A Toronto Blue Jays spring training trip pairs early-season baseball at TD Ballpark with sunny Gulf Coast mornings on the beach, and the small town of Dunedin, Florida fits both into one easy-to-reach destination. The 2026 Grapefruit League season has already wrapped, which makes right now the smart time to plan a future visit. This walkthrough covers how the ballpark works, where to base yourself near Clearwater and St. Pete, how to add a few more Grapefruit League parks within a short drive, and how to lock in the trip before tickets and hotels fill up.
Where Do the Toronto Blue Jays Hold Spring Training?
The Blue Jays hold spring training at TD Ballpark, located at 373 Douglas Avenue in Dunedin, on Florida’s Gulf Coast just north of Clearwater. Dunedin has been the team’s spring home for decades, and the City of Dunedin lists TD Ballpark as the official home of Blue Jays spring training. One important planning note: according to the team’s official spring training page, the 2026 season has ended, and fans can sign up to be notified when 2027 spring training tickets go on sale. In other words, this is a trip to map out now and book the moment the schedule and tickets are released.
TD Ballpark at a Glance
TD Ballpark is an intimate venue that seats roughly 8,500 fans, and a major renovation modernized the concourse and seating while keeping the close-to-the-action feel that makes spring training special. You’ll find shaded seating, open lawn areas where you can spread out beyond the outfield, and short walks between the gates, concessions, and your seat. Bag policies at spring training venues change from season to season, so check the current rules before you arrive and travel light. The compact footprint means there are very few poor sightlines, and even value seats put you close to the field.
The Player Development Complex
Beyond the main stadium, the Blue Jays operate a Player Development Complex that the City of Dunedin describes as a 65-acre site about 10 minutes from TD Ballpark. This is where a lot of the early-camp work happens, and the back fields are often the best place to watch players go through drills up close during morning workouts. If autographs and player access are a priority, plan to arrive early. Batting practice and pregame warmups along the first- and third-base lines tend to be the highlight of any spring training visit.
What Makes a Dunedin Spring Training Trip Worth It?
Spring training is a different animal from the regular season. The pace is relaxed, the players are reachable, the weather is reliably warm, and the surrounding town gives you plenty to do between first pitch and last call. Dunedin punches above its weight with a walkable downtown, a well-known craft brewery scene, and quick access to some of the finest beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Player Access and Morning Workouts
The single biggest draw of spring training is how close you can get to the team. Morning workouts on the practice fields are usually open to fans, and the smaller crowds make autographs and photos far more attainable than they are during the regular season. Show up early, stake out a spot near the dugout or along the baselines, and you’ll often catch players signing before games. Families especially love this part of the trip, since it’s a rare chance for younger fans to interact with the roster in a low-key setting.
Beach Days and Baseball Afternoons
Most Grapefruit League games start in the early afternoon, which leaves your mornings and evenings wide open. That schedule pairs perfectly with the Gulf Coast: spend the morning at Clearwater Beach or Honeymoon Island State Park, head to the ballpark for an afternoon game, then close the day with waterfront dining along Dunedin’s Main Street. The dependable winter sunshine makes outdoor plans easy to count on, and rainouts are rare this time of year. It’s the kind of itinerary where the trip feels like a true vacation rather than just a string of games.
Where Should You Stay Near TD Ballpark?
Lodging is the part of a spring training trip most worth getting right, because the difference between a 5-minute and a 35-minute drive to the gate adds up fast over a multi-game stay. Downtown Dunedin sits about a mile from TD Ballpark and keeps you closest to the action, but its smaller inns and boutique properties book up quickly. Clearwater Beach, a short drive south, offers a much wider range of hotels and resorts if you want beachfront options or more availability.
Dunedin or Clearwater Beach
Both make excellent bases, and the right call depends on your priorities. Staying in or near downtown Dunedin means short walks to restaurants and the brewery scene, plus the shortest commute to the ballpark. Basing in Clearwater Beach trades a slightly longer drive for resort amenities, a famous stretch of sand, and more room options during peak weekends. Many travelers also look at Palm Harbor and the broader St. Pete area, which can balance price and proximity. Wherever you land, the Clearwater-to-Dunedin corridor keeps the ballpark commute short and predictable.
