The Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs are scheduled to face each other in a three-game series at Wrigley Field during the 2025 Major League Baseball season, not in 2026. According to the official 2025 Detroit Tigers schedule, the team will travel to Chicago to play the Cubs from May 23 through May 25, 2025.
Where to Watch Tigers vs. Cubs Games
Major League Baseball broadcasts are distributed through a combination of national networks and regional sports networks (RSNs). Fans looking to watch the Tigers-Cubs series can typically access games through the following platforms:
- MLB.TV: This subscription service allows fans to stream out-of-market games. If a viewer lives outside of the Tigers’ or Cubs’ local broadcast territories, they can watch the games live through this platform, according to MLB official streaming guidelines.
- Regional Sports Networks (RSNs): In-market viewers generally watch games via their local RSN. The Tigers are broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit, while the Cubs are broadcast on Marquee Sports Network. Availability on streaming services like FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, or Hulu + Live TV depends on the specific carriage agreements between those providers and the RSNs.
- National Broadcasts: If a game is selected for a national exclusive window—such as Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN or a broadcast on FOX—it may be subject to different streaming rules.
Understanding MLB Blackout Restrictions
MLB blackout rules exist to protect the exclusive broadcast rights of regional sports networks. If a fan lives within a team’s designated home television territory, that team’s games are blacked out on MLB.TV.
According to MLB’s official support center, a fan’s location is determined by their IP address. This means that even if a fan travels, their viewing options are tied to the territory where they are currently located. Fans can verify if they are in a blackout zone by entering their zip code into the MLB blackout lookup tool.
Comparison of Viewing Options
| Feature | MLB.TV | Regional Sports Networks |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Primary Audience | Out-of-market fans | In-market fans |
| Availability | Nationwide (excluding blackouts) | Local broadcast territory |
| Content | Includes home/away feeds | Local team-specific coverage |
How to Verify Game Times and Broadcasts
Game times are subject to change due to weather or television scheduling requirements. The most accurate way to confirm start times is via the official MLB Schedule page. This portal provides the most up-to-date information on whether a game will be aired on a local RSN or a national network. Fans should check these official listings 24 to 48 hours before the first pitch to account for any late-breaking schedule adjustments.