More than 338K fans attended spring training games in Mesa

The city of Mesa celebrates the culmination of a successful 2026 spring training season with the Chicago Cubs leading attendance for the 13th straight season in the Cactus League.

The Athletics also saw an increase in attendance.

The two teams had a combined total of 338,641 fans attend their games in Mesa, compared to 310,206 in 2025. The 2026 attendance totals for the Cubs and Athletics in Mesa include two World Baseball Classic games and two Spring Breakout games, according to a release from the city of Mesa.

A total of 240,609 fans passed through the gates of Sloan Park between Feb. 20 and March 24, averaging 12,664 fans at the 19 games played there. The Cubs hosted the largest crowd in a Cactus League ballpark this spring when 15,788 fans saw the Cubs play the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 15 at Sloan Park.

Meanwhile, the A’s saw 98,032 fans pass through the gates of HoHoKam Stadium for 17 games compared to 82,636 fans last year.

“Spring training is a big part of what makes Mesa special,” Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman said in the release. “It brings in fans, supports our local businesses, and keeps our economy strong. With the Cubs and A’s making up nearly 20% of Cactus League attendance, it shows Mesa is a top place for spring baseball and a great experience for visitors. Even with unexpected triple-digit temperatures at the end, fans still showed up. That says a lot about the energy and pride we have here in Mesa.”

Both the Cubs and A’s were among Cactus League teams who moved some of their final spring training games to the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day and make it more comfortable for fans.

“The city works closely with the Cubs and A’s not just during spring training but throughout the year. This partnership assures that Mesa is not only providing the best-in-class training facilities for their players but also first-class experiences for the fans attending the games,” Assistant City Manager Marc Heirshberg said in the release.

More than 1.7 million fans attended 237 games across the Cactus League this year, marking the fifth straight season for a rise in attendance.