Fans Will Notice Several Additions and Improvements to Principal Park for 2026

No matter what has occurred during the seemingly endless baseball offseason, opening day, or night, always brings with it the feeling of something new. The teams take the field with refreshed rosters, and the records are wiped clean as everyone in every city that houses a baseball team believes that the upcoming seasons could be special. That will be the case again when the Iowa Cubs open the gates at Principal Park early in the 2026 season.

Independent of the teams on the field, the Iowa Cubs have made significant additions and improvements to the ballpark during the most recent offseason that fans will get their first opportunity to experience this weekend. As you make your way to Principal Park, here are some of the new items to take note of:

Bullpens

Shortly after the 2025 season ended, work began to move the bullpens off the field of play. A total of 734 seats were removed from sections down each foul line in the lower seating bowl to carve out space. Pitchers and catchers in the bullpen are no longer at risk of being hit by batted balls and defensive players will not need to avoid mounds on the warning track.

Audio and Visual Upgrades

Principal Park has been outfitted with a new state-of-the-art JBL speaker system. The Stadium Control One system is completely digital and provides infinite control of every output source in a stadium environment. Principal Park will be one of approximately 40 stadiums in the United States with this system. Meanwhile, the video board in right center field was upgraded to increase pixel density for clarity. Images on the board are noticeably clearer and sharper.

Neighborhood Bar

A new addition to the concourse behind home plate, the Neighborhood Bar presented by Des Moines Iron and Supply will offer a location for fans to grab a drink and gather before or during the game. The bar will serve an assortment of cocktails including vodka lemonade and frozen drinks.

Sensory Friendly Room

The new sensory friendly room presented by Childserve is located in the concourse behind home plate adjacent to the First Aid station. The space was previously occupied by the “Bottom of the 5th” bar. The I-Cubs have partnered with ChildServe to equip the space with amenities for individuals with sensory processing differences. Fans can gain access to this room by talking to the staff in the First Aid room.

Concessions

“The Dog House” has replaced “Prohibitionists” behind home plate and will feature a rotating “Hot Dog of the Homestand”. “515 Tenders” has replaced the old “Stu’s BBQ” location and features chicken tenders and French fries. The aforementioned barbeque stand has moved to the third base side. Soft Serve Ice Cream returns to a cart behind home plate and will sell the “Cub Cone” with a blue and white swirl.

These improvements and new amenities for fans to enjoy are part of the Iowa Cubs continued efforts to improve the fan experience at Principal Park and make everyone feel welcome. For tickets and other information visit Iowacubs.com.