Every February and March, south Florida transforms into a baseball paradise. Fifteen Major League teams train across the state as part of the Grapefruit League, and several of the best spring training facilities are within easy driving distance of Miami. For baseball fans staying in a luxury villa, spring training offers the chance to see major league talent in intimate stadiums, enjoy perfect weather and combine a beach vacation with America's pastime.
The 2026 Grapefruit League season runs from February 21 through March 22, with games nearly every day across Florida. This guide focuses on the spring training venues closest to Miami, covering the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals in West Palm Beach and the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie. You will find stadium guides, day trip logistics, ticket information and advice on building a spring training experience that pairs perfectly with a luxury villa stay.
Spring training baseball is a fundamentally different experience from the regular season. The stadiums are smaller, seating between 6,500 and 8,000 fans instead of the 30,000 to 50,000 capacity of major league parks. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Players warm up within arm's reach of the stands, autographs are common and the pace of the game feels unhurried. For families, it is one of the best introductions to live baseball.
The quality of play is high, especially in March when rosters begin to crystallize for the regular season. Star players get more playing time as opening day approaches, and the competition intensifies. You might see a future MVP taking batting practice 20 feet away, or watch a young prospect making his case for a roster spot.
Beyond the baseball itself, spring training is a social event. Fans tailgate in parking lots, explore nearby towns and dine at local restaurants. The south Florida venues near Miami offer the added advantage of combining baseball with beach days, waterfront dining and the cultural richness of Palm Beach County.
The Venue
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is located at 4751 Main Street in Jupiter, Florida, about 90 minutes north of Miami via I-95. Built in 1998, it was the first spring training facility in Florida specifically designed to house two Major League teams, and it remains one of the busiest baseball complexes in the state. The stadium seats approximately 6,871 fans, including grass berm seating along the outfield, and is surrounded by a sprawling training complex with 12 major league practice fields, two half-sized infields and three clubhouses.
The Marlins and Cardinals share this facility, with each team using six dedicated practice fields and separate clubhouse facilities. During spring training, this shared arrangement means you can see both teams play at the same stadium, sometimes on consecutive days. The Cardinals play approximately 15 home games and an additional 3 games as the "visiting" team against the Marlins, giving them 18 total games at Roger Dean. The Marlins have a similar schedule in reverse.
2026 Schedule Highlights
The 2026 spring training schedule at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium features 30 days of major league baseball. Key games include:
What Makes Roger Dean Special
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium sits within the Abacoa community in Jupiter, a walkable area with restaurants, shops and entertainment options nearby. Downtown Abacoa, adjacent to the stadium, features establishments that come alive on game days. The stadium itself has a classic Florida spring training feel: open-air concourses, views of the practice fields beyond the outfield wall and a relaxed atmosphere that encourages lingering.
The stadium's parking garage charges $13, with an additional lot at nearby Florida Atlantic University for $10. Games typically start at 1:05 p.m. or 1:10 p.m. for afternoon contests. The intimate size means there is not a bad seat in the house. Field-level box seats put you close enough to hear the pop of the catcher's mitt.
Spring Breakout 2026
One of the most anticipated events on the Roger Dean schedule is Spring Breakout, a showcase game featuring the Cardinals' top minor league prospects. The 2026 edition takes place on March 21 and is expected to feature highly regarded prospects including JJ Wetherholt and Rainiel Rodriguez. For baseball fans who follow player development and prospects, this game offers a look at future stars in a low-pressure, fan-friendly environment.
The Venue
CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches is located at 5444 Haverhill Road in West Palm Beach, about 75 minutes north of Miami. The 160-acre complex opened in 2017 and serves as the spring training and player development home for both the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals. The main stadium seats approximately 8,000 fans, including 6,200 fixed seats and room for roughly 1,800 more on outfield grass berms.
The facility was built on a reclaimed hurricane debris site, transforming unused land into one of the premier spring training complexes in Florida. The stadium features a full 360-degree concourse, wide walkways, plentiful shade structures and clear sightlines from every section. Each team has six dedicated practice fields surrounding the main stadium, meaning you can often watch informal workouts and batting practice sessions before the gates even open for the main game.
