The Grapefruit League hosts Spring Training games across the state from February 25 through March 29. Dogs are only permitted inside stadiums to attend games during special events. For more information, check the official 2022 Spring Training schedule.

Tampa Bay

Close to pristine beaches and a vibrant downtown scene, Tampa Bay is the epicenter of Spring Training along the Gulf Coast. Furry fans can make a basecamp at the pet-friendly La Quinta Inn Clearwater Central and scout several teams during their visit.

Starting in Clearwater, head to BayCare Ballpark, the Spring Training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Leashed dogs are allowed to watch practice from the fields located at the Carpenter Complex, the minor league facility adjacent to the stadium. The campus is also only 5 miles from dog-friendly Clearwater North Beach.

Drive 15 miles east to Tampa and the George M. Steinbrenner Field, temporary home of the New York Yankees. Leashed dogs are welcome to bark praise on the practice fields located at the rear of the stadium, but they must remain behind the perimeter fence. For a bite to eat, the nearby Columbia Cafe serves authentic tapas on its dog-friendly terrace overlooking Garrison Channel.

Nestled on the Manatee River with Tampa to the north, the Bradenton area is home to more Spring Training action. Four-legged buccaneers can catch a glimpse of two-legged “Buccos” at Pirate City, the practice complex of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dine on fresh seafood only 2 miles from the complex at Caddy’s Bradenton, a waterfront tiki-style eatery with dog-friendly outdoor seating.

Next, drive a few miles south to downtown Sarasota to watch the Baltimore Orioles take flight at Ed Smith Stadium. The four practice fields near the stadium allow leashed pups to eyeball the athletes from behind the fences. Fido can put his own athleticism on display at the nearby 17th Street Paw Park, a fully fenced dog park with agility equipment.

Your furry fan’s final stop lies 25 miles east of Tampa in Lakeland, where he can meet up with some feline friends at Tigertown, the Spring Training home of the Detroit Tigers. Both human and canine spectators can take in the action from behind the outfield fences on the practice fields. After watching the professionals shag flies, Fido can shag a few of his own at nearby Crago Dog Park.

Southwest Florida

Your last stop on the Gulf Coast is Southwest Florida, which boasts four more Spring Training stops. First up in the city of Venice is CoolToday Park, the Spring Training home of the defending World Series Champion Atlanta Braves. Pups can beg for autographs near the practice fields behind right field. Fido can play hard at Brohard Paw Park, Sarasota County’s only dog beach, complete with pet washing stations and drinking fountains.

Located 5 miles away in Port Charlotte, Charlotte Sports Park hosts Florida’s own Tampa Bay Rays for Spring Training games. Four-legged fanatics can cheer on the team from the practice fields behind the stadium. Feast on traditional Sunshine State cuisine right next door at The Twisted Fork. Dogs are welcome in the covered outdoor seating area.

In Fort Myers, visitors can survey the Minnesota Twins from the covered bleacher section on practice field No. 5 at Hammond Stadium, then check out the Boston Red Sox on the 5 full-sized practice fields at JetBlue Park, located nearby. If you want to get away from the crowds, take Fido for a walk on the John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail. This paved trail runs through lush wetlands along the Ten Mile Canal. Build up an appetite before digging into juicy burgers and craft beer at a dog-friendly outdoor table at Ford’s Garage in downtown Fort Myers. After your fun in the sun, kick back and relax at the Drury Inn & Suites Fort Myers Airport.

South Florida

Not to be outdone, the Atlantic Coast of Florida boasts its own brand of Spring Training mania in three South Florida cities. Port St. Lucie has been the Spring Training residence of the New York Mets since 1988. Dogs are permitted to greet the Mets from behind the fence on field No. 2 at Clover Park. The city is also home to Lyngate Park and Dog Park, a spacious canine recreation area with separate sections for small, medium and large pups, drinking fountains and shade trees.

