If you’re checking your watch and wondering what time do the Cardinals play today, I have some news that might be a bit of a bummer depending on which "Cardinals" you’re rooting for. It's mid-January. Specifically, it's Thursday, January 15, 2026. This is that weird, quiet pocket of the sports calendar where the grass is dormant in St. Louis and the turf in Arizona is usually getting ready for the offseason.
Look, I get it. You want to see some red on the field. But right now, neither team has a game on the schedule for today.
The Arizona Cardinals finished their 2025-2026 regular season with a 3-14 record. Their last game was a 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams back on January 4. Since they didn't make the playoffs, their season is officially over. No pads, no huddles, just draft prep.
As for the St. Louis Cardinals? We are still about five weeks away from the first crack of the bat in Jupiter, Florida.
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When to Expect the St. Louis Cardinals Back on the Field
Baseball season feels like it’s a lifetime away when it’s freezing outside, but the 2026 spring training dates are actually locked in. If you're looking for the next time the St. Louis Cardinals actually "play" a game of baseball, you’ve got to wait until February.
The first official workout for pitchers and catchers is set for February 12, 2026. That's the real start of the grind. The full squad won't be on the dirt until February 16. But the answer to what time do the Cardinals play today won't be "1:05 PM" until we hit the Grapefruit League opener.
2026 Spring Training Key Dates
- February 21: The first actual game. They face the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. First pitch is at 1:05 PM EST.
- February 22: They head over to West Palm Beach to take on the Houston Astros, also at 1:05 PM EST.
- February 24: A night game! They play the Nationals again at 6:05 PM EST.
Honestly, the vibe around the team this year is... different. With big names like Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado gone in a massive roster reset, this spring is going to be all about the kids. If you're a die-hard fan, you’re probably more interested in seeing JJ Wetherholt or Leonardo Bernal than the established vets anyway.
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Where Are the Arizona Cardinals?
For the NFL side of things, today is just another day of scouting and exit interviews. The Arizona Cardinals are firmly in the offseason. The NFL playoffs are currently happening—the Divisional Round starts this Saturday, January 17—but the Cards are watching from home this year.
They’ve already got their 2026 opponents lined up, though. We don't have the exact kickoff times yet (those don't drop until May), but we know they’ll be hosting teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos at State Farm Stadium later this year.
If you were hoping for a playoff game today, the reality is that the team is focused on their #4 overall draft pick.
There is One Way to See the Cardinals This Week
While there isn't a game today, January 15, there is a massive fan event starting tomorrow. If you are in "Cardinals Nation"—which covers Missouri, Illinois, and parts of the surrounding states—the 2026 Cardinals Caravan kicks off on Friday, January 16.
This is basically a road trip where players and alumni visit different cities to meet fans. For example, the Caravan hits Springfield, Missouri, tomorrow at Hammons Field from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Then you have the Winter Warm-Up at Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village starting Saturday, January 17. It’s the closest thing to "game day" energy you're going to get in January. You can get autographs from over 50 players, which is probably a better use of a Saturday than checking an empty scoreboard.
How to Stay Ready for the 2026 Season
Since there's no game today, the best move is to get your calendar sorted for when the action actually starts.
- Sync your MLB app: The full 2026 regular season schedule is already out. The Cardinals open the season on the road this year.
- Check the World Baseball Classic: A few Cardinals, like Ivan Herrera (Panama) and Riley O’Brien (Korea), are slated to play in the WBC this March. Those games will have weird start times due to the time zones, so keep an eye out for those in early March.
- Tickets: Spring training tickets went on sale on January 10. If you’re planning a trip to Florida, now is the time to grab those 1:05 PM slots before the "Snowbirds" take them all.
The wait for live sports is the worst part of winter. But hey, at least the countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting is officially under 30 days.