You’re driving through a patch of backroad woods or maybe just sitting on the back porch with a cold one, and you realize the first pitch is only minutes away. You reach for the dial. That familiar static hiss kicks in. We've all been there—fumbling through the AM and FM bands trying to find the crack of the bat. If you're asking what radio station is the cardinals game on, the answer is both very simple and, depending on where you're standing, a little bit of a "where am I?" riddle.
Honestly, for most of us in the St. Louis area, it’s a reflex. You just hit 1120. KMOX has been the "Voice of St. Louis" for generations, and in 2026, it remains the flagship home for Cardinals baseball. But the Redbird reach is massive. We're talking about one of the biggest radio networks in all of professional sports.
The Flagship: Why KMOX 1120 AM Still Rules
KMOX is more than just a frequency; it’s a powerhouse. Because it’s a "clear channel" station, that signal can travel ridiculous distances at night. I've heard stories of fans picking up the game as far away as Colorado or even the East Coast when the atmosphere is just right. Basically, if you are within 100 miles of the Gateway Arch, 1120 AM is your best bet for a crisp, reliable broadcast.
But things change. Technology moves. In 2026, you aren't just stuck with that AM buzz. KMOX is simulcast on 98.7 FM (via K254CR) and 102.5 FM HD2 for those who prefer the FM clarity.
You’ve got the legendary John Rooney leading the booth. This year is actually pretty special for him—it's his 21st season calling Cardinals games and his 55th year in the biz. He’s joined by Ricky Horton and Mike Claiborne. Hearing those guys call a game is like sitting in a living room with old friends. They know the stats, sure, but they know the feel of the team.
Finding the Cardinals Radio Network Near You
What if you aren’t in St. Louis? Maybe you’re down in the Ozarks or up in Central Illinois. The Cardinals Radio Network is a beast, spanning across nine states with over 140 affiliates.
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Here is the thing: stations change their formats or drop sports contracts all the time. But usually, the "anchors" in each region stay pretty consistent. If you are looking for what radio station is the cardinals game on in your specific neck of the woods, here are the heavy hitters for 2026:
- Missouri: * Springfield: KTTS 94.7 FM or KWTO 101.3 FM.
- Columbia/Jefferson City: KSSZ 93.9 FM "The Eagle."
- Joplin: KZYM 1230 AM.
- Cape Girardeau: KYRX 97.3 FM.
- Illinois: * Springfield: WTAX 1240 AM / 107.5 FM.
- Peoria: WIRL 1290 AM.
- Bloomington: WJBC 1230 AM.
- Arkansas: * Little Rock/Benton: KAFN 690 AM.
- Mountain Home: KTLO 1240 AM.
- Tennessee: * Memphis: WMFS 680 AM / 92.9 FM (ESPN Radio).
It’s always a good idea to check the local dial about 15 minutes before the game. Most of these stations start their pre-game coverage early, so if you hear "The Cardinals Warm-up," you know you've hit pay dirt.
What About Streaming and Digital Options?
Okay, let’s be real. Sometimes you don't even have a physical radio. Or maybe the reception in your office building is trash. You might think you can just go to the station's website and hit "Listen Live."
Wait. There is a catch.
Because of MLB's strict blackout and digital rights rules, most local affiliate websites cannot stream the game broadcast over the internet. If you try, you’ll likely hear a syndicated talk show or a loop of music instead of the game. It’s annoying, I know.
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To listen digitally in 2026, you basically have three legitimate paths:
- MLB At Bat: This is the gold standard. For a small monthly fee (usually around $4 or $5), you get every single radio broadcast for every team, no blackouts. It’s built into the MLB app.
- SiriusXM: If you have a satellite subscription, the Cardinals are always on. Usually, they’ll have both the home and away feeds, which is nice if you want to hear what the other guys are saying about us.
- TuneIn Premium: Some fans swear by this, though the MLB app is usually more stable for just baseball.
The 2026 Broadcast Shakeup (What You Need to Know)
You might have heard some rumblings about TV rights recently. In early 2026, the Cardinals actually terminated their deal with FanDuel Sports Network (the old Bally Sports) after some missed payments from the parent company.
While that has sent the TV world into a bit of a tailspin—with MLB likely taking over the production of the games—the radio side is rock solid. The partnership with KMOX was actually extended recently. So, while you might be scratching your head about which cable channel to find, the radio dial remains the one constant in a sea of corporate chaos.
Why Radio Still Matters
There is something about baseball on the radio that just works. Maybe it's the pace of the game. You don't need to see every pitch to understand the tension of a 3-2 count with the bases loaded in the 8th.
John Rooney’s voice has that specific cadence that lets you visualize the shift in the infield or the way a fly ball is carrying toward the "Big Mac" Land in left. Plus, radio is free. No subscriptions, no data plans, just a battery-powered box and some airwaves.
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If you’re trying to find out what radio station is the cardinals game on while traveling, remember to scan the AM band first. AM signals carry much further during the day than FM, and since many Cardinals games are afternoon "business specials," that old-school tech is actually your best friend.
Fast Facts for the 2026 Season
- Opening Day: March 26, 2026, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Spanish Broadcasts: The Cardinals continue to expand their Spanish-language reach, often found on WIJR 880 AM in the local St. Louis market.
- Pre-game timing: Most flagship coverage starts 60 minutes before first pitch.
If you find yourself in a dead zone, try moving your radio near a window. It sounds like advice from 1950, but it still works. Electronic interference from computers and LED lights can kill an AM signal faster than a double play kills a rally.
Grab your radio, find that 1120 frequency, and settle in. There is nothing quite like Cardinals baseball on a warm summer evening.
Actionable Next Steps:
To make sure you never miss a pitch, download the MLB App and favorite the Cardinals; it will show you the exact local start time and provide a one-tap link to the radio feed (if you have the At Bat subscription). If you prefer the old-school way, save 1120 AM as your first preset in your car and keep a set of spare AA batteries in your emergency kit for your portable radio. For those outside St. Louis, check the Cardinals official affiliate map online once a month, as small-town stations occasionally shuffle their sports programming.