Zip down I-95 to Jupiter for a double-header of Spring Training goodness. Both the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals tune up for the season at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Each team allows access for two- and four-legged fans on multiple practice fields located behind the stadium. Don’t skip town without gracing the off-leash area at Jupiter Beach, one of the state’s top-rated dog beaches.

West Palm Beach also hosts a pair of teams for Spring Training. The Houston Astros and Washington Nationals share the diamond at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The dozen full-sized practice fields outside the stadium permit leashed hounds to track balls and strikes from behind the perimeter fences. Treat Fido to a spicy dinner on the dog-friendly patio at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila, located a few miles away in downtown West Palm Beach. After calling it a day, rest those feet and paws in a comfy room at Homewood Suites West Palm Beach.

Cactus League practices run from February 26 through March 29 in and around the Phoenix area. Dogs are only permitted inside stadiums to attend games during special events. For more information, check the 2022 Cactus League Spring Training schedule.

West Phoenix

The western loop of the Cactus League offers two- and four-legged enthusiasts the opportunity to visit nine teams at five stadiums, all within 20 miles of one another. Stop by the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria to see the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres tune up for the season. The six practice fields adjacent to the stadium are equipped with covered bleachers for pups and people to watch players run the bases. Fido can run his own bases at Parkridge Park Dog Park, located 3 miles from the stadium.

Travel 8 miles down the road to Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. Each team has practice complexes surrounding the stadium where spectators can take in the action. The nearby Great Eagle Bar & Grill is a great lunch spot that serves burgers and brews on its spacious dog-friendly patio.

Head 14 miles south to catch the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear. A dozen full-sized practice fields are located within walking distance of the stadium, and leashed pups are allowed to scout players from behind the fences. Dogs can also explore the scenic desert and mountain trails at Estrella Mountain Regional Park, nestled a few miles south of the stadium near the Gila River.

Drive into the Phoenix city limits toward Camelback Ranch-Glendale, Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. A dozen practice fields sit on the banks of the 1,300-foot lake that runs through the middle of the facility. Leashed pups can don their Dodger Blue and listen to the crack of the bat from behind the fences. Convenient pet-friendly accommodations can be found 2 miles away at Home2 Suites by Hilton Glendale Westgate.

Round out the western loop at American Family Fields of Phoenix, Spring Training home to the Milwaukee Brewers since 1998. When the gates to practice fields 2 and 3 are unlocked, canines and their owners can observe the team hone its skills from behind the perimeter fence. Don’t leave the area without stopping at the Desert Rose Pizza and Gastropub, where Fido can relax on the outdoor patio and order a yummy entree from the special dog menu.

East Phoenix

The eastern loop of the Cactus League gives furry fanatics the chance to check out five teams in four stadiums, all within a 10-mile radius. Reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani and the rest of the Los Angeles Angels will be on display at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe. Located next to the stadium, practice fields 1 and 2 offer canine and human spectators the best vantage point to see the big leaguers. Afterwards, take Fido for a walk along the lakeside trails at nearby Tempe Beach Park.

Head a couple of miles east to Sloan Park in Mesa, Spring Training home of the Chicago Cubs. Leashed pups are allowed to watch player warmups from the greasy hill overlooking the third-base side practice field or along the chain link fence at the bottom of the hill. Located next door to the stadium, the dog-friendly Henhouse Cafe Riverview serves tasty southwest breakfast and brunch favorites.

From the cafe, it’s practically a line drive to Hohokam Stadium, Spring Training home of the Oakland A’s. Two- and four-legged visitors can view practice sessions from the field behind the stadium’s center field wall. Pooches can play shortstop a few miles away at Quail Run Dog Park, a fully fenced park with separate areas for large and small pups.

The final stop on the east loop is a two-for-one special at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale. Both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies can be spotted prepping for the season on the “Desert” and “Mountain” practice fields, respectively. Most practice sessions are open to the public. Stay in town for the night at the pet-friendly Hampton Inn & Suites Riverwalk Scottsdale, located across the highway from the stadium.