Padres fans make the annual trek to Arizona spring training
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Sweet spring baseball. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
Thousands of San Diego baseball fans are descending on the Arizona desert for the Cactus League season in the Phoenix area.
Why it matters: Hope springs eternal, and spring training means big bucks for state and local tourism.
- In 2025, the league drew about 1.7 million fans and generated $764 million in economic impact to Arizona, according to a study by Arizona State University.
The big picture: This year marks the 79th year of the Cactus League, which now boasts 15 teams training under the desert sun at 10 stadiums.
- The league surged after teams began building modern, centralized facilities in the early 2000s.
- "You get the best of every baseball team here," Brandy Anderson tells Axios. Anderson lives in Arizona but grew up in San Diego, rooting for the Padres.
Zoom in: The start of Cactus League play is like a baseball pilgrimage, with nearly 6 in 10 attendees coming from out of state. The fans represent a mix of transplants, snowbirds, retirees and spring break vacationers.
- The baseball on the field takes a backseat to the baseball experience at the ballpark.
- "The Cactus League is a baseball fan's paradise," Cactus League executive director Bridget Binsbacher tells Axios. "Each park is intimate, and at many facilities, fans are welcome to attend workouts on the back fields."
State of play: Padres fans have come out in full force at the team's facility, Peoria Sports Complex, and other stadiums this year.
- Marcela Banaga, who travels to Arizona from the San Diego area for Padres spring training every year, say the crowds have gotten much bigger.
- "It used to be kind of hush-hush on how cool it is, but then word got around," Marcela told Axios. "I like that these are smaller stadiums. It's more personal and more intimate than if you go to Petco."
What we're watching: This year's spring training games are the Padres' first outings under new manager Craig Stammen, a former Padres pitcher. So far, the team is 4-6.
- Eyes are on closer Mason Miller, who throws serious heat, and pitcher Joe Musgrove, who's back in action after missing last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
- Fans are also getting early looks at stars Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill.
Yes, but: For baseball fans, it's less about standings and more about sun, nostalgia — and the promise that this might finally be the year.
How to watch: Fans can watch Padres spring training games on TV, television, radio or livestream, and 21 games will be offered free on Padres.TV.
- The team plays the Athletics on Monday and the White Sox on Tuesday around noon.
If you go: Ticket prices vary by park, and by game, ranging from $35-$45 for Padres' home games in Peoria.
- The March 20 game against the LA Dodgers is nearly sold out, with $100 lawn seats on the secondary market.
What's next: The Padres are back at Petco Park for Opening Day on March 28, and the team could be sold by then.