Sunday represents one of the biggest days on the sports calendar, with the Chiefs and Eagles facing off in Super Bowl LIX. But Feb. 9 is significant for another reason, too: It’s the first official day of MLB spring training, the annual ramp-up to the regular season.
As teams begin six weeks of workouts, practices, scrimmage games and position battles, here’s everything you need to know.
Read more: Grading every team’s offseason, from an A+ for the Dodgers to Fs for the Padres and Mariners
Where is spring training held?
Arizona and Florida. Fifteen teams — the Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Guardians, Royals, White Sox, Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks, Giants, Rockies, Mariners, Rangers, Athletics and Angels — have complexes in the Phoenix area and compete in the spring in what’s known as the Cactus League.
The other 15 teams — the Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays, Phillies, Braves, Mets, Nationals, Marlins, Cardinals, Pirates, Tigers, Twins and Astros — have facilities across the state of Florida and play in the Grapefruit League.
Seven teams share spring training facilities, so a total of 23 ballparks host spring training games each year. George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training stadium, will also host the Tampa Bay Rays during the regular season this year, after their ballpark in St. Petersburg was damaged by Hurricane Milton.
When does spring training begin?
Many players work out informally at their teams’ complexes prior to the official start of spring training, but each team sets a date by which pitchers and catchers must report and another a few days later for the rest of the team to arrive.
This year, because they will play the Dodgers in Tokyo to begin the 2025 season, the Chicago Cubs have the earliest report dates: Feb. 9 for pitchers and catchers and Feb. 14 for the full squad.
Here are the rest of the teams’ report dates:
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Yankees: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Orioles: Feb. 13 and Feb. 18
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Red Sox: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Rays: Feb. 11 and Feb. 16
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Blue Jays: Feb. 13 and Feb. 18
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Phillies: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Braves: Feb. 12 and Feb. 18
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Mets: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Nationals: Feb. 12 and Feb. 18
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Marlins: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Guardians: Feb. 13 and Feb. 18
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Royals: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Tigers: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Twins: Feb. 13 and Feb. 17
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White Sox: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Brewers: Feb. 13 and Feb. 18
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Cardinals: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Reds: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Pirates: Feb. 12 and Feb. 17
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Astros: Feb. 13 and Feb. 18
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Mariners: Feb. 13 and Feb. 18
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Rangers: Feb. 12 and Feb….