2026 Schedule and Key Matchups
The Astros and Nationals alternate hosting duties throughout the spring, with games starting as early as February 21. The 2026 schedule features matchups against visiting teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Astros and Nationals also play each other frequently, creating a local rivalry atmosphere that adds energy to the facility.
Game times at CACTI Park are typically 1:05 p.m. for afternoon games, with occasional 6:05 p.m. evening starts. The evening games offer a different atmosphere, with cooler temperatures and the glow of stadium lights creating a more intimate feel.
Ticket Information and Stadium Tips
CACTI Park uses variable pricing based on the popularity of the visiting team. Ticket categories include Field Box seats ($37 to $56), Dugout Boxes ($31 to $47), Infield seats ($28 to $42), Outfield Reserve ($23 to $32) and Berm seating ($15 to $25). Pre-purchasing tickets online typically saves $5 per ticket compared to game-day prices. Parking costs $10 (credit card only), and free trams shuttle fans from the parking areas to the stadium entrance.
The concourse features standard concessions along with some local food vendors. The seats are a generous 20 inches wide, more comfortable than many spring training venues. Suites and club-level party decks are available for groups looking for a premium experience.
Combining CACTI Park with Jupiter
One of the great advantages of the south Florida spring training corridor is the proximity of venues to each other. CACTI Park in West Palm Beach and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter are only about 20 minutes apart via I-95. This makes it easy to catch an Astros or Nationals game one day and a Marlins or Cardinals game the next, or even attend a game at each venue on the same day if schedules align.
The Venue
Clover Park, located at 525 NW Peacock Boulevard in Port St. Lucie, is the spring training home of the New York Mets. The stadium seats approximately 7,000 fans and has hosted the Mets for spring training for 39 consecutive seasons, making it one of the longest-running team-venue relationships in the Grapefruit League.
Port St. Lucie is farther from Miami than Jupiter or West Palm Beach, roughly a two-hour drive via I-95 or the Florida Turnpike. Despite the distance, the trip is worthwhile for Mets fans and for anyone who wants to experience a spring training venue with a true small-town Florida feel. The area around Clover Park is surrounded by natural beauty, with the St. Lucie River, local nature preserves and quiet beaches providing a contrast to the urban energy of Miami.
2026 Schedule and Visiting Teams
The Mets' 2026 spring schedule includes home games against the Cardinals, Marlins, Astros, Nationals and other Grapefruit League opponents. Key dates include matchups against the Cardinals on March 7, the Marlins on March 22 (the final day of spring training) and several games against division rivals. Game times are typically 1:10 p.m. for afternoon starts.
Ticket Information
Clover Park offers some of the most affordable spring training tickets in Florida. General admission seating starts around $15 to $20, with premium seats behind home plate ranging from $30 to $60. Parking is $15 (credit card only). The stadium's smaller size means even the "worst" seats are close to the action.
Making It a Day Trip
The two-hour drive from Miami to Port St. Lucie is best suited for a full day trip. Leave Miami by 9 or 10 a.m. to arrive with time for batting practice viewing before a 1:10 p.m. start. After the game, consider stopping in Jupiter on the way back for dinner near Roger Dean Stadium or exploring the Juno Beach area, which is about 45 minutes south of Port St. Lucie and features excellent beach access and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a sea turtle rehabilitation facility.
All three south Florida spring training venues require a drive from Miami, but the logistics are straightforward. Here is a breakdown of travel times and the best routes.
Miami to Jupiter (Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium)
Miami to West Palm Beach (CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches)
Miami to Port St. Lucie (Clover Park)
Private Transportation Options
For groups staying in a Jatina Group villa, the concierge team can arrange private car service for spring training day trips. A chauffeured SUV or Sprinter van eliminates the stress of navigating unfamiliar highways and finding parking at spring training facilities. The driver drops you at the stadium entrance and picks you up at a designated spot after the game. For groups of 6 to 12, a Sprinter van is an ideal choice, allowing everyone to travel together and enjoy the ride.
