Cubs Opening Day 2026 — Wrigleyville Bars, Specials & Where to Go
By 312Deals Team · March 24, 2026
The Cubs are back. Chicago opens at home Thursday, March 26 against the Washington Nationals at 1:20 PM — and Wrigleyville is ready. It's the 150th anniversary season, 10 years since the 2016 World Series, and Alex Bregman's debut in a Cubs uniform. Here's everything you need: game day specials, pre-game brunch, post-game happy hours, and where to be.
Game Day Details
Opening Day Specials Near Wrigley
We found 39 game day deals at bars and restaurants within walking distance of Wrigley Field. These specials run on Cubs home game days — perfect for Opening Day.
Watch every tournament game on 35+ big-screen TVs. March Madness drink specials. Opens 8:30 AM on St. Patrick's Day with green beer and festive drinks. 38 draft beers on tap.
All locations open early at 9 AM for NCAA men's basketball tournament first and second rounds, kitchen opens at 10 AM with regular menu
Early opening at 9am on Sundays for NFL games with breakfast available until noon plus full regular menu
Drink specials available from opening until 4pm on NFL Sundays
Watch ASU Football's first game with Labor Day weekend drink specials
March Madness specials with early 11am opening for games, featuring $16 beer pitchers, $8 boozy slushies, and $4 shots
Special pricing during Cubs games with live music on select days
Game day specials for Bears vs Packers game, open from 5pm
Game day specials for Bears vs Packers game, open from 4pm
Game day special with $2 oysters, $4 select pints, and $8 rotating cocktails. Malört shots also available.
Ice-cold beer pitchers & buckets paired with your favorite game-day spread for the big game
Drink specials available during Detroit Lions vs LA Rams game, kickoff at 3:25pm
Game day drink specials for Lions vs Bengals game starting at 3:25pm
Game-day specials for Duke vs. Michigan basketball game on Saturday, February 21st
21% off hotel stay when booking 21 or more days in advance during Cubs season
Special margaritas available while watching Bears vs Packers game on December 7th
All you can eat taco bar for $25.95 per person with margarita flights available. Supports annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for food insecure. Party starts at 12pm.
Drinks and food specials during Cubs games, specific details not provided
Special pricing during Bears game with free shots for every Bears touchdown
Drink specials available during basketball games with every game shown on HDTV
$15 for Benito Bowls, Nachos, Burritos, Smashburger, or Quesabirrias on game day
Tender platters available for game day throughout the weekend
Get 20 bone-in wings, large fries, and four dips for a special price.
A comprehensive all-inclusive food and beverage package for Cubs home games. Includes a bountiful buffet of ballpark favorites and a full-service open bar featuring premium spirits, craft/imported beers, and wine. Service begins 1 hour before the first pitch and continues through the end of the 7th inning.
22oz $7 Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, and Garage Beer Stadium Cups
$20 Domestic Buckets, $25 Seltzer Buckets, $12 Vodka Lemonades, $5 Green Tea Shots, $5 Malort Shots during big games
Promoted as the 'best gameday specials in town' for Chicago Bears watch parties.
$30 off Maki Platters for game day, closing at 4:30pm on 2/8
$5 Michelob Ultra Drafts, $25 Buckets of Bud Light, Budweiser and 312, $30 Buckets of NUTRL, $10 Nachos and Potato Twists
Game day specials for Bears vs Packers watch party - $25 domestic beer buckets and half off appetizers
Special pricing for OSU vs Washington game day - doors open at 10:00am, game at 2:30pm. Half off all appetizers, $6 GLBC cans, $30 GLBC buckets (6 cans), $6 OSU Bombs.
Food and drink specials valid on NCAA Tournament game days.
On Cubs home game days, all burgers are served with fresh house-cut chips. Substituting chips for French Fries, Tater Tots, or Sweet Potato Fries incurs a $2.00 additional charge, whereas these sides are typically included with burgers on non-game days.
$10 22oz Baltimore Zoos & Green Dragons, $7 Jameson & Altos Tequila, $18 Domestic Beer Buckets, $25 Michelob Ultra Beer Towers. All Purdue games shown with sound.
$30 100oz Michelob Ultra Towers, $0.99 wings (minimum order of 5). Your home to all Purdue Athletics. Game days 3/17 - 4/6. Reservations: 773.975.2010
March 26th, open at 11AM. $30 100oz Michelob Ultra & Busch Light Towers, $5 Busch Light Drafts, $10 Diner Burger with Fries, $0.99 wings (min order 5). Book tables: 773.858.7679
Pre-Game Brunch
Gates open at 11:20 AM, so a 9 or 10 AM brunch gives you time to eat, grab a drink, and stroll to Wrigley. We found 38 brunch deals in the Wrigleyville area. See our full brunch guide for the complete list.
