The Chicago Cubs continue to prove they are one of Major League Baseball’s most valuable broadcast properties as the league’s national television schedule for the 2026 season comes into sharper focus.

With MLB partners unveiling their broadcast slates across multiple platforms, the Cubs are once again positioned as a featured attraction, earning a heavy presence on national television throughout the upcoming season.

Chicago is scheduled to appear more than a dozen times across MLB’s national broadcast partners, reinforcing the franchise’s enduring popularity and drawing power well beyond the Midwest.

Those appearances will span several major networks, including Fox, FS1, TBS, NBC, Peacock, and ABC, reflecting MLB’s multi-platform approach to maximizing audience reach.

The league also maintains national broadcast agreements with ESPN and Netflix, though not all schedules from those partners have been fully released.

Any Cubs games not selected for national broadcast will continue to air locally on Marquee Sports Network, ensuring full-season coverage for fans in the Chicago market.

For MLB and its broadcast partners, the Cubs remain a dependable ratings draw, fueled by a massive fan base, historic brand recognition, and renewed competitive intrigue.

The team’s continued visibility on national television underscores how the Cubs remain a cornerstone franchise within MLB’s media strategy.

As the 2026 season approaches, Chicago’s national schedule reflects both market demand and compelling on-field storylines.

Fox will once again serve as a primary home for Cubs broadcasts, carrying eight games during the regular season.

Most of those appearances will be part of Fox’s marquee Saturday night package, a slot traditionally reserved for high-profile matchups.

The Cubs’ first Fox broadcast of the season is scheduled for April 4, when Chicago travels to Cleveland to face the Cleveland Guardians at 6 p.m. Central Time.

That early-season interleague matchup offers immediate national exposure as the Cubs begin shaping their 2026 identity.

Chicago’s remaining Fox and FS1 games include a mix of divisional clashes, historic rivalries, and marquee opponents.

On April 13, the Cubs will travel to Philadelphia for a 5:30 p.m. matchup aired on FS1 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

That road contest sets the tone for Chicago’s early-season national visibility against a perennial National League contender.

Another highlight comes April 25, when the Cubs visit the Los Angeles Dodgers for a 6 p.m. Fox broadcast.

That matchup pairs two globally recognized franchises and is expected to draw strong national interest.

Divisional drama returns May 30, as Chicago heads to St. Louis for a 6 p.m. Fox showdown against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry remains one of baseball’s most enduring storylines, making it a natural fit for prime-time television.

That rivalry takes center stage again on July 4, when the Cardinals visit Chicago for a 7 p.m. Fox broadcast at Wrigley Field.

A Fourth of July Cubs-Cardinals matchup provides both patriotic flair and historic intensity, appealing to casual viewers and diehard fans alike.

Another marquee opponent arrives August 1, when the New York Yankees visit Chicago for a 6 p.m. Fox broadcast.

Few matchups carry more national appeal than Cubs versus Yankees, blending tradition, star power, and coast-to-coast interest.

Chicago’s Fox slate continues August 31 with a 6:30 p.m. FS1 game at home against the Milwaukee Brewers.

That contest adds another layer of divisional relevance late in the season.

The Cubs’ Fox schedule concludes September 26 with a 6 p.m. road game in Boston against the Boston Red Sox, another historic franchise pairing.

TBS also announced part of its MLB schedule earlier this week, continuing its Tuesday night national broadcast tradition.

Chicago will make its first TBS appearance on April 14 at Philadelphia, with first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

That contest marks the Cubs’ second nationally televised game in Philadelphia during the season’s opening weeks.

The Cubs’ second TBS appearance will take place June 23, when Chicago travels to New York to face the New York Mets at 6 p.m.

Tuesday night baseball on TBS has become a consistent national platform, and Chicago’s inclusion reflects ongoing viewer demand.

Earlier this month, NBC and Peacock announced their expanded MLB coverage for 2026, a major shift in the league’s broadcast landscape.

NBC will take over MLB’s Sunday Night Baseball package from ESPN, while also assuming the Sunday Leadoff package previously streamed exclusively on Roku.

Although the Cubs will not appear in the Leadoff package, which will be exclusive to Peacock streaming, Chicago will feature prominently on Sunday Night Baseball.

The Cubs are scheduled for three Sunday Night games on NBC and Peacock.

The first comes May 31, when Chicago travels to St. Louis for a 6 p.m. matchup against the Cardinals.

That game reinforces how central the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry remains to MLB’s national marketing strategy.

Chicago’s second Sunday Night appearance is June 7, when the Cubs host the San Francisco Giants at 7 p.m.

The third Sunday Night broadcast takes place August 30, with the Cubs hosting the Cincinnati Reds at 2 p.m.

ESPN’s national schedule remains only partially announced, but two Cubs games have already been confirmed.

Chicago will appear on ABC on June 14 for a road game against the Giants in San Francisco.

The Cubs’ second ABC appearance is scheduled for August 16, when they host the Cardinals in another high-profile divisional matchup.

Beyond television schedules, the Cubs are preparing for spring training next month in Mesa, Arizona.

That phase of the season will offer fans their first extended look at a retooled roster with heightened expectations.

One of the biggest storylines entering camp will be new third baseman Alex Bregman, who signed a multi-year deal with Chicago earlier this month.

Bregman’s arrival significantly elevates national interest, adding star power and postseason pedigree to the Cubs’ lineup.

His presence not only strengthens Chicago on the field but also enhances broadcast appeal across national networks.

Alongside emerging talents like Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs offer a blend of youth and experience attractive to television audiences.

For MLB’s broadcast partners, featuring the Cubs provides consistency in ratings and storytelling throughout the season.

For Chicago, the national spotlight reinforces the franchise’s standing as one of baseball’s most marketable teams.

As the 2026 season unfolds, the Cubs’ extensive national television schedule ensures they will remain a central part of MLB’s media narrative.

Whether contending for postseason positioning or showcasing star talent, Chicago’s visibility reflects its continued relevance in the modern baseball landscape.

In an era of expanding streaming and evolving broadcast strategies, the Cubs remain a reliable anchor for MLB’s national television ambitions.

That status shows no signs of changing anytime soon.