PHOENIX – Going, going, almost gone!
Tickets are selling out fast at the Valley’s Cactus League stadiums, where 15 major league teams are based during spring training. With attendance limited this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, seats are scarce.
At least four Cactus League teams already are sold out for the spring, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, who sold out their games within 24 hours of tickets going on sale.
“The fact that it sold out as fast as it did – that fires me up,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “We’ve been looking forward to this day as much as them.”
Now, Arizona fans will have to rely on third-party ticket sites like StubHub or search for tickets at other stadiums when the Diamondbacks are playing away from Salt River Fields.
Cactus League Stadiums
Scottsdale Stadium tends to draw more autograph seekers than other Cactus League facilities but that should change this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
Sloan Park is often the busiest of the Cactus League spring training sites, but this year will be different because of COVID-19 restrictions. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
Surprise Stadium is home to the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. The City of Surprise has said it plans to allow fans but is still figuring out what percent of the stadium will be safe. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
Tempe Diablo Stadium, home of the Anaheim Angels, said it will allow 1,800 to 2,000 guests to attend the games. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
Plenty of fans from Los Angeles drive to Camelback Ranch for spring training. The facility is the spring home for the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
Goodyear Ballpark season ticket holders are being given the opportunity to purchase tickets in “pods” of up to six people per seating location, according to an email the team sent out. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
The Oakland A’s, who play at Mesa’s Hohokam Stadium, will see pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 17 the rest of the squad on Feb. 22. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
The Peoria Sports Complex is one of the most popular spring training sites in the West Valley and house the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies have yet to release specific information about spring training tickets. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
American Family Fields, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, underwent a $60 million renovation that was completed in 2019. (Photo by Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)
The Colorado Rockies, who share Salt River Fields with the Diamondbacks, are also sold out. The Los Angeles Dodgers sold out their tickets in less than two hours. The Chicago Cubs were nearly sold out as of Monday, with only a few left for accessible seats, which are for fans needing wheelchairs or other mobility devices, or for those accompanying them.
Seven teams still have single-game tickets available, including the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals
and Cincinnati Reds.
And four teams have not put single-game tickets on sale as of yet.
Los Angeles Angels tickets go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. (all times Mountain Standard Time). Ticket information is available on the team’s website.
The Seattle Mariners put single-game tickets on sale Wednesday at 9 a.m. There will be fewer than 2,000 tickets available for each game and fans will be grouped in assigned pods for social-distancing purposes. All ticket information is available on the Mariners’ website.
San Diego Padres tickets also go on sale Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. Season ticket members will have access to an exclusive presale beginning Feb. 23 at 9 a.m.. Padres ticket information is available on the club’s website.
According to the San Francisco Giants’ website, the City of Scottsdale will allow 750-1000 fans to attend each game at Scottsdale Stadium. Season ticket members will have first priority in purchasing tickets, and seats will be sold in pods to allow for social distancing, according to the website.
Fans will still have to adhere to health and safety protocols when attending Cactus League games. Masks will be required except when eating or drinking, and seating will be in pods of two, four, and six seats.
Spring training was cut short in 2020 when the pandemic struck, and MLB’s 30 teams played a shortened regular season and playoffs without fans.
Now, at least for the lucky few who can find tickets, live baseball is back.