Spring Training to Opening Day: Cubs Fan Complete Guide
For Chicago Cubs fans, the weeks between Spring Training and Opening Day are everything. You go from watching workouts under Arizona sun to standing in the Budweiser Bleachers at Wrigley Field with a cold beer and a full heart. Here is your complete guide from Mesa to the Friendly Confines.
Cubs Spring Training at Sloan Park
Spring Training for the Chicago Cubs runs from mid-February through late March at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. With a capacity of 15,000, Sloan Park is the largest Spring Training ballpark in baseball, and Cubs home games regularly draw near-capacity crowds.
What Makes Sloan Park Worth the Trip
Sloan Park puts you closer to the action than almost any regular season ballpark can. The intimate layout, Arizona sunshine and laid-back vibe create an experience unlike a typical gameday. Beyond scheduled games, fans can often watch workouts at the practice fields west of the ballpark along Clark Street.
Key 2026 Spring Training Dates
The 2026 Cactus League schedule kicked off February 20 with the Cubs hosting the White Sox. A total of 18 home games and 13 road games fill the calendar through late March. Notable dates include:
- March 3 at Sloan Park, an exhibition against Team Italy ahead of the World Baseball Classic
- March 21 for Spring Breakout, where Cubs prospects face Padres prospects (general admission tickets are $15 plus fees)
- March 23-24 Cubs vs. Yankees and the first time the Yankees have ever visited Sloan Park
Much of Sloan Park seating is shaded, especially along the third-base side and in the upper rows. Parking runs about $20 at the ballpark.
Getting Ready for Opening Day at Wrigley Field
After Arizona wraps up, the real excitement begins. The Cubs open the 2026 regular season at home on March 26, hosting the Washington Nationals at 1:20 p.m. CT. For the first time since 2023, the North Siders start at Wrigley Field, and the energy around Clark and Addison should be electric.
Scoring Tickets and Planning Ahead
Single game tickets for the home opener and full season are available now. Eight-game ticket packs offer a flexible way to lock in multiple games. March weather in Chicago can swing from the mid-30s to the low 50s, so dress in warm layers and plan for anything.
Why 2026 Feels Different
After a 92-70 season in 2025 and their first playoff appearance in five years, the Cubs added star third baseman Alex Bregman and hard-throwing starter Edward Cabrera over the winter. A revamped bullpen rounds out a roster built to compete deep into October. Watching that talent come together in Arizona, then seeing it at Wrigley Field on Opening Day, is what makes this stretch so rewarding.