Rogers Centre in Toronto on a game night.

Toronto Blue Jays 2026: the Perfect Stop on Your Great Lakes Cruise

📅 Mar 27, 2026 🕑 7 min read ✌️ Jules
← Back to Blogs & Vlogs

If you're cruising into Toronto this year, why not catch a Blue Jays game and make the most out of your trip. The opening ceremony just wrapped up with a standing ovation for the Blue Jays from a packed Rogers Centre. Gausman came out firing — striking out the first three batters of the season. The Jays went on to win their first game of the season 3–2, with Ernie Clement delivering two great hits on the night. What a way to start the 50th year of Blue Jays baseball! Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to catch a game this cruising season:

🏈 Tonight's Game — Quick Facts

  • Game: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Oakland Athletics
  • Date: March 27, 2026 — Opening Night
  • First Pitch: 7:07 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
  • Pre-game Ceremonies: Approximately 6:30 p.m. ET
  • Opening Pitcher: Kevin Gausman

🚢 Cruising Into Toronto? Don't Miss the Blue Jays

Toronto is one of the most exciting cruise ports on the Great Lakes circuit, welcoming boutique and luxury vessels from lines like Viking Cruises, Victory Cruise Lines, Pearl Sea Cruises, Ponant, and Hapag-Lloyd between April and October each year.

The Blue Jays home season runs from late March through late September, overlapping almost perfectly with Toronto's entire cruise season. Whether your ship is calling into port for the day or your cruise begins or ends in Toronto, there's a very good chance a home game is on the schedule during your stay. For those starting or finishing their Great Lakes voyage in the city, building a Blue Jays game into your pre- or post-cruise itinerary is something to consider!

Exciting Times for Toronto Baseball

If your Great Lakes cruise is calling at Toronto, you're stepping into one of the most exciting baseball cities in North America right now. The 2025 Blue Jays delivered 94 wins, an AL-best 54–27 home record, and a World Series appearance for the first time in 32 years. Rogers Centre was electric in 2025, and 2026 has started with a lot of fanfare. Whether your ship is in port for a few hours or you're building a pre- or post-cruise day around it, a Blue Jays game is one of the best ways to experience Toronto.

94 Regular Season Wins
54–27 AL-Best Home Record
32 Years Since Last World Series
G7 How Far They Got

Players to Watch in 2026

The Blue Jays enter 2026 as reigning American League Champions, with a high performance roster. Here are some names to cheer for tonight — and all season long.

First Base
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Signed the largest contract in franchise history — 14 years, $500 million — and the kind of talent you build a franchise around for the next 14 years.

Starting Pitcher
Kevin Gausman

The man who anchored Toronto's World Series rotation in 2025 now gets the ultimate honour — the Opening Night pitch as a Blue Jay.

Designated Hitter
George Springer

AL Silver Slugger at DH in 2025, 32 home runs, and one of the most clutch postseason bats in the game.

Catcher
Alejandro Kirk

Kirk set career highs in every offensive category in 2025, then tied the all-time MLB postseason home run record for catchers with five.

Third Base — Newcomer
Kazuma Okamoto

Arrived from Japan's NPB on a four-year deal — 30 home runs per season over his last five years makes him one to watch.

Starting Pitcher — Rising Star
Trey Yesavage

Set the franchise playoff strikeout record (39 Ks) in 2025 — currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, expected back mid-season.

Infielder (2B / 3B / SS)
Ernie Clement

The ultimate utility man — comfortable at second, third, or short. In the 2025 postseason, Clement set the all-time MLB record for most hits in a single postseason with 30, surpassing Randy Arozarena's 29.

Third Base / Right Field
Addison Barger

Stepped up big in year two — 21 home runs and a .243 average in 2025, with plenty more runway ahead.

Left Field
Nathan Lukes

Delivered one of the most clutch hits of the 2025 postseason — a two-out, two-run single in Game 4 of the ALDS to drive in the series-clinching run against the Yankees.

Centre Field
Daulton Varsho

Missed 52 games in 2025 but still hit 20 home runs — then homered off Blake Snell in Game 1 of the World Series, becoming the first Blue Jay to go deep in the Fall Classic since Joe Carter in 1993.

Utility Outfielder
Davis Schneider

The ultimate Blue Jays underdog story — a 28th-round draft pick who launched a leadoff home run on the very first pitch of World Series Game 5, the first player to do so since Derek Jeter in 2000.

Shortstop
Andrés Giménez

Stepped into shortstop after Bo Bichette's injury and delivered when it mattered — slashing .310/.355/.552 across 32 postseason plate appearances.

💡 Jules' Tip: Don't miss Canada Day on July 1st — Rogers Centre turns red for the annual celebration as the New York Yankees make their first Toronto visit of the season. Canadians and visitors alike make it an unforgettable afternoon.