$25 bottomless drinks including sangria, domestic drafts, and rose with 2 hour limit
$35 per person starting fri at 10:30am, sat & sun 10:00am-1:30pm (two hour limit)
Breakfast service available only on Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 2 PM
Weekend brunch available every Saturday and Sunday
Kids 12 and under eat free from 9:30-10:30am every weekend. Steamed buns, kabocha pancakes, robata favorites.
Happy Hour After the Game
A 1:20 PM first pitch means the game ends around 4-4:30 PM — right in time for happy hour. We found 54 Thursday happy hour deals near Wrigley. Post-game crowds are part of the fun, but arrive early for the best seats.
Half off everything (except shots), $8 Hamm's + shot of Old Grandad, $4 PBR bottles
$5 ALL Drafts, $3 Domestic Tallboys, $4 Craft Cans, $7 Specialty Cocktails
Happy hour special where each food and drink item is $10
$6 Drinks and $8 Appetizers during happy hour Monday through Thursday from 3:00-5:00 pm
$1.50 pintxos, $3-$5 select tapas, and drink specials including $22 sangria pitchers and $4 beers. Available in the bar area only on a first-come, first-served basis.
Martini specials available at the bar during weekday afternoon hours
Happy Hour available daily - specific times, items and prices not provided in source content
Sweet 16 Double-Header
March 26 isn't just Opening Day — it's also Sweet 16 night. If you're already out in Wrigleyville, stay put and catch the games at any sports bar in the area.
Purdue tips off at 6:10 PM CT on TBS.
Iowa vs. Nebraska at 6:30 PM CT on CBS.
Illinois plays at 9:05 PM CT on TBS.
That's a Cubs game at 1:20 PM into Sweet 16 games starting at 6:10 PM — a full day of sports in Wrigleyville. Check our March Madness Chicago guide for more game day specials and watch parties.
Getting to Wrigley
CTA Red Line: Take the Red Line to Addison. The station is one block from the main gate. By far the easiest way to get there on game day.
Don't drive: Street parking disappears by 10 AM on Opening Day. Permit zones and tow trucks are aggressive. Garage rates near Wrigley can hit $50+. Take the L, a rideshare, or bike.
Weather prep: The forecast is ~57°F with a chance of showers. Bring layers — Wrigley is an open-air park and upper deck seats get windy. A light rain jacket is smart for late March.
Blue Carpet Arrival: From 8:00-9:30 AM on Waveland Avenue, watch players arrive. Free to attend — get there early for a good spot along the barricades.
Opening Week Schedule
Opening Day is just the start. Here's the full opening homestand:
| Date | Opponent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Mar 26 | vs. Nationals | Opening Day, 1:20 PM |
| Fri, Mar 28 | vs. Nationals | Game 2 |
| Sat, Mar 29 | vs. Nationals | Game 3 |
| Sun, Mar 30 | vs. Angels | New series |
| Mon, Mar 31 | vs. Angels | Game 2 |
| Tue, Apr 1 | vs. Angels | Game 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What time is Cubs Opening Day 2026?
- The Cubs host the Washington Nationals on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 1:20 PM CT. Gates open at 11:20 AM, two hours before first pitch.
- What channel is Cubs Opening Day on?
- The Cubs Opening Day game airs on Marquee Sports Network. The Blue Carpet Arrival streams from 8:00-9:30 AM on Waveland Avenue.
- What are the best bars near Wrigley Field for Opening Day?
- We track 39 game day specials at 28 bars and restaurants near Wrigley Field across Wrigleyville, Lakeview, North Center, and Lincoln Park. Most offer drink specials and food deals on game days.
- Are there Opening Day specials near Wrigley Field?
- Yes — 39 game day deals are currently active at bars and restaurants within walking distance of Wrigley. Many venues run drink specials, discounted appetizers, and game-day-only menus when the Cubs play at home.
- What time do gates open for Cubs Opening Day?
- Gates open at 11:20 AM CT, two hours before the 1:20 PM first pitch. The Blue Carpet Arrival on Waveland Avenue runs from 8:00-9:30 AM if you want to see players arrive.
- Who is throwing the first pitch on Cubs Opening Day 2026?
- Anthony Rizzo throws the ceremonial first pitch. Cubs Hall of Famers will lead the 7th Inning Stretch. The first 10,000 fans receive a 2026 Magnet Schedule, and there will be a USMC F/A-18 Hornet flyover.
About This Guide
This guide is based on data from 312Deals, which tracks food and drink deals across Chicagoland. Game day specials, happy hours, and brunch deals are scraped from restaurant websites and verified by our community. Prices and availability may change — always confirm with the venue directly. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
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