It is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you are frantically refreshing your phone or asking your smart speaker what time did the cubs game end today, I have some news that might be a little jarring if you haven't checked the calendar lately.
The Cubs didn't play today.
There was no final score. No walk-off at Wrigley. No stressful ninth inning where we all collectively held our breath while the bullpen tried to locate the strike zone.
Honestly, the only "game" happening right now is the front office chess match at the Cubs Convention downtown. We are deep in the heart of the MLB off-season. While it feels like baseball should be permanent, the boys in blue are currently swapped out for fans in heavy parkas at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.
Why People Are Asking What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today
It’s a funny quirk of being a die-hard fan. Sometimes the rhythm of the season stays in your bones long after the last out of the NLDS. You wake up on a Saturday, look at the gray Chicago sky, and your brain just goes, "Hey, what time is the game?"
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But if you’re looking for a finish time today, you’re looking for a ghost. The Cubs haven't touched a competitive diamond since their 2025 postseason run ended. Right now, the "game" is all about the 2026 Cubs Convention, which kicked off Friday night. If you’re looking for an "end time" for today's events, the main panels at the Sheraton typically wrap up around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, followed by some late-night fan festivities.
The Real Schedule: When Does the Clock Start Again?
If you're itching for a real box score, you have to wait for the desert sun. Spring Training is the next milestone.
- February 20, 2026: The Cubs officially take the field at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona.
- The Opponent: The Chicago White Sox (Crosstown classic to start the spring).
- First Pitch: 1:05 PM MST.
Basically, we are about a month away from actually having an answer to "what time did the game end." Typically, those Cactus League games wrap up in about two and a half to three hours thanks to the pitch clock rules that have tightened up the pace of play. You can expect a 4:00 PM finish for those early spring matches.
The 2026 Outlook: What We Learned Today
Even though no games ended today, the franchise changed quite a bit over the last 48 hours. The atmosphere at the Convention has been... let's say "charged."
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The big news? Alex Bregman is officially a Cub. Seeing him in the home pinstripes during the opening ceremonies yesterday was a trip. For years, he was the guy you loved to hate on the Astros, and now he's the cornerstone of the North Side infield. The deal—5 years for $175 million—was the talk of the panels today.
Also, can we talk about Edward Cabrera? The trade that sent Owen Caissie to the Marlins for Cabrera is a huge gamble on high-upside pitching. If Cabrera can keep his walk rate down, he’s a front-of-the-rotation monster. If not... well, we’ve seen that movie before at Wrigley.
Misconceptions About Winter Baseball
Some folks get confused because of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) or various winter leagues. While some Cubs prospects are playing in the Dominican or Venezuelan winter leagues, those aren't "Cubs games" in the traditional sense. Those games often end late into the night due to the high-energy, high-scoring nature of Caribbean ball, but they don't count toward the NL Central standings.
If you saw a highlight on social media today and thought a game was live, it was likely a clip from the 2025 season sizzle reel shown at the Convention. They played a massive highlight package on Friday night that had everyone nostalgic, though notably, the footage of Kyle Tucker was almost non-existent. It seems the breakup with Tucker was even frostier than the Chicago wind off the lake.
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How to Track Cubs Game Times This Season
Once March 26 rolls around—that’s the real Opening Day against the Washington Nationals—you’ll want a reliable way to track finish times. Since the introduction of the pitch clock, the average MLB game duration has dropped significantly.
- Day Games at Wrigley: Usually start at 1:20 PM CT. Expect them to end between 3:50 PM and 4:15 PM.
- Night Games: 7:05 PM starts generally see the "Go Cubs Go" anthem playing around 9:45 PM.
- The NBC Factor: In 2026, MLB is back on NBC and Peacock. These national broadcasts sometimes run a little longer due to extended commercial breaks, so add an extra 15 minutes to your expected end time.
Actionable Steps for Cubs Fans Today
Since you can't watch a game end today, here is what you should actually do to stay ahead of the 2026 season:
- Check the Spring Training Broadcast Schedule: Marquee Sports Network has started releasing which Mesa games will be televised. Mark February 20 on your calendar.
- Update Your MLB App: The 2026 schedule is now fully integrated. You can sync the entire Cubs calendar to your phone so you never have to guess the start (or end) time again.
- Watch the Convention Replays: If you missed the "Meet the New Guys" panel today, Marquee usually uploads the highlights by evening. It’s the best way to see how Bregman and Cabrera are fitting into the clubhouse culture.
- Ignore the "Ghost" Scores: If a betting app or a shady sports site is showing a "Cubs vs. TBD" score today, ignore it. It’s either a glitch or a carry-over from a simulated league.
The wait for real baseball is almost over. For now, enjoy the fact that the Cubs didn't lose today—and they didn't win either. They’re just getting ready.