Spring Training is a huge source of income in both Arizona and Florida.

15 Major League Baseball teams conduct spring training in each state.

Records by state agencies and those that track spring training data indicate that more than 2.9 million people went to spring training games last February and March.

According to the Florida Sports Foundation, nearly 1.4 million fans went to Florida spring training games in 2023.

The Foundation indicates that since 2000, 34 million fans have attended spring training games in Florida. The annual economic impact results in an average of $687.1 million per year to Florida.

The Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University indicates, “Spring training in the Phoenix Valley area generated more than $710 million for the local economy during the 2023 season.”

The Institute indicated more than 1.5 million fans attended spring training games in the Phoenix Valley.

Last year was a tremendous year at the gate for spring training teams.

The COVID-19 Pandemic canceled games in 2020. The economic impact was staggering.

But things are back to normal, and another huge year of spring training attendance is predicted.

Spring Training Tickets:

In both Florida and Arizona, in addition to local residents, fans come from all over the world to attend spring training games.

Spring training offers a boom in business for hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, car rentals, retail shops, house rentals, and a vast array of businesses in both states.

Not to mention the tremendous amount of revenue generated by game ticket sales, as well as general team related apparel and merchandise sold by each of the 30 MLB clubs.

Spring training ticket prices vary. Some parks change their pricing depending upon the opponent.

Some parks retain the same price all spring.

Regardless of the team and venue, the day of the $15 spring training ticket are gone. Long gone.

A sampling of spring training ticket prices for non lawn seating as listed on MLB.com revealed the following:

ARIZONA:

Arizona Diamondbacks-$41 vs. Chicago White Sox February 25

Arizona Diamondbacks-$58 vs. Chicago Cubs March 8

(lawn seating is available for between $29)

Los Angeles Dodgers-between $37-$80 vs. Athletics on February 25

Los Angeles Dodgers-between $84-$118 vs. Cubs on March 2

Chicago White Sox-between $20-$60 vs Rangers on February 26

Chicago White Sox-between $26-$80 vs.Dodgers on March 6

FLORIDA:

Houston Astros-between $20-$65 for all spring training games

Washington Nationals-between $20-$65 for all spring training games

Atlanta Braves-between $45-$65 for all spring training games

($30 berm seating is available)

New York Mets-between $25-$40-50 depending on the spring training game

Conclusions

The weather in both Arizona and Florida tends to be balmy and warm in late February and March, as crowds gather to watch their favorite teams play spring training games.

Both states welcome the tremendous revenue boost provided by fans attending games played by 15 teams in each state.

Arizona and Florida are first-hand beneficiaries of the business of baseball.