Cactus League

What Cactus League does

The Cactus League (legal entity: Arizona Cactus League Association) is a private nonprofit association founded in 1947 and headquartered in Glendale, Arizona. It operates as the coordinating body for Major League Baseball spring training in Arizona, providing the institutional structure, marketing platform, and convening function that allows 15 MLB franchises to conduct pre-season operations across 10 ballparks in the Phoenix metropolitan area (Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe, and Chandler). The organization is governed by an Executive Board representing member MLB teams, host municipalities, tourism entities, and five civic volunteer nonprofits (Mesa HoHoKams, Peoria Diamond Club, Scottsdale Charros, Surprise Sundancers, Tempe Diablos) that anchor each ballpark.

The Cactus League's core product is the spring training season itself, which drew 1,753,849 fans across 237 games in 2026 and generated $764 million in statewide economic impact (per a 2025 Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business study). Supporting products include the Cactus League Hall of Fame, The Dugout news hub, a Discover AZ member business directory, interactive stadium and trip-planning tools, and a tiered CLA Membership Program (Industry, Corporate, Association, and Team tiers at $1,000–$3,500 annually). The organization also runs an e-commerce storefront for 75th anniversary commemorative merchandise and co-hosts the annual Gila River Resorts & Casinos-presented Cactus League Luncheon.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across membership dues, event and luncheon sponsorships (Gila River Resorts & Casinos, Legends Global, Arizona Office of Tourism, plus 12+ secondary sponsors), direct-to-consumer merchandise, and co-marketing partnerships with destination marketing organizations (Visit Phoenix, Visit Mesa, Visit Flagstaff). Public funding for facility construction and renovation is provided through Proposition 302 within Maricopa County. The organization does not sell tickets directly; ticketing is handled by individual MLB teams through their own channels and stadium box offices.

Name

Cactus League

Legal name

Arizona Cactus League Association

Website

https://cactusleague.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cactus League is an Arizona-based nonprofit association that organizes and promotes MLB spring training across 10 ballparks hosting 15 franchises, serving baseball fans, host municipalities, and tourism partners while generating $764M in annual statewide economic impact.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports Event Operations

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Baseball & Softball Leagues (MPAKAAAC)

Keywords

• Spring training baseball
• MLB spring training
• Minor league operations
• Sports association management
• Baseball tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Cactus League is the coordinating nonprofit association for Major League Baseball spring training in Arizona. It organizes pre-season play for 15 MLB teams across 10 ballparks in the Phoenix metropolitan area and provides the governance, member services, and promotion that make the spring training season operational each year. Revenue is generated through tiered membership dues for teams, municipalities, tourism entities and corporate partners; sponsorship and event income; and merchandise sales.

