The winter meetings are over. The big-name free agents have (mostly) cashed their checks. Now, every baseball fan stuck in a snowbank is asking the exact same thing: when does spring training start?
It's a simple question with a surprisingly messy answer.
If you're looking for one single "Opening Day" for the spring, you’re basically chasing a ghost. Baseball doesn't just flip a switch. It trickles in. First, it’s just a few guys playing catch in Florida or Arizona. Then the pitchers show up. Then the full squads. By the time the first actual exhibition game happens, these guys have already been sweating in the desert for weeks.
For the 2026 season, you can basically circle mid-February on your calendar. Most pitchers and catchers are expected to report around February 12th or 13th.
But wait.
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) or international tours can sometimes mess with these dates, forcing early report times for specific players. If you’re planning a trip to the Grapefruit League or the Cactus League, you need to know the nuances, or you’ll end up sitting in an empty stadium watching a groundskeeper mow the grass.
Why the Start Date Isn't Actually One Date
People get frustrated because the MLB schedule release feels like it’s written in code. "Pitchers and catchers report" is the phrase everyone looks for, but even that is staggered.
Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers or the New York Yankees often have slightly different schedules based on where they finished the previous year or if they’re opening the regular season internationally. For instance, if a team is tapped for an international series in Tokyo or London to start the 2026 season, they’ll likely get a head start in camp to account for the travel fatigue.
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Basically, reporting dates are divided into three waves:
- Early Arrivals: These are the guys coming off injuries or the young prospects who want to make an impression. They often show up a week before they're actually "required" to be there.
- Pitchers and Catchers: This is the "official" start. Why them? Because it takes a lot longer to get a pitcher’s arm up to game speed than it does for a shortstop to find his rhythm at the plate.
- Position Players: The full squad usually arrives 4-5 days after the pitchers.
Honestly, the "start" of spring training is more of a vibe than a hard deadline. By February 20th, every camp in Florida and Arizona will be buzzing.
The Geography of February: Grapefruit vs. Cactus
If you're asking when does spring training start because you’re booking a flight, you need to know where your team actually lives.
The Cactus League is based in Arizona. It’s a dream for fans. Everything is clustered around Phoenix. You can stay in one hotel and see five different stadiums within a thirty-minute drive. The weather is dry, the ball carries, and the vibes are incredibly laid back.
The Grapefruit League in Florida is a different animal altogether. It’s spread out. You’ve got teams in Clearwater, Sarasota, Dunedin, and all the way down to Port St. Lucie. If you’re a Mets fan trying to see a game in Tampa, you better be ready for a long drive on I-4.
Why the weather matters for the start
Florida is humid. Arizona is a furnace. These climates actually dictate how the players train. In the early days of February, the morning workouts are the most important part. If you show up at a complex at 10:00 AM, you’ll see the stars doing "PFP" (Pitchers' Fielding Practice), which is essentially the most boring but necessary part of the job.
The Logistics: When Can You Actually See a Game?
Reporting to camp isn't the same as playing a game.
The first week of spring training is mostly "intrasquad" stuff. You might see a "B" game on a back field where a veteran pitcher throws to a teenager you’ve never heard of. It’s intimate. It’s quiet. You can hear the ball hitting the glove and the coaches yelling about footwork.
The official exhibition games for 2026 will likely kick off around February 21st or 22nd.
This is when the ticket booths open and the stadium hot dogs start rolling. But a word of warning: don’t expect to see the superstars playing nine innings. In the first week of games, a guy like Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani might take two at-bats, play three innings in the field, and then head to the clubhouse to lift weights.
The 2026 Context: New Rules and Roster Battles
Every year, the start of spring training has a "theme."
In recent years, it was the pitch clock. Then it was the shift ban. In 2026, the focus is heavily on pitcher health and the evolving roster sizes. Teams are being more cautious than ever. You’ll notice that when spring training starts this year, the "workload management" talk will be at an all-time high.
What to watch for in early March
By the time we hit March, the intensity shifts. This is when the "roster battles" get real. Every team has that one 24-year-old outfielder who is out of minor league options and fighting for his life to stay on the 40-man roster.
These are the guys who play the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings of spring games. To them, these games aren't "exhibition." They’re job interviews.
Common Misconceptions About the MLB Start
I hear it every year. "I'm going to Florida for Valentine's Day to watch the Braves!"
Cool. But you probably won't see a real game.
You’ll see them practicing. For some fans, that’s better. You can get closer to the players at the practice complexes than you ever can at a regular-season game. But if you want the scoreboard lit up and the organist playing, you have to wait until that final week of February.
Another big one: The start date isn't the same for every team. MLB gives teams a window. The specific day is chosen by the front office. Some managers like an early start to set the tone. Others, especially those with veteran-heavy rosters, might lean toward the later end of the window to keep the guys fresh.
How to Plan Your Trip
If you’re serious about heading down to see the start of it all, here is how you should actually execute it.
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- Check the individual team site: Don't rely on a general "MLB start date" blog. Look at the specific reporting dates for the team you follow. They usually post these in early January.
- Focus on the back fields: If you arrive in mid-February, don't go to the main stadium. Go to the practice complex. It’s usually free to get in, and you can see the workout drills from twenty feet away.
- Book the "bridge" week: The best time to go is the last week of February. You get a mix of heavy practice sessions and the very first exhibition games. It's the best of both worlds.
Is it worth going early?
Honestly, it depends on what kind of fan you are. If you’re a stat-head who wants to see the new pitching prospect's delivery, February 15th is your sweet spot. If you want to drink a beer in the sun and watch a game that sort of counts, wait until March.
Spring training is the only time in the professional sports world where the barrier between the athlete and the fan is almost non-existent. You’ll see a multimillionaire pitcher walking across a public sidewalk to get from the locker room to the mound.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
To make sure you don't miss the window when spring training starts, here’s your move:
- January 10th: Start checking the official MLB schedule for the "Spring Training" tab. This is when the specific game times usually get finalized.
- February 1st: Look for the non-roster invitee list. This tells you which "dark horse" players will be in camp. It’s a great way to sound smart to your friends.
- February 12th: Expect the first social media clips of "pitchers and catchers" to start hitting your feed. This is the unofficial end of winter.
- Flight Booking: If you are traveling, book your Arizona/Florida flights at least six weeks out. Prices spike once the full schedule is promoted heavily on sports networks.
The start of spring training is less about the box score and more about the hope that comes with 0-0 records. Whether you’re heading to the desert or the coast, just remember that the "start" is a process, not a singular event. Pack your sunscreen, keep an eye on the reporting dates for your specific club, and get ready for the smell of fresh-cut grass.