You’re standing in the middle of a dusty parking lot in Goodyear, staring at your phone, and realizing the "quick drive" to Scottsdale is going to take you an hour and fifteen minutes. This is the classic rookie mistake. People look at a cactus league map of stadiums and assume because everything is in the Phoenix metro area, it’s all basically next door.
It isn't.
Arizona’s spring training setup is a beautiful, sprawling mess of desert freeways and stadium complexes that house 15 MLB teams across just 10 ballparks. If you don't understand the geography, you’re going to spend more time on the Loop 101 than you will watching batting practice.
The Cactus League is actually split into distinct "clusters." You’ve got the West Valley, the East Valley, and the weird outliers. Understanding where these lines are drawn is the difference between catching two games in one day and being stuck behind a semi-truck on I-10 while your favorite player is already back in the clubhouse.
Navigating the West Valley Hub
If you’re looking at the western side of your cactus league map of stadiums, you’re looking at the heavy hitters of the West Valley. This area is home to some of the most modern facilities, but they are spread out enough to be annoying if you’re staying in Scottsdale.
Surprise Stadium is the furthest northwest. It’s where the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals hang out. Honestly, it’s a bit of a haul from central Phoenix, but the vibe is incredibly relaxed. Just south of that, you hit Peoria Sports Complex, the shared home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. This place is basically the heart of the West Valley fan experience because it’s surrounded by actual things to do—restaurants, bars, and shopping are all within walking distance.
Then there’s Camelback Ranch in Glendale. This is the big one. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox share this massive, scenic complex. It’s gorgeous, with a lake and walking trails, but here is a pro tip: the shade is non-existent. If you’re sitting on the third-base side at a 1:05 PM game, you are going to bake.
Finally, tucked further south is Goodyear Ballpark. The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians train here. It’s isolated. It’s a great stadium with a weird, giant statue out front, but don't expect to "swing by" Goodyear on your way to a game in Mesa. It’s a destination trip.
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The East Valley Powerhouses
Flip to the right side of the map. This is where things get dense. The East Valley is where you find the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa. This stadium is basically "Wrigley West." It holds 15,000 people, which is massive for spring training. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and parking is a nightmare if you arrive ten minutes before first pitch.
Just down the road is Hohokam Stadium, the home of the Oakland Athletics. It’s an older vibe but very fan-friendly.
The crown jewel for most fans, though, is Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community land near Scottsdale, this is where the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies play. It’s often ranked the #1 spring training facility in the country. Why? Because the sightlines are perfect, the food is actually good, and you’re right next to the Pavilions shopping center and a massive casino.
- Sloan Park (Mesa): Chicago Cubs
- Hohokam Stadium (Mesa): Oakland Athletics
- Salt River Fields (Scottsdale): Diamondbacks & Rockies
- Scottsdale Stadium (Downtown): San Francisco Giants
Scottsdale Stadium is the outlier here. It’s right in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale. It’s the only stadium where you can legitimately walk from a high-end sushi restaurant or a boutique hotel right into the bleachers to watch the San Francisco Giants. Because of this, it’s arguably the hardest ticket to get in the whole league.
The Central and South "Loners"
Not every stadium shares. A few teams have their own private kingdoms, and they're scattered in the gaps of the cactus league map of stadiums.
The Milwaukee Brewers play at American Family Fields of Phoenix (formerly Maryvale). It’s located in a more residential part of West Phoenix. It’s got a very "old school" feel despite recent renovations. It’s intimate, but it isn't near much else.
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Tempe Diablo Stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Angels. It’s arguably the most iconic because of the "butte" (the big rock hill) behind the left-field wall. It’s also right off the I-10, making it easy to get to, but it’s one of the oldest stadiums in the league. The concourses are tight, and if the sun is out, you better have a hat.
Practical Logistics for Your 2026 Trip
Don't try to see the whole map in three days. You can't. The traffic in Phoenix during March is a special kind of hell because you're competing with commuters AND two million baseball fans.
If you want to maximize your time, pick a "base camp."
Staying in Scottsdale gives you easy access to the Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Cubs. If you stay in Glendale or Peoria, you’ve got the Dodgers, White Sox, Padres, and Mariners right there. Crossing from one side of the valley to the other at 4:00 PM when a game ends is a recipe for a two-hour drive.
Also, check the orientation of the sun. Most Arizona stadiums are built to face Northeast to keep the sun behind the hitters. This means the seats behind home plate and down the first-base line get shade first. If you're on the third-base side, you’re staring at the sun until the 7th inning stretch.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Download the MLB Ballpark App: Every single stadium in the Cactus League uses digital ticketing now. Paper tickets are essentially dead.
- Book Your Rental Car Early: Phoenix is a driving city. There is no viable public transit that connects all these stadiums. If you wait until February to book a car for March, you’re going to pay triple.
- Look for Morning Workouts: Most people don't realize you can go to the back fields (the practice fields) for free or a very small fee in the mornings. This is where you actually get autographs and see the stars up close before they get subbed out in the 5th inning of the actual game.
- Check the "Bridge" Schedule: In 2026, many teams play split-squad games. Always check the lineup before you drive across the valley; you might find out the star player you wanted to see stayed behind at the practice facility while the "B" team went to the away game.