Spring Training is back! Once again, MLB players are heading to Arizona to prepare for the long season ahead, and it’s your chance to catch them in a more intimate environment before they return to the huge ballparks they all call home. Arizona is home to Cactus League play, and if you’re hoping to see your favorite player or team, a stay in our Scottsdale vacation rentals is a vacation you won’t want to miss! Read to learn all about visiting Scottsdale for Spring Training 2024.
There Are Numerous Ballparks
There are tons of ballparks hosting Spring Training games throughout the pre-summer months in Arizona. Some of the most popular ballparks include Sloan Park and Scottsdale Stadium.
The good thing about visiting Sloan Park during your Spring Training trip is that the seats at the stadium have at least a little bit of shade, so you won’t have to worry about getting a sunburn during a long 9-inning game between your favorite team and their rivals. If you don’t mind a little sun and want to save some money, you can even buy lawn tickets for games at Sloan Park—tickets are as low as $10 for games in advance.
If you are just coming to Scottsdale to watch ball games at any level, you can see some of the lesser-visited teams, like the academy and prospect teams, in the backfield at Sloan Park. Sloan Park is a huge complex featuring parking lots, different fields, Riverview Park, the Sheraton Hotel, and general parking. Walk to the back fields to see the prospects and minor league second-string players during their training sessions.
You can also grab some food in and around Sloan Park if you make the trip from downtown Scottsdale to this stadium. Local food trucks rotate daily around the ballpark, so you never have to get the same thing twice.
For those who want convenience and closeness to Old Town Scottsdale, especially if you are staying in one of our walkable rentals right in the middle of Old Town, visiting Scottsdale Stadium could be a great choice for attending a game. Although the prices are higher, the stadium is super close to all Scottsdale attractions, making it great for those who want to walk to dinner, head to the game, and walk back to Old Town for drinks.
Local Restaurants for Spring Training 2024
If you are not in the mood for food truck grub, don’t fret — there are tons of restaurants near Scottsdale Stadium and cool marketplaces, bars, and dinner spots near Sloan Park that are great for a post-game meal to discuss the exciting sport you just saw! There are numerous restaurants in the Valley and the Mesa, especially Mesa Riverview, right across the street from Sloan Park, featuring river views and fresh food.
Or you can go to Tempe Marketplace before the game to pick up some fresh produce, fruit, iced coffee, and a healthy lunch before walking 30 minutes to Sloan Park. For those who want Italian food and hearty sandwiches, Portillo’s at the Tempe Marketplace is the ideal lunch stop to fill up before having a few beers at the ball game.
Other unique restaurants in and around the ballparks include the Old Town Tortilla Factory for the best Mexican food in the area, Citizen Public House for draft beers, The Sugar Bowl for a kid-friendly atmosphere, and Paul Martin’s American Grill for fair prices, tasty steaks, and friendly servers.
Additional Entertainment
If you want some baseball-themed entertainment surrounding the spring league and spring training, head to the Innings Festival to involve yourself in all things baseball. The Innings Festival is a yearly music festival that features podcast hosts, talk show hosts, baseball fanatics, and talented bands, even getting the likes of super-popular stars like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Third Eye Blind.
Or stay in the area and head to the Extra Innings Festival in March to listen to upcoming artists, country music stars, young artists like Noah Kahan, and well-known legends, like Sheryl Crow. Lastly, the ASU Gammage Theater offers musicals, shows, concerts, and plays from around the world, which can be fun to go to after a day in the sunshine at one of the stadiums.
How to Get Tickets
Look online to find tickets for games that work with your schedule. We recommend using Tickets Center, GoTickets, or the City of Scottsdale official website to see what tickets and games are still available for your upcoming dates.
Stay with Us at I Love Scottsdale
Instead of cramming into a small hotel room that is near one of the stadiums, we recommend checking out our properties online to see which one meets your unique needs. We have modern apartments right in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, cute condos in Old Town, large houses in suburban neighborhoods, and much more.
All of our properties are fully equipped with high-end amenities, outdoor space to enjoy the sunshine, and ample interior space to chill out, relax, and take a nap after a long day of watching the spring training. Our rentals are conveniently located, so you can walk or take public transportation to the stadiums in no time.
