So, you think it’s a little early for Spring Fever? Then clearly, you’re not a baseball fan. The almost ritual pilgrimage to Arizona and Florida in late-winter when Major League Baseball starts its Spring Training season is an annual rite as quintessential as peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Spring Training leagues (the Cactus League in Arizona and the Grapefruit League in Florida) typically run early-March through early-April—sometimes right up to the start of the regular season.
For hardcore fans, Spring Training is the first chance to see traded players on the field in uniform with their new teams and to scope out new talent coming up from the Minors.Home fields for many Major League teams are in some seriously cold winter locations, so it’s understandable that the teams move to areas with milder conditions for the pre-season warm-up. For hardcore fans, Spring Training is the first chance to see traded players on the field in uniform with their new teams and to scope out new talent coming up from the Minors.
For all fans, though, the opportunities to trade wintery weather for sunny days and get their baseball fix ahead of the regular season combine for an excellent excuse to plan a Spring Training Getaway.
Keep in mind that Spring Training camps in Arizona are grouped more closely together, typically around the Phoenix area, than are the camps in Florida. So if you’re hoping to see a wider variety of teams, Arizona may be the better option.
Whether you’re heading to Arizona or Florida for Spring Training, be sure to pack along our Moon Arizona or Moon Florida travel guide to find the best restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and other attractions in the area so you don’t experience baseball burnout (as if).
Arizona’s Cactus League
Here’s a quick rundown of the teams and where their Spring Training camps are located:
Team |
Training Camp |
Arizona Diamondbacks
Scottsdale
Chicago Cubs
Mesa
Chicago White Sox
Glendale
Cincinnati Reds
Goodyear
Cleveland Indians
Goodyear
Colorado Rockies
Scottsdale
Kansas City Royals
Surprise
Los Angeles Angels
Tempe
Los Angeles Dodgers
Glendale
Milwaukee Brewers
Phoenix
Oakland A’s
Phoenix
San Diego Padres
Peoria
San Francisco Giants
Scottsdale
Seattle Mariners
Peoria
Texas Rangers
Surprise
Florida’s Grapefruit League
Here’s a quick rundown of the teams and where their Spring Training camps are located:
Team |
Training Camp |
Atlanta Braves
Lake Buena Vista
Baltimore Orioles
Sarasota
Boston Red Sox
Fort Meyers
Detroit Tigers
Lakeland
Florida Marlins
Jupiter
Houston Astros
Kissimmee
Minnesota Twins
Fort Meyers
New York Mets
Port St. Lucie
New York Yankees
Tampa
Philadelphia Phillies
Clearwater
Pittsburgh Pirates
Bradenton
St. Louis Cardinals
Jupiter
Tampa Bay Rays
Port Charlotte
Toronto Blue Jays
Dunedin
Washington Nationals
Melbourne
If You Go
There is no physical central purchasing site for tickets; you can buy tickets online or at the stadium box office. Tickets range in price from $6 or $7 for lawn seating to $47 for a box seat behind home plate. Ordering online may add additional fees, and budget another $10 for parking.
Arrive early at the games to find decent parking; the hours before the game can be spent watching the teams practice. High SPF sun block is a must. Expect high concessions prices.