For baseball fans who want to make the most of the Grapefruit League from a Miami base, here is a suggested multi-day itinerary that combines spring training games with Miami experiences.
Day 1: Settle into Your Villa
Arrive at your Jatina Group villa. Unpack, stock the kitchen or arrange for villa provisioning in advance. Spend the afternoon at the pool or exploring your neighborhood. For dinner, venture out to a local restaurant. If your villa is in Coral Gables, try Bulla Gastrobar for Spanish tapas. In Coconut Grove, Glass and Vine offers modern American cuisine in Peacock Park.
Day 2: CACTI Park in West Palm Beach
Depart the villa around 10:30 a.m. for the 75-minute drive to CACTI Park. Watch the Astros or Nationals take on a visiting team in the afternoon sun. After the game, drive 10 minutes east to CityPlace (Rosemary Square) in downtown West Palm Beach for a waterfront dinner and a walk along the Intracoastal Waterway. Return to Miami in the evening.
Day 3: Beach Day and Miami Activities
Rest day from driving. Spend the morning at Crandon Park Beach on Key Biscayne or take a kayak tour through the mangroves at Virginia Key. In the afternoon, explore the Wynwood Walls or visit the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) overlooking Biscayne Bay. Evening: dinner at Seaspice or a rooftop drink at Sugar in Brickell.
Day 4: Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter
Head north to Jupiter for a Cardinals or Marlins game. Arrive early enough to watch batting practice, where players warm up close to the stands. After the game, explore Downtown Abacoa or drive 15 minutes east to Jupiter Beach, one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on the Treasure Coast. Grab dinner at Guanabanas (960 N A1A, Jupiter), a waterfront tiki bar with live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 5: Villa Day or Optional Clover Park Trip
Depending on your group's energy level, this day can go two ways. Option A: a full rest day at the villa with a private chef preparing lunch by the pool, followed by an evening yacht charter on Biscayne Bay. Option B: an ambitious day trip to Clover Park in Port St. Lucie for a Mets game, with a stop in Juno Beach on the return for sunset and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
Day 6: Final Game and Farewell Dinner
Catch one more spring training game (or, if the World Baseball Classic is underway, attend a WBC game at loanDepot Park in Miami, which is just 15 to 25 minutes from most Jatina Group villa locations). End the trip with a farewell dinner, whether that is a private chef experience at the villa or a reservation at one of Miami's finest restaurants.
One of the unique aspects of the 2026 spring calendar is the overlap between Grapefruit League games and the World Baseball Classic. The WBC pool play at loanDepot Park runs from March 6 to 11, which falls squarely within the spring training season. This overlap creates special opportunities.
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter hosted WBC exhibition games in March, with Team Israel playing the Marlins on March 3 and Team Nicaragua facing the Cardinals on March 4. These exhibition matches give spring training attendees a taste of the international competition before the main tournament begins in Miami.
For fans who want to combine spring training with the WBC, the ideal strategy is to attend Grapefruit League games in Jupiter or West Palm Beach during the early part of March, then shift to loanDepot Park for the WBC quarterfinals, semifinals and Championship Game from March 13 to 17. The final days of spring training (March 18 to 22) then offer a chance to catch late-season Grapefruit League games as teams finalize their rosters for opening day.
A luxury villa in Miami is the ideal base for a spring training trip. Here is why the combination works so well.
Central Location
Miami sits at the southern end of the Grapefruit League's east coast corridor. Jupiter (90 minutes), West Palm Beach (75 minutes) and Port St. Lucie (2 hours) are all accessible day trips. On non-game days, you have all of Miami's beaches, restaurants, nightlife and cultural attractions at your doorstep.
Group Accommodation
Spring training trips are inherently social. Groups of 6, 8, 10 or more friends and family members travel together, and a villa provides the communal space that makes group trips memorable. Shared morning breakfasts, pre-game prep on the patio, post-game barbecues by the pool. Villa Banyan in North Miami Beach sleeps 16 across 7 bedrooms, making it perfect for a baseball buddy trip. Villa Marya in Miami Shores accommodates 14 in a quiet residential setting ideal for multi-generational families.