Your Toronto Game-Day Guide

Whether this is your first time at Rogers Centre or you've been here before, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • 📍 Rogers Centre is at 1 Blue Jays Way, steps from Union Station — one of the most transit-accessible stadiums in North America. Take the subway or GO Train right to the door.
  • 🏙️ Pair the game with a visit to the CN Tower right next door, or a stroll along Harbourfront before first pitch for some of the best skyline views in the city.
  • 🎟️ Look out for Loonie Dog Nights on Tuesdays and Jr. Jays Sundays throughout the season for great value deals.
  • 🇨🇦 Don't miss Canada Day on July 1st — Rogers Centre turns red for the annual celebration as the New York Yankees make their first Toronto visit of the season. Canadians and visitors alike make it an unforgettable afternoon.

Games & Ships: 2026 Combined Calendar

Blue Jays home games on the left, cruise ship calls on the right. Highlighted rows mean your ship is in port on a game day — plan accordingly!

April
⚾ Blue Jays Home Games
Apr 6–8 — vs Dodgers ⭐ World Series Rematch
Apr 10–12 — vs Twins
Apr 24–26 — vs Guardians🚢 Ship in port Apr 25–26
Apr 27–29 — vs Red Sox
🚢 Ships in Port
Apr 16–17 — Viking Polaris
Apr 25–26 — Viking Octantis⚾ Game day — vs Guardians
Apr 26 — Victory I⚾ Game day — vs Guardians
May
⚾ Blue Jays Home Games
May 8–10 — vs Angels🚢 Ship in port May 10
May 11–13 — vs Rays
May 22–24 — vs Pirates🚢 Ship in port May 24
May 25–27 — vs Marlins
🚢 Ships in Port
May 1 — Viking Polaris
May 2 — Victory II
May 10 — Viking Octantis⚾ Game day — vs Angels
May 14 — Victory I
May 20 — Victory II
May 21 — Pearl Mist
May 24 — Viking Polaris⚾ Game day — vs Pirates
June
⚾ Blue Jays Home Games
Jun 5–7 — vs Orioles🚢 Ship in port Jun 7
Jun 8–10 — vs Phillies
Jun 12–14 — vs Yankees ⭐🚢 Ship in port Jun 13
Jun 22–24 — vs Astros
Jun 25–28 — vs Rangers
Jun 29–30 — vs Mets
🚢 Ships in Port
Jun 1 — Victory I
Jun 7–8 — Viking Polaris⚾ Game day Jun 7 — vs Orioles
Jun 11 — Viking Octantis
Jun 13 — Pearl Mist⚾ Game day — vs Yankees ⭐
Jun 19 — Victory I
July
⚾ Blue Jays Home Games
Jul 1 — vs Mets ⭐ Canada Day
Jul 17–19 — vs White Sox
Jul 20–23 — vs Rays🚢 Ship in port Jul 23
Jul 31 — vs Cardinals
🚢 Ships in Port
Jul 5–6 — Viking Polaris
Jul 5 — Victory II
Jul 7 — Victory I
Jul 11 — Pearl Mist
Jul 13–14 — Viking Octantis
Jul 23 — Victory II⚾ Game day — vs Rays
Jul 25 — Victory I
August
⚾ Blue Jays Home Games
Aug 1–2 — vs Cardinals🚢 Ship in port Aug 2
Aug 10–13 — vs Red Sox🚢 Multiple ships Aug 10–12
Aug 14–16 — vs Yankees ⭐
Aug 25–27 — vs Royals
Aug 28–30 — vs Mariners🚢 Ships in port Aug 28 & 30
🚢 Ships in Port
Aug 2 — Pearl Mist⚾ Game day — vs Cardinals
Aug 10–11 — Viking Octantis⚾ Game day — vs Red Sox
Aug 10 — Victory II⚾ Game day — vs Red Sox
Aug 11 — Le Bellot⚾ Game day — vs Red Sox
Aug 12 — Victory I⚾ Game day — vs Red Sox
Aug 27–28 — Le Bellot⚾ Game day Aug 28 — vs Mariners
Aug 28 — Victory II⚾ Game day — vs Mariners
Aug 30 — Victory I⚾ Game day — vs Mariners
September
⚾ Blue Jays Home Games
Sep 11–13 — vs Orioles ⭐🚢 Ship in port Sep 11
Sep 14–16 — vs Tigers🚢 Ship in port Sep 15
Sep 25–27 — vs Reds (Final Home Games)
🚢 Ships in Port
Sep 7 — Viking Octantis
Sep 7 — Pearl Mist
Sep 10–11 — Le Bellot⚾ Game day Sep 11 — vs Orioles ⭐
Sep 15 — Victory II⚾ Game day — vs Tigers
Sep 17 — Victory I
Sep 24 — Le Bellot
Sep 29 — Pearl Mist
Sep 29–30 — Hanseatic Inspiration
October
⚾ Blue Jays Home Games
Jays TBD
🚢 Ships in Port
Oct 3 — Victory II
Oct 5 — Victory I
Oct 9 — Victory I
Oct 9–10 — Viking Octantis
Oct 12–14 — Viking Polaris
Oct 15 — Hanseatic Inspiration
Oct 27 — Victory I

Sources: MLB.com, Just Baseball, ESPN, Blue Jays Nation, Baseball Reference, Wikipedia, Toronto Port Authority

← Back to Blogs & Vlogs More on YouTube ↗