Cubs open 2026 season against Nationals as 111th year at Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs begin their 155th season with a home opener against the Washington Nationals, marking the club's 111th year playing at Wrigley Field.

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Daytona Cubs vs. Brevard Manatees, at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, April 6, 2013. Final score.
Photo: Gamweb / CC BY via Wikimedia Commons · source

The Chicago Cubs open their 2026 season on March 26 against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field, marking the club's 155th season and 111th year playing at the ballpark. This home opener concludes a three-game series and begins the team's 111th year at Wrigley Field.

The Chicago Cubs opened their 2026 season on March 26 against the Washington Nationals. The franchise marks its 155th season and its 111th at Wrigley Field. The 2025 season was its 154th year and 110th at the ballpark, ending on September 28. The club opened 2025 with a 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, then rebounded with a 64-49 record before the final game. The 2026 schedule runs from March 26 to September 27, when the Cubs conclude against the Boston Red Sox. The 2025 season included a lopsided win over the St. Louis Cardinals in late July. That game was played at Wrigley Field on a Tuesday night. The 2026 season opener against the Nationals marks the club’s 111th year at Wrigley Field. The franchise began play in 1876 as a founding member of the National League. Wrigley Field opened in 1914 and has been the team’s home since 1916. The move to the National League Central division in 1998 reshaped its competitive landscape. The Cubs’ 2025 season ended without a postseason berth. The 2026 schedule includes 162 games across the National League Central. The club will face the Nationals, Red Sox, Cardinals, and Dodgers during the season. MLB.TV will stream games live. The team’s performance in 2025 influences early expectations for 2026. The 2026 season opener against the Nationals is scheduled for March 26. The final game of the season is set for September 27 against the Red Sox. The club’s 2025 record entering the Dodgers game was 64-49. The 2025 season concluded on September 28. The 2026 season marks the Cubs’ 155th year as a franchise and their 111th at Wrigley Field. The team opened the season on March 26 against the Nationals. The 2025 season ended on September 28 without a postseason appearance. The 2025 season featured a 10-5 win over the Dodgers in Tokyo, where the Cubs scored six runs in a row after trailing 3-0. The victory ended Los Angeles’s four-game losing streak. The game was played on a Monday night. The Cubs hit three two-run home runs. The 2026 season opener against the Nationals is set for March 26. The final game is scheduled for September 27 against the Red Sox. The 2025 season ended on September 28. The Cubs’ 2025 record entering the Dodgers game was 64-49. The franchise’s 155th season began on March 26. The 2026 season opener against the Nationals is scheduled for March 26. The final game is set for September 27 against the Red Sox. The 202

Opening game details and 2025 context

The Chicago Cubs open their 155th season on March 26 against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field, marking the 111th year of continuous play at the ballpark. The 2025 campaign was the 154th season for the franchise and concluded on September 28, ending the club’s 110th year at Wrigley Field. That season began with a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 Tokyo Series opener on March 18, a game in which the Cubs fell behind 3-0 before scoring six straight runs. According to reports, they rallied to a 10-5 victory, hitting three two-run home runs in the process. The win snapped Los Angeles’s four-game losing streak and raised the Cubs’ record to 64-49 as they prepared for the new season.

The 2025 schedule saw the Cubs play 162 games, concluding with a series finale against the same opponent that had opened the year. Their home schedule heavily featured Wrigley Field, where they played 81 games before the final September date. The team’s performance throughout the season reflected a mix of offensive bursts and inconsistent pitching, leaving them outside playoff contention but positioned near the middle of the National League Central. Despite the lack of postseason action, the club emphasized player development and continuity in the latter half of the year. The upcoming 2026 opener against the Nationals represents both a fresh start and a symbolic milestone, as the franchise prepares to celebrate over a century of baseball at the same venue. The organization has not announced official commemorative events but is expected to highlight the anniversary throughout the season. With the schedule now set, attention turns to how the team will build on its 2025 foundation.

  1. The Cubs opened their 2025 season with a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB Tokyo Series.

  2. The Cubs concluded their 2025 regular season.

  3. The Cubs opened their 2026 season against the Washington Nationals.

  4. The Cubs are scheduled to end their 2026 season against the Boston Red Sox.

2025 season highlights and postseason outlook

The 2025 regular season concluded on September 28, marking the Cubs’ 110th year at Wrigley Field. A reported victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on a Monday night in late July featured three two-run home runs and a 10-5 final score, though the precise date remains unconfirmed. The team trailed 3-0 in the first inning before mounting a six-run streak to secure the win, which reportedly extended the Dodgers’ losing streak to four games. Entering that game, the Cubs held a 64-49 record, while the Dodgers stood at 69-44. The win was played at Wrigley Field and streamed on MLB.TV. The season’s conclusion set the stage for the 2026 campaign, which opens on March 26 against the Washington Nationals and concludes on September 27 against the Boston Red Sox. The 2026 season will represent the franchise’s 155th year and its 111th at Wrigley Field.

155th season
2026 season franchise count
111th season
2026 season at Wrigley Field
March 26
2026 season opening date
September 27
2026 season scheduled final date
154th season
2025 season franchise count
110th season
2025 season at Wrigley Field

Schedule and upcoming season structure

The 2026 season runs from March 26 to September 27, with the club slated to conclude its schedule against the Boston Red Sox. This marks the 111th year the franchise has played at Wrigley Field and its 155th season overall. The opening game will be played against the Washington Nationals on March 26, confirming the start of the club’s campaign. The final game against the Red Sox will close the season, maintaining the traditional end‑of‑year matchup. The schedule was confirmed in reports from multiple outlets.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Chicago Cubs open their 2026 season and who did they play?

The Cubs opened their 2026 season on March 26 against the Washington Nationals. This marks the 155th season of the franchise and the 111th season at Wrigley Field.

What was the Cubs' record when they beat the Dodgers in 2025?

The Cubs entered their 2025 game against the Dodgers with a 64-49 record. They defeated Los Angeles 10-5, ending the Dodgers' four-game losing streak.

How many home runs did the Cubs hit in their 2025 win over the Dodgers?

The Cubs hit three two-run home runs in their 10-5 victory over the Dodgers. The game took place at Wrigley Field on a Monday night.

When did the Cubs conclude their 2025 regular season?

The Cubs concluded their 2025 regular season on September 28. Their 2025 season was their 154th overall and 110th at Wrigley Field.

Who did the Cubs play in their 2026 season finale and when is it scheduled?

The Cubs are scheduled to end their 2026 season on September 27 against the Boston Red Sox. This will be their final game of the 155th season at Wrigley Field.

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