Major League Baseball is working toward a deal that would move Padres games to ESPN for three seasons beginning in 2026, a league source confirmed for the Union-Tribune. The Athletic first reported on negotiations that would shift the full rights that MLB has for five teams— the Padres,

This weekend represents the last 2025 regular-season series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Unfortunately, the rivalry has cooled due to the Dodgers’ dominance over the Padres in head-to-head competition.

How to watch the MLB game between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as first-pitch time and team news.

The Colorado Rockies are one of five MLB teams that could see an immediate impact if ESPN and MLB come to terms on a new deal.

Major League Baseball and ESPN have reached a preliminary agreement that would allow the Worldwide Leader in Sports “the exclusive rights to sell all out-of-market regular-season games digitally and in-market games for five clubs over the next three years,” The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported.

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ESPN could soon own the broadcasting rights for the Arizona Diamondbacks and four other teams as a result of a deal with MLB.

The Dodgers, leaning on contributions from those who had been struggling, including the bullpen, completed a three-game sweep of the rival Padres on Sunday to regain control of the NL West.

The Padres’ losing streak reached four games in part as a result of the play reversal. San Diego dropped to two games out of first place.