If winter has been dragging, this is your sign that spring is officially here in Arizona. The 2026 Cactus League schedule is live, and opening day kicks off Friday, February 20, 2026.
And yes, that means the best kind of “season” is back. Sunshine, ballparks, easy afternoon plans, and the kind of energy around the Valley that makes people fall in love with living here.
What the 2026 schedule looks like
1. Opening day is Friday, February 20, 2026, with the first games starting around early afternoon.
2. The full run goes through Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
3. There are 10 ballparks and 15 MLB teams spread around the metro area, close enough that you can realistically catch multiple games in a single weekend without feeling like you live in your car.
A quick local angle for Encanterra and the East Valley
From Queen Creek, you’re in a great spot to make this an easy “do it after lunch” kind of outing, especially if you stick to the East Valley and Scottsdale-area parks.
Here are the most convenient go-to ballparks for a lot of our Encanterra residents and visitors:
1. Sloan Park in Mesa (home of the Chicago Cubs).
2. Hohokam Stadium in Mesa (home of the Oakland Athletics).
3. Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe (home of the Los Angeles Angels).
4. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies).
A cool calendar note for 2026
If you love unique matchups, World Baseball Classic tune-up games create some fun “only in spring training” moments. In 2026, MLB noted exhibitions that include Team USA playing in Scottsdale and at Salt River Fields on March 3 and March 4.
Tickets and planning tips that actually matter
1. Ticket on-sale dates vary by team and ballpark, but many are expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026.
2. Buy from official team or ballpark sources when possible, since third-party sellers aren’t affiliated with the league, teams, or facilities.
3. Expect most day games to start around 1:05 or 1:10, with night games often around 6:05 or 6:10 (double-check your specific game time)
Why we love this season in the Valley
Spring training isn’t just baseball. It’s peak Arizona lifestyle. Visitors come for a game and end up touring neighborhoods, trying local spots, and realizing the East Valley is exactly the pace they’ve been looking for.
Around Encanterra, we always notice the same thing this time of year: more friends and family in town, more “let’s do something fun this week” plans, and more people getting curious about what it would look like to spend more time here.
Want help matching a game day to a great East Valley day?
If you’re coming into town and want a simple plan (game, dinner, and a quick look around the area), reach out to Shea Preferred Realty Group. We’re on-site in Encanterra and can point you to the easiest ballpark options from Queen Creek, plus what’s happening locally while you’re here.
Link to the full schedule & to purchase tickets for your favorite team: https://cactusleague.com/schedule.php
Scan the QR code for the full schedule & a map of all 10 stadium locations.
