The legendary broadcaster Bob Costas is making a highly anticipated return to NBC Sports, where he will serve as the host of the Sunday Night Baseball pregame show. The announcement, made by NBC Sports on January 22, 2026, marks a nostalgic homecoming for Costas, who spent nearly four decades with the network and became synonymous with its baseball coverage in earlier eras.
Costas, now 73, will anchor the pregame coverage leading into NBC’s primetime Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts, which will air on NBC and stream on Peacock. This role represents NBC’s renewed commitment to Major League Baseball coverage, as the network takes over the coveted Sunday night national package previously held by ESPN for 36 years. NBC will air a select number of games throughout the 2026 season, including high-profile matchups designed to showcase the sport’s biggest stars and storylines.
His debut is set for a special primetime opener on Thursday, March 26, 2026—MLB’s Opening Day—when the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET, marking the only primetime game on Opening Day and giving Costas an immediate spotlight to welcome fans back to national baseball on NBC.
This return to the pregame desk aligns perfectly with Costas’s storied history in baseball broadcasting. He previously served as a play-by-play voice and host for NBC’s MLB coverage across 15 seasons (1982–89 and 1994–2000), calling iconic moments and earning widespread acclaim for his insightful, eloquent style. In 2018, he was honored with the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, cementing his status as one of the game’s most respected voices.
While Costas stepped away from play-by-play duties in recent years—most notably during stints with other networks—his shift to a studio hosting role is seen as a strong fit. Many in the industry and fan communities have praised the move, noting that his authoritative presence, deep knowledge of baseball history, and passion for the sport make him ideal for setting the stage each week. As one observer put it, “Bob is a baseball legend—he clearly didn’t have it anymore on PBP but as a studio host I’m sure he’s still got it.”
Beyond baseball, Costas will also contribute to NBC’s NBA coverage, adding his veteran perspective to the network’s growing sports portfolio as it continues to expand its live event offerings.
Costas himself expressed enthusiasm about the reunion. In statements surrounding the announcement, he described NBC as his “true broadcasting home” and voiced appreciation for the opportunity to return to a network where he helped define sports television for generations.
For fans, this development adds significant star power to NBC’s MLB package. With Costas guiding viewers through previews, analysis, and the broader baseball landscape, Sunday Night Baseball promises to blend modern production with the timeless storytelling that made Costas a household name.
As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on that Opening Day telecast—and on the familiar voice welcoming America back to baseball on NBC.
