Spring Training in Glendale: Los Angeles Dodgers, White Sox & Cactus League Baseball
By: Adam Jerold Cansino | September 2, 2026
Glendale is one of the best places in the Valley for baseball fans looking to experience MLB action in a relaxed desert setting. The city is home to Camelback Ranch, where the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox prepare for the regular season while fans enjoy warm weather, intimate seating, and a classic Cactus League atmosphere.
A baseball-focused trip can also be much more than a day at the ballpark. Glendale offers restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and other attractions that make it easy to build an entire Arizona vacation around a game.
Spring Training at Camelback Ranch
Camelback Ranch is the shared spring training home of the Dodgers and White Sox. The expansive complex includes a main stadium, practice fields, training areas, walking paths, and landscaped grounds, creating a more relaxed experience than most regular-season MLB venues.
Fans who arrive early may have opportunities to watch players warm up, explore the grounds, and enjoy the atmosphere before first pitch. Because the training facility serves two organizations, the complex stays especially active throughout the preseason.
The venue’s Glendale location also makes it convenient to combine a game with other West Valley activities. If you’re planning a longer stay, our guide to things to do in Glendale highlights additional attractions, entertainment districts, outdoor activities, and local favorites to add to your itinerary.
See the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale
For Dodgers fans, a trip to Camelback Ranch offers a different experience from watching a regular-season game in Los Angeles. The smaller stadium environment brings spectators closer to the field while creating a casual atmosphere that works especially well for families and dedicated baseball travelers.
Games also provide fans with an early look at established players, prospects, and athletes competing for roster positions. That mix can make preseason baseball particularly interesting for visitors who closely follow the team.
Arriving ahead of game time gives you more opportunity to explore the grounds rather than heading directly to your seat.
Watch the Chicago White Sox Prepare for the Season
The Chicago White Sox share the complex with the Dodgers, giving visitors another MLB team to watch during their trip to Glendale.
White Sox supporters can see players preparing for the upcoming season while enjoying the same relaxed environment and desert setting. Fans may also find games against other Cactus League clubs especially appealing if they want to see several organizations during one vacation.
Checking the schedule before booking accommodations is important because opponents and game times change throughout the preseason.
Experience Cactus League Baseball Around the Valley
Camelback Ranch can serve as the starting point for a larger Cactus League trip. The Greater Phoenix area features numerous ballparks, allowing dedicated baseball fans to attend games by different MLB teams during the same vacation.
Some travelers plan their trips around their favorite team, while others build itineraries that include several stadiums. If you choose the second option, consider travel times between venues before purchasing tickets.
Glendale’s West Valley location can be particularly convenient when your itinerary includes games or attractions on the western side of metropolitan Phoenix. Visitors can still make day trips to other parts of the Valley, including Scottsdale, while keeping Glendale as their primary home base.
Tickets and Game-Day Planning
Tickets can become more competitive for popular weekend games, rivalry matchups, and appearances by high-profile teams. Buying in advance can provide more seating choices, particularly when you’re traveling with a larger group.
Consider factors beyond ticket price when selecting seats. Shade, field location, group size, and proximity to concessions can all influence the experience, especially during warmer afternoon games.
Plan to reach the stadium early enough for parking and entry. Sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, and water are also useful when spending several hours outside in the Arizona sun.
Temperatures can drop after sunset, so bringing an extra light layer may be worthwhile for evening games.
Make a Baseball Game Part of a Glendale Getaway
One of the advantages of attending a game in Glendale is how easily baseball can fit into a larger vacation. Rather than driving back across the Valley immediately after the final inning, visitors can explore restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping areas, and local attractions nearby.
A simple multi-day itinerary could include a Dodgers or White Sox game on one day, another Cactus League matchup the next, and a day reserved for exploring Glendale.
This approach works particularly well for families and groups where some travelers may not want every day centered around sports.
Where to Stay Near the Baseball Action
Choosing accommodations near Glendale can reduce driving and make game days easier, especially when you’re attending multiple events.
Vacation homes can be a practical option for families and larger groups because they offer multiple bedrooms, kitchens, living areas, and space to unwind between activities. Browse luxury vacation rentals in Glendale to find a comfortable base for your baseball getaway.
Staying locally also makes it easier to enjoy the rest of Glendale rather than treating the city as somewhere you visit only for the stadium. You can spend less time commuting and more time enjoying your vacation.
Plan Your Glendale Baseball Vacation
Camelback Ranch gives baseball fans an opportunity to see the Dodgers, White Sox, and visiting MLB teams in one of the Valley’s most enjoyable preseason environments.
Choose your games first, secure tickets and accommodations early for popular dates, and leave room in your itinerary for off-field activities. With professional baseball, sunny desert weather, and plenty to explore nearby, Glendale makes an excellent home base for a Cactus League getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is spring training held in Glendale, Arizona?
Spring training games in Glendale are played at Camelback Ranch, a major Cactus League complex located in the West Valley.
What MLB teams play spring training in Glendale?
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox share Camelback Ranch as their spring training home.
When does Cactus League spring training usually take place?
Cactus League games generally run from late February through March, leading into the MLB regular season. Exact dates and game times vary each year.
Should I buy Camelback Ranch tickets in advance?
Yes, especially for weekend games, popular opponents, and high-demand Dodgers matchups. Booking early can give you better seating choices and make planning a group trip easier.
Is Glendale a good place to stay for a Cactus League trip?
Yes. Glendale is a convenient base for fans attending games at Camelback Ranch while also exploring restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and other Cactus League ballparks throughout the Phoenix area.