Phoenix Spring Training 2026:
The Complete Cactus League Guide
+ Where to Stay & Buy

Why Spring Training in Phoenix Is Something Truly Special

There is nothing quite like Cactus League baseball. On a Tuesday morning in late February, while snow is still falling in Chicago, rain is soaking Seattle, and overcoats remain mandatory in Boston, you're settling into a seat twelve rows from the field at a sun-drenched Arizona ballpark, cold beer in hand, watching the best baseball players on the planet get ready for the season. The Sonoran Desert sky is cobalt blue. The temperature is 74 degrees. And the player who just hit a screaming line drive off the left field wall walked past you on the concourse fifteen minutes ago.

That intimacy — the ability to be genuinely close to Major League Baseball talent in a relaxed, informal setting — is the core appeal of spring training, and the Arizona Cactus League delivers it better than anywhere else in the world. This is not a minor league atmosphere. These are MLB rosters, MLB coaching staffs, and MLB-caliber facilities. The difference is that you're watching it in a ballpark that holds ten to fifteen thousand people instead of forty thousand, which means that the guy in the upper deck is still close enough to see the pitcher's grip on the baseball.

The numbers behind the Cactus League are genuinely staggering. Fifteen Major League Baseball teams call the Phoenix metro area home for approximately six weeks each spring, training at ten state-of-the-art facilities spread across an area stretching from Goodyear in the west to Mesa in the east, from Surprise in the northwest to Tempe and Scottsdale in the center. This represents the largest concentration of MLB spring training teams in any single metropolitan area — the Florida Grapefruit League has more geographic spread, with teams scattered from Tampa to Jupiter and beyond. The Cactus League is compact enough that, in theory, you could attend a morning game in Peoria and an afternoon game in Mesa on the same day. That kind of geographic accessibility is unique to Phoenix.

Attendance figures reinforce just how significant spring training has become for the Phoenix economy. The Cactus League regularly draws over 200,000 fans in aggregate over the roughly six-week season, making it one of the most attended sporting events in Arizona history. In strong years, total attendance approaches 230,000 or more. The economic impact ripples throughout the metro: hotels fill up at premium rates from mid-February through late March, restaurants near stadiums see their busiest weeks of the year, car rentals sell out, and neighborhoods from Old Town Scottsdale to downtown Mesa take on a festive, almost carnival-like energy on game days.

Economists who have studied the Cactus League estimate the annual economic impact at over $1 billion for the Phoenix metro. That figure includes direct spending on tickets, hotels, food, and transportation, plus the multiplier effect of that spending circulating through the local economy. For context, that's comparable to hosting a major convention or a mid-sized Super Bowl in terms of sustained economic activity — and the Cactus League does it every single year, reliably, on a schedule that allows the local hospitality and real estate industries to plan around it.

The question that many visitors eventually ask is: why Arizona instead of Florida? The Grapefruit League predates the Cactus League and has its own storied history, but over the past three decades, Arizona has steadily consolidated its position as the premier spring training destination. The weather is the most obvious factor — Phoenix's February and March climate is among the most reliably beautiful in North America, with average highs in the low-to-mid seventies, low humidity, and virtually no rain. Florida can be wonderful, but it can also be oppressively humid in March, susceptible to sudden afternoon thunderstorms, and geographically diffuse in a way that makes multi-stadium experiences difficult.

Geography also matters from a fan perspective: fifteen of MLB's thirty teams chose Arizona in part because of their proximity to California, which has the largest population and most rabid baseball fan base of any state. The Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, and A's all train in Arizona rather than Florida, which means the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Anaheim fan bases all travel to Phoenix in February and March. Dodger fans alone constitute one of the largest and most passionate traveling fan contingents in all of baseball, and their presence in Glendale during spring training is unmistakable.

Beyond the baseball itself, spring training in Phoenix has become a broader lifestyle event. Many visitors combine Cactus League games with golf at world-class Scottsdale courses, spa days at luxury desert resorts, hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve or on Camelback Mountain, and evenings exploring the extraordinary restaurant and bar scene that has grown up around Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Tempe. For visitors from cold-weather states, the trip serves a dual purpose: baseball immersion and genuine sun therapy after months of winter. You come for the games and stay for the lifestyle — which is, of course, exactly why so many spring training visitors eventually become Arizona homeowners.

The Cactus League also has historical depth that adds to its appeal. Spring training in Arizona dates to the 1940s, when the Cleveland Indians and New York Giants first established desert training camps. The tradition has evolved considerably since those early days — the facilities in particular have undergone a dramatic transformation, with nearly every stadium in the current Cactus League footprint having been built or substantially renovated within the past twenty-five years. The investment that teams, cities, and tribal communities have made in these facilities reflects the economic importance and long-term commitment to keeping spring training in Arizona.

For real estate purposes — which is, after all, a core dimension of this guide — spring training creates something invaluable: predictable, recurring, high-demand seasonal appeal. Investors who understood this years ago have built portfolios of short-term rental properties near Cactus League stadiums that generate premium income during the six weeks of spring training, then continue generating income during the rest of Arizona's already-robust peak tourism season. The spring training calendar is announced months in advance, fans plan their trips far ahead, and the demand is remarkably consistent year over year. It is, in short, one of the most reliable seasonal income generators available to Arizona real estate investors.

The Complete Cactus League Stadium Guide — All 10 Venues

Ten stadiums. Fifteen MLB teams. Each venue has its own personality, its own neighborhood, and its own reasons to visit. Here's your comprehensive look at every Cactus League facility.

Complete Stadium Comparison Table

Ticket ranges are general estimates for berm/reserved seating. Premium matchups, Cubs/Dodgers/Giants games, and weekend games command higher prices on both primary and secondary markets.

Best Neighborhoods to Stay Near Each Stadium

Where you stay during spring training dramatically shapes the experience. The right neighborhood puts you close to your team's games, within reach of the best food and entertainment, and — if you're thinking about real estate investment — gives you an on-the-ground sense of the market. Here's a thorough breakdown of each major spring training lodging hub.

Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale is the undisputed epicenter of Arizona spring training culture, and staying here places you in the middle of the action in a way that no other neighborhood in the metro can match. The neighborhood is anchored by Scottsdale Stadium — you can walk from most Old Town hotels to the Giants' spring home in fifteen minutes or less — and is a short 10-15 minute drive from Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. More importantly, Old Town offers the most concentrated and highest-quality dining, drinking, shopping, and nightlife scene in the entire Cactus League footprint.

Hotel options in Old Town range from boutique luxury to full resort. The W Scottsdale on Camelback Road brings a sleek, modern energy that attracts a young, affluent crowd. Hotel Valley Ho, the mid-century modern icon on Osborn Road, is widely regarded as the finest spring training lodging experience in Arizona — its proximity to Scottsdale Stadium (three blocks), its iconic poolside scene, and its beautiful design make it the first recommendation for spring training visitors with the budget to accommodate it. The Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Bungalows, tucked into the desert landscape on Camelback Road, offers a more serene resort experience while maintaining easy access to both stadiums. The Kimpton Amara Resort adds another luxury option with genuine Southwestern design character.

Hotel rates in Old Town during peak spring training weeks (late February through mid-March) are not modest — expect to pay $200-$500 per night or more at quality properties, with premium weekends approaching $600+ at the top hotels. Book three to six months in advance. These hotels fill up for spring training in the same way that beachfront hotels fill up for summer, and the supply of quality rooms in Old Town is finite.

The Airbnb and short-term rental scene in Old Town is robust, with condos and casitas available throughout the neighborhood — which, incidentally, is a direct illustration of the investment opportunity that savvy property owners have been capitalizing on for years. A well-located Old Town condo can generate nightly rates of $200-$400+ during spring training weeks, and demand extends well beyond baseball fans into the resort, golf, and event tourism that fills Scottsdale's calendar year-round.

The restaurant and bar scene in Old Town warrants its own section of this guide (see Section 8), but the broad summary is that within walking distance of Scottsdale Stadium you have access to dozens of excellent dining options spanning every cuisine and price point, multiple rooftop bars with mountain views, cocktail lounges that become baseball fan headquarters on game days, and a nightlife scene that keeps the neighborhood energized well into the evening. Old Town is the spring training home base if you can afford it.

