Few traditions in professional sports are as generally beloved as baseball so here are some Major League Spring Training baseball locations in Florida. So what began as a handful of major-league clubs escaping cold northern winters has since evolved into the famed Grapefruit League, a statewide annual event includes baseball, sunshine, and local fanfare. From historic wooden ballparks of the early 1900s to today’s multimillion-dollar complexes, Florida’s Spring Training history reflects both the growth of baseball and the growth of the state itself.
This guide covers the full historical evolution, the teams and cities involved, the ballparks that shaped eras, and the 2026 Spring Training lineup, including stadium seating numbers and addresses.
Early Origins of Major League Spring Training Baseball Locations in Florida (1910–1940)
Although informal winter baseball dates back to the 1880s, Florida’s true Spring Training Baseball in Florida era began in the early 20th century. Warm weather, and likewise cheap land, and the rise of rail travel turned the state into a perfect preseason place to practice each year.
The first major-league team to commit long-term to Florida was the Chicago Cubs, training in Tampa in 1913. This sparked a wave of teams following them down south.
Among the earlier Major League Spring Training Baseball locations in Florida cities were St. Petersburg, Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Sarasota. Ballparks were often small wooden parks with sandlot outfields, though locals embraced them as civic landmarks.
Expansion Era (1940- 1980 )
After World War II, Florida thus became known for Spring Training. During the 1950s and 1960s saw the building of new stadiums across the state, luring more teams to commit long term to an area. This was a cause and effect and what happened because of this event record numbers of people visited these winter baseball cities, and Spring Training became a money-maker for hotels, restaurants, and local workers.
Cities such as Bradenton, Lakeland, Fort Myers, Clearwater, Vero Beach, Winter Haven, Sarasota and Tampa likewise began to be known for the teams that called them their spring training homes.
One of the most famous baseball complexes was Dodgertown in Vero Beach, a sprawling training campus for the Los Angeles Dodgers, which they used from 1948–2008.
With the growth and the Rise of the Grapefruit League (1980 - Present )
At this point by the 1980s and 1990s, modern stadiums with luxury seating, professional training centers, and fan-friendly ballparks emerged.
Teams would soon demand upgraded clubhouses, larger practice fields, and state-of-the-art rehab centers. Florida invested rather heavily, building or renovating ballparks to retain teams.
Today, Spring Training Baseball remains an overall key driver of Florida spring tourism and a cherished annual tradition for fans nationwide.
Most of the teams host open house events for fans to enjoy the players up close the week before games. It starts with fans watching batting practice, fielding and running for free a good chance for great photo ops.
Historic Spring Training Baseball Sites in Florida Cities & Teams
Below is a concise but rich overview of historic Spring Training locations and notable teams that once played there. History shows us how baseball is more than a past time, it is what links us all together through our history and cultures.
Tampa
Home firstly to early teams like the Cubs, Red Sox, Senators, and many Negro League teams.
St. Petersburg
Once hosting teams such as the Yankees, Giants, Mets, and Cardinals in different eras.
Clearwater
While this has been the long time home of the Phillies since 1947.
Sarasota
Hosted White Sox, Red Sox, the Reds and now finally the Orioles.
Orlando & Winter Haven
Previously home to the Braves and the Boston Red Sox. The last team to play spring training games there was the Cleveland Guardians (Indians).
Vero Beach
Famous for Dodgertown and the Dodgers who moved to Arizona in 2008 . Eventually Dodgertown was remodeled and renamed The Jackie Robinson Training Complex for the Hall of Famer who broke the modern day baseball color barrier. The town has changed a lot since Jackie Robinson first arrived to start his baseball career with the Dodgers
Miami / Miami Beach
Briefly hosted the Brooklyn Dodgers and several spring training games. Eventually Miami was awarded with first major league team to call Florida home when the Marlins began play in the 1993 season.
Jacksonville
Hosted early Phillies and A’s teams. While most the teams moved further south to more balmy weather.
Some day MLB might expand to put a team in Jacksonville.
Key West
Hosted a few spring training games, with most in the mid 1950s.
2026 Major League Spring Training Baseball Locations in Florida: Teams Cities, Capacities & Addresses
Below is the full breakdown of the 2026 Grapefruit League in Florida, including team, ballpark, address, seating capacity, and a brief ballpark history.
For MLB Information you can click here.
1. New York Yankees – Tampa
Ballpark: George M. Steinbrenner Field
Team: New York Yankees
City: Tampa, Florida
Address: 1 Steinbrenner Dr, Tampa, FL 33614
Seating: 10,386
History: Opened in 1996, modeled after Yankee Stadium’s facade. This complex gives you a sense of the Yankees rich history where fans can enjoy the players of today while celebrating the past.
2. Philadelphia Phillies – Clearwater
Ballpark: BayCare Ballpark
Team: Philadelphia Phillies
City: Clearwater, Florida
Address: 601 Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765
Seating: 8,500
History: Opened 2004, replacing Jack Russell Stadium. It shows a love affair with the city of Clearwater and the Phillies..
