The 2024 Cactus League season saw a resurgence in attendance, with over 1.6 million fans flocking to Arizona to catch a glimpse of their favorite teams and players. The success of the previous year’s World Series, where the Texas Rangers emerged victorious over the Arizona Diamondbacks, played a significant role in drawing fans to the spring training games.
Cactus League executive director Bridget Binsbacher announced that this year’s attendance numbers were the highest since before the pandemic, with a notable increase of over 65,000 fans from the previous season. The Chicago Cubs continued their reign as the attendance leaders, drawing in over 240,000 fans to Sloan Park throughout the spring.
The defending World Series champions, the Texas Rangers, experienced a massive 42.3% increase in attendance, while the Arizona Diamondbacks saw a 16.6% increase at Salt River Fields. The presence of superstar Shohei Ohtani, along with the addition of Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the Los Angeles Dodgers, also contributed to the spike in attendance.
Despite facing challenges such as inclement weather and shortened seasons for some teams participating in the Seoul Series in Korea, the Cactus League remains a significant economic driver for Arizona. With a majority of attendees coming from out of state, the league generated over $700 million in economic activity in 2023.
As the Cactus League continues to grow and attract more fans each year, Binsbacher expressed optimism for the future of spring training in Arizona. The unique experience of watching Major League Baseball teams up close in the desert sunshine remains a cherished tradition for baseball fans across the country.