Within Old Town itself, the area immediately surrounding the stadium on Osborn and Goldwater is the most walkable. The Fifth Avenue shopping corridor adds retail character. The Canal area near Camelback and Scottsdale Road provides more hotel options. All of it is accessible without a car for most stadium activities, though you'll want a vehicle for visiting other Cactus League stadiums.

Peoria / Surprise Area

For fans of the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, or Texas Rangers, the northwest Valley corridor between Peoria and Surprise offers the most convenient spring training lodging with significantly more affordable pricing than Old Town Scottsdale. The Arrowhead Towne Center area in Peoria has become a particularly strong hub, with a concentration of hotel options, restaurant chains, and the entertainment amenities that make a week-long spring training visit comfortable.

Hotel rates in Peoria and Surprise during spring training run $100-$200 per night at solid mid-range properties — Marriott Courtyard, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and similar brands cluster around the Arrowhead area and along the 83rd Avenue corridor near Peoria Sports Complex. That's a meaningful savings versus Old Town Scottsdale, and for fans planning to spend most of their time at Peoria Sports Complex or Surprise Stadium rather than socializing in a resort nightlife scene, the price difference represents genuine value without a significant quality compromise.

The P83 Entertainment District adjacent to Peoria Sports Complex has evolved into one of the west Valley's most complete entertainment destinations, with chain restaurants, sports bars, a water park, and various entertainment venues all within walking distance of the stadium. The Yard House, BJ's Brewhouse, and similar establishments fill up with baseball fans on game days, and the atmosphere is festive if not as sophisticated as Old Town Scottsdale. What it lacks in culinary ambition, it compensates for in energy and accessibility.

The freeway access from this area is excellent — the Loop 101 and Loop 303 put you within reach of Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the East Valley for day trips to other stadiums, though the drives are longer than they appear on the map during peak traffic periods. Arrowhead Towne Center provides extensive shopping and additional dining options. For families traveling with children who want comfortable, affordable lodging with easy access to two or three stadium areas, the Peoria/Surprise corridor is the smart choice.

Mesa / East Valley

Mesa is Sloan Park territory, and the areas immediately surrounding the Cubs' spring training home have developed a substantial lodging ecosystem driven by the enormous Chicago fan base that descends on the East Valley every February and March. The concentration of Cubs fans in this area is so significant that Mesa during spring training can feel like an extended Chicago diaspora gathering — and the city has invested accordingly in making the stadium and surrounding area as visitor-friendly as possible.

Hotel options near Sloan Park and the Rio Salado corridor include Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt properties that offer comfortable, reliable accommodations at prices in the $120-$250 range during spring training season — more affordable than Scottsdale but still subject to the premium demand of Cubs season. Booking well in advance is essential; the Cubs fan base is organized and loyal, and rooms near Sloan Park go quickly once the spring training schedule is announced.

Downtown Mesa, situated along Main Street east of Center Street, has developed an increasingly interesting independent dining and drinking scene. Mesa Main Street has craft breweries, wine bars, independent restaurants, and the kind of urban neighborhood character that was less visible a decade ago. AZ Wilderness Brewing — one of Arizona's most acclaimed craft breweries — has a presence that draws serious beer lovers. The light rail connects Mesa's downtown area to Tempe and Phoenix, making car-free exploration of the valley feasible for guests without rental vehicles.

The east Valley location puts Mesa hotels within easy reach of Hohokam Stadium (A's), Tempe Diablo (Angels), and reasonable driving distance to Scottsdale venues. For fans planning multi-stadium itineraries that weight the east side heavily — Cubs, A's, Angels, Giants, Rockies/D-backs — Mesa makes excellent logistical sense as a base.

Tempe

Tempe occupies one of the most strategically central positions in the Cactus League lodging geography, making it an excellent choice for fans planning to visit multiple stadiums across the footprint rather than anchoring near a single team's venue. From a Tempe hotel, you're 15-20 minutes from Mesa stadiums (Sloan Park, Hohokam), 15-25 minutes from Scottsdale venues (Scottsdale Stadium, Salt River Fields), 25-35 minutes from Peoria, and 35-45 minutes from Goodyear and Surprise. It's the most balanced location in the metro for multi-team itineraries.

The Tempe lodging market during spring training is anchored by properties along the Tempe Town Lake waterfront and the Mill Avenue corridor. The Westin Tempe offers the most premium experience, with views of Tempe Town Lake and walkable access to Mill Ave. Aloft Tempe and Marriott Courtyard Tempe properties provide solid mid-range options. Hotel rates in Tempe during spring training typically run $150-$280 per night, slightly less than Scottsdale but more than the far west-side markets.

Mill Avenue is one of the most walkable entertainment and dining corridors in the Phoenix metro. Anchored by the energy of Arizona State University while having grown considerably more sophisticated in recent years, Mill Ave offers craft cocktail bars, excellent restaurants, live music venues, and a street scene that is genuinely fun in the way that suburban strip mall areas cannot replicate. Four Peaks Brewing Company — headquartered right near Tempe Diablo Stadium — is a must-visit. Culinary Dropout, Postino, and Casey Moore's round out an excellent local dining roster (more detail in Section 8).

The young, university-adjacent energy of Tempe adds a dimension to the spring training experience that Scottsdale's resort polish and Mesa's family-friendly character don't offer. If you want baseball by day, good food and drinks by night, and a lively street scene without resort prices, Tempe is your neighborhood.

Glendale / Westgate

For Dodgers and White Sox fans whose spring training home is Camelback Ranch in Glendale, the Westgate Entertainment District area provides the most convenient lodging hub in the west Valley. Hotels near Westgate and State Farm Stadium — including Marriott, Renaissance, and Hampton properties — run $100-$200 per night during spring training, making this one of the more affordable quality lodging zones in the Cactus League footprint.

Westgate Entertainment District itself provides a walkable entertainment ecosystem: restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and shopping within a pedestrian-friendly development that was purpose-built around State Farm Stadium. The proximity to Camelback Ranch (approximately 10 minutes) means you can eat at Westgate, drive to the game, and return for post-game drinks without navigating major traffic. Parking in Glendale is generally more available and less expensive than in Scottsdale, which is a meaningful quality-of-life advantage on busy game days.

The suburban west Valley character of Glendale contrasts sharply with Old Town Scottsdale's walkable urban energy, and for some visitors that is a feature rather than a bug. Glendale offers reliable comfort and accessibility without the crowds, price premiums, and perpetual motion of the Scottsdale spring training scene. For Dodger fans — particularly those making the trip from Los Angeles — the familiar suburban commercial landscape may feel more comfortable than navigating an unfamiliar urban resort neighborhood.

Neighborhood Comparison Table

Hotel pricing is approximate for peak spring training weeks. Book 3–6 months in advance for best availability and rates.

Tickets, Tips & Getting the Most Out of Spring Training

How and When to Get Tickets

The most important piece of advice for spring training tickets is simple: buy early. The Cactus League schedule is typically released in October or November, and many teams put spring training tickets on sale within days of the schedule release. For Cubs games at Sloan Park, Dodgers games at Camelback Ranch, and Giants games at Scottsdale Stadium, waiting until January means you may find preferred seats already sold out or available only at secondary market premiums. Set a reminder for when your favorite team's spring training tickets go on sale and buy immediately.

Primary ticket sources include CactusLeague.com (the official Cactus League website with links to all team's official ticketing), individual MLB team websites (each team sells their home spring training games directly), Ticketmaster (which handles ticketing for many Cactus League venues), StubHub, SeatGeek, and VividSeats for secondary market options. The secondary market tends to be more active for popular teams but can also be a source of value for less in-demand matchups.

Note that the Cactus League schedule features both home and away games — each team plays some games at their home stadium and travels to other stadiums as the visiting team. This means you can see the Cubs at Sloan Park AND see the Cubs play at Camelback Ranch, Scottsdale Stadium, or Salt River Fields. Mixing home and away games across different venues is one of the best ways to experience multiple stadiums during a single trip.

