This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Cubs stepped onto a global stage for Opening Day this year, taking on the Dodgers in the Tokyo Series in a memorable mid-March journey to Japan. For 2026, the North Siders will get a return to normalcy for the season’s outset.
Earlier this week, Major League Baseball officially rolled out its '26 regular-season schedule, which will begin with the Giants hosting the Yankees on March 25 at Oracle Park. The Cubs will join the rest of baseball for Opening Day one day later, when the North Siders welcome the Nationals to Wrigley Field.
It will mark the Cubs’ first opener at Wrigley Field since 2023, given Chicago’s last two campaigns began in Texas and Tokyo, respectively. And while the Cubs navigate their way through the '26 schedule, the team will also continue planning ahead to hosting the All-Star Game in 2027.
Let’s break down the highlights of the Cubs’ 2026 slate:
The first homestand: The Cubs are set to host Washington on March 26, beginning a six-game homestand against the Nationals and Angels (March 30-April 1). Chicago also has a built-in team off-day on March 27 and another on April 2 ahead of the first road trip.
The first road trip: On the year of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 World Series, the North Siders’ first road trip will begin in Cleveland, where that Cubs squad ended the team’s 108-year drought. The Cubs and Guardians will play April 3-5, followed by a trip to face the Rays (April 6-8).
Crosstown Classic: The Cubs and White Sox will renew their intracity rivalry May 15-17, when the North Siders head to Rate Field for a weekend series. Fans will have to wait until Aug. 17-19 for the South Siders to head up to the Friendly Confines.
The rivals: Each of the division foes are technically rivals, but let’s be honest, Cubs fans love to circle the matchups against the Cardinals and Brewers. Milwaukee heads to Wrigley Field May 18-20 and Aug. 31-Sept. 3, while St. Louis heads up I-55 for Fourth of July weekend (July 3-5) and Aug. 14-16.
Longest road trip: The Cubs’ longest trek next year is a nine-game, 10-day swing through Texas, Atlanta and Chicago. Ending with the White Sox helps ease the travel a bit, but this trip awaits the Cubs from May 8-17.
The Trade Deadline: The Deadline typically lands on July 31, but it can fluctuate by a few days. The Yankees will be facing the Cubs for an Interleague set at Wrigley Field from July 31-Aug. 2. No matter where the Deadline lands, that series could see some new faces in the fold.
Other Interleague games: Besides the Angels, White Sox and Yankees -- already noted above -- Wrigley Field will see these American League opponents come calling: Astros (May 22-24), A’s (June 2-4), Blue Jays (June 19-21), Twins (July 17-19) and Tigers (July 20-22).
The final month: If you include the Aug. 31 game against the Brewers, the Cubs will face Milwaukee seven times in a 10-day span on the front end of September. There will be 12 NL Central games in total (six home and six away) against the Brewers, Pirates and Reds in the final month.
The last 'stands: The Cubs will wrap up their home schedule in '26 with a three-game series against the Marlins Sept. 22-24. That will set up the last road trip of the season -- a three-game set at Fenway Park against the Red Sox (Sept. 25-27). What a backdrop on the cusp of October.