Product overview

The Cactus League is a spring training baseball organization operating 10 ballparks across Arizona that host 15 Major League Baseball teams annually. The organization's core product is its spring training program, complemented by the Hall of Fame (honoring baseball legends), The Dugout news hub, and the Discover AZ Directory (a member business directory). Supporting offerings include the Stadium Map and Trip Planner for visitor services, 75th Anniversary merchandise (collectible coins and apparel), tiered CLA Membership Programs for industry participants, and annual events including the Cactus League Luncheon and Best of the Ballpark Awards. Economic Impact Studies conducted with Arizona State University document the industry's $764 million economic contribution to Arizona.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cactus League Spring Training The Cactus League's core offering: organized MLB spring training games held annually at 10 ballparks across the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona, hosting 15 Major League Baseball teams for pre-season preparation and fan attendance.
• CLA Membership Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• $764 million in economic impact for Arizona in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gila River Resorts & CasinoscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGila River Resorts & Casinos serves as the presenting sponsor of the Cactus League Annual Luncheon and major event partner. They host the Annual Luncheon at their Wild Horse Pass venue in Chandler, AZ, and provide sponsorship support for the Cactus League's cornerstone events.
• Legends GlobalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLegends Global is identified as the premier partner for live events, venues, and brands. They serve as a key sponsor supporting Cactus League operations and events throughout the spring training season.
• Arizona Office of TourismcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Arizona Office of Tourism provides official tourism promotion and support for Cactus League spring training, helping drive visitor attendance and regional tourism economic impact.
• Mesa HoHoKamscoreOthersCivic volunteer nonprofit formed in 1951 to bring Spring Training to Mesa. They serve as the host organization for MLB at Sloan Park and Hohokam Stadium, supporting the Chicago Cubs and Athletics. Since 2000, they have donated millions to local charities and youth sports.
• Peoria Diamond ClubcoreOthersVolunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 supporting Spring Training at Peoria Sports Complex. They serve as host organization for Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, supporting 53 programs and awarding scholarships in the 2024-25 giving year alone.
• Scottsdale CharroscoreOthersVolunteer-driven nonprofit of business and civic leaders formed in 1961. They serve as the long-time host organization for Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium (San Francisco Giants), supporting facility operations and community enhancement through youth sports, education, and charitable causes.
• Surprise SundancerscoreOthersVolunteer-driven nonprofit formed in 2002 with over 750 members. They support three teams (Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants) at Surprise Stadium and raise funds for youth scholarships, local charities, and community facilities including DreamCatcher Park.
• Tempe DiabloscoreOthersNonprofit civic organization dedicated to strengthening the Tempe community through leadership, service, and philanthropy. Since 1968, they have been closely connected to Spring Training at Tempe Diablo Stadium, supporting the Los Angeles Angels and welcoming fans each season.
• Arizona MunicipalitiescoreOthersEight municipalities and tribal communities host spring training for 15 MLB clubs, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Peoria, Surprise, Tempe, Goodyear, Glendale, and Chandler. These cities provide facilities and show Southwestern hospitality while benefiting from economic impact.
• Playball MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe official publication and guide to Cactus League baseball, providing editorial coverage and promotional content for spring training across Arizona.
• Visit PhoenixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial destination marketing organization for Phoenix, partnered to sell official Cactus League apparel and promote spring training tourism to the Phoenix area.
• Visit MesaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDestination marketing organization for Mesa, Arizona, promoting spring training tourism and Cactus League attendance in the Mesa area.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NASCAR: NASCAR operates a series of stock car racing events across U.S. venues, including races in Arizona (Phoenix Raceway). It is comparable as a multi-venue spectator sports organizer with a season-based schedule, but operates commercially rather than as a nonprofit membership organization.
• NCAA: The NCAA is a large nonprofit membership organization that governs college athletics, including the College World Series and March Madness. It is comparable as a large nonprofit sports membership organization that coordinates events, generates significant economic impact, and serves a member base of institutions and conferences.
• PGA Tour: The PGA Tour organizes professional golf tournaments across the United States, including stops in Arizona (WM Phoenix Open). It is comparable as a tour operator that coordinates multi-venue spectator sports events, drives tourism impact, and partners with host municipalities on economic development.
• Major League Baseball: MLB is the parent governing body whose 30 franchises participate in Cactus League spring training. While MLB does not directly compete with Cactus League, it controls the structure of spring training, individual team participation decisions, and scheduling, making it the most consequential broad incumbent in the space.
• Minor League Baseball: MiLB operates the affiliated minor league baseball system in the United States, including many ballparks in shared facilities and markets. It is comparable as a baseball-specific sports organization that coordinates teams, ballparks, and event promotion at scale, though MiLB focuses on regular-season play rather than spring training.

Emerging players

• USA Baseball: USA Baseball is the national governing body for amateur baseball in the United States, organizing national teams, tournaments, and events. It is comparable as a baseball event and tournament organizer with nonprofit and stakeholder characteristics, but operates at the national/amateur level rather than MLB spring training.
• Atlantic League of Professional Baseball: The Atlantic League is an independent professional baseball league that operates its own schedule, ballparks, and fan engagement programs. It is comparable as a baseball league operator but at a different competitive tier (independent rather than MLB-affiliated spring training).
• World Baseball Classic: The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament organized by MLB and the MLB Players Association. It is comparable as a baseball event organizer that generates significant economic and fan engagement impact, but operates globally and on a quadrennial schedule rather than annually.

Direct peers

• Grapefruit League: The Grapefruit League is the Florida-based counterpart to the Cactus League, organizing MLB spring training across Florida ballparks. It is the only true direct peer, competing for the same set of MLB franchises and operating the same fundamental business model of spring training coordination and promotion.

Regional players

• Visit Phoenix: Visit Phoenix is the official destination marketing organization for Phoenix that partners with the Cactus League to promote spring training tourism. It is comparable as a regional tourism promotion entity that leverages sports events to drive visitor spending, but operates across all Phoenix tourism rather than baseball specifically.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cactusleagueaz
• Facebookfacebook.com/thecactusleague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cactus-league-baseball-association-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cactus League