Cactus League total attendance increases in 2026 despite Phoenix-area heat wave

PHOENIX — Cactus League attendance increased for the fifth straight year in 2026, drawing 1.7 million fans across 237 games in the Phoenix area during spring training.

The total was a 3.4% bump from 2025 and the largest since 2018.

The Cactus League averaged 7,400 fans per game, which was down 169 per day from 2025. The weather helped the overall total, as there were no rainouts during the 2026 spring training season.

“Cactus League attendance has steadily climbed despite challenges beyond our control – a pandemic, a lockout and now a record heat wave,” Cactus League executive director Bridget Binsbacher said. “The appeal of spring training, like baseball itself, is timeless – and nothing compares to experiencing it in our unique and intimate ballparks.”

Phoenix reached triple-digit high temperatures for eight consecutive days from March 18-25 in a historic March heat wave, and teams moved back multiple afternoon games to the evening to help fans endure the weather.

The single-day attendance record came during that hot stretch. On Friday, March 20, 78,638 fans attended Cactus League games in the Valley.

2026 Cactus League attendance quick facts

• The largest crowd of 15,788 came on Sunday, March 15, for a meeting between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park.
• The Chicago White Sox averaged 5,155 fans for this year’s biggest percent jump in Cactus League attendance (12.9%).
• The Cubs led in average attendance (12,644 fans per game) for the 13th straight season.

Cactus League attendance by year

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