Cactus League 2026 boosts Arizona economy to record levels
The 2026 Cactus League spring-training season in Arizona generated a record $806.9 million in total economic activity and $495.8 million in gross domestic product (GDP) for the state, according to a study by the Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. The findings indicate that visitors from outside Arizona spent money on lodging, dining, retail, and local transit, contributing to the state’s economy during the spring training period.
What happened this season
ASU’s study says the 2026 Cactus League season set records for economic impact. Total activity reached $806.9 million, and the state GDP tied to the season was $495.8 million, the highest since measures began two decades ago. The report notes a large share of spending came from out-of-state visitors who directly spent on lodging, bars and restaurants, retail, and in-state transit.
Key facts you should know
- Total economic activity: $806.9 million for the 2026 Cactus League season.
- Arizona GDP impact: $495.8 million. — worth weighing when comparing 2026 Cactus League season creates record options in Manama.
- Out-of-state visitors’ direct spending: $374 million on lodging, dining, retail, and transit.
- Compared with 2023: GDP was $418.5 million, showing growth.
Who is affected
The results reflect consumers and businesses in Arizona, including hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and local transit services, that benefited from spring-training activity. The study emphasizes spending by visitors from outside the state, which directly contributed to local economies across the Phoenix metro area and other spring-training hubs.
Practical next steps
Businesses in Arizona may use these findings to plan for future spring-training seasons, including staffing, inventory, and marketing aimed at visitors. Local governments and chambers could cite the study to support tourism-friendly initiatives. For visitors, knowing that lodging and dining drive much of the impact might inform budgeting for trips during spring training.
Limits and questions
The report summarizes economic activity and GDP but does not detail long-term employment effects or environmental impacts. It also focuses on a single season; trends over multiple years would require broader data. Readers should note that the source is described as an ASU study, but the original outlet provided the unverified text; verify with the university’s Seidman Research Institute for full methodology and definitions.
Which sources did Setup in Bahrain review?
Setup in Bahrain reviewed the following source material before preparing this explanatory article.
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- ktar.com — evidence source reviewed for this article.
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