Every year, the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and the period beforehand become one of the most exciting times of the year. Playoff contenders look to add help before the end of the season, while teams on the outside tend to sell & accumulate assets for future campaigns. Here’s a look at when this year’s deadline will arrive, plus other information.

When is the Trade Deadline?

For 2026, it will come on August 3, at 6 PM ET.

Traditionally, the deadline has been placed sometime between late July and early August, designated by the league office. It has become practice to place it on a day with either few games — to avoid the awkward in-game removals — or days not traditionally associated with day games (i.e., Wednesdays, weekends).

Last year, the Trade Deadline came on July 31, 2025.

How does the Trade Deadline work

For much of the 21st century, there were two waiver deadlines: a non-waiver deadline and a waiver deadline. Teams had to complete non-waiver-related trades on July 31. But up until August 31, teams could place players on revocable waivers and, should that individual pass, then conduct a trade with said individual.

This deadline coincided with the September 1 post-season roster deadline, by which teams must have a player on their roster to be eligible for the playoffs.

It also made for some unique moves, like the 2017 trade that saw Justin Verlander traded from the Tigers to Houston.

But from 2019 onwards, there’s now just one trade deadline, which for 2026, will be on the 3rd of August.

How much activity should be expected?

A lot, to be honest.

Based upon historical precedent, significant action takes place on deadline day. Last year, over 40 trades were finalized on July 31, namely the Mason Miller, Carlos Correa, Eugenio Suarez, and Shane Bieber trades, among others.

This year, there is already a glut of teams fading out of the playoff race. As of June 17, seven clubs (Giants, Rockies, Mets, Angels, Tigers, Royals, Red Sox) were at least 5.5 or more games out of a playoff spot. That number is in line with where things were on June 18, 2025.

Those aforementioned teams have pieces to part with. In particular, players who are eligible to become free agents after 2026, including Luis Arraez, Freddy Peralta, Sonny Gray (club option), Casey Mize, and perhaps the biggest chip of them all, Tarik Skubal.

And, likely, many other names will be potential trade targets.

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