Pricing Tiers and Value

Spring training ticket pricing is more stratified than it was a decade ago, reflecting the growing demand and the investment teams have made in premium experiences. Understanding the tiers helps you find value without sacrificing experience quality.

Berm and lawn seating is the most distinctively spring training experience — most stadiums feature grass seating areas in the outfield or beyond the foul lines where tickets run $10-$25. You bring a blanket or rent/purchase a lawn chair, you have full access to the game, and the atmosphere is relaxed and communal. This is genuinely one of the great low-cost experiences in professional sports. Families with young children, picnic-style visitors, and fans who want to absorb the baseball atmosphere without seat-confinement all gravitate to the berm. It sells out for popular games, so buy these tickets early too.

Reserved bleacher seating typically runs $20-$40 at most Cactus League venues and provides actual seats, usually aluminum or plastic benches without backs in some sections, in areas beyond the infield. These are comfortable for three-hour games and offer reasonable sightlines. Box seat pricing starts around $30-$40 at value venues (Goodyear, Hohokam, American Family Fields) and climbs to $60-$80+ at premium venues for popular games. Premium field-level seats — closest to the field, typically the first ten rows along the foul lines — run $50-$100+ at most stadiums and can exceed $100 at Cubs, Dodgers, and Giants home games against marquee opponents.

Best value games exist across the schedule for fans willing to be strategic. Weekday morning games that start at 10:00 AM — a feature of the spring training schedule that regular season baseball doesn't offer — typically have lower demand and better seat availability. The first week of spring training games (usually the third week of February) features fewer regular starters and more roster battles among non-roster invitees, which means tickets are more available and affordable even for popular franchises. Games at Goodyear Ballpark, Hohokam Stadium, and American Family Fields consistently offer strong value — quality baseball at prices that feel like a throwback to simpler sporting times.

Sellout risk varies dramatically by venue and matchup. Cubs vs. Cardinals or Cubs vs. Dodgers at Sloan Park: plan to pay secondary market prices and check availability early. Dodgers vs. Giants at Camelback Ranch: one of the most in-demand spring training matchups, sells out quickly. Giants at Scottsdale Stadium for most weekend games: expect sellouts. The safe rule is that any weekend game involving the Cubs, Dodgers, or Giants has significant sellout risk, and any weekday game at a value venue against a non-marquee opponent has comfortable availability.

Arriving Early: Batting Practice and Autographs

One of spring training's greatest gifts is the accessibility it provides to Major League players before games begin. Arriving 90 minutes to two hours before first pitch rewards you with opportunities that the regular season simply does not offer. Batting practice at most Cactus League venues is visible from the berm or outfield seating areas, and watching Major League hitters work through their BP routine — the methodical round-by-round approach, the adjustments made with coaches, the casual power of players swinging for distance during loose rounds — is a baseball education in itself.

Autograph opportunities are genuinely available at spring training in ways that are increasingly rare at regular season parks. The best strategy: position yourself along the first base or third base line railing during pre-game warmups. Bullpen gates are sometimes accessible, and pitchers warming up will occasionally stop to sign. Players walking from the practice fields to the dugout before the game are often accessible at certain venues. Bring a quality ball or a jersey item worth signing — players respond better to baseball items than to generic scraps of paper. Be respectful of the fact that players are working and preparing for the season; aggressive or disruptive autograph-seeking behavior is counterproductive. A simple, calm "Hey [name], could you sign this?" at the right moment is the most effective approach.

Some venues are more autograph-friendly than others. Smaller, more intimate parks like Tempe Diablo and Hohokam, where the proximity between fans and players is greatest, tend to yield more signing opportunities than the larger, more stadium-like facilities at Camelback Ranch or Sloan Park. Early in spring training — before games become more competitive in March — players tend to be somewhat more relaxed and accessible.

The Two-Game Day: A Spring Training Specialty

One of the most distinctive and beloved spring training experiences is the two-game day — attending a morning game at one stadium and an afternoon game at another. The spring training schedule is designed around morning start times (typically 10:05 AM or 12:05 PM), which means a morning game concludes around 1:00-1:30 PM, leaving time for a quick lunch and a drive to an afternoon game starting at 1:05 PM. The distances between east Valley stadiums — Sloan Park to Hohokam, Sloan Park to Salt River Fields, or Tempe Diablo to either Mesa venue — are typically 20-35 minutes, making the two-game day logistically feasible if not always comfortable.

The best two-game day combinations are in the east Valley: a 10:05 game at Sloan Park (Cubs) followed by a 1:05 game at Salt River Fields (Rockies/D-backs) is probably the most popular and achievable pairing. Both stadiums have good parking, the drive is straightforward on the Loop 101 or surface streets, and you can legitimately see six or more innings of quality baseball at two different facilities in a single day.

West-side pairings work similarly: a morning game at Goodyear or Surprise followed by an afternoon game at American Family Fields or Camelback Ranch. North-to-south combinations are harder given traffic realities, but with good planning they're possible.

Essential Packing and Game-Day Logistics

Arizona's February and March weather is generally spectacular, but it creates specific game-day preparation needs. The desert sun in February is deceptively strong — UV index in Scottsdale on a clear February afternoon can exceed 7, which is high enough to cause sunburn within 30-45 minutes for fair-skinned visitors. Sunscreen is non-negotiable; bring SPF 50+ and reapply. A hat with a full brim provides meaningful protection for day games.

Temperature swings during spring training are real. A 10 AM game in late February can start with temperatures in the mid-50s and finish with 75-degree sunshine by 1 PM. Layers are genuinely useful — a light jacket or hoodie for the first two innings, packed away by the fourth. Afternoon games in mid-to-late March can feel genuinely warm, with temperatures occasionally reaching 85°F.

Hydration matters year-round in the desert but is easy to underestimate when the dry air feels comfortable. Drink water throughout the game regardless of whether you feel thirsty. Most stadiums allow sealed water bottles through the gates, and keeping one in your bag saves both money and the mild dehydration that surprises many spring training visitors from humid climates.

Parking strategy: arrive 45-60 minutes before first pitch for most stadiums. Sloan Park and Scottsdale Stadium have the most constrained parking situations relative to attendance. For Scottsdale Stadium, parking in nearby hotel lots or garages and walking is often faster than circling for a closer spot. Most other Cactus League venues have enough parking that early arrival ensures a good spot without excessive stress. Post-game rideshare surge is real at popular venues — if you use Uber or Lyft, order your ride before the last out to get ahead of the post-game crowd surge.

Buying a Home Near Your Cactus League Team — The Complete Investment Guide

This is where the spring training experience intersects with one of the most important financial decisions many visitors will ever make. As Arizona's top-producing REALTOR®, I've guided numerous buyers through the process of purchasing near Cactus League stadiums — and I want to be direct: there is a genuine, well-documented investment case for buying in these areas, but it requires understanding the market carefully and working with an agent who knows both the real estate and the short-term rental landscape inside and out.

The Spring Training Snowbird Buyer

A specific buyer profile has emerged over the past fifteen years that I think of as the "spring training snowbird." This is a buyer — often from the Chicago area (Cubs), the Bay Area (Giants), Cleveland or Cincinnati (Guardians/Reds), or Southern California (Dodgers/Angels/Padres) — who purchases an Arizona home with the explicit goal of using it during the six weeks of spring training season and then either renting it out or leaving it vacant for the remainder of the year.

For this buyer, the property functions as a spring training home base with real financial upside. The math can work like this: a $450,000 condo near Sloan Park in Mesa might generate $250-$400 per night as an STR during spring training peak weeks. Six weeks of peak demand — and at 70-85% occupancy during those weeks, which is realistic given Cubs demand — yields $10,000-$17,000+ in spring training STR revenue alone. Year-round demand fills in the rest: Arizona remains a major tourism destination through the fall and winter months, and the shoulder seasons generate meaningful STR income as well.

