Reds Opening Day 2026 weather forecast at Great American Ball Park

Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season is a holiday for the city of Cincinnati. Hope springs eternal at the end of March each year, and the streets will be lined with fans for the Findlay Market Parade en route to Great American Ball Park for the first pitch of the 2026 season.

Other than a Cincinnati Reds loss to the Boston Red Sox, there's only one thing that can dampen the spirits of those in attendance at GABP on March 26 — the weather.

Baseball is played outdoors in Cincinnati — as it should be in every Major League city — but with that comes the risk of inclement weather. The last time Reds' Opening Day was postponed was in 2018 when persistent rain and poor field conditions forced Cincinnati to delay the first game of the season until the following day.

Reds Opening Day 2026 weather forecast looks just fine

This season, however, the Opening Day forecast couldn't be better. According to WLWT meteorologist Randi Rico, the outlook for Thursday's parade and the game look great. The forecast calls for rain showers early on Thursday, but the Findlay Market Parade doesn't begin until noon ET.

First pitch of the Reds' Opening Day game against the Red Sox is schedule for 4:10 p.m. EDT and fans should expect clear skies with temperatures in the upper-70s to low-80s. The forecast calls for breezy conditions, so for those planning to attend, you might want to bring a jacket to the ballpark.

With Hunter Greene on the injured list to begin the season, Andrew Abbott will get the ball for the Reds. Abbott is coming off an All-Star campaign in 2025 and is ready to prove he can lead the rotation in Greene's absence.

Opposing Abbott will be Red Sox starter and AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet. The Boston left-hander poses a tough task for Terry Francona's lineup, but the additions of Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suárez should help add some protection behind Reds' superstar Elly De La Cruz.

A cold front is on the way follow Thursday's season opener, so if you're heading out to the ballpark over the weekend, get ready to bundle up. Temperatures for Saturday and Sunday aren't expected to surpass 60 degrees.