If you're asking when do the Cardinals play, you're probably either looking for the crack of a bat in St. Louis or the sound of a whistle in Glendale. It gets confusing because we have two massive franchises sharing the same name. Honestly, it’s a bit of a scheduling nightmare if you're a multi-sport fan.
Right now, we are sitting in that weird transition period. The Arizona Cardinals just wrapped up their 2025-2026 NFL regular season on January 4, 2026, with a tough loss to the Rams. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals are basically packing their bags for Florida. If you want to see a game today, January 16, you’re out of luck. There are no live games for either bird right now.
But things change fast. Spring training for baseball is just around the corner, and the NFL offseason is already spinning its wheels.
When Do the Cardinals Play Baseball?
St. Louis fans, mark February 21, 2026, on your calendar. That is when the Grapefruit League kicks off in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals start their spring training slate against the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It's a 1:05 PM local start.
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Most people think baseball starts in April, but the real ones know February is when the work happens. They have a 29-game spring schedule this year. You've got games against the Marlins, Astros, and Mets almost daily through late March.
The regular season is where the stakes get real. When do the Cardinals play their first meaningful game? Opening Day 2026 is Thursday, March 26. They are hosting the Tampa Bay Rays at Busch Stadium. It’s actually the fifth time in seven years they’ve opened at home. The first pitch is set for 3:15 PM CDT.
Key Series for the 2026 St. Louis Season
The 2026 schedule is weirdly front-loaded with home games. They play 53 of their 81 home games before the All-Star break. If you want to catch a game at Busch, you better do it in the first half of the summer.
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- The Cubs Rivalry: The first big showdown with Chicago happens at home from May 29 to May 31.
- The New York Yankees: This is a rare one. The Cardinals travel to the Bronx for a three-game set starting August 3.
- The Final Stretch: They finish the season on the road. Their last game of the regular season is September 27 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Looking for the Arizona Cardinals?
If you were looking for football, the timing is different. The Arizona Cardinals' season ended on January 4, 2026. They finished with a 3-14 record, which, let's be real, was pretty brutal for fans.
Since they didn't make the playoffs, they aren't playing again until the 2026 preseason in August. The NFL usually drops the official 2026-2027 schedule in mid-May. You'll have to wait until then to know exactly who they play on Week 1 in September.
However, we do know the "important dates" for the fans who follow the front office moves. The 2026 League Year and free agency officially begin on March 11 at 4:00 PM ET. That’s when the "playing" happens in the front office. The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23–25 in Pittsburgh.
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Where to Watch the Games
Basically, if you’re trying to find when do the Cardinals play on TV, here is the breakdown for 2026.
For baseball, most local games are on Bally Sports Midwest (or whatever the regional sports network is rebranded to by then). National games usually land on ESPN, FOX, or FS1. For the NFL side, most Sunday games for Arizona stay on FOX, while the primetime stuff stays on ESPN/ABC or Amazon Prime.
Honestly, the best way to keep track is to sync your digital calendar with the official MLB or NFL apps. Schedules change. Rainouts happen in St. Louis. Flex scheduling happens in the NFL.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to attend a game, don't wait until the week of the opener.
- Spring Training Tickets: These go on sale to the general public on January 10, 2026. If you're reading this now, they are already available. Roger Dean Stadium is small, so they sell out.
- Opening Day Prep: Busch Stadium tickets for the March 26 opener against the Rays usually disappear within minutes of the single-game release. Check the official Cardinals website for "Theme Ticket" dates if you want a bobblehead.
- NFL Offseason: Keep an eye on the "Franchise Tag" deadline on March 3. It’ll tell you a lot about whether the Arizona roster is going to look any better next year.
The question of when do the Cardinals play is always about timing. Right now, it's a waiting game for both. Baseball fans have about five weeks to wait, and football fans are looking at a seven-month hibernation.