The dual-use value proposition is compelling: own a home that serves as your spring training escape for six weeks a year, generates premium STR income during peak spring training weeks when you're not there, and either rents long-term or generates additional STR income during the rest of Arizona's strong tourism calendar. This is not a speculative strategy — it's what well-positioned investors have been doing quietly for the past decade while spring training attendance and STR demand have grown consistently.

Market Analysis by Stadium Area

Scottsdale / Salt River Fields / Scottsdale Stadium

The Scottsdale market is the most competitive and most premium spring training real estate environment in Arizona. Homes and condos near Salt River Fields and Old Town Scottsdale that generate strong spring training STR income also benefit from Scottsdale's year-round appeal as a resort, golf, spa, and business travel destination. The result is the strongest combination of peak spring training demand AND year-round STR income of any market in the Cactus League footprint.

Home prices near both Scottsdale stadiums range broadly: condos start around $400,000-$500,000 for well-located units, with single-family homes running $700,000 to well over $2 million depending on size, location, and amenities. The premium pricing reflects not just the spring training connection but Scottsdale's status as one of the most desirable residential markets in the Southwest. Appreciation has been consistently strong. STR nightly rates during spring training weeks can reach $300-$600+ for quality properties in Old Town or the Talking Stick corridor, among the highest in the Cactus League market.

HOA restrictions are a significant consideration in Scottsdale — many condo and townhome communities prohibit short-term rentals entirely, which would eliminate the investment thesis for a spring training STR play. This is why working with a knowledgeable agent before purchasing is essential. I review CC&Rs on every Scottsdale investment property to ensure STR viability before my clients make an offer. Do not assume that a property's current use reflects what the HOA actually permits. Check the documents. Learn more about Scottsdale real estate here.

Mesa / Sloan Park

Mesa near Sloan Park represents arguably the most compelling overall spring training real estate opportunity in the Cactus League footprint, balancing strong demand with more accessible pricing than Scottsdale. Cubs fans and investors from the Chicago metropolitan area — one of the nation's most populous metro areas — have been purchasing homes in Mesa specifically for Sloan Park access for over a decade, creating an organic demand base that keeps prices supported even as values have risen.

Home prices near Sloan Park and the Rio Salado corridor run $300,000-$700,000 for the residential properties most relevant to spring training STR investment — condos, townhomes, and smaller single-family homes within 1-3 miles of the stadium. The city of Mesa has invested heavily in the Rio Salado area development, and property values have benefited from that public investment. STR nightly rates during Cubs spring training games average $200-$350 for well-appointed properties. Cap rates are generally more accessible than in Scottsdale, making the entry point more achievable for investors who want returns rather than a pure appreciation play. Learn more about Mesa real estate here.

Peoria / Peoria Sports Complex

Peoria has transformed dramatically over the past fifteen years, evolving from a bedroom community at the western edge of the metro into a fully developed city with its own commercial, retail, and entertainment infrastructure. The Padres and Mariners fan bases generate consistent spring training demand, and Peoria's affordability relative to Scottsdale and Mesa makes it accessible for a wider range of investors.

Home prices near Peoria Sports Complex typically run $250,000-$550,000 for the property types most relevant to spring training investment. The P83 Entertainment District adjacent to the stadium has been a significant driver of property values in the immediate vicinity — walkability to entertainment and dining is a meaningful STR amenity. Year-round demand from the metro's growing west Valley population supports both long-term rental and STR income beyond spring training weeks. Learn more about Peoria real estate here.

Surprise / Surprise Stadium

Surprise is one of Arizona's most interesting growth stories and one of the more affordable spring training real estate markets. The city has grown explosively over the past two decades, drawing primarily from retirees and families seeking larger homes at lower prices than in the east Valley and Scottsdale. The retirement community presence is substantial — Sun City Grand and similar age-restricted communities surround the area — which creates a particular demographic character that investors should understand.

Home prices near Surprise Stadium run $220,000-$480,000, reflecting the more affordable west Valley pricing environment. Royals and Rangers fans travel to Surprise in solid numbers, and the spring training demand is genuine if smaller in absolute scale than Cubs or Dodgers markets. The longer-term growth story in Surprise — driven by industrial development along the I-10 corridor and continued population influx from expensive California metros — suggests meaningful appreciation potential. Explore Surprise real estate options here.

Goodyear / Goodyear Ballpark

Goodyear may be the most undervalued spring training real estate opportunity in the entire Cactus League footprint. The city has been one of the fastest-growing in the United States for multiple years running, driven by industrial and logistics development along the I-10 corridor that has created a substantial year-round employment base. This is not a retirement-dependent or tourism-dependent growth story — it's an economically diversified growth story that supports residential demand across the income spectrum.

Home prices near Goodyear Ballpark run $200,000-$450,000, among the most affordable spring training stadium-adjacent markets in Arizona. STR demand during spring training from Guardians and Reds fans is meaningful, and the year-round rental market is strong given the area's employment base. As Goodyear continues to develop and property values in more established Phoenix markets appreciate beyond reach for many buyers, the city's relative affordability is attracting increasing investor attention. Learn more about Goodyear real estate here.

Glendale / Camelback Ranch

Camelback Ranch's connection to the Dodgers creates a specific dynamic: Dodger Nation is massive, well-organized, and willing to spend on the spring training experience. STR demand near Camelback Ranch during Dodgers spring training games is among the highest-intensity demand in the Cactus League — fans book early, pay premium rates, and book multiple-week stays. Home prices near Camelback Ranch and the Westgate area run $280,000-$600,000, more affordable than Scottsdale but benefiting from the Dodgers premium.

The Westgate Entertainment District creates a year-round demand layer beyond spring training. State Farm Stadium hosting major events (Super Bowl candidate, college football playoffs, concerts) creates additional STR demand spikes throughout the year. Glendale has invested heavily in sports and entertainment infrastructure that supports property values. Explore Glendale real estate here.

Critical STR Considerations for Arizona

Before purchasing any property for spring training STR investment, you must understand Arizona's short-term rental regulatory environment. Here's what every investor needs to know:

ARS §9-500.39 is the key state statute governing short-term rentals in Arizona. It establishes that Arizona is a relatively STR-friendly state at the state level, preserving the right to operate short-term rentals while allowing cities and towns to regulate them through licensing and permit requirements. This means that the specific city where your property is located matters enormously.

Scottsdale requires an STR license from the Arizona Department of Revenue, as well as compliance with Scottsdale's specific municipal regulations including health, safety, and nuisance standards. Operating an STR in Scottsdale without proper licensing exposes you to significant fines. The licensing process is straightforward but must be completed before listing on Airbnb, VRBO, or any platform.

Phoenix also requires a permit for short-term rental operations. Mesa, Peoria, Tempe, Goodyear, Glendale, and Surprise each have their own specific requirements that range from basic registration to more involved licensing processes. I stay current on all municipal requirements across the Cactus League footprint and can help my buyers navigate this landscape.

HOA CC&Rs are the biggest potential obstacle for spring training STR investment. Many condominium communities, planned developments, and even some single-family home HOAs prohibit short-term rentals outright. Arizona state law does not override HOA CC&Rs that explicitly prohibit STR — the HOA restriction is enforceable. This makes CC&R review an absolute prerequisite before purchasing any property intended for STR use. I review CC&Rs on every investment property purchase before my clients make an offer, specifically for STR restrictions, minimum rental duration requirements, and owner occupancy requirements.

Investment Grade Table by Stadium Area

Investment grades and price ranges are estimates based on market conditions as of 2026. Always verify HOA CC&Rs and municipal STR requirements before purchasing. Contact Ryan Moxley for current market data.

Waste Management Phoenix Open + Spring Training = The Ultimate Arizona Peak Season

One of the things I tell every investor and second-home buyer who is considering the Scottsdale market for spring training purposes is this: spring training is not even the beginning of Arizona's peak demand season. It's the middle of it. The real estate and STR opportunity in Scottsdale specifically is built on a demand calendar that starts in January and runs continuously through late March — nearly ten consecutive weeks of some of the most intense tourism, sporting event, and hospitality demand anywhere in the country.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open: Golf's Party

The Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is one of the most unusual and genuinely remarkable sporting events in the world. It is officially a PGA Tour stop on the FedEx Cup schedule — one of the tour's most prestigious events, with a substantial prize purse and a field that attracts the sport's biggest names. But anyone who describes it simply as a golf tournament is missing the story entirely. The WM Phoenix Open has evolved into something closer to a weeklong outdoor festival in which golf is the organizing activity and nearly everything else is equally important to the attendees.

