So, you’re looking for the score. Or maybe you're just wondering why your social feed isn't blowing up with highlights. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and depending on which "Cardinals" you’re rooting for, the answer to did the cardinals play today is going to be wildly different.
If you’re a baseball fan in St. Louis, you know it’s way too cold for the crack of a bat at Busch Stadium. But the Arizona football crowd is in a different boat entirely. Let’s get into what’s actually happening on the turf and the dirt today.
Arizona Cardinals: The Playoff Reality
No. The Arizona Cardinals did not play a game today. Honestly, their season wrapped up about two weeks ago on January 4th, and it wasn't the ending anyone in the desert was hoping for. They finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a rough 3-14 record after a 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Because of that record, they didn't make the cut for the NFL Divisional Round games happening right now. While teams like the Bills, Broncos, 49ers, and Seahawks are battling it out today, the Arizona squad is already looking toward the NFL Draft. They’ve got a high pick coming, which is basically the only silver lining when you finish at the bottom of the NFC West.
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It’s a bit of a bummer. You've got the 49ers and Seahawks playing a massive NFC West showdown tonight at 8 p.m. ET, and the Cardinals are just... watching from the couch like the rest of us.
St. Louis Cardinals: Winter Warm-Up is Live
Now, if you’re asking did the cardinals play today because you're a St. Louis baseball fan, they technically "took the field," but not for a game. Today is the kickoff of the 2026 Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up.
It’s a massive deal in St. Louis. While the actual MLB season is months away, thousands of fans are currently packed into Ballpark Village and Busch Stadium. It’s the first real chance to see the 2026 roster in person.
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- The Scene: Over 50 players and coaches are on-site today.
- The Stars: Fans are currently getting autographs from guys like Masyn Winn and Alec Burleson.
- The Auction: There’s a live auction on the Main Stage where people are bidding on things like "The Ultimate Day at Busch Stadium."
If you aren't there, you’re missing out on the "Kids Only" press conference where the prospects get grilled by the toughest reporters in the world: ten-year-olds. It started at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m. today. So, they aren't playing, but they are definitely "active."
The Cardinals Caravan is Moving
While the main event is in St. Louis, the team is also split up across "Cardinals Nation." Today, the Cardinals Caravan is hitting cities like Springfield and Bloomington. It’s a weird tradition, but it works. They pile current players and alumni into buses and drive through six different states to meet fans who can’t make the trek to Missouri.
Why the Confusion Happens
It happens every January. The overlap between the tail end of the NFL season and the beginning of MLB "hype season" creates a perfect storm for Google searches. You see a headline about "Cardinals Autographs" and your brain jumps to football playoffs. Or you see "Cardinals Eliminated" and you panic about the World Series.
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Basically, if it's January 17, 2026, the birds on the bat are signing sharpies, and the birds in the helmets are waiting for training camp.
What to Do Next
If you’re an Arizona fan, today is actually a great day to scout the competition. Watching the 49ers and Seahawks tonight will give you a clear look at the mountain the Cardinals have to climb next year. Keep an eye on the draft boards; with a 3-14 finish, the front office has no excuses not to land a generational talent.
For the St. Louis faithful, the Winter Warm-Up continues tomorrow, January 18. If you missed today’s session, gates at Busch Stadium open again at 8:45 a.m. Sunday. Also, don't forget the Baseball Writers' Dinner is happening tomorrow night at the Missouri Athletic Club. It’s the last big "hurrah" before the team heads to Jupiter, Florida, for Spring Training.
Check the official Cardinals website for the remaining autograph schedules if you’re planning to head down for Day 2.