Under the Arizona sun, the Chicago Cubs begin writing the first chapter of 2026. From early Cactus League clashes to tune-ups before Opening Day at Wrigley Field, the spring calendar quietly sets the tone.

The Cubs took the field Sunday for their third spring training game of the season, in Scottsdale against the San Francisco Giants. But as the proceedings got underway there was a rather strange start to the game.

The Chicago Cubs are beginning spring training with high hopes of being a World Series contender at the end of the 2026 MLB season.Following an aggressive offseason that saw the team acquire starting pitcher Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Miami Marlins and sign star third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency,

Now that the Chicago Cubs have won a spring training game, it’s time to see if they can turn that win into a streak.

Alex Bregman will make his debut with the Chicago Cubs February 20. Major League Baseball spring training is underway in Arizona and Florida. In Florida, spring camps of 15 teams are spread throughout the state. In Arizona, spring camps are concentrated for 15 teams in Phoenix, and surrounding communities.

Eight Cubs players and four White Sox players will be leaving spring training to play in the World Baseball Classic.

Chicago baseball fans are fleeing winter for the desert this week as the Cactus League season kicks off across the Phoenix area. The big picture: This year marks the 79th year of the Cactus League, which now boasts 15 teams training under the desert sun at 10 stadiums,