Spring Training 2026: Your Comprehensive Guide to Florida's Grapefruit League
Get ready for the excitement of baseball season!
As the calendar turns to spring, we are thrilled to announce that Major League Baseball is back in action. This year’s spring training kicks off with daily games across the Tampa Bay area, extending throughout Florida, Arizona, and even reaching Tokyo.
This season is particularly special as it features the World Baseball Classic, where MLB stars will don their national colors and compete on an international stage, with games scheduled not only in Japan but also in Miami, Houston, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Once again, the Tampa Bay Rays will be holding their training camp in Port Charlotte. Mark your calendars: pitchers and catchers report on February 12, followed by the rest of the roster just five days later. Fans can eagerly anticipate the first game of the spring on February 21.
Simultaneously, other Major League Baseball teams will also be launching their training camps in Florida, collectively known as the Grapefruit League. Six teams will be training right in the Tampa Bay region:
- New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field, Tampa
- Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater
- Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark, Dunedin
- Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park, Bradenton
- Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota
- Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
In addition, another 15 teams will gear up for the season in Arizona's Citrus League.
But what’s new this year? All MLB teams will participate in exhibition games on March 3-4 against national teams preparing for the World Baseball Classic, which officially starts on March 6. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect in the Tampa area during those two days:
- Colombia vs. Pirates at Bradenton on March 3 at 1:05 p.m.
- Netherlands vs. Orioles at Sarasota on March 3 at 1:05 p.m.
- Panama vs. Yankees at Tampa on March 3 at 1:05 p.m.
- Canada vs. Blue Jays at Dunedin on March 3 at 1:07 p.m.
- Canada vs. Phillies at Clearwater on March 4 at 1:05 p.m.
- Colombia vs. Braves at North Port on March 4 at 1:05 p.m.
- Netherlands vs. Rays at Port Charlotte on March 4 at 1:05 p.m.
Additionally, there’s a unique event called the Spring Breakout planned for March 19-22. This series of exhibitions will showcase only the top prospects from each team, making it an exciting opportunity for fans to see the future stars of baseball. Local games will feature the Pirates, Orioles, Phillies, and Yankees.
Don’t miss the Rays’ Fan Fest, scheduled for February 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. While renovations at Tropicana Field are ongoing, this year’s festivities will take place outdoors along 16th Street South. For more details, you can click here.
As the anticipation builds, mark March 26 on your calendar for the season opener featuring the Yankees against the San Francisco Giants. The traditional Opening Day will follow on March 27 with a lineup of 14 games across the league.
The Rays will start their season with nine away games before finally unveiling the newly renovated Tropicana Field on April 6 against the Chicago Cubs.
To accommodate the World Baseball Classic schedule, MLB is starting the regular season a week earlier than usual this year.
Rick Mayer serves as the online producer for Health News Florida at WUSF, the NPR affiliate serving the Tampa Bay area.