Total weekly attendance at the WM Phoenix Open typically exceeds 700,000 people, making it one of the highest-attended sporting events in golf and one of the highest-attended annual events of any kind in Arizona. The economic impact on Scottsdale's hospitality industry is enormous: hotels sell out at peak rates, restaurants run at capacity, and the economic activity generated across a single week rivals that of multiple spring training weeks combined.

The event's defining feature is the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, universally known as "The Loudest Hole in Golf." The 16th is a par-3 surrounded by a stadium-seating amphitheater that holds over 20,000 spectators — the largest standing single-hole gallery in golf history. The atmosphere inside the 16th hole stadium bears zero resemblance to the contemplative, reverent silence of traditional tournament golf. It is closer to a college football stadium: loud, electric, celebratory, with the crowd roaring for aces, groaning at near-misses, and treating every shot like the most important event in human history. When a player makes a hole-in-one on 16 — which happens occasionally and creates one of the most electric sporting moments imaginable — the sound is audible from considerable distance. The 16th hole experience alone is worth attending the WM Open for.

Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, held annually at WestWorld of Scottsdale in January, adds another layer to the already dense early-year events calendar. Barrett-Jackson is the world's most prestigious collector car auction and draws enthusiasts and high-net-worth buyers from around the country. During auction week, Scottsdale hotels are packed, restaurants are full, and the economic energy of the market is palpable. From a lodging and STR demand perspective, Barrett-Jackson week is another premium demand spike that well-positioned Scottsdale property owners can capture.

The Investment Implication: Nearly 10 Continuous Weeks of Peak Demand

Here is the investment math that makes Scottsdale uniquely compelling: Barrett-Jackson in January creates roughly one week of premium demand. The WM Phoenix Open in late January / early February creates another week of peak demand at extraordinary rates. And then, almost without pause, the Cactus League begins in mid-February and runs through late March — six more weeks of sustained high demand. The total: approximately eight to ten continuous weeks during which a well-located Scottsdale short-term rental operates at peak pricing, peak occupancy, and maximum economic output. No other spring training market in the country comes close to matching this extended demand period.

Scottsdale's STR property owners who capture all three events — Barrett-Jackson, WM Phoenix Open, and Cactus League — generate income during those weeks at rates that can exceed standard monthly income by several multiples. A property that earns $3,000-$4,000 in a typical month might earn $8,000-$15,000+ during a peak event week, depending on location, size, and quality. Multiply that across ten consecutive high-demand weeks and the annual income picture becomes dramatically more compelling than what standard metrics suggest.

From a neighborhood perspective, properties in Old Town Scottsdale and north Scottsdale near TPC Scottsdale are best positioned to capture all three events. Old Town is walking distance to Scottsdale Stadium (Giants), 10-15 minutes from Salt River Fields, and well-positioned for the broader WM Open and Barrett-Jackson lodging demand. North Scottsdale properties near TPC Scottsdale are most proximate to the golf course itself and command the highest golf week rates. Investors who have studied this market carefully tend to target the corridor between Old Town and north Scottsdale that gives them reasonable access to both.

A final note for Glendale and west Valley property investors: when the NFL Super Bowl comes to the Phoenix metropolitan area — Glendale/State Farm Stadium has hosted it multiple times and remains a candidate for future games — the demand spike hits the west Valley with particular intensity. Camelback Ranch and Westgate area properties that capture both Dodgers spring training demand and Super Bowl lodging demand represent an interesting long-term portfolio position for investors thinking across multiple event cycles.

Things to Do Beyond Baseball in Phoenix During Spring Training

Spring training is the reason most visitors come to Phoenix in February and March, but the Phoenix metropolitan area during this time of year is one of the most activity-rich destinations in the United States. The weather is near-perfect, the desert landscape is at its most vivid, and the full complement of world-class experiences that make Phoenix a premium travel destination are open and operating. A spring training trip that doesn't venture beyond the ballpark is missing at least half of what makes Arizona in late winter so special.

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park — situated between Phoenix and Scottsdale along McDowell Road — is one of the genuinely world-class botanical experiences in the United States. Spanning 140 acres of Sonoran Desert terrain, the garden showcases an extraordinary collection of desert plants from Arizona, the broader Southwest, and arid regions across the globe. More than 50,000 plants representing 4,400 species are displayed across a network of trails and themed garden areas.

February and March are peak bloom season for Arizona desert wildflowers, and what the Sonoran Desert does in a good bloom year is extraordinary: carpets of Mexican Gold Poppies, Owl Clover, Brittlebush, and desert Lupine transforming normally subtle desert terrain into vivid color. The Desert Botanical Garden provides the best curated experience of this phenomenon, with plantings organized to highlight seasonal blooms and expert staff who can tell you exactly what's at peak display on any given day.

Beyond the botanical displays, the garden hosts programming throughout spring training season including evening events, photography workshops, and special exhibitions. The café on site is genuinely good. Plan for two to three hours if you want to walk the major trails thoroughly. Admission is around $25 for adults — worth every dollar, and membership pays for itself after two visits.

Hiking: The Phoenix Metro's Greatest Outdoor Asset

The hiking opportunities in and around Phoenix during spring training season are extraordinary, and they represent one of the most significant differentiators between visiting Arizona for spring training versus visiting Florida for Grapefruit League games. The Sonoran Desert landscape is visually stunning, the temperatures are perfect for strenuous activity in February and March, and the trail network is extensive.

Camelback Mountain is the iconic Phoenix hike, and its two trails — Echo Canyon and Cholla — offer experiences that range from strenuous to genuinely difficult. Echo Canyon, starting from the north side of the mountain in Paradise Valley, is the more popular and more challenging approach, with steep granite scrambling sections near the summit. Cholla Trail, starting from the east side in Scottsdale, is longer but somewhat less vertical in its demands. Both summit trails reward climbers with extraordinary 360-degree views of the valley — the visual spread of Phoenix from 2,700 feet is genuinely humbling. Start early; Camelback is popular and parking lots fill quickly after 7:00 AM.

South Mountain Park and Preserve, at the southern edge of Phoenix, is the largest municipal park in the United States by area and offers a dramatically different hiking experience than Camelback's intense summit climbs. Dozens of trails ranging from flat, accessible walks to moderate ridge hikes spread across the reserve, with petroglyphs, desert wildlife, and panoramic valley views throughout. The Park Road to Dobbins Lookout Point is accessible by car for visitors who want the view without the hike.

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve in north Scottsdale is perhaps the most beautiful hiking environment in the metropolitan area — 36,000 acres of protected Sonoran Desert with an extensive trail network and relatively low crowds compared to Camelback. The Gateway Trailhead is the most popular entry point. The landscape here, with saguaro cacti standing like sentinels across rolling desert hillsides, is the quintessential Arizona desert image. White Tank Mountain Regional Park in the far west Valley offers additional desert hiking with ancient Hohokam petroglyphs and less congested trails. Papago Park, located between Phoenix and Tempe adjacent to the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo, offers gentle trails accessible to all fitness levels with distinctive red butte formations and views of downtown Phoenix.

Golf: Scottsdale's Second Religion

Scottsdale has more golf courses per capita than almost any city in the United States, and February and March represent the peak of Arizona's golf season — the weather is ideal, the courses are in excellent condition, and the tee times are as coveted as Cactus League seats. A spring training trip that doesn't include at least one round of golf is leaving one of Arizona's signature experiences on the table.

