The City of Mesa concluded its 2025 Spring Training season with the Chicago Cubs leading in attendance for the 12th consecutive year in the Cactus League. The Cubs continued to draw large crowds, while the Athletics also saw an attendance increase of nearly 11% at HoHoKam Stadium, according to the City of Mesa.
Sloan Park, the Cubs' spring training stadium, saw 227,570 fans attend 18 games from February 21 to March 25, with an average of 12,643 fans per game. On March 8, the Cubs set a new record with 16,161 fans against the Seattle Mariners. HoHoKam Stadium, home to the A's, welcomed 82,636 fans, up from 63,893 the previous year, averaging 5,903 fans per game. Mesa's Mayor Mark Freeman stated, "Spring training holds a special place in the hearts of the City's fans, especially those who support the teams and explore the city's hotels, restaurants, bars, and stores," noting the economic impact of these events, which make up nearly 20% of the total Cactus League attendance, as reported by the City of Mesa.
Mesa collaborates with the Cubs and A's throughout the year, not just during spring training. Marc Heirshberg, Mesa's Deputy City Manager, said, "The City works closely with the Cubs and As not just during spring training but throughout the year, and they continue to appreciate the partnership with Mesa in not only providing the best-in-class training facilities for their players but also first-class experiences for the fans attending the games." This partnership has contributed to an increase in Cactus League attendance, with nearly 1.7 million fans attending 224 games over four seasons. Mesa remains a key location for spring baseball as preparations begin for the 2026 season, as stated by the City of Mesa.
