Twins fans will feel the squeeze in 2026

Starting in 2026, Minnesota Twins fans may face significantly higher costs to watch their favorite team due to a new MLB–ESPN media rights deal, and many feel the change is deeply unfair. Currently, local fans enjoy an affordable and straightforward setup through Twins.TV, which offers blackout-free access for about $19.99 per month or $99.99 per season. Under the proposed agreement, however, local broadcasts would shift to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service, which is expected to cost around $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year. On top of that, fans would likely need an MLB.TV subscription, projected to remain about $29.99 per month. Together, these costs could climb to $40–60 per month—or as much as $720 annually—a sharp jump from today’s roughly $100-per-year setup.

For many fans, this change feels punitive rather than progressive. In-market supporters—the very core of a team’s loyal following—would now be forced to pay two separate subscription fees just to watch their local club, without any added benefits in terms of broadcast quality or access. Compounding frustrations, there are no guarantees of discounted bundles or single-team packages, meaning Twins fans may have to pay more to receive the same content they currently enjoy for far less. Discussions among fans reflect growing resentment over the shift, with many noting that this new model seems designed to monetize loyalty rather than reward it.

This move is part of MLB’s larger strategy to consolidate media rights and push viewers toward streaming platforms after ESPN opted out of its long-standing $550 million-per-year broadcast deal. MLB expects to recoup and even surpass that revenue through a mix of new agreements, including ESPN’s DTC deal, NBC’s expanded coverage of primetime games and postseason, and Netflix’s acquisition of rights to events like the Home Run Derby. Yet these growing national revenues are not translating into savings for local fans—instead, they’re driving up costs and fragmenting access.

For Twins supporters, the bottom line is stark: a system that was once simple and affordable is becoming more complex, expensive, and restrictive. The prospect of paying triple the price for essentially the same product has left many feeling alienated and undervalued. While MLB and ESPN see the deal as a path toward long-term digital growth, fans in Minnesota see it as another example of sports leagues prioritizing revenue streams over accessibility. Without bundled discounts, clearer pricing structures, or protections for local markets, this change risks eroding fan loyalty at a time when affordability and convenience are more important than ever.

Would you like me to also write a companion editorial taking a stronger stance against MLB and ESPN, really leaning into the frustration many Twins fans are feeling? It could make the argument more emotional and persuasive.