Since Salt River Fields at Talking Stick opened in 2011, the enterprise of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community again led all of Major League Baseball (MLB) in spring training attendance.

Just under 300,000 fans showed up to Salt River Fields in 2024 for Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies spring training games.

“It was a great season, one of our best,” said Dave Dunne, Salt River Fields general manager. “With the Diamondbacks going to the World Series in 2023, it certainly helped with fan interest. As I always say, there is no marketing plan like a winning team.”

Dunne said that Salt River Fields also set records for ticket revenue, food and beverage sales, merchandise sales and parking revenue this season. Now that spring training is over, Salt River Fields hands the keys over to a variety of other events and baseball tournaments that will take place there throughout the rest of the year.

From the day the spring training season ends, the team at Salt River Fields begins to plan the next year’s season.

“It’s a large undertaking to play 30-plus major league games in a row, and the various departments (grounds crew, security, Salt River police and fire departments, ballpark operations, ticketing, marketing, facility maintenance, food and beverage, merchandise, etc.) all must work together seamlessly to ensure a successful season,” said Dunne, who personally just finished his 29th MLB spring training season. “The Salt River Fields crew is the best in the game.”

In 2023, Salt River Fields led the MLB with a spring training attendance of 259,000. The 2023 Cactus League season generated $418.5 million for Arizona’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to a study by the Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business and an economic impact report released by the Cactus League in 2023. Overall, the 2023 season generated a total economic impact of $710.2 million.

The Cactus League, which was formed 1947, consists of 15 MLB teams that train at 10 facilities across Maricopa County.

2024 Cactus League Final Attendance Numbers

By Venue:

1. Salt River Fields: 292,255 / Rockies and D’backs / 30 games

2. Sloan Park: 241,215 / Cubs / 18 games

3. Surprise Stadium: 203,001 / Rangers and Royals / 30 games

4. Camelback Ranch: 194,280 / White Sox and Dodgers / 26 games

5. Peoria Sports Complex: 165,659 / Padres and Mariners / 26 games

6. Goodyear Ballpark: 146,284 / Reds and Guardians / 29 games

7. Scottsdale Stadium: 130,868 / Giants / 14 games

8. Tempe Diablo Stadium: 94,874 / Angels / 14 games

9. American Family Fields (Maryvale): 82,528 / Brewers / 15 games

10. Hohokam Stadium: 63,893 / A’s / 12 games

May not include, depending on space

By Team:

1. Chicago Cubs: 241,215 / 18 games

2. AZ Diamondbacks: 171,974 / 16 games

3. San Francisco Giants: 130,868 / 14 games

4. Los Angeles Dodgers: 121,638 / 11 games

5. Colorado Rockies: 120,281 / 13 games

6. Texas Rangers: 112,662 / 15 games

7. Seattle Mariners: 102,209 / 15 games

8. Los Angeles Angels: 94,874 / 14 games

9. Kansas City Royals: 90,339 / 15 games

10. Milwaukee Brewers: 82,528 / 15 games

12. Cincinnati Reds: 73,339 / 14 games

13. Cleveland Guardians: 72,885 / 15 games

14. Chicago White Sox: 72,642 / 15 games

15. Oakland A’s: 63,893 / 12 games

16. San Diego Padres: 63,450 / 11 games