Cubs begin 151st season with big moves and bigger expectations

This season marks the 151st since the Chicago National League Ball Club began playing in the league and a decade since the team’s first World Series victory in 108 years.

But after returning to the playoffs last year, this year’s club feels like it has unfinished business as they hope to make a deeper postseason run.

Here are five things for Cubs fans to look forward to in 2026:

Bregman and PCA

Hope always springs eternal this time of year on the North Side, but especially so with the blockbuster five-year, $175 million offseason signing of third baseman Alex Bregman. The three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion had been elusive to team President Jed Hoyer the year prior.

Then came news this week of the reported six-year, $115 million contract extension for one of Bregman’s World Baseball Classic Team USA teammates: fan favorite Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Seiya Suzuki, who had a hot bat in last year’s playoffs, is starting the season on the injured list after hurting his knee while playing for Team Japan.

Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd will lead a rotation that includes Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton and Jameson Taillon. Flame-thrower Daniel Palencia — coming off a victory for Team Venezuela in the WBC — is Manager Craig Counsell’s closer.

Team colors

Cubs fans’ excitement for their new and re-signed stars is reflected in the top selling merchandise at Wrigleyville Sports, the longstanding retailer kiddy corner from the ballpark at Addison and Sheffield.

Jerseys and T-shirts bearing the names of Bregman and PCA are flying off the shelves and online, according to store inventory manager Brendan Billbury.

“I think it’s the length of contract and his term, and the fact that he’s a big name signing in the offseason, people are excited about it,” Billbury said of Bregman.

The shop’s staff of 18 were busy getting the retail floor stocked on Wednesday in advance of an early opening at 8 a.m. Thursday. In-store traffic has been picking up in recent weeks since Spring Training and the baseball classic began.

Among those making purchases Wednesday were friends Taylor Rodriguez and Brian Heffernan, who always take off work and sit in the bleachers with two other friends for Opening Day.

Rodriguez bought Cubs-branded clothes for all seasons — a quarter zip, sweatshirt, T-shirt and poncho — and she may get to wear all of it Thursday, when the temperature at first pitch is expected to be in the 60s, then dramatically drop by game’s end. She says she’s used to it, though, having been to both warm and cold home openers.

“You know, triple layers, have to wear some jackets, hats, hand-warmers,” said Rodriguez, 28, a registered nurse originally from Orland Park who now lives in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. “And then you have the complete opposite where you’re in short sleeves and you feel great.”

Want free stuff?

For fans hoping to snag merch included with the price of a ticket — so long as they’re among the first couple of thousand to arrive — the 2026 season offers a host of promotional items and gate giveaways including hats, bobbleheads and T-shirts.

The first 10,000 early arriving fans to Thursday’s game will get a retro-style season magnet schedule. The more in-demand and high-end item may be Saturday’s Cubs puffer vest freebie.

During six games this year, the first 5,000 bleacher ticket holders will be able to get their hands on replica jerseys from the 1910s, 1930s, 1940s/50s, 1960s, 1980s and 1990s.

What’s to eat?

The tastes and smells of typical ballpark fare — hot dogs, peanuts and beer — will again be in ample supply at Clark and Addison.

But for those looking for a more elevated experience, try some of Levy Restaurants’ new, eclectic offerings, such as:

• The Bao Wow Dog: A Vienna Beef hot dog inside a bao bun with mustard slaw, tempura sport peppers, Fresno peppers and a sriracha aioli. Served with fries.

• Chicken & Churros: Fried chicken thighs served with golden brown churros, ancho syrup and strawberries.

• Tostada Stack: Tostadas layered with Hatch green chili beef, refried beans, queso fresco, Pico de Gallo and crema, topped with a fried egg. Served with a side of salsa roja.

How to watch?

Most of the Cubs’ 162 regular season games will air on the team-owned Marquee Sports Network. Whether broadcast or streaming, you can see every pitch — for a price.

At the end of last season, the channel went to a higher tier on Xfinity Comcast cable — where many home market fans watch games — from the Popular TV package to the Ultimate TV package. To upgrade, visit Xfinity.com/upgradeTV.

For cord cutters, Marquee is now available on Hulu + Live TV within the Cubs’ in-market footprint, officials announced last week.

In another streaming distribution agreement announced last week, Marquee’s direct-to-consumer product is now available as a subscription on Prime Video. The $19.99 monthly subscription provides in-market fans access to live games and other programming.

There’s also a Marquee app for the same price.

Other content providers within the home television network territory include Astound Broadband, AT&T U-Verse, DIRECTV and Fubo.

All games air on terrestrial radio on WSCR — The Score, which in addition to its powerful 670 AM signal is now also on the static-free 104.3 FM dial.