SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Years ago, you could walk up to a Cactus League spring training game right before the first pitch, pay less than $5, and go watch the game from the outfield lawn.
Those days are long gone.
Single-digit ticket prices are a thing of the past. Now, lawn tickets sell for anywhere between $14 and $28. It's still reasonable, but a far cry from the ticket prices that made spring training the greatest deal in baseball.
12News compared ticket prices for four Cactus League teams from 2014 to 2024.
All of them were drastically higher, more than inflation alone would account for.
In 2014, the Chicago Cubs charged $8 for lawn tickets. In 2024, tickets were $28 each.
The Diamondbacks charged $9 for lawn seats 10 years ago. Now, those same tickets are $22. The Giants and Rangers were $9 and $8 respectively. They've since gone up to $14 and $15.
Adjusting for inflation alone, an $8 ticket in 2014 should be $10.50 today.
Those prices don't include taxes, fees, parking, food, or drinks at the ballpark.
People 12News spoke to at Friday's Diamondbacks game at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale said tickets were more expensive, but they were willing to pay it.
Spring Training started Thursday and continues for five weeks.
Sports
Watch more of the latest sports videos on the 12News YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.