If you’re walking around Chicago right now looking for the bright lights of Wrigley Field, I’ve got some bad news for you. It’s January 16, 2026. The Friendly Confines are currently under a layer of frost, and the ivy is definitely not green.
You’re asking where is the Cubs game today, but the real answer is that there isn't one. Not a real one, anyway.
Baseball is a seasonal heartbreaker. Right now, we’re in the thick of the "Hot Stove" season, which is just a fancy way of saying we’re all sitting around refreshing Twitter (or X, whatever) waiting for Jed Hoyer to make a move. Honestly, if you’re looking for the team today, you shouldn't be looking at a diamond. You should be looking at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.
Why everyone is asking where is the Cubs game today
It happens every year. The calendar turns, the itch for baseball starts to burn, and fans start Googling the schedule. But here is the deal: the 2026 MLB season doesn't actually kick off until March 26. On that day, the Cubs will host the Washington Nationals at Wrigley.
But wait.
If you see a bunch of people in blue hoodies and "W" hats swarming downtown Chicago today, there’s a reason. Today marks the start of the 2026 Cubs Convention. It’s the 40th anniversary of this fan-fest, and it’s basically the only place you’ll find the entire roster in one room before they fly out to Arizona.
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What’s happening at the Sheraton instead of a game
Instead of a box score, fans are getting a heavy dose of nostalgia and front-office talk. This year is huge because the team is celebrating its 150th anniversary as a National League franchise. Think about that. That's a century and a half of "maybe next year," until 2016 finally broke the spell.
- Opening Ceremonies: These start tonight, Friday, Jan 16, at 5:00 p.m.
- The 2016 Reunion: It’s been ten years. Let that sink in. A good chunk of the World Series team is expected to be there this weekend.
- Ryan Dempster’s Talk Show: If you’ve never seen "Off the Mound," it’s... well, it’s Ryan Dempster being Ryan Dempster. High energy, kind of chaotic, and surprisingly funny.
- Harry Carayoke: Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Fans singing karaoke in the lobby until the early hours of the morning.
Basically, if you want to see the players today, that’s where they are. They aren't playing ball; they’re signing autographs and trying to convince us that the pitching rotation is "sneaky good" for the upcoming year.
When do the games actually start?
I know, the convention is cool, but it’s not baseball. If you’re desperate to see a box score, you have to wait for Spring Training. The Cubs report to Mesa, Arizona, in just a few weeks.
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Pitchers and catchers have their first workout on February 11, 2026. Position players follow on February 16. If you are planning a trip to the desert, the first actual exhibition game—the "game" you're likely looking for—is on Friday, February 20.
The Cubs will play the White Sox at Sloan Park. It’s the annual Crosstown series opener in Mesa. It doesn't count for the standings, but tell that to the fans who have been shivering in 20-degree weather for three months.
The 2026 Spring Training Schedule Highlights
- Feb 20: vs. White Sox (Sloan Park)
- Feb 21: vs. Texas Rangers (Sloan Park)
- March 3: Special Exhibition vs. Team Italy (World Baseball Classic tune-up)
- March 23-24: The New York Yankees come to Mesa. This is a rare crossover since the Yankees usually stay in Florida for the Grapefruit League.
The 2026 Regular Season Reality
If you're asking where is the Cubs game today because you want to place a bet or check your fantasy roster, you've got time to prep. The 2026 schedule is a bit different this year.
The Cubs open at home on March 26 against the Nats. They then have a weirdly early interleague series against the Angels at the end of March. If you’re a traveler, mark your calendars for May. The team has a brutal (but fun) three-city road trip hitting Texas, Atlanta, and the South Side of Chicago for the first leg of the Crosstown Cup.
One thing that's caught some fans off guard: the Cubs are hosting the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field in late July/early August. Those tickets are already trending as the most expensive on the secondary market for the entire summer.
Making sense of the "Game Today" confusion
Sometimes people see "Cubs" on the TV guide in January and get confused. Usually, Marquee Sports Network is replaying "Cubs Classics."
If you see a game on TV today, check the jerseys. If Anthony Rizzo is playing first base or Kris Bryant is at third, you’re watching a replay from the 2016 run. It’s great for the soul, but it’s not live.
The current 2026 roster looks a lot different. We've got Alex Bregman at third now—thanks to that massive 5-year contract signed just a few days ago on January 14. We’ve also got Edward Cabrera in the rotation after the Marlins trade. The "game" today is strictly a mental one: projecting how these new pieces fit under Craig Counsell’s leadership in his third year at the helm.
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Actionable steps for Cubs fans today
Since there is no physical game at Wrigley or Sloan Park this afternoon, here is what you should actually do:
- Download the Cubs Con App: If you’re in Chicago, this is the only way to track autograph sessions and panel times at the Sheraton this weekend.
- Check the Marquee App: They usually stream the "Baseball Operations Update" and the "Kids Only Press Conference" live. It’s the best way to hear Jed Hoyer explain the Owen Caissie trade in real-time.
- Vote for the 150th Team: Voting officially opens today, January 16, on the Cubs website. You get to help pick the "All-Time" roster that will be honored throughout the 2026 season.
- Book Mesa Now: If you're planning on seeing the Feb 20 opener against the Sox, hotels in Mesa and Tempe are already 80% booked.
The season is coming. It's just not here yet. For now, grab a coat, head to the Riverwalk, and soak in the convention vibes. That's the only "Cubs game" in town today.