Scottsdale is the unofficial capital of Cactus League country. Of the ten spring training facilities spread across the Phoenix metro, two sit in or right next to Scottsdale, and both draw some of the biggest crowds in Arizona every February and March. If you are flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for a game, knowing how the two venues differ saves you time, parking headaches, and a scramble for a ride back to your hotel. Scottsdale Old Town to Sky Harbor shuttle navigating Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Phoenix Airport to Scottsdale Scottsdale Stadium shuttle
This guide breaks down Scottsdale's two spring training venues — Scottsdale Stadium in Old Town and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick — with addresses, what makes each one different, and how to get from Sky Harbor to either ballpark without renting a car. shuttle vs. Uber vs. taxi Salt River Fields shuttle
Why Scottsdale Sits at the Center of Cactus League Country
The Cactus League is a compact circuit: all ten of its facilities sit within roughly a 45-minute drive of each other, which is why fans can plan a week of games at several different ballparks without ever changing hotels. Scottsdale anchors the eastern side of that loop. Every February and March, the city fills with fans following teams from Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, and Arizona, and the ballparks double as anchors for restaurants, golf trips, and desert hikes. Scottsdale airport shuttle
Scheduling is simple on paper: Cactus League play runs from late February through late March, with day games dominating the schedule. The logistics are where trips get won or lost. Both Scottsdale venues sell out popular weekend matchups, and parking near either ballpark tightens up fast on game days, especially in Old Town where street space is shared with galleries, shops, and patio restaurants. Cactus League spring training travel guide
Scottsdale Stadium: Old Town Home of the Giants
Scottsdale Stadium, at 7408 East Osborn Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, sits on the corner of Osborn Road and Drinkwater Boulevard in the middle of historic Old Town. It has been the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants for decades, and it also hosts the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League each autumn. where to stay for spring training
The ballpark's roots go back to 1956, when the original stadium served as a Cactus League home for the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Oakland Athletics before the Giants era. The current stadium opened for spring training in March 1992 and holds roughly 12,000 fans, one of the larger capacities in the league. Despite the size, the seating bowl feels intimate — you are close to the action from almost every section.
The defining feature of Scottsdale Stadium is walkability. Old Town Scottsdale's restaurants, bars, and boutique hotels are steps from the gates, so a game here doubles as a downtown afternoon. If you are staying in Old Town, you can realistically skip a rental car for the whole trip: fly into Sky Harbor, ride straight to your hotel, and walk to the ballpark.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick: D-backs and Rockies
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, at 7555 North Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, opened on February 11, 2011, as the shared spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. It was the first Major League Baseball spring training facility built on tribal land, developed with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and it remains one of the most praised ballparks in the league.
The complex spans about 140 acres and includes an 11,000-seat ballpark plus a dozen practice fields, so it doubles as the daily training ground for two full MLB operations. On game days the views are the draw: Camelback Mountain, the McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks, and the Superstitions ring the horizon. In the fall, the complex hosts the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.
Salt River Fields sits in the Talking Stick district near resorts, golf courses, and the casino of the same name, so it pairs naturally with a resort-based trip on the north side of Scottsdale. It is a bigger site than Scottsdale Stadium, with large surrounding lots, but on marquee matchup days the lots still fill — arriving early or being dropped off at the gate makes a visible difference.
Getting from Sky Harbor to Either Ballpark
Both venues are an easy ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Scottsdale Stadium is roughly 9 miles from the airport — about 15 to 20 minutes in normal traffic — because it sits just northeast of downtown along the Loop 202 and SR 101 corridors. Salt River Fields is farther north and east, about 17 miles or 25 to 30 minutes from Sky Harbor.
On game days, budget extra time. Traffic around Old Town thickens an hour or so before first pitch, and the approaches to Salt River Fields back up as the Talking Stick district absorbs a simultaneous golf and event calendar. A prearranged Scottsdale Stadium shuttle or a direct ride to Salt River Fields lets someone else deal with the curb, the lot, and the post-game surge, and a private door-to-door Scottsdale airport shuttle from Sky Harbor means no waiting in the rideshare queue with the whole stadium crowd.
Which Scottsdale Venue Fits Your Trip?
Choose Scottsdale Stadium if your trip is built around Old Town: walkable dinners before and after the game, boutique hotels, art walks, and the classic spring training atmosphere of a ballpark woven into a downtown grid. Choose Salt River Fields if you are resort-focused, catching both the Diamondbacks and Rockies, or touring the facility — two teams' worth of practice fields and clubhouses make it the deepest behind-the-scenes experience in the league, and the mountain views are the best of any Cactus League park.
Many fans do both in one week; the drive between the two venues is only about 20 minutes up the 101. For a fuller picture of every ballpark in the valley, our Cactus League spring training travel guide covers the stadium-by-stadium logistics, and our post on where to stay for spring training matches hotels to each ballpark.
Plan Your Ride
Airport Shuttle of Phoenix provides private, door-to-door transportation across the Phoenix metro, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, and statewide, with 24/7 booking and flight tracking on every airport leg. Whether you land at Sky Harbor with a first pitch three hours away or need a late pickup after an extra-inning game in Old Town, one reservation covers the whole ride. Check rates, pick your pickup time, and start your Cactus League trip with the transportation already handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Scottsdale Stadium from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport?
About 9 miles, typically a 15 to 20 minute drive in normal traffic. Game-day congestion around Old Town can add time, so build in a buffer on afternoons with popular matchups.
Is Salt River Fields closer to Sky Harbor than Scottsdale Stadium?
No. Salt River Fields is about 17 miles from the airport, roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car, while Scottsdale Stadium sits closer at about 9 miles.
When does spring training happen in Scottsdale?
Cactus League play runs from late February through late March each year, with the majority of games in the afternoon. The Arizona Fall League brings baseball back to both venues in October and November.
Can you walk from Old Town hotels to Scottsdale Stadium?
Yes. The stadium is on the corner of Osborn Road and Drinkwater Boulevard in the heart of Old Town, within easy walking distance of most downtown hotels and restaurants.
Do both Scottsdale venues host Arizona Fall League games?
Yes. Scottsdale Stadium hosts the Scottsdale Scorpions and Salt River Fields hosts the Salt River Rafters each fall, so the venues stay active long after the Cactus League season ends.
Scottsdale Spring Training 2026: Key Dates to Circle
Updated for the 2026 season: the Cactus League schedule runs February 20 through March 24. Opening Day lands Friday, February 20 — Diamondbacks vs. Rockies at the yard they share, first pitch 1:10 PM MST at Salt River Fields — and the full slate kicks off Saturday, February 21. Salt River Fields shuttle
The headline events are the World Baseball Classic exhibitions, March 3–4. On March 3, the Giants host Team USA in an evening game at Scottsdale Stadium while the Diamondbacks welcome Team Mexico at Salt River Fields; the Rockies then face Team USA there on March 4. These exhibitions run longer and hotter than standard spring games as players tune up for the tournament — expect the biggest crowds of the spring. Scottsdale Stadium shuttle
Quick Comparison: Scottsdale Stadium vs. Salt River Fields
Here's how they stack up:
| Feature | Scottsdale Stadium | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | San Francisco Giants | Arizona Diamondbacks & Colorado Rockies |
| Capacity | About 12,000 | About 11,000 |
| Vibe | "Wrigley Field of the Desert," steps from Old Town | Resort district with mountain views |
| From Sky Harbor | ~9 miles, 15–20 minutes | ~17 miles, 25–30 minutes |
| Best for | Walkers, dining, nightlife | Families, lawn days, resort stays |
Pre-Game Dining Near Each Ballpark
Near Scottsdale Stadium: Old Town's dining scene starts blocks before the gates. The Rusty Spur Saloon on Main Street pours cold ones in a real western saloon; The Mission does wood-fired Latin plates nearby; Citizen Public House is the sit-down pick; Los Sombreros serves Mexican classics in a historic Brown Avenue house. Park once and walk — or hop Scottsdale's free trolley from hotels a few blocks out.
Near Salt River Fields: The District at Talking Stick puts restaurants and shops minutes from the lots, with resort dining at Talking Stick Resort nearby. The in-park concessions are regularly praised as some of the best ballpark food in the Cactus League — budget time to graze the concourse before first pitch.
Insider Tips and Local Secrets for 2026
- Plan a two-park doubleheader. The venues sit about 7 miles apart — roughly 15 minutes up Loop 101 — so catch a 1:05 PM Giants game, wander Old Town, then make an evening game at Salt River Fields. Cactus League travel guide
- Know the re-entry rule. At Scottsdale Stadium you can leave mid-game for tacos and return for the seventh-inning stretch — lawn seating excepted.
- Expect dynamic pricing. As a rough estimate, midweek games run cheapest, weekend dates with big traveling fan bases cost more, and March 3–4 exhibitions top the board — buy individual game tickets early.
- Beat the sun. March sun at a 1:05 PM start is serious — reserved stands and shaded concourse sections go first. Arrive early or pack sunscreen.
- Stack the calendar. Scottsdale Western Week (January 24–February 1) adds "Cowboys and Curveballs" buzz while pitchers and catchers report; Dog Days welcomes pets to the Scottsdale Stadium lawn March 1; March 12 brings Youth Baseball & Softball Day; crossover games — the Tigers included — close out March 23–24.
FAQs: Scottsdale Spring Training 2026
When does spring training start in Scottsdale in 2026?
Cactus League play runs February 20 through March 24, 2026. Opening Day is February 20 — Diamondbacks vs. Rockies, 1:10 PM MST at Salt River Fields.
Which MLB teams play spring training in Scottsdale?
The Giants play at Scottsdale Stadium; the Diamondbacks and Rockies share Salt River Fields. The Valley's other Cactus League clubs are all within an easy drive.
How much are spring training tickets in Scottsdale?
Both parks use dynamic pricing, so there's no single number. As a rough estimate, midweek games cost less than weekend dates with big traveling fan bases, and premium days — Cubs games, the March 3–4 exhibitions — sit highest. Check club ticket pages for live prices.
Can you walk to Scottsdale Stadium from Old Town?
Yes — the gates sit steps from Old Town's hotels, restaurants, and bars. It's why car-free trips work so well here. Where to stay for spring training
Do the two ballparks share the same bag policy?
No — the clubs enforce different rules, so a bag that clears one gate can be rejected at the other. Check the policy for your specific park.
Can I see both Scottsdale venues in one day?
Yes — about 7 miles and 15 minutes apart via Loop 101. An afternoon game at Scottsdale Stadium plus an evening game at Salt River Fields is a classic local move. Scottsdale airport shuttle