Clearwater also gives the people of Philly a nice place to escape the cold for a little while each year.
3. Toronto Blue Jays – Dunedin
Ballpark: TD Ballpark
Team: Toronto Blue Jays
City: Dunedin
Address: 373 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698
Seating: 8,500
History: Jays have trained in Dunedin since their first season in 1977.
Many people come from Canada and stay in the area for a few months each winter because of the Blue Jays.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates – Bradenton
Ballpark: LECOM Park
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
City: Bradenton
Address: 1611 9th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Seating: 8,500
History: Built in 1923, oldest ballpark still used for Spring Training.
5. Baltimore Orioles – Sarasota
Ballpark: Ed Smith Stadium
Team: Baltimore Orioles
City: Sarasota, Florida
Address: 2700 12th St, Sarasota, FL 34237
Seating: 8,500
History: Orioles moved here from Fort Lauderdale in 2010. Ed Smith is a stadium that can give you a traditional feel while also a modern comforts.
6. Detroit Tigers – Lakeland
Ballpark: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium
Team: Detroit Tigers
City: Lakeland, Florida
Address: 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805
Seating: 8,500
History: Tigers have trained in Lakeland since 1934—baseball’s longest affiliation.
7. Atlanta Braves – North Port
Ballpark: CoolToday Park
Team: Atlanta Braves
City: North Port
Address: 18800 S West Villages Pkwy, North Port, FL 34293
Seating: 8,000
History: Opened 2019, and it's one of the newest and nicest complexes in the league.
8. Minnesota Twins – Fort Myers
Ballpark: Hammond Stadium
Team: Minnesota Twins
City: Fort Myers
Address: 14100 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33912
Seating: 7,500
History: Opened 1991; its architecture basically mirrors Churchill Downs.
9. Boston Red Sox – Fort Myers
Ballpark: JetBlue Park
Team: Boston Red Sox
Address: 11500 Fenway South Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33913
Seating: 10,823
History: Opened 2012; it is a fan favorite because it features a “Green Monster” replica.
10. Tampa Bay Rays – Port Charlotte
Ballpark: Charlotte Sports Park
Team: Tampa Bay Rays
City: Port Charlotte
Address: 2300 El Jobean Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Seating: 7,670
History: Renovated in 2009; repeatedly rated top facility chiefly for its fan experience.
11. Miami Marlins & St. Louis Cardinals – Jupiter
Ballpark: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Teams:
- Miami Marlins
- St. Louis Cardinals
City: Jupiter
Address: 4751 Main St, Jupiter, FL 33458
Seating: 6,871
History: Opened in 1998; because it is one of only two shared parks in Florida the city gets twice the amount of games.
12. Houston Astros & Washington Nationals – West Palm Beach
Ballpark: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
Teams:
- Houston Astros
- Washington Nationals
City: West Palm Beach
Address: 5444 Haverhill Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Seating: 7,700
History: Opened in 2017; features 12 training fields and it is also known for its modern player rehab facilities.
The Evolution of Grapefruit League Ballparks
Spring Training Baseball Florida facilities evolved to today's modern complexes over the last century. Earlier parks were simple fields with wooden bleachers. By midcentury, the cities finally started to invest in concrete grandstands, lighting, and improving the fields.
Today, modern parks include:
- Luxury suites
- Bermuda-grass game surfaces
- Expanded clubhouses
- Multi-field training centers
- Player nutrition coaches
- Fan zones, bars, and shaded seating
Stadiums like CoolToday Park, JetBlue Park, and CACTI Park undeniably represent the latest template—mixed-use anchor developments with year-round support from both the town and the teams.
Why Spring Training Baseball in Florida Remains as one of it’s Treasures
Major League Spring Training baseball locations in Florida are growing and thriving because it is a close up, special time with your favorite sport.
It's still very fan-friendly. Unlike regular-season games, spectators sit close enough to hear players chat on the field.
Children and adults equally try collect autographs. Children hoping to one day be out on the field of their favorite team and hanging out with adults who are still wanting to relive their youth.
Retirees likewise return each year as part of their seasonal traditions hoping for a World Series chance for their favorite team .
With all the fans coming to Florida local businesses thrive during March, creating an annual rite of passage.
While the rest of the nation is still dealing with winter , the players and the fans and equally the teams value Florida’s climate, ballparks, and long term time spent in their winter home away from home.
Conclusion Over A Century of Spring Training Baseball in Florida and the Tradition Lives on
From earlier wooden bleachers in the 1910s to today’s multimillion-dollar showpieces, Spring Training baseball in Florida has been around over a century and it still is growing each and every year. Yet the at heart of it all the game still remains the same with: sunshine, optimism, and the return of America’s pastime each February.
So many of Hall of Fame baseball players started out the same way hoping to make the big league ballclub in Florida.
Each year a new group of standout players see their stock rise as they get noticed by the coaches and fans alike.
With its rich history, thriving modern ballparks, and 2026 Grapefruit League lineup, the state of Florida continues to be one of the most important places to go and see baseball in the world.
Hope to see some of you at the local ballparks as another season soon begins.