Concierge Logistics
Jatina Group's concierge service can handle every logistical element of a spring training trip. This includes arranging private transportation to and from stadiums, securing game tickets, making restaurant reservations near spring training venues, booking yacht charters or fishing excursions for rest days and organizing in-villa private chef experiences. The concierge operates 24/7, so last-minute schedule changes or rain delays do not disrupt your plans.
Cost Efficiency
For a group of 12 attending multiple spring training games over a week, the per-person cost of a villa is typically lower than equivalent hotel bookings, especially when you factor in the shared kitchen (reducing restaurant expenses), the shared pool and outdoor space (replacing expensive pool club fees) and the single transportation arrangement (instead of multiple rental cars). A property like Villa Celine in Coral Gables, at $1,450 per night for up to 12 guests, works out to about $121 per person per night.
When does spring training 2026 start and end?
The 2026 Grapefruit League season begins on February 21 and runs through March 22. Pitchers and catchers typically report in mid-February, with full-squad workouts starting shortly after.
Which MLB teams train near Miami?
The closest teams to Miami are the Marlins and Cardinals (Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter, 90 minutes), the Astros and Nationals (CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, 75 minutes) and the Mets (Clover Park, Port St. Lucie, 2 hours).
How much do spring training tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary by venue and matchup. At CACTI Park, tickets range from $15 (berm seating) to $56 (field box). Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium offers similar pricing. Clover Park tends to be slightly less expensive, with general admission starting around $15 to $20.
Can I see the World Baseball Classic and spring training on the same trip?
Yes. The WBC (March 6 to 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami) overlaps with the spring training season. You can attend Grapefruit League games in Jupiter or West Palm Beach during pool play, then shift to WBC knockout games in Miami for the second half of the tournament.
What is Spring Breakout?
Spring Breakout is an annual showcase game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium featuring the Cardinals' top minor league prospects. The 2026 edition takes place on March 21. It is a must-see for fans interested in player development and the next generation of talent.
Is it worth driving to Port St. Lucie for a Mets game?
The two-hour drive is best suited for dedicated Mets fans or groups looking for a full day trip. Clover Park has a charming, small-town feel, and the Treasure Coast area offers nature activities and beaches that complement the baseball experience.
What should I bring to a spring training game?
Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a baseball glove (for foul balls) are essential. Most spring training stadiums have open-air seating with limited shade. Comfortable shoes for walking the concourse are recommended. Bring a light jacket for evening games when temperatures can dip into the upper 60s.
How do I arrange transportation from my Miami villa to spring training?
Jatina Group's concierge service can arrange private car or Sprinter van transportation to any spring training venue. The driver handles navigation and parking, picking you up and dropping you off at the stadium entrance. This is the most convenient option for groups.
Are there other spring training teams in Florida I can visit from Miami?
Beyond the three closest venues, the Tigers (Lakeland), Braves (North Port), Rays (Port Charlotte) and Red Sox (Fort Myers) all train in Florida, though they require drives of 3 to 4 hours from Miami. For most visitors, the Jupiter, West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie venues offer the best balance of proximity and variety.
Can I attend spring training games and still enjoy Miami nightlife?
Absolutely. Spring training games are afternoon affairs, typically ending by 4 p.m. This leaves plenty of time to drive back to Miami, freshen up at your villa and head out for dinner and nightlife. The 75 to 90-minute drive from Jupiter or West Palm Beach means you can be at a Brickell rooftop bar by 6:30 p.m.
Spring training in south Florida is one of the great American sports experiences, and combining it with a luxury villa stay in Miami elevates it into something truly special. From intimate stadiums in Jupiter and West Palm Beach to the international spectacle of the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park, the March baseball calendar in south Florida has never been richer.
Jatina Group provides luxury villa rentals across Miami and South Florida, with properties ranging from elegant Coral Gables homes to waterfront estates on the Venetian Islands. Every booking includes 24/7 concierge support for spring training transportation, game tickets, restaurant reservations, yacht charters and any other experience your group needs.