TPC Scottsdale — home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open — is the most iconic public-access golf course in Arizona and one of the most famous in the country. The Stadium Course is challenging and expensive, but walking the same fairways that PGA Tour professionals play during the Open is a genuine experience. Troon North in north Scottsdale offers two world-class desert courses (Monument and Pinnacle) set against spectacular McDowell Mountain scenery. Grayhawk Golf Club, also in north Scottsdale, provides two excellent courses and a well-regarded sports bar in the clubhouse. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation land offers spectacular courses at somewhat more competitive rates than the Scottsdale resort courses. The Wigwam in Litchfield Park and Whirlwind at Chandler's Wild Horse Pass Resort provide additional options for golfers seeking variety.

Shopping: From Old Town to Kierland

Old Town Scottsdale itself provides an excellent shopping experience, with art galleries, jewelry boutiques, Western wear shops, and upscale home goods stores lining Fifth Avenue, Main Street, and the surrounding blocks. The Scottsdale arts district concentrates galleries and studio spaces in a walkable area that rewards exploration. Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons in north Scottsdale provide the most upscale outdoor retail environments in the Valley — think outdoor lifestyle shopping centers with premium national brands, excellent restaurants, and the kind of beautifully designed commercial spaces that Scottsdale does particularly well. Scottsdale Fashion Square is the premier enclosed mall experience, anchored by Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom with an extensive selection of luxury brands.

Spa and Wellness

Scottsdale's reputation as a world-class spa destination is fully deserved and particularly appealing during spring training season. Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa, perched on Camelback Mountain with sweeping valley views, delivers one of the finest spa experiences in the Southwest — expect to spend several hundred dollars for a full-service experience, but the quality justifies the investment for the right traveler. Miraval Arizona Resort, north of Scottsdale in Catalina (technically near Tucson), is one of the most celebrated wellness resorts in the country and worth the two-hour drive for a day visit or overnight stay. The major Scottsdale resort spas — The Phoenician, Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — each offer world-class experiences at premium prices.

Cultural Experiences

The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, opened in 2010, is one of the most genuinely fascinating museums in the United States — a world-class collection of over 8,000 musical instruments from 200 countries, displayed with video screens showing each instrument being played in its cultural context. It is genuinely difficult to enter the MIM and not spend at least two hours there; the breadth and depth of the collection consistently surprises visitors who come expecting a small regional museum. The Phoenix Zoo, one of the largest private non-profit zoos in the US, is an excellent half-day destination, particularly for families. First Friday Scottsdale Artwalk, held the first Friday of each month, creates an evening event throughout Old Town Scottsdale's gallery district that is one of the liveliest cultural events in the city. The Scottsdale Arts Festival in March runs concurrent with the heart of spring training season and adds art exhibitions, live performances, and outdoor events to the neighborhood.

Day Trips

Sedona, two hours north of Scottsdale on I-17 and then AZ-179, is one of the most spectacular natural environments in North America — towering red sandstone formations, world-class hiking trails including Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock, a thriving arts community, excellent restaurants, spa retreats, and the famous "vortex" energy that attracts a specific kind of spiritually minded visitor. A day trip to Sedona from Phoenix during spring training is one of the great day trips in the American Southwest. Leave Phoenix early, hike or explore for the morning, have lunch in Tlaquepaque, and return for an evening game.

Multiple tribal casinos provide gaming entertainment throughout the Phoenix metro. Talking Stick Resort (right next to Salt River Fields) is particularly convenient for spring training visitors and offers first-class facilities. Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino south of Phoenix on the Gila River Indian Community is beautifully designed with Southwestern architecture and cultural programming. Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Casino northeast of Scottsdale provides additional gaming options in a scenic desert setting. Ak-Chin Indian Community south of Chandler rounds out the casino landscape for visitors interested in gaming entertainment.

Where Locals and Fans Actually Eat and Drink Near Each Stadium

The food and beverage scene around Cactus League stadiums has improved dramatically over the past decade. Old Town Scottsdale was always a strong culinary environment, but the east Valley, west Valley, and Tempe have all developed enough quality options that you can eat extremely well regardless of which stadium you're visiting. Here's the insider breakdown by area.

Near Scottsdale Stadium and Old Town Scottsdale

Bevvy rooftop bar on Fashion Square is the quintessential Old Town spring training experience: a sprawling rooftop deck with views of the Scottsdale skyline and McDowell Mountains, excellent cocktails, and a crowd that encompasses baseball fans, resort guests, and Scottsdale regulars in roughly equal measure. On Giants game days, the pre-game energy at Bevvy is genuinely festive. Arrive early — it fills up fast on warm spring training afternoons, and rooftop tables with views are claimed quickly by in-the-know regulars.

AZ88 on Scottsdale Road is an Old Town institution that has earned its long-running reputation — a gallery-restaurant hybrid that functions as one of the most reliably enjoyable dining experiences in the neighborhood. Local art fills the walls, the menu is approachable American with quality ingredients, and the bar scene is lively without being overwhelming. It attracts a local crowd rather than purely tourists, which is the best endorsement any Old Town restaurant can receive.

Rehab Burger Therapy on Scottsdale Road has become one of the most popular spring training dining spots in Old Town, offering creative gourmet burgers — the kind with house-made patties, thoughtful toppings, and craft beer accompaniments that have nothing in common with stadium concession fare. The outdoor patio fills up with spring training fans who want a quality meal without the reservation formality of a fine dining experience. Old Town Tortilla Factory on East Pinon Drive delivers Sonoran Mexican food on an outdoor patio with some of the best margaritas in Scottsdale — a genuinely lovely setting for a spring training lunch or post-game dinner.

Whiskey Row — the stretch of bars and restaurants along Scottsdale Road near the stadium — is spring training central on game days. Multiple establishments with outdoor patios, cold beer, and TVs showing baseball games become de facto gathering spaces for pre and post-game socializing. The Montauk on Indian School Road brings a Hamptons-meets-desert patio bar vibe that is very popular with the Old Town spring training crowd. For brunch before morning games, Hotel Valley Ho's Zuzu restaurant is excellent, and the poolside energy of the hotel itself on a spring morning is one of those genuinely pleasurable Scottsdale experiences that visitors talk about for years.

Near Peoria Sports Complex / P83

Saddle Ranch Chop House at P83 Entertainment District is the most reliably packed restaurant in the area on Padres and Mariners game days — a western steakhouse with a mechanical bull, extensive drink menu, and a volume and energy level that suits the casual spring training crowd well. The food is solid American steakhouse fare at reasonable prices. The P83 district overall is anchored by chains that serve the suburban northwest Valley market: Yard House (extensive beer selection, reliable food), BJ's Brewhouse (great pizza and beers), and Dave & Buster's for the more game-oriented crowd.

For a more local experience near Peoria Sports Complex, The Yard — an outdoor dining and entertainment venue with a laid-back patio atmosphere, craft beers, and a menu of shareables and entrees — is worth seeking out. Pizza fans should investigate the local independent pizza shops along Bell Road and 83rd Avenue. Sports bars throughout the P83 area offer draft beer specials on game days and TVs showing other Cactus League games while you eat. The local scene here is less gastronomically adventurous than Old Town Scottsdale, but the value is considerably better and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Near Sloan Park and Mesa

Cider Corps in Mesa is one of the most acclaimed cideries in the American Southwest, beloved by both serious cider enthusiasts and people who simply appreciate a well-made fermented apple beverage in a welcoming taproom setting. For Cubs fans accustomed to the Chicago craft beer scene, Cider Corps offers a genuinely impressive local alternative. The taproom is appropriately relaxed and social, and it's positioned well enough to Sloan Park to work as a pre-game destination.

Craft 64 — a Scottsdale-born artisan pizza concept — has brought its wood-fired, simple-ingredient approach to the Mesa area and attracted the same devoted local following it has built elsewhere in the Valley. The pizza is genuinely excellent: thin, charred crust with quality ingredients and the kind of restraint that reflects actual culinary confidence. AZ Wilderness Brewing, technically headquartered in Gilbert but drawing the East Valley craft beer community together, is one of Arizona's most respected brewing operations and worth the short detour from Mesa. Trapper's Sushi, an Arizona-born casual sushi chain, is hugely popular with local regulars who want quality sushi rolls at reasonable prices — expect a wait during peak spring training season. Mesa Main Street's growing independent restaurant scene adds culinary diversity that the neighborhood didn't have even five years ago.

