For us baseball fans, spring training in the Valley of the Sun is a special time of year when the vibe, memories, and excitement of our national pastime return to the top of sports entertainment. We get to enjoy being outside in ideal weather while taking in a baseball game at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Naturally, this alluring combination draws baseball fans from across the country and around the world to visit our state and city. But you don’t have to be a baseball fan to appreciate the positive impacts that Tempe residents receive from Cactus League games. Spring Training games in Tempe generate a boost to our local economy. According to a 2023 Cactus League visitor survey conducted by the Seidman Research Institute at the ASU W.P. Carey School of Business, most out-of-state visitors stayed three to four nights, with Tempe being at the top for visitors’ lodging destination choice behind Scottsdale and ahead of Phoenix.
The survey also found that people who came to Tempe for Spring Training games contributed $2.3 million in direct state and local taxes, with accommodation and dining being their top spending items. And with Tempe being the Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Angels, most out-of-state visitors came from California. The revenue generated directly from Spring Training-related spending benefits Tempe services and programs, which maintains the level of service and quality of life that residents want in our city. Additionally, visitor and consumer dollars help support our local businesses and the people who work in Tempe.
While we can easily see the economic benefits from Cactus League games at Tempe Diablo Stadium, there is another important benefit to our community as well – charity. The Diablos generate funds through parking lot fees at Tempe Diablo Stadium from Angels Spring Training games. From these activities and partnerships with corporate sponsors, the Diablos raise about $1 million per year. This funds $240,000 in scholarships and supports community programs like city of Tempe Movies In The Park.
For decades, the Tempe Diablos has been committed to improving the community by supporting and encouraging educational and youth opportunities. Since the 1970s, Tempe Diablos Charities has raised money to offer grants to local organizations that fulfill needs in the community and provide partial scholarships to graduating high school seniors to further their education in college or trades. Additionally, Tempe Diablos Charites fundraise to celebrate our educators.
For the past 34 years, education faculty and staff in the school districts that serve Tempe students have been honored for their excellence in education at the annual Excellence in Education Awards Gala.
For more information on Angels Spring Training, visit tempe.gov/ diablo. To learn more about Tempe Diablos Charities and ways to support their efforts, visit tempediablos.org.