- Downtown Dunedin, closest to TD Ballpark with walkable dining and breweries
- Clearwater Beach, the widest hotel selection and beachfront resorts
- Palm Harbor and North Pinellas, quieter and often better value
- St. Petersburg, more nightlife and a larger city base
How Do You Build a Multi-Game Grapefruit League Trip?
One of the best reasons to visit is geography. MLB’s Grapefruit League features 15 teams spread across Florida, and several of them cluster on the Gulf Coast within easy reach of Dunedin. That makes it realistic to build an itinerary around three or four different ballparks in a single trip without spending your vacation in the car. Spring baseball is also hugely popular here. The Florida Grapefruit League reports that nearly 1.4 million fans attended during the 2026 season and more than 38 million have come out since 2000, so it pays to plan your dates and tickets early.
Nearby Parks Within an Hour
From a Dunedin base, you’re within roughly an hour of several other spring homes, which makes mixing in additional games simple:
- BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, spring home of the Phillies
- George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, spring home of the Yankees
- Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, spring home of the Tigers
A four- or five-day trip can comfortably fit three or four games across these venues, and you can pair each one with a different town, beach, or dinner spot. For the full picture, our overview of Grapefruit League schedules and locations helps you line up matchups before you commit to dates.
Tickets and Timing Tips
A few timing notes go a long way. Weekday games are generally easier to get into, while weekend matchups, especially against marquee opponents like the Yankees or Red Sox, sell out fastest. Mid-March tends to feature the strongest lineups, since starters play deeper into games as Opening Day approaches, while late February is quieter and more relaxed. Tickets are also far more affordable than regular-season prices, so attending multiple games rarely strains the budget. Pack sunscreen and a hat regardless of the date, because the afternoon Florida sun is no joke even in February. Our spring training trip planning resource digs deeper into pacing a multi-park itinerary.
Planning Ahead for the Next Blue Jays Spring Training Season
Because the 2026 Grapefruit League season has ended, the move right now is preparation, not last-minute booking. Sign up through the team to be alerted when 2027 spring training tickets are released, and start watching hotel availability early, since beachfront demand on the Gulf Coast peaks in late winter and the best-located rooms go first. When the schedule drops, you’ll want tickets, lodging, and transfers locked in quickly so the popular weekend dates don’t slip away. This is exactly the kind of trip that rewards travelers who plan ahead.
Major League Vacations has been building custom sports trips since 1992, and we handle the moving parts of a Florida baseball getaway for you, from game tickets to well-located hotels and the ground logistics between the ballpark and the beach. Explore our Blue Jays travel packages, browse the full lineup of MLB travel packages, or request a custom package built around your dates, your group, and the Grapefruit League parks you most want to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the Toronto Blue Jays play spring training?
The Blue Jays train at TD Ballpark, located at 373 Douglas Avenue in Dunedin, Florida, on the Gulf Coast just north of Clearwater. The team also runs workouts at a nearby Player Development Complex about 10 minutes from the ballpark.
When does Blue Jays spring training take place?
Spring training generally runs from mid-February through late March, with Grapefruit League exhibition games filling the back half of February and March. Mid-March typically offers the strongest lineups as regulars play deeper into games ahead of Opening Day.
Are 2027 Blue Jays spring training tickets on sale yet?
Not yet. The 2026 season has ended, and the team’s official spring training page invites fans to sign up to be notified when 2027 tickets go on sale. It’s a good idea to plan your trip now and book quickly once tickets are released.
Can you watch player workouts at TD Ballpark?
Yes. Morning workouts on the practice fields are usually open to fans, and arriving early for batting practice gives you the best shot at autographs along the first- and third-base lines. The back fields at the Player Development Complex are another spot to see players up close.
What other spring training stadiums are near Dunedin?
BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater (Phillies), George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa (Yankees), and Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland (Tigers) are all within about an hour’s drive, which makes multi-game trips easy to plan.
How many days should you plan for a Grapefruit League trip?
A four- or five-day trip is a comfortable target. That gives you enough time to catch three or four games at different ballparks while still leaving room for beach mornings, waterfront dinners, and a relaxed pace.
Is Dunedin a good base for a Florida baseball trip?
Very much so. Dunedin offers a walkable downtown, a popular brewery scene, and quick access to Gulf Coast beaches, all while keeping you close to TD Ballpark and within an hour of several other Grapefruit League parks.
