February in Arizona hits different. While half the country is still scraping ice off windshields, the desert is waking up to the sound of 95 mph fastballs hitting leather. If you are looking for the cactus league schedule 2025, you probably already know that things are moving a bit faster this year. Usually, we're waiting until the end of February for things to get real, but the 2025 calendar threw a bit of a curveball.
The season officially kicked off early. Like, really early. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs got the party started on Thursday, February 20th, at Camelback Ranch. It wasn't just a random scheduling choice; those two teams had a flight to catch for the Tokyo Series in March, so they had to get their reps in before everyone else.
Why the 2025 Schedule Feels Different
Honestly, if you showed up on the "usual" final week of February expecting the first pitch, you might have missed some of the best matchups. Most of us are used to the slow burn of spring training, but 2025 has been a sprint.
By Saturday, February 22nd, every single team in the Cactus League was on the field. That is 15 teams packed into 10 stadiums, all within about a 45-minute drive of each other. That’s the magic of the Phoenix "Valley." You can basically wake up in Scottsdale, catch a 1:05 PM game in Mesa, and be back for dinner in Tempe without ever breaking a sweat (well, maybe a little sweat—it is the desert).
One thing people always mess up is the "Split Squad" games. You’ll see an asterisk on the schedule or the letters (SS). That basically means the team is in two places at once. If you’re going specifically to see a superstar like Shohei Ohtani or Mookie Betts, you better check the specific roster for that day. Often, the "A" squad stays home, and the "B" squad travels. Don't be the person who buys a ticket to see the Dodgers in Surprise only to find out the starters stayed in Glendale.
Key Matchups You Shouldn’t Have Missed (or Still Can Catch)
The cactus league schedule 2025 is loaded with rivalry games that feel a lot more intense than your average exhibition match.
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- The Windy City Rivalry: The Cubs and White Sox squared off on March 5th. Sloan Park in Mesa basically turns into a satellite version of Wrigleyville for this one.
- The Freeway Series (Desert Edition): The Dodgers and Angels always bring a massive crowd. Since they are so close in SoCal, the fans travel in packs to Arizona.
- Spring Breakout (March 13–16): This is the "new" tradition. Instead of the old veterans getting four innings and hitting the showers, MLB puts the top prospects against each other. It’s basically a glimpse into the year 2027. The Cubs and Dodgers prospects met on the 13th, which was a total slugfest.
The Stadium Layout
If you are planning a last-minute trip, you need to know where everyone lives. The Cactus League is split between the East Valley and West Valley.
West Valley Stadiums:
Surprise Stadium is the home of the Rangers and Royals. It’s far out there, but the air feels a little crisper. Camelback Ranch (Dodgers/White Sox) is the crown jewel of the west side, with those gorgeous walking paths and ponds. Then you’ve got Goodyear Ballpark, where the Reds and Guardians play. It’s got that giant "The Ziz" statue out front that looks like a metallic baseball stitch gone rogue.
East Valley Stadiums:
Sloan Park is where the Cubs fans congregate, and it is almost always a sell-out. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Diamondbacks/Rockies) is arguably the best venue in baseball. Period. The mountain views are distracting. Scottsdale Stadium is the old-school choice for Giants fans—it’s right in the middle of Old Town, so you can walk to a bar the second the game ends.
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The Secret to Not Getting Burned (Literally)
Look, Arizona in March is beautiful, but the sun is a different beast. I’ve seen grown men turn the color of a Red Sox jersey by the third inning.
Most games start at 1:05 PM or 1:10 PM. That is peak UV exposure. If you’re buying tickets, try to look for seats on the third-base side or under the awnings. At Salt River Fields or Camelback, the "Berm" (the grass area) is cheap and fun, but you are basically a human rotisserie chicken if you don't have a hat and a gallon of sunscreen.
Also, every stadium is cashless now. Every single one. If you show up with a pocket full of twenties hoping for a beer and a hot dog, you’re going to be hungry. Bring the plastic or have your phone ready for Apple Pay.
Is it Worth the Hype?
A lot of people ask if spring training is "real" baseball. Kind of? The first few innings are as real as it gets. You see the starters working on specific pitches or trying to find their rhythm. After the 5th inning, the jersey numbers start getting higher—like #84 or #92. Those are the minor leaguers fighting for their lives. Honestly, that’s sometimes more fun to watch than the stars. The desperation is palpable.
The cactus league schedule 2025 wraps up around March 25th and 26th. After that, the teams head back to their home cities for those weird exhibition games in MLB stadiums before the "real" Opening Day on March 27th.
Actionable Steps for the Rest of the Season
If you are still trying to make it out there, here is the move:
- Check the 101 Freeway: If you are staying in Scottsdale but the game is in Surprise, give yourself an hour. Traffic in the Valley is no joke during spring training.
- Secondary Markets: Tickets for the Cubs or Dodgers are usually expensive on the primary sites. Check SeatGeek or Gametime about two hours before first pitch; prices often crater when sellers realize they’re about to eat the cost.
- Morning Practices: Most teams have their backfields open to the public in the mornings (usually around 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM). You can see the players for free and often get autographs without the stadium crowds.
- Hydrate: It sounds cliché, but the dry air steals your moisture before you feel thirsty. Drink a bottle of water for every $14 beer you consume. Your head will thank you the next morning.
The schedule is moving fast, and with the regular season starting in Tokyo and then domestically on the 27th, the window to catch a game under the Arizona sun is closing. Grab a hat, find a seat in the shade, and enjoy the best version of baseball there is.
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Go check the official MLB app or the Cactus League website for the specific daily start times, as some of those mid-week games might be night starts to avoid the heat.