source for Mariners games, providing local coverage that connected fans with their team.

Starting in 2026, the Mariners will no longer rely on a separate regional network for their broadcasts. Instead, MLB will manage all aspects of game production, while the team itself will determine which games are shown and who will be on-air.

This transition comes as the sports media landscape continues to evolve, with more fans shifting away from traditional cable and toward streaming services. As a result, the Mariners are adapting to ensure their games remain accessible to fans in the most convenient ways possible.

The Backstory

ROOT Sports had a long and evolving history. Originally launched in 1988 as Northwest Cable Sports, it went through several rebrandings, including Prime Sports Northwest and FOX Sports Northwest, before becoming ROOT Sports in 2010. The Mariners took full ownership of the network in 2023, but financial challenges made it increasingly difficult to sustain the operation.

Declining cable subscriptions, the rise of streaming, and the departure of other major partners like the Seattle Kraken left the network struggling. In response, the Mariners made the difficult decision to shut down ROOT Sports at the end of the 2025 season.

Mariners chairman John Stanton addressed the closure in a meeting with staff at the network’s headquarters in Bellevue. Approximately 25 employees will be laid off, though some on-air talent, including analysts Angie Mentink and Ryan Rowland-Smith, and host Brad Adam, are expected to continue in new roles with the Mariners or the league. Aaron Goldsmith, who was already an employee of the team, will also remain with the organization.

“We continue to focus on finding new ways to bring our games in 2026 and beyond to our fans and we’ve determined joining with Major League Baseball is the best path,” the team said in a statement. “Beginning in 2026 and moving forward, Major League Baseball will provide opportunities to bring new features and benefits to viewers of Mariners baseball.”

What the New MLB–ESPN Deal Means for Mariners Fans

A recent media rights partnership between MLB and ESPN has introduced significant changes for Mariners fans. Under this deal, ESPN will become the exclusive rights holder of MLB.TV starting in 2026. This includes both out-of-market and select in-market rights for teams whose broadcasts are produced by MLB — including the Seattle Mariners.

Key changes for fans include:

• Streaming through the ESPN App and MLB platforms: Mariners games will be available live on the ESPN App and through MLB platforms.
• MLB.TV access: Subscribers within the team's local territory will still have access to Mariners games on MLB.TV.
• National "game of the day" option: ESPN's Unlimited plan will feature out-of-market matchups, giving fans even more flexibility.

“This fan-friendly agreement allows us to showcase the great sport of baseball on both a local and national level, while prioritizing our streaming future,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN. “MLB.TV is a coveted, must-have companion for passionate MLB fans all over the country, and it will be strongly complemented by our national game package and in-market team rights — all within the ESPN App.”

How to Watch Mariners Baseball in 2026

Here’s what Mariners fans can expect when the 2026 season begins:

1. Stream through MLB.com or the MLB App
   Games will be available to purchase and stream through MLB.com and the MLB App for fans in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and parts of Idaho and Montana — the Mariners’ local broadcast territory. MLB will handle all production, while the Mariners will control the broadcast lineup and content.

2. Stream through the ESPN App
   Fans can also stream games through the ESPN App, where MLB.TV will be fully integrated. Subscriptions can be purchased individually, as part of an MLB.TV bundle, or included with select ESPN subscription packages.

3. Watch through select cable providers
   MLB will work with cable and satellite providers to distribute the games, though specific channel listings and packages may vary depending on provider agreements.

How Much It Will Cost?

MLB and ESPN have not yet announced official pricing for 2026, but fans can look to other MLB-managed streaming markets for reference. In 2025, fans of the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies paid around $19.99 per month or $99.99 for the season to stream in-market games through MLB.

It’s unclear if Mariners fans could expect a similar price point in 2026. In addition to the standalone in-market package, fans can also bundle a team subscription with MLB.TV or ESPN+.

What Fans Should Expect in 2026

When the 2026 season begins, Mariners games will look familiar but air on new platforms. Fans will access live broadcasts and on-demand replays through MLB and ESPN apps instead of ROOT Sports.

Where to watch:

• MLB.TV / MLB App — all games, available for purchase in-market and out-of-market
• ESPN App — access via MLB.TV or bundled with select ESPN subscriptions
• Cable providers — select partners will carry the MLB-produced feed

ROOT Sports branding and graphics will be retired, and Seattle will get the same graphics as the other five clubs that have broadcasts being managed by MLB.

End of an Era for Mariners Broadcasts

ROOT Sports' closure marks the end of local baseball broadcasts as Seattle fans have known them since the late 1980s. The shift reflects the broader move across professional sports toward direct-to-consumer streaming and centralized production by leagues.

While ROOT Sports will disappear from local TV lineups, fans will continue to have multiple ways to follow the team — whether on mobile devices, smart TVs, or traditional cable packages.