Cactus League spring training begins Feb. 20

Arizona’s Cactus League spring training begins Feb. 20, 2026, with 15 Major League Baseball teams training in 10 ballparks across Maricopa County. The pre-season lasts until March 24.

Despite the short timeframe, the league has a huge financial conduit for the state, bringing in $710.2 million in economic impact and $418.5 million in gross domestic product in 2023, according to an Arizona State University study.

Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the upcoming season.

“The way we’re set up across the Valley, you can get to one of our facilities to another from one side of town to the other within an hour,” Binsbacher said. “Which is unique to Arizona and a lot of people don’t realize that because this happens only in two places in the country.”

The Grapefruit League in Florida is the second spring training circuit for MLB teams. In Florida, the 15 teams are spread across 13 ballparks in 12 cities throughout the state. Although in the past there has been competition – including team poaching – between the two leagues that has mostly settled down.

“We always have to be ready,” Binsbacher said. “That’s why we’re here to represent the best interest of the industry and serve as a unified voice. And tell the story of how important [the league] is to Arizona’s economy because we definitely can’t it for granted.”

The typical economic drivers are out-of-state fans. On average the out-of-state fans come in groups of three to four and they stay for about four days, according to Binsbacher. Although their favorite team brings them to Maricopa county, the proximity of the ballparks and sightseeing Arizona keeps fans entertained and coming back each year.

Binsbacher added, “They’re going [from] one end of the state to the other.”

In early March, the Cactus League will enter the international spotlight by hosting 5 World Basic Classic teams in addition to the MLB teams. The Arizona Diamondbacks will have a showdown with the Mexico national team to kick off the WBC’s time in the 2026 spring training exhibition games.