So, you’re looking for the Iowa Cubs game today? Honestly, I’ve got some bad news for you if you were planning on heading down to Principal Park with a glove and a craving for a pork tenderloin sandwich. It’s January 18. Des Moines is currently locked in the heart of winter, and the only thing sliding at the intersection of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers right now is probably a bit of ice.
There is no game.
Minor League Baseball doesn't work like the winter leagues in Venezuela or the Dominican Republic. Here in the International League, the bats are quiet. The dirt is frozen. Principal Park is essentially in hibernation. If you see a headline claiming there's a live score for an Iowa Cubs game right now, it’s probably a bot hallucinating or someone trying to sell you a sketchy betting link.
When does the 2026 Iowa Cubs season actually start?
If you're itching for Triple-A baseball, you've gotta wait until the spring thaw. The Iowa Cubs game today is actually about two months away. According to the official 2026 schedule released by the organization, Opening Day is set for March 27, 2026.
They’re opening at home this year. That's a big deal. Usually, teams in the Midwest prefer to start on the road to avoid the inevitable Iowa "Spring" (which we all know is just Winter 2.0). But the Columbus Clippers are coming to town for a three-game set to kick things off.
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Key dates to circle on your calendar:
- March 27–29: Season opener at Principal Park against Columbus.
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo celebration at the ballpark.
- August 11: The big one. The I-Cubs travel to Dyersville to play the St. Paul Saints at the Field of Dreams movie site.
That Field of Dreams game is the highlight of the year. It’s the first time Triple-A ball has returned to the corn since 2022. If you want tickets for that, you basically need to start praying now or keep a very close eye on the MiLB lottery announcements.
What’s happening at Principal Park right now?
While there isn't an Iowa Cubs game today, the front office isn't just sitting around drinking cocoa. There’s actually been a massive shakeup in the leadership. Longtime General Manager Sam Bernabe recently stepped back, and Randy Wehofer has been promoted to lead the day-to-day operations.
Wehofer is a name you probably recognize if you’ve ever listened to a broadcast. He’s been the voice of the team for ages. Seeing him move into the top leadership role is a "changing of the guard" moment for Des Moines sports.
Also, the "Cosmic Baseball" tour is officially coming to Des Moines in 2026. If you haven't seen the clips on social media, it’s basically baseball played under blacklights with neon jerseys and glowing balls. It sounds like a gimmick, but it sold out everywhere in 2025. They’ll be announcing the specific dates for the Des Moines stop soon, but it likely won't be until the heat of the summer.
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Tracking the prospects: Who will be on the roster?
Since there’s no Iowa Cubs game today, the real "game" is watching the Chicago Cubs' 40-man roster. This is the time of year when players get DFA'd, traded, or invited to Spring Training as non-roster invitees.
Keep an eye on Jonathon Long. He was just named the Chicago Cubs Minor League Player of the Year. He spent time in Iowa last season and absolutely crushed the ball, even hitting his 20th homer in a late-season push against Indianapolis. Whether he starts in Des Moines or makes the jump to Chicago depends entirely on how February goes in Mesa, Arizona.
Then there's the pitching. Jaxon Wiggins and Walker Powell are names that finished the season in the rotation. In Triple-A, the roster you see in April is almost never the roster you see in August. That’s the beauty (and the frustration) of the Iowa Cubs. You might see a future All-Star one night and a veteran just trying to get one last shot at the bigs the next.
Planning your first trip to the ballpark
Once the season actually starts, things are going to look a little different with the "Game Time on the 8s" initiative. The team partnered with KCCI to make start times more predictable.
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Basically, almost every home game starts at a time ending in :08.
- 12:08 PM for those weekday "Business Specials."
- 7:08 PM for the Friday Night Fireworks.
- 1:08 PM for the Sunday Family Days.
It’s a quirky bit of branding, but it makes it easier to remember when to leave the house. If you're planning on going to those early Saturday games in April, bring a blanket. I’m serious. The wind coming off the river at Principal Park in early April is no joke.
Actionable steps for I-Cubs fans:
- Check your vouchers: If you have undated tickets or flex packs from last season, check the fine print. Most expire, but some can be rolled over if you act before the box office gets slammed in March.
- Enter the Cosmic Lottery: Visit the official team site to get on the email list for the Cosmic Baseball tour. Those tickets will vanish in minutes.
- Watch the 40-man roster: Follow the Chicago Cubs transactions this week. Anyone who gets "optioned" is someone you'll likely be watching in Des Moines this spring.
The wait for the next Iowa Cubs game today is almost over. We’re about 68 days away from the smell of hot dogs and the sound of the train whistle blowing after a home run. Hang in there.