February in the desert isn't just about sun-scorched hikers and overpriced golf. It’s about the smell of stale popcorn and the specific, rhythmic thwack of a wooden bat meeting a cowhide sphere in 75-degree weather. If you're looking for the Arizona Cactus League schedule, you probably already know that the 2026 season is shaping up to be a bit of a weird one.
We aren't just talking about the standard 15 teams rotating through the Valley of the Sun. This year, the schedule is punctuated by international flavor and some cross-country travel that usually doesn't happen until the regular season.
When the First Pitch Actually Happens
Most fans assume everything kicks off on a Saturday. Wrong. The 2026 Cactus League season officially grinds into gear on Friday, February 20.
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It’s not a full slate, though. It’s a soft open. You’ve got the Arizona Diamondbacks taking on the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields, while the Kansas City Royals face the Texas Rangers over in Surprise. If you’re a Mariners fan, you’re looking at a home opener against the Padres in Peoria that same afternoon. Basically, if you show up on the 20th, you’re seeing the die-hards. By Saturday, February 21, the floodgates open and every single team is on the field.
The season is compact. It runs until March 24, giving way to the MLB Opening Night on March 25. That’s 33 days of baseball. If you can’t find a game in that window, you’re honestly not trying.
The World Baseball Classic Curveball
Here is where the 2026 schedule gets spicy. Because the World Baseball Classic (WBC) is returning, the Cactus League is hosting a series of exhibition games that look like something out of a video game.
On March 3 and 4, the schedule pauses its traditional matchups for "tune-up" games. Imagine sitting at Scottsdale Stadium on March 3 watching the San Francisco Giants play Team USA. Or heading to Salt River Fields on March 4 to see the Rockies try to handle the national squad.
It's not just the U.S. team, either. The schedule includes matchups against:
- Team Mexico vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (March 3)
- Team Cuba vs. Kansas City Royals (March 3)
- Team Italy vs. Chicago Cubs (March 3)
- Team Great Britain vs. Milwaukee Brewers (March 3)
- Team Brazil vs. Texas Rangers (March 3)
These games count for nothing in the standings but everything for bragging rights. If you’re planning a trip, these two days are arguably the most unique window in the last four years of Arizona baseball history.
Crossover Games and Las Vegas Detours
Usually, Cactus League teams stay in their lane. They play the teams in the Valley, and the Grapefruit League teams stay in Florida.
Not in 2026.
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The New York Yankees are actually flying into Mesa to play the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on March 23 and 24. At the same time, the Detroit Tigers are leaving their Lakeland, Florida base to face the Rockies in Scottsdale. It’s a logistical headache for the equipment managers but a dream for fans who want to see a "World Series preview" in a park that seats 15,000 people.
Also, keep an eye on March 7 and 8. The Oakland Athletics (or whatever we’re calling them this week) are hosting the Los Angeles Angels at Las Vegas Ballpark. It’s a "home" game for the A's, but it’s 300 miles away from the Phoenix hub. Don't book a hotel in Scottsdale for those dates if you're an Angels completionist.
The Spring Breakout Trend
MLB is leaning hard into the "prospect" thing. On March 21, the league is running its third annual Spring Breakout.
This isn't a game for the 35-year-old veterans resting their knees. It’s a showcase of the top 30 prospects from each organization. At Salt River Fields, they’re actually doing a doubleheader: the D-backs play the Rangers at 1:10 PM, and then the "Future Stars" game starts at 5:00 PM. Your ticket usually gets you into both. It’s a long day in the sun, but it’s the best way to see who will be winning Rookie of the Year in 2027 or 2028.
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Navigating the Geography
You’ve got 10 stadiums. 15 teams.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is trying to stay "near their team." Everything in the Valley is within a 45-minute drive (assuming I-10 isn't a parking lot, which it usually is).
- The West Valley Hub: Surprise (Royals/Rangers), Peoria (Mariners/Padres), and Goodyear (Reds/Guardians). This is where the "baseball purist" vibe lives.
- The Central/East Hub: Scottsdale Stadium (Giants), Salt River Fields (D-backs/Rockies), and Sloan Park (Cubs). This is where the parties are.
- The Camelback Corridor: Camelback Ranch (Dodgers/White Sox) sits right on the edge of Glendale.
If you want the best experience, pick a hotel in Old Town Scottsdale. You’re central to the Giants, the D-backs, and the Cubs. You’ll pay a premium, but you won't spend four hours a day staring at the taillights of a rental car.
Actionable Tips for the 2026 Season
- Buy WBC tickets early: The March 3-4 games against international teams will sell out faster than the standard matchups.
- Watch the sunset games: Most Cactus League games are day games (1:05 PM or 1:10 PM starts). However, teams like the Mariners and D-backs have scheduled several 6:10 PM starts (like March 6 and March 12). These are much more comfortable if you aren't a fan of getting a second-degree sunburn.
- Download the Ballpark App: Paper tickets are basically extinct in Arizona.
- Check the "Split Squad" notation: On the schedule, you’ll often see an asterisk (*) or "SS." This means the team is playing two games at once in different locations. If you’re going specifically to see a superstar like Shohei Ohtani or Corbin Carroll, check the team’s social media that morning to see which bus they’re boarding.
The 2026 Arizona Cactus League schedule is more than just a list of dates. It's a month-long festival that feels increasingly like a mini-convention for baseball nerds. Between the World Baseball Classic tune-ups and the Yankees making a rare desert appearance, it’s a year where "standard" planning won't cut it.
Start your planning by identifying the March 3-4 window or the March 21 Breakout games. Once those anchors are set, fill in the gaps with the standard 1:05 PM matinees. Just don't forget the sunscreen—the Arizona sun doesn't care if it's only February.