The air in Florida and Arizona hits different in February. It's not just the humidity or the dry desert heat—it's the sound of a ball hitting a leather mitt for the first time in months. If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve probably spent the last few weeks staring at a snowy window or a gray sky, wondering exactly when does spring training start mlb fans can finally stop doom-scrolling through trade rumors and actually see some grass.
It’s happening soon.
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Baseball doesn't just "start." It kind of unfolds. First, you get the social media clips of players arriving in fancy cars. Then, the bullpen sessions. Finally, the games that don't technically count but feel like everything. For 2026, the calendar follows the familiar rhythm we’ve come to expect, but with the added wrinkle of how teams are managing pitcher workloads after a chaotic 2025 season.
The Timeline for Pitchers and Catchers
Technically, the "start" of spring training is a bit of a staggered release. You won't see the full squads on day one. Traditionally, pitchers and catchers report first. Why? Because their arms need more lead time. A starter needs weeks to build up from two innings to five, while a shortstop can basically wake up, stretch, and be ready to turn a double play in 48 hours.
For most clubs, pitchers and catchers report between February 11 and February 14, 2026. Honestly, the exact date varies by a day or two depending on the team. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres often get a head start if they have international series scheduled, but for the bulk of the league, Valentine's Day is the unofficial "real" start of the baseball year. If you're planning a trip to the Cactus League or the Grapefruit League, this is the "quiet period." You can often hang out by the back fields and hear the coaches yelling instructions without the roar of a 10,000-person crowd. It’s intimate. It’s also where you see the real work happen.
Position Players and Full Squad Workouts
By February 17th to the 19th, the rest of the guys show up. This is when the energy shifts. The "full squad" reporting date is the true answer to when does spring training start mlb for the casual fan. This is when the stars—the guys like Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani—actually step into the cage.
It's a circus.
The first full-squad workout is usually a spectacle of bunting drills, baserunning practice, and a lot of standing around talking. But for the players, it’s high stakes. You have non-roster invitees—the "NRIs"—who are basically playing for their lives. These are the 33-year-old veterans on minor league deals and the 19-year-old prospects who aren't supposed to make the team but want to turn heads.
Why the Dates Shift Slightly
Every year, fans get annoyed that the Yankees might start a day after the Red Sox. It usually comes down to travel logistics and when the team’s first exhibition game is scheduled. If a team is playing an early "charity" game or an exhibition against a local college team, they might pull their report date up.
The First Games of the 2026 Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues
If you don't care about workouts and just want to see a box score, you’re looking at February 21, 2026. That is the Friday when the exhibition schedule really kicks into gear. The Cactus League (Arizona) and the Grapefruit League (Florida) operate like two different countries.
In Arizona, everything is close together. You can stay in Scottsdale and get to almost any stadium in thirty minutes. It’s a dream for fans. Florida is a different beast. The Grapefruit League is spread out. If you want to see the Braves in North Port and then catch the Yankees in Tampa, you’re looking at a serious drive on I-75.
- Cactus League Hubs: Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Surprise, Peoria.
- Grapefruit League Hubs: Tampa, Clearwater, Dunedin, Fort Myers, Jupiter.
The first week of games is weird. Starters usually play two innings, maybe get one at-bat, and then they're headed to the golf course by the fourth inning. You'll see a lot of jersey numbers in the 70s and 80s. Those are the kids. Pay attention to them. That's where you find the next breakout star.
Common Misconceptions About the Start of Spring
People often think "reporting date" means "game day." It doesn't. There is a solid week of conditioning before a single umpire yells "Play Ball."
Another thing? Don't trust the early stats. Every year, someone hits .450 in March and fans think they’re the next MVP. Then April hits, and they’re back in Triple-A. Spring training is about process, not results. Pitchers are often told to only throw their "worst" pitch for an entire outing just to get the feel for it. A guy might give up six runs, but if he mastered his new sweeper, the coaching staff is thrilled.
Planning Your Trip: The Logistics
If you're heading down to see when spring training starts mlb action in person, you need to book early. Hotels in Scottsdale during March are some of the most expensive in the country because you're competing with Spring Break and the Barrett-Jackson car auction folks.
- Check the "B" Games: These are unofficial morning games played on back fields. They’re free, there are no fences, and you’re five feet away from world-class athletes.
- The Sun is Real: In Arizona, the dry heat sneaks up on you. In Florida, the humidity drains you. Buy a hat.
- Autograph Culture: If you want an autograph, the reporting dates (mid-February) are better than the game dates. Players are more relaxed before the pressure of the exhibition schedule starts.
How the World Baseball Classic or Special Events Change Things
Sometimes, MLB throws a curveball. In years with the World Baseball Classic (WBC), players leave their camps to join national teams. This usually pushes the start dates up even earlier so players can get their legs under them before the tournament starts. For 2026, while we aren't in a full WBC cycle, there are often international exhibitions that can tweak the schedule by 48-72 hours.
Always check the official MLB site for your specific team's reporting date around mid-January. That’s when the "Official Word" comes down from the Commissioner’s office.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
Stop waiting for the schedule to find you. If you want to be ahead of the curve, here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Verify the Reporting Date: By the third week of January, every team will post their specific "Pitchers and Catchers" date. Bookmark the MLB "Spring Training Information" page.
- Book Your Flights for Late February: If you want to see games, don't arrive before February 22nd. If you want to see the "grind," arrive around February 15th.
- Track the 40-Man Roster: The guys who report early aren't just the stars. Watch the waiver wire in late January. Players who get "DFA'd" (Designated for Assignment) right before spring training often end up being the biggest stories of the Cactus League.
- Download the Ballpark App: MLB updates the schedules here first. You can see which games are televised. Warning: most early spring games are radio-only or local broadcasts.
The transition from the "Hot Stove" season of rumors to actual baseball is the best time of year. Knowing when does spring training start mlb isn't just about a date on a calendar; it's about knowing when the winter finally ends. Grab your glove, keep an eye on those mid-February dates, and get ready for the 162-game marathon to begin.