Look, I get it. You wake up, it's mid-January, and the first thing you want to know is what time is the cardinals game on. But here is the thing: "The Cardinals" means different things depending on whether you're looking for a pigskin or a stitched cowhide.
If you are looking for the Arizona Cardinals, I have some news that might sting a bit. Their season actually wrapped up on January 4, 2026, with a tough 37-20 loss to the Rams. Since they didn't make the postseason cut this year, they aren't on the Divisional Round schedule for this weekend. They’re basically in "wait until the draft" mode right now.
But if you are a St. Louis Cardinals fan, today—Friday, January 16, 2026—is actually a huge day for the "Caravan." It isn't a game with a box score, but it’s the closest thing we get to baseball in the dead of winter.
The St. Louis Cardinals Caravan Schedule for January 16
The big event today is the Cardinals Caravan hitting Springfield, Missouri. If you're trying to catch the "game" in the sense of seeing the players, here is the breakdown for today’s stops at Hammons Field:
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- Doors Open: 11:45 AM
- Main Program: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- Evening Autographs: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (at Great Southern Bank Arena)
It’s kind of a cool lineup this year. You’ve got the 2025 Texas League MVP JJ Wetherholt showing up, alongside Victor Scott II and Leonardo Bernal. Honestly, it’s the best way to get the "scoop" on the 2026 season before the guys head down to Jupiter.
Wait, what about Ball State?
Sometimes people forget there’s a third "Cardinals" in the mix. If you’re a college hoops fan, the Ball State Cardinals are actually playing a real game tonight.
They are hosting the Ohio Bobcats at John E. Worthen Arena. The tip-off for that one is at 8:30 PM ET. You can catch it live on CBS Sports Network. Ball State is currently 4-13 and trying to snap a four-game skid, so they really need the home-court energy tonight.
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Looking Ahead to Spring Training 2026
Since the NFL Cardinals are out and the MLB Cardinals are just touring right now, you’re probably itching for a real baseball start time. We finally have the confirmed Grapefruit League schedule for February.
The St. Louis Cardinals officially start their spring schedule on Saturday, February 21, 2026. They’ll be taking on the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The first pitch is set for 1:05 PM ET.
After that, they stay busy:
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- Feb 22: at Houston Astros (1:05 PM ET)
- Feb 23: vs Miami Marlins (1:05 PM ET)
- Feb 24: at Washington Nationals (6:05 PM ET) — This one is a night game!
How to Watch and Stay Updated
If you're trying to figure out what time is the cardinals game on for future matchups, your best bet is to bookmark the MLB or NFL official apps. For the St. Louis fans, FanDuel Sports Network (the artist formerly known as Bally Sports) is still the primary spot for local broadcasts.
If you are in Springfield today, just remember that the first 400 kids get those autograph tickets. People start lining up way earlier than that 11:45 AM door time, so if you're reading this at noon, you might already be behind the curve.
Basically, today is about the Caravan and College Hoops. The football pads are put away for the year in Arizona, and the baseball cleats don't hit the Florida dirt for another month.
To get ready for the upcoming season, your next move should be checking your local listings for CBS Sports Network if you want to see Ball State tonight, or clearing your calendar for February 21 to see the first MLB action of the year.