Near Camelback Ranch / Glendale Westgate

Westgate Entertainment District is the anchor of the Glendale dining and entertainment scene, and on Dodgers or White Sox game days it takes on a genuine festival energy. Yard House at Westgate is probably the most popular post-game destination — the beer selection is extensive (over 100 taps), the food is reliable American bar fare with enough quality to satisfy a hungry crowd, and the space is large enough to accommodate the post-game influx from Camelback Ranch. Kabuki Japanese Restaurant at Westgate provides a quality Japanese food option that stands out in a district otherwise dominated by American casual dining. Dave & Buster's provides the entertainment angle for fans who want to extend the evening beyond dinner.

State Farm Stadium area restaurants and the broader Arrowhead/Glendale commercial corridor provide extensive chain options — Arrowhead Towne Center has virtually every major casual dining restaurant represented, which is genuinely useful for groups with diverse tastes. The best pre-game experience near Camelback Ranch is grabbing a meal at Westgate and then making the short drive to the stadium, using rideshare for the post-game return so parking stress becomes irrelevant.

Near Goodyear Ballpark

Kimmyz on the Green near the Verrado Golf Course is the most beloved local gathering spot in the Goodyear spring training world — a neighborhood bar and grill with the kind of comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere that the Guardians and Reds fan bases seem to prefer. It's the place where you'll find the regulars, the locals, and the spring training veterans who have discovered Goodyear's authentic charm over multiple visits. Las Palmitas delivers solid local Mexican food with the right balance of quality and value for a pre-game or post-game meal. The Palm Valley commercial corridor along I-10 and Litchfield Road has the full roster of chain restaurants that suburban Arizona shoppers expect. Cotton Boll Grill in the west Valley area rounds out the local dining options for fans who want something more distinctive than chain fare.

Near Tempe Diablo Stadium and Mill Avenue

Four Peaks Brewing Company, headquartered in Tempe in a century-old ice house on 8th Street, is the most beloved craft brewery in Arizona and one of the most beloved in the Southwest. Four Peaks has been brewing since 1996 and has developed a lineup of beers — the Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale is the flagship and a genuinely excellent beer — that have become standard fixtures in Arizona restaurants, bars, and homes. The taproom and brewpub on 8th Street is a large, atmospheric space that fills with spring training fans, ASU students, and Tempe locals in roughly equal measure on game days. Walking from Tempe Diablo Stadium to Four Peaks post-game is one of the great spring training traditions for Angels fans and any visitor staying in Tempe.

Culinary Dropout on the Hampton Inn property in Tempe is one of the most popular casual dining experiences in the city — a large, lively space with excellent cocktails, shared plates, upscale bar food, and the giant Jenga sets and social game areas that have become its signature. The patio is particularly pleasant on a spring evening. Postino Arcadia (with a Tempe/Central Phoenix location) has built a devoted following for its bruschetta boards and wine program — the combination of good wine, shareable bruschetta, and a casual atmosphere is a reliable spring training lunch format. Casey Moore's Oyster House is an iconic Tempe neighborhood bar in a historic house with genuine local character — students, professors, families, and baseball fans all finding their way to its patio for good oysters, fish tacos, and cold beer in a setting that feels authentically Tempe. House of Tricks, also in a historic Tempe bungalow setting, elevates the neighborhood dining experience with chef-driven cuisine that is genuinely impressive for a college-town restaurant.

Restaurant Quick Reference Table

Price ranges: $ = under $20/person, $$ = $20–$45/person, $$$ = $45+/person. Distances are approximate driving time from nearest stadium. Reservations recommended at dinner during spring training peak season.

Getting Around Phoenix During Spring Training

The Phoenix metropolitan area is a car-centric environment, and navigating the Cactus League stadium footprint effectively requires understanding the transportation landscape before you arrive. A visitor who plans their transportation well will see multiple stadiums and arrive relaxed; a visitor who doesn't plan will spend too much of their spring training trip sitting in Uber surge pricing or searching for parking. Here is the complete transportation guide for spring training season.

Renting a Car: The Essential Choice

For the vast majority of spring training visitors — particularly those planning to attend games at multiple stadiums, visiting multiple neighborhoods, or combining baseball with hiking, golf, or day trips — renting a car is not optional. It is essential. Phoenix is a geographically large metropolitan area: the drive from Surprise Stadium in the northwest to Sloan Park in Mesa takes approximately 45-50 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Goodyear to Scottsdale Stadium is 45 minutes. Without a car, you're largely limited to the stadium nearest to your hotel and the immediate neighborhood surrounding it.

Car rental during spring training season requires advance booking. The demand surge from visiting fans depletes available inventory at airport rental facilities, and waiting until you land to book a car during spring training peak weeks often means either no availability or pricing that significantly exceeds advance reservation rates. Book your rental car when you book your hotel and flight — ideally at least two to three months before your trip. Major providers (Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, National, Budget) all have strong Phoenix Sky Harbor presence. Turo, the peer-to-peer car rental platform, can provide additional options at various price points and sometimes offers unique vehicles beyond standard rental car fare.

Compact and mid-size vehicles are perfectly adequate for stadium navigation — you'll never need an SUV or truck for spring training logistics. Economy vehicles are the most price-competitive during peak weeks. For groups of four or more visiting multiple stadiums, a mid-size SUV provides comfort that the savings from an economy car don't adequately compensate for over a week-long trip.

Rideshare: Uber and Lyft

Rideshare works well for spring training on the way TO games — pickup wait times during mid-morning are reasonable, pricing is typically standard, and getting from your hotel to the stadium without parking stress is a genuine quality-of-life improvement. The problem is the return trip. When a game ends at a popular venue — Sloan Park after a Cubs sellout, Scottsdale Stadium after a Giants weekend game, Camelback Ranch after Dodgers-Angels — essentially every non-driving attendee opens their Uber or Lyft app simultaneously. The resulting surge pricing can be dramatic (3-5x standard rates), and wait times of 15-25 minutes are common even at that pricing.

The practical rideshare strategy: always have the app open and your home address set before the game ends. The moment the final out is recorded or you decide to leave during the seventh inning stretch, request your ride. Getting even five minutes ahead of the post-game surge materially improves both your wait time and your price. For venues in walkable areas — Scottsdale Stadium in Old Town, Tempe Diablo near Mill Ave — walking 10-15 minutes away from the stadium before requesting a ride reduces surge impact significantly. Rideshare driver supply near stadiums typically increases rapidly after post-game, so if you wait 20-25 minutes and check pricing again, it often drops substantially.

Valley Metro Light Rail

Phoenix's light rail system — Valley Metro Rail — runs through central Phoenix, downtown Tempe, ASU campus, and central Mesa on the East Valley line, with connections to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport via a people mover. For spring training purposes, the light rail is genuinely useful for visitors staying in Tempe who want to attend Tempe Diablo Stadium games, as the stadium is within reasonable walking distance of several rail stops. The Mesa downtown area is also served, giving Hohokam Stadium visitors from Tempe a car-free option.

The important caveat: Valley Metro Rail does NOT reach Scottsdale, Peoria, Surprise, Glendale, or Goodyear. The system's current footprint covers only a corridor through the central metro. For the majority of Cactus League venues — including the most popular (Sloan Park, Scottsdale Stadium, Salt River Fields, Camelback Ranch) — light rail provides no direct service. Do not plan a multi-stadium spring training trip around the light rail unless you're specifically attending Tempe Diablo or Hohokam Stadium games and your hotel is conveniently located on the rail line.

Parking Strategy by Venue

Parking is a significant variable in the spring training experience, and venue-specific knowledge materially improves your day. Sloan Park (Cubs) has on-site parking lots at $15-$20 per vehicle; arrive 60 minutes early for popular games as lots fill completely. Overflow parking at nearby businesses is available but requires a longer walk. Walking from RiverView Park or the adjacent commercial areas is feasible for some visitors.

Scottsdale Stadium's Old Town location makes parking the most complex navigation in the Cactus League. The stadium's own lots are limited, and street parking in Old Town fills up quickly. The best approach for Scottsdale Stadium: park at a nearby hotel parking structure or a public garage (several on Civic Center Mall area), accept the 5-10 minute walk, and avoid the gridlock of trying to exit the immediate stadium blocks after the game. Hotel guests at Old Town properties often park at their hotel and walk.

Camelback Ranch (Dodgers/White Sox) has extensive parking infrastructure built for large crowds — arrive 45 minutes early for marquee games and you'll find adequate space. The parking lot complex is large but can create traffic bottlenecks on exit. Goodyear Ballpark offers the most relaxed parking experience in the Cactus League: free or very cheap lots with generally ample space even for popular games. Peoria Sports Complex, Surprise Stadium, and American Family Fields all have standard lot parking at $5-$15 with generally adequate supply for typical game days.

Two-Stadium Day Logistics

The feasibility of a two-stadium day depends heavily on geography, start times, and your tolerance for rushed transitions. The most reliable two-stadium day combinations: east Valley morning game (Sloan Park at 10:05 AM, done by 1:00-1:30 PM) + east Valley or Scottsdale afternoon game (Salt River Fields at 1:05 PM requires leaving Sloan Park by approximately 12:30-12:45 for a comfortable arrival). The drive from Sloan Park to Salt River Fields via Loop 101 is approximately 25-35 minutes depending on traffic.

For a west Valley two-game day: Goodyear Ballpark morning game + Camelback Ranch or American Family Fields afternoon game works geographically. For any cross-valley pairing — Peoria morning + Mesa afternoon, for example — the drive is 40-55 minutes under good conditions and longer with game-day traffic, which makes the transition tight but achievable if both games start at complementary times.

The key to a successful two-game day: be prepared to leave the morning game after seven innings if the score situation permits. Missing the final two innings of a spring training game is a modest sacrifice for getting comfortable parking and arrival at the afternoon venue. Also plan your food strategy: eat at the morning game rather than rushing between venues, or identify a quick lunch option along your route that won't add more than 20-25 minutes to the transit time.

Traffic Reality and Timing Tips

Phoenix traffic during spring training season is generally more manageable than in many major metropolitan areas, but certain corridors deserve specific attention. The I-10 through downtown Phoenix — particularly the interchange with US-60 and State Route 51 — creates significant congestion during evening rush hours (4:00-6:30 PM). The Loop 101 through Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Road / Camelback Road corridor in Old Town creates predictable congestion before and after popular stadium events. Planning game-day driving to arrive before 11:00 AM for morning games and before noon for 1:05 PM games avoids the worst traffic in most scenarios.

Download Google Maps or Waze with offline maps for the Phoenix metro downloaded before you arrive — cellular data can be slower than expected in large crowds around stadiums. Have multiple potential parking options identified before you drive to the venue; pivoting to an overflow lot is much easier when you've already identified where it is on the map. Keep at least a liter of water in your car: even February temperatures in the car in direct sunlight can create uncomfortable heat buildup, and spring training days often run longer than expected with all the pre-game and post-game activity.

Ryan Moxley's Spring Training Home Buying Expertise

I've been selling real estate throughout the Phoenix metro for years, and I've watched the spring training real estate market evolve from a niche interest into one of the most compelling investment arguments in Arizona real estate. I want to tell you directly what I know and how I can help.

I cover the entire Cactus League footprint. From Goodyear Ballpark in the far west to Sloan Park in Mesa, from Surprise Stadium in the northwest to Scottsdale Stadium in Old Town — I've helped buyers find homes in every one of these markets. This matters because the Cactus League isn't a single real estate market; it's a collection of distinctly different markets with different price points, different neighborhood characters, different growth trajectories, and very different STR regulatory environments. The home that makes sense for a Cubs fan investor in Mesa is nothing like the home that makes sense for a Dodgers-motivated buyer in Glendale. Understanding those differences at a granular level is what separates a productive search from a frustrating one.

The HOA CC&R analysis is the single most important thing I do differently for spring training investment buyers. I have seen too many buyers — including some who came to me after working with other agents — purchase properties with the intention of running spring training STR rentals, only to discover that their HOA's CC&Rs explicitly prohibit rentals of less than 30 days. In those cases, the investment thesis is dead before the first season begins, and unwinding the purchase is costly and stressful. On every investment property I represent a buyer on, I pull the CC&Rs and review them specifically for STR restrictions before we go under contract. This is not optional — it's the foundation of sound investment due diligence in the Arizona condo and HOA market.

Beyond HOA analysis, I understand the city-by-city licensing requirements across the Cactus League footprint. Scottsdale's STR licensing through the Arizona Department of Revenue, Phoenix's permit process, Mesa and Tempe's registration requirements — I know how each municipality's system works and can help my buyers navigate the regulatory landscape before and after closing. Arizona is a relatively STR-friendly state under ARS §9-500.39, but "friendly at the state level" is very different from "no local requirements." Working with an agent who knows these distinctions saves you time, money, and potential enforcement headaches.

I understand cap rate analysis for STR investment in ways that generalist agents often don't. When I'm helping a buyer evaluate a property near Sloan Park or Camelback Ranch for investment purposes, I'm thinking about the spring training weeks explicitly — what's realistic occupancy during peak Cubs demand? What's the nightly rate premium that the Cubs connection commands versus a comparable unit in a non-stadium-adjacent location? What does year-round demand look like beyond baseball? What are the management costs, platform fees, and operational expenses that need to be modeled into a realistic return analysis? These are questions I can help answer with specific market data, not just intuition.

The geographic knowledge I bring to stadium-area purchases is also practical in ways that listings on Zillow don't capture. Within a 2-mile radius of Sloan Park, there are streets and subdivisions where walking access to the stadium is genuinely comfortable, and streets where it's technically possible but practically inconvenient. There are condo developments that allow STR and developments right next door that don't. There are pockets within the walking zone where prices are elevated by demand and pockets where value still exists for buyers who know where to look. This kind of granular knowledge comes from doing the work — physically walking neighborhoods, attending games, understanding what the guest experience looks like at ground level rather than satellite view.

For buyers considering dual-use homes — a spring training personal escape that generates STR income when you're not there — I can help you model the financial reality clearly. The math on a spring training STR can be genuinely compelling: even three to four weeks of peak-season spring training occupancy can generate income that significantly offsets annual ownership costs. The remaining weeks of Arizona's strong tourism calendar provide additional STR income or long-term rental stability depending on your preferred management approach. I've walked many buyers through these numbers with current market data, and the investment case in the right property is often stronger than they initially expected.

Finally — I want to say something that matters uniquely in Arizona and that every out-of-state buyer should understand. Arizona is a non-disclosure state, which means that sale prices are not part of the public record. In most states, you can look up what a house sold for on Zillow or the county records. In Arizona, you cannot. This means that the pricing intelligence an experienced agent brings to the transaction is more valuable here than in disclosure states, because you cannot independently verify what properties are truly selling for without MLS access. I have that access, and I use it to ensure my buyers make offers based on actual market data rather than estimates and automated valuations.

Arizona is also a dry funding state — recording day is keys day. Unlike some states where there's a settlement date followed by a delay before recording, in Arizona the title company records the deed on the closing day and keys are delivered the same day. For buyers coming from states with longer closing procedures, this is a welcome clarity.

Whether you're a Cubs fan from Chicago who wants a Mesa condo to use during spring training and rent the rest of the year, a Giants fan from San Francisco looking for an Old Town Scottsdale pied-à-terre, or an investor who has simply recognized the business logic of owning near a Cactus League stadium — I would genuinely love to talk through what makes sense for your situation. The spring training real estate opportunity is real, the demand is predictable, and the right property in the right location can deliver both lifestyle value and financial returns that are difficult to find in other investment categories.

Call me directly at (480) 227-9143 or email me at moxleysellsaz@gmail.com. I pick up my phone, I respond quickly, and I know this market inside and out. Let's find your spring training home.

You can also learn more about the neighborhoods I serve: Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, and Glendale. Additional resources: Arizona Short-Term Rental Guide 2026 and Arizona Snowbird Real Estate Guide 2026.