Lakeland's 60-Year Baseball Tradition
The Detroit Tigers have held spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland since 1966 — the longest single-city, single-franchise spring training relationship in Major League Baseball. That history means TigerTown isn't a marketing line. The community owns it.
If you're planning a February or March trip, here's how to do it right.
When Spring Training Happens
Tigers spring training games run mid-February through late March. Pitchers and catchers report first; full squad workouts begin a week later. Cactus League schedules drop in early January, which is when smart fans book.
Tickets
- Buy early. The best games (Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals) sell out by mid-January.
- Box seats are affordable compared to regular-season MLB — typically $25–$45.
- Berm seating behind the outfield wall is the best deal in the park: cheap, family-friendly, and you can spread out a blanket.
- Group sales are available for 20+ — useful for company outings or fan club trips.
Best Days to Go
- Weekday afternoons — smaller crowds, easier parking, and the players are loose. You'll see drills and side fields you don't get on weekends.
- Saturday games are festive but packed.
- The first game of the season has a special opening-day energy worth experiencing once.
Parking & Arrival
Parking is $5 cash at most spring training games and the lot is plenty large. Arrive 60–75 minutes before first pitch to wander the back fields — you'll often see prospects