MLB spring training schedules are released each fall, with exhibition games running from late February through late March across the Cactus League in Arizona and the Grapefruit League in Florida. Understanding how the schedule works — including split-squad games, roster timing, and which matchups draw the biggest crowds — is the key to building a trip that maximizes your time and budget.

Each MLB team plays approximately 30 exhibition games during spring training, split roughly evenly between home and away. According to MLB, the full spring training schedule is typically published in October or November, giving you months to identify the best games and plan your trip. This guide covers how the schedule works, how to find the best games, and how to build a multi-day itinerary around the spring training calendar.

How Does the Spring Training Schedule Work?

Spring training schedules follow a different rhythm than the regular season. Games are played daily (including most weekdays), with start times typically at 1:05 PM local time for day games. According to MLB scheduling data, each team averages 15 home games and 15 away games during the exhibition season, with some games designated as “split-squad” — where the team divides its roster and plays two games simultaneously at different venues.

Split-squad games are an important scheduling detail for travelers. On split-squad days, the team’s star players are typically assigned to one game while younger players and roster hopefuls play the other. If you are traveling specifically to see a team’s top players, check whether your target game is a split-squad day and confirm which venue the starters are playing at. According to team beat reporters, split-squad assignments are usually announced the day before the game.

Key Schedule Details for Trip Planning

  • Games start daily in late February: Pitchers and catchers report mid-February, full squads arrive by February 14-17, and exhibition games begin around February 20. The first week of games features shorter appearances by starters (two to three innings) as they build up workload
  • Full rosters are available late February through early March: The best window for seeing star players is late February through the first week of March, before players leave for the World Baseball Classic (in WBC years) or begin getting sent to minor-league camp
  • Split-squad games divide the roster: On split-squad days, check which game has the starters. The “A-game” typically features the regulars; the “B-game” features prospects and roster-bubble players. Both are worth attending for different reasons
  • Popular matchups sell out: Yankees-Red Sox, Cubs-Cardinals, and Dodgers-Giants spring training games sell out weeks ahead. If a specific matchup is on your list, buy tickets early. Less popular matchups are often available as walk-ups
  • The schedule thins in mid-to-late March: As roster cuts happen and the regular season approaches, some starters play less or sit out entirely. Games in the final week of spring training feature more minor-leaguers and fewer established stars

How Do You Build a Multi-Day Spring Training Itinerary?

The beauty of spring training travel is density — in Arizona’s Cactus League, 15 teams train within a 45-minute radius of Scottsdale, which means you can see two games in a single day (a morning game at one facility and an afternoon game at another). In Florida’s Grapefruit League, teams are more spread out, but clusters around Tampa and the Jupiter/Fort Myers areas make multi-game days possible with some driving.

According to the Cactus League Association, the most popular trip length is four to five days, covering three to five games. This rhythm — one or two games per day with exploration time between — prevents burnout while maximizing the number of teams and facilities you see.

Building Your Itinerary

  • Step 1 — Choose your league: Arizona (Cactus League) for geographic density and the ability to see the most teams in the least time. Florida (Grapefruit League) for combining baseball with beaches, theme parks, or a broader Florida vacation
  • Step 2 — Pick your dates: Late February through the first week of March for full rosters and the best chance to see star players. The schedule is published months ahead — start planning in November or December
  • Step 3 — Identify your must-see games: Rivalry matchups (Yankees-Red Sox, Cubs-Cardinals) sell out fastest. Your favorite team’s home games are the priority. Mix in one or two games featuring teams you do not normally follow — the variety is part of what makes spring training special
  • Step 4 — Plan for two games per day (Arizona): A 10:00 AM game followed by a 1:00 PM or 4:00 PM game at a different facility is the optimal Arizona spring training day. Check drive times between facilities — most are 15 to 30 minutes apart
  • Step 5 — Book tickets early for popular games: Use each team’s website or a travel package from Major League Vacations to secure tickets for marquee matchups before they sell out

Where Can You Find the Spring Training Schedule?

The complete spring training schedule is published on MLB.com and on each team’s individual website. According to MLB, the schedule is typically released in October or November, with tickets going on sale in December or January depending on the team. The MLB.com schedule page allows you to filter by team, date, and league (Cactus or Grapefruit), making it easy to identify the games that align with your travel dates.

Third-party sites like CactusLeague.com and FloridaGrapefruitLeague.com provide additional scheduling tools, venue maps, and facility information that help with trip planning. These sites also include driving directions between facilities — essential for Arizona travelers planning multi-game days.

Schedule Resources

  • MLB.com/spring-training: The official schedule with filters by team, date, and venue. The most comprehensive and reliable source
  • Individual team websites: Ticket on-sale dates, promotional schedules, and facility information specific to each team’s spring home
  • CactusLeague.com: Arizona-specific scheduling tools, venue maps, and driving directions between Cactus League facilities
  • Travel packages: Major League Vacations builds spring training itineraries around the schedule — tickets to multiple games, hotel in Scottsdale or the Florida base of your choice, and rental car coordination for multi-facility days

Ready to plan your spring training trip? Browse MLB spring training packages or build a custom itinerary with Major League Vacations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the spring training schedule released?

Typically October or November, with tickets going on sale in December or January. The full schedule is published on MLB.com and individual team websites.

How many games does each team play during spring training?

Approximately 30 exhibition games, split roughly evenly between home and away. Games are played daily (including weekdays) from late February through late March.

What are split-squad games?

Split-squad days are when a team divides its roster and plays two games simultaneously at different venues. Starters typically play in one game while prospects and roster-bubble players play the other. Check beat reporter announcements the day before to confirm which game has the starters.

Can I see two games in one day?

In Arizona, yes — the Cactus League facilities are close together (15-30 minutes apart), making morning-afternoon doubleheaders at different venues practical. In Florida, it depends on the specific matchups — some Grapefruit League facilities are hours apart.

Which spring training games sell out?

Rivalry matchups (Yankees-Red Sox, Cubs-Cardinals, Dodgers-Giants) and weekend games featuring popular teams sell out weeks ahead. Weekday games featuring less popular matchups are often available as walk-ups.

When is the best time to visit spring training?

Late February through the first week of March for full rosters and the highest-quality games. The final two weeks of March see roster thinning as cuts are made and the regular season approaches.