Cactus League Attendance Reaches New Heights

Arizona’s Cactus League spring training games experienced a surge in popularity in 2026, attracting over 1.75 million fans despite record-breaking heat. This marks the fifth consecutive year of increased attendance for the league.

Record Attendance Figures for 2026

Officials reported a total of 1,753,849 people attended the 237 spring training games played throughout the Valley. This represents a 3.4% increase compared to the previous year’s attendance numbers.

Strong Turnout on Opening Day and Beyond

Opening Day of spring training saw the largest crowds since 2018, with nearly 40,000 attendees across four games. The single-day attendance peak occurred on Friday, March 20, even as Phoenix endured a record heatwave.

Heatwave Doesn't Deter Fans

Despite temperatures reaching 105°F in Phoenix on March 20, over 78,000 fans attended nine games that day. Eight of those games were rescheduled for later times due to the extreme heat conditions.

Team Performance and Attendance

The Chicago Cubs led in average attendance, drawing 12,644 fans per game at Sloan Park. Their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 15 hosted the largest crowd of the season. The Chicago White Sox experienced the most significant attendance jump, with a 12.9% increase from the previous year.

Favorable Weather Conditions

Notably, the 2026 season was free of rain-outs for the first time since 2022. Previous seasons (2020, 2021, and 2022) were significantly impacted by COVID-19 and a Major League Baseball lockout, resulting in lower attendance.

Participating Teams and Economic Impact

Fifteen Major League Baseball teams participate in Cactus League spring training, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cubs, White Sox, and Dodgers. Spring Training is expected to generate nearly $953 million in tourist dollars for the Valley’s economy.

Valley-Wide Benefits

Because Cactus League stadiums are located throughout the Valley, the economic benefits are distributed across numerous communities. Final economic impact figures for the 2026 season are still being compiled.