Overview
- A Seidman Research Institute study released Wednesday found the 2026 Cactus League generated $806.9 million in total economic output and $495.8 million added to Arizona’s GDP, the highest in more than 20 years of tracking.
- The season drew 1,753,849 fans to 237 games, with about 60% coming from out of state and a median out‑of‑state party spending $385.71 per day and staying four nights.
- Spring training supported about 5,500 jobs, paid $297.2 million in wages and produced $43.9 million in state and local tax revenue, with much of the spending flowing into hotels, restaurants and local retail.
- Major League Baseball’s current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1 and Commissioner Rob Manfred has said owners will implement a lockout if no deal is reached; a lockout would bar players from team facilities, freeze roster moves and could delay or cancel spring training workouts and exhibition games.
- Cactus League leaders, state officials and local business owners say they are monitoring talks and preparing for disruption because lost spring training would sharply reduce visitor spending, payroll and tax receipts across the Phoenix area and other Arizona destinations.