Cubs' 2026 spring training schedule includes rare games against the Yankees and Team Italy
The Cubs’ 2026 spring training schedule includes an exhibition game against Team Italy and wraps with two days of playing host to the Yankees.
Major League Baseball revealed spring training schedules on Wednesday, with the World Baseball Classic returning and adding another wrinkle to the leadup to the MLB season.
Players participating in the WBC will have an earlier ramp-up than usual. And 28 exhibition games, including the Cubs’ matchup with the Italian national team on March 3, will take place across the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues on March 3 and 4.
WBC games will open on March 4 in Tokyo, and the North American venues (San Juan, Houston and Miami) will begin hosting games on March 6.
MLB released spring training schedules this afternoon. Here’s the Cactus League slate: pic.twitter.com/PS30eD7JU9
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) November 5, 2025
The Cubs open Cactus League play on Feb. 20 at Sloan Park with a crosstown matchup against the White Sox – who they’ll also play at Sloan on March 1 and at Camelback Ranch on March 13.
The Cubs are set to finish spring training with two home games on March 23 and 24 against the Yankees, who are scheduled to swing by Mesa on their way to San Francisco, where they open the regular season.
The Cubs open the 2026 season at Wrigley Field against the Nationals on March 26.