Every year in January the Cubs Convention and fan fests which other baseball teams host signal how close we are to spring training, when the grass starts greening up and optimism runs wild again. The 2026 Cubs Convention is this weekend at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, pulling in thousands of die-hard fans for three days straight of panels, autographs, and pure baseball buzz. I was not there, but have attended in previous years and it sure felt like the perfect antidote to that post-season drought, mixing current stars with World Series legends and even a heartfelt nod to the unforgettable 2016 squad that broke the curse.
Alex Bregman absolutely owned the spotlight right after inking his five-year deal with the Cubs, lighting up interviews on the Spiegel & Holmes Show about sliding into the infield and how the team’s laser focus on run prevention changes everything. Nico Hoerner jumped in alongside manager Craig Counsell, pumping up the roster tweaks like trading for Edward Cabrera and signing Bregman discussing how it lifts the whole team. Some of my friends told me that lines for autographs twisted through the halls like Wrigley vines, Cubs Bingo had folks hollering, and auctions of game-used gear poured money into Cubs Charities — classic con magic all around.
Kicking off Friday night, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts dropped a bombshell announcement about the 2026 Cubs Hall of Fame class, honoring two eras with Jon Lester and Jody Davis as inductees, plus a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for legendary broadcaster Vince Lloyd. Lester, the curse-busting, got emotional sharing how family spilled the beans via social media leaks — he called it unbelievable, highlighting his 3.64 ERA over six Cubs years, NLCS MVP nod, and ironman starts. Davis, the ’84 division-title catcher with two All-Stars, a Gold Glove, and franchise records like 89 baserunners nabbed in ’86, beamed about his teammates and unforgettable fans, slashing .389/.368/.833 in that playoff push.
That 2016 World Series reunion panel? Pure chills. Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Javy Báez, Jon Lester, and Kyle Hendricks swapped stories from the run that ended a 108-year wait, with highlight reels from the 2025 season flashing to rev the crowd for what’s next. Season ticket folks scored VIP meet-and-greets, the air thrummed with “Go Cubs Go” chants, and the whole place was drowned in Cubby blue — spring training fever hitting hard just weeks out. There was one elephant in the room had everyone talking. Kris Bryant, the 2016 NL MVP and Cubs icon, nowhere to be found. Chicago’s 670 The Score dropped word that the Rockies — Bryant’s current club — had shut down his trip for the reunion, and social media exploded with fans ripping it as pathetic for blocking that full squad magic.
The Rockies shut that noise down quick though. A team spokesperson told MLB.com’s Thomas Harding they played no part in keeping him away, denying it flat-out with zero hesitation. Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders heard the same firm “nope” from the club. So what’s the deal? Bryant’s been battling lumbar degenerative disc disease that’s wrecked his output — down to .244/.324/.270 with just 17 homers over 170 games in four Colorado seasons. At 34, with $81 million still owed, his future’s foggy, but Colorado insists there’s no grudge here blocking a Cubs nostalgia trip.
Bregman’s monster signing fueled endless chatter too, with Counsell calling it a clear win-now move that pairs perfectly with Hoerner and plugs infield holes. Cabrera’s rotation boost got shoutouts for reliability, and panels recapped 2025 while teasing 2026 dreams, legends dropping gems on that unbreakable Cubs grit. Prospects roamed free-styling hellos, execs hinted at more deals, and the vibe screamed October at Wrigley — abundance of joy after cautious off seasons in the past. It was family-reunion type of chaos in the best way as it always is — vintage jerseys everywhere, kids bug-eyed at Sharpies from heroes, grown fans misty-eyed over ’16 tales. Live podcasts hummed, Bingo prizes rained down, and the Sheraton pulsed right through it.
Here’s the thing, folks: The Cubs have never — with the exception of 2021 due to Covid-19 — bailed on holding their yearly convention. This year the Mets bailed on their fan fest this year — no Amazin’ Day at Citi Field drawing the usual 10,000 with players and brass. They nixed it back in August, calling it non-annual, not sweating their brutal offseason losses like Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, or Jeff McNeil. Instead, they’re banking on a massive 1986 World Series 40th anniversary blowout and Hall of Fame nods for Bobby Valentine, Carlos Beltrán, and Lee Mazzilli — smart redirect or just playing it safe?
With that… Cubs Con delivered every bit of fix we crave — drama, stars, history packed tight. Pitchers and catchers report soon, and the North Side’s rumbling. Bold ’26 prediction? Drop yours in the comments below.
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