Spring Training 2026

Spring Training is the six-week preparation period before the MLB regular season. Every team travels to either Florida or Arizona to hold workouts, practice sessions, and exhibition games in a more relaxed environment than the regular season. Pitchers and catchers are the first to report, traditionally arriving in mid-February, with position players following a few days later.

Spring Training games, while they count for nothing in the standings, serve a critical purpose. Veterans use the games to shake off rust and build pitch counts. Prospects get meaningful at-bats and innings against major league competition. Managers evaluate which players have earned roster spots and what combinations of lineups and rotations work best.

For fans, Spring Training is an accessible, intimate experience. Tickets are cheaper, players are closer to the stands, and the atmosphere is festive. Many fans plan dedicated trips to Florida or Arizona specifically for Spring Training, attending multiple games over several days.

Attending Spring Training is a bucket-list experience for any baseball fan. Here are a few tips to make the most of your trip. Arrive early — gates typically open 90 minutes before first pitch, and the warm-up and practice sessions on the field are worth watching. Most players sign autographs before games in areas near the dugouts.

If you are going to Arizona, the Cactus League advantages include all venues within the Greater Phoenix area, making it easy to catch multiple teams over a weekend. A car is helpful, but ride-share services work well between venues. Scottsdale Stadium is an iconic destination, as is Camelback Ranch where the Dodgers train.

For Florida, the Grapefruit League teams are more spread out geographically, but the Gulf Coast has clusters of teams in Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Myers that make multi-game trips possible. The Atlantic coast has Jupiter and Port St. Lucie nearby.