When Does 2027 Spring Training Start? Spring Training Countdown
Spring Training 2027 starts on Friday, February 19, 2027. That is the day all 30 MLB teams play their first Cactus League and Grapefruit League games in Arizona and Florida. MLB confirmed the date when it released the 2027 Spring Training schedule on September 4, 2026.
One thing could still change it. The league’s labor deal expires December 1, 2026, and a lockout is widely expected. Our live spring training countdown below ticks down every second, and we will update it right away if the start date moves.
Spring Training 2027 Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| MLB labor deal (CBA) expires | Tuesday, December 1, 2026 |
| Pitchers and catchers report | Not announced yet (set by each club) |
| Spring Training games begin, all 30 teams | Friday, February 19, 2027 |
| Exhibition games at MLB and MiLB ballparks | Saturday, March 20 – Tuesday, March 23, 2027 |
| Freeway Series (Dodgers vs. Angels) | Sunday, March 21 – Tuesday, March 23, 2027 |
| Opening Night (Netflix) | Wednesday, March 24, 2027 |
| Traditional Opening Day (14 games) | Thursday, March 25, 2027 |
Most clubs play their final Cactus League or Grapefruit League game around March 20. A handful then head north for exhibition games before Opening Night.
Read also: Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training 2027 Schedule: Printable PDF
When Do Pitchers and Catchers Report in 2027?
Pitchers and catchers report dates for 2027 have not been announced. Each team sets its own report day, and clubs usually share it over the winter. Pitchers and catchers typically arrive about a week before position players, and full-squad workouts follow a few days later. Clubs such as the Padres have already said report dates will come later.
Cactus League 2027: Arizona Teams
Fifteen teams train in the Phoenix area across 10 ballparks. The Cactus League 2027 schedule opens February 19 with every club in action.
| Team | Spring home (Arizona) | Feb 19 opener |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks | Scottsdale (shared with Rockies) | — |
| Chicago Cubs | Mesa | at Athletics |
| Chicago White Sox | Glendale (shared with Dodgers) | at Dodgers |
| Cincinnati Reds | Goodyear (shared with Guardians) | — |
| Cleveland Guardians | Goodyear (shared with Reds) | — |
| Colorado Rockies | Scottsdale (shared with D-backs) | — |
| Kansas City Royals | Surprise (shared with Rangers) | vs. Rangers |
| Los Angeles Angels | Tempe | at Brewers |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Glendale (shared with White Sox) | vs. White Sox |
| Milwaukee Brewers | Phoenix | vs. Angels |
| San Diego Padres | Peoria (shared with Mariners) | at Mariners (Peoria) |
| San Francisco Giants | Scottsdale | — |
| Seattle Mariners | Peoria (shared with Padres) | vs. Padres |
| Texas Rangers | Surprise (shared with Royals) | at Royals |
| Athletics | Mesa | vs. Cubs |
The Padres and Mariners share Peoria, and the Padres play their first home game there on February 20. A dash means the club has not released its opener in the sources we checked.
Read also: How Many Days Until MLB 2027 Opening Day | Live Countdown Timer
Grapefruit League 2027: Florida Teams
The other 15 clubs train across Florida, from the Tampa Bay area to the Atlantic coast. The Grapefruit League 2027 schedule also starts February 19. One headline opener has the Yankees visiting the Blue Jays in Dunedin.
| Team | Spring home (Florida) |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | North Port |
| Baltimore Orioles | Sarasota |
| Boston Red Sox | Fort Myers |
| Detroit Tigers | Lakeland |
| Houston Astros | West Palm Beach (shared with Nationals) |
| Miami Marlins | Jupiter (shared with Cardinals) |
| Minnesota Twins | Fort Myers |
| New York Mets | Port St. Lucie |
| New York Yankees | Tampa |
| Philadelphia Phillies | Clearwater |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Bradenton |
| St. Louis Cardinals | Jupiter (shared with Marlins) |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Port Charlotte |
| Toronto Blue Jays | Dunedin |
| Washington Nationals | West Palm Beach (shared with Astros) |
Spring Breakout and Late-March Exhibitions
Spring Breakout is back for a fourth year in 2027. These games feature each club's top prospects, and this year adds a new single-elimination tournament format. Dates are still to come.
The final days of camp move to big-league parks. MLB has already scheduled these exhibition games:
- March 20: Blue Jays at Rays, Tropicana Field
- March 21: Tigers at Rays, Tropicana Field; Angels at Dodgers, Dodger Stadium; Nationals at Orioles, Camden Yards; Giants at Triple-A Sacramento
- March 22: Orioles at Nationals, Nationals Park
- March 22–23: Dodgers at Angels, Angel Stadium; Red Sox at Giants, Oracle Park; Triple-A Sugar Land at Astros, Daikin Park
- March 23: Tigers at Rays, Tropicana Field
More exhibitions are expected to be added in the coming months.
Spring Training 2027 Tickets
Spring Training tickets are sold by each team or ballpark, not by MLB as one block. Some are already moving. The Athletics have spring season tickets on sale now. Individual tickets for Royals and Rangers games at Surprise Stadium go on sale November 17, 2026.
Most other clubs will share game times and single-game on-sale dates later. Check your team's spring training page or its ballpark site. Spring games are usually cheaper and more relaxed than regular-season games, and lawn seats are a fan favorite. With a lockout possible, read the refund policy before you book flights or hotels.
Could a Lockout Delay Spring Training 2027?
Yes, and spring training is the first thing a lockout would hit. The CBA expires December 1, 2026, and owners are widely expected to lock players out. During a lockout, players cannot use team facilities, and camps cannot open on time.
The 2021-22 lockout lasted 99 days and ended March 10, 2022. Spring games were pushed back, and Opening Day slid one week. February 19, 2027 is the first date that would show whether this lockout is eating into the season. If the date changes, we will update the countdown and this page.
How to Watch Spring Training Games
The spring broadcast schedule has not been released yet. Many games air on each team's local TV or radio partner, and MLB.TV and MLB Network typically carry a selection. Clubs like the Brewers say their broadcast plans will be announced later.
Spring Training 2027 Month-by-Month Highlights
| Month | Key date(s) | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | Nov 17 | Royals and Rangers individual spring tickets go on sale at Surprise Stadium |
| December 2026 | Dec 1 | CBA expires; a lockout would freeze camps and transactions |
| January 2027 | TBA | Clubs typically announce report dates, game times and ticket on-sales |
| February 2027 | Feb 19 | All 30 teams open Cactus League and Grapefruit League play |
| March 2027 | Mar 20–23 | Final camp games, Freeway Series and exhibitions at big-league parks |
November: The ticket rush starts early in Arizona. Surprise Stadium, spring home of the Royals and Rangers, opens individual ticket sales on November 17.
December: All eyes are on the labor talks. If owners lock out the players after December 1, nothing moves until a new deal is signed.
January: This is usually when report dates, game times and broadcast plans come out. A long lockout could push those announcements back.
February: Opening day of Spring Training is February 19. The Dodgers face the White Sox at Camelback Ranch, and the Yankees visit the Blue Jays in Dunedin.
March: Camps wrap up around March 20. The Freeway Series runs March 21 to 23, with game one at Dodger Stadium and the last two at Angel Stadium. Opening Night follows on March 24.
Spring Training Prep: 14-Day Cage-Friendly Plan
Want to feel game-ready by the time the first pitch is thrown in Arizona? Use this plan at your local batting cage. Each session runs 45 to 90 minutes, depending on age and level.
Days 1–3 — Fundamentals (45–60 min)
- Warm-up and mobility (10 min)
- Tee work on swing mechanics and contact (10 min)
- Soft toss or front toss on mechanics (20 min)
- Situational swings (10 min)
Days 4–6 — Timing and hand-eye (45 min)
- Pitching machine at mixed speeds (20 min)
- Reaction drills like short toss and live tracking (15 min)
- Sprints and conditioning (10 min)
Day 7 — Active recovery (30 min)
- Light hitting, mobility, foam rolling and visual tracking
Days 8–10 — Power and launch (60 min)
- Weighted-bat warm-ups with an exit-velocity focus (15 min)
- Launch-angle reps to all fields (25 min)
- Strength and mobility circuit (20 min)
Days 11–13 — Game simulation (60–90 min)
- Live or coach-thrown at-bats (40–60 min)
- Situational work: bunting and two-strike approach (20 min)
- Catching or fielding work as needed
Day 14 — Test and record (45–60 min)
- Measure exit velocity and film your at-bats
- Set goals for the season from your numbers and video
Need a place to train? Find batting cages near you and start your countdown to spring the right way.
Conclusion
Spring Training 2027 is set to start Friday, February 19, with all 30 teams playing on day one in Arizona and Florida. Camps wrap around March 20, exhibitions run through March 23, and Opening Night follows on March 24.
The labor fight is the wild card. Until a new deal is signed, plan your trip with flexible bookings and check refund terms on every ticket. Keep this spring training countdown bookmarked. It updates live, and we will reset it the moment MLB changes a date.
FAQs
When does Spring Training 2027 start?
Spring Training 2027 starts Friday, February 19, 2027, with all 30 MLB teams playing their first Cactus League and Grapefruit League games.
How many days until Spring Training 2027?
As of November 2, 2026, there are 109 days until February 19, 2027. The live countdown on this page updates every second.
When do pitchers and catchers report in 2027?
Report dates have not been announced. Each club sets its own date and usually shares it over the winter.
When does Spring Training 2027 end?
Most clubs finish Cactus League and Grapefruit League play around March 20. Exhibition games at big-league parks run through March 23, and Opening Night is March 24.
Could a lockout delay Spring Training 2027?
Yes. The labor deal expires December 1, 2026. A lockout would keep camps closed, and the 2022 lockout pushed spring games back by several weeks.
Where can I buy Spring Training 2027 tickets?
Buy through your team's spring training page or its ballpark website. Royals and Rangers individual tickets at Surprise Stadium go on sale November 17, 2026.
What time do Spring Training games start?
Most game times are still to come. The Brewers have set a 1:10 p.m. Arizona time start for home games, except one 6:10 p.m. game on March 19.
What is the difference between the Cactus League and the Grapefruit League?
The Cactus League is the 15 teams that train in Arizona. The Grapefruit League is the 15 teams that train in Florida.
Is Spring Training only for MLB teams?
No. Colleges, minor-league clubs, independent teams and youth programs also hold preseason camps that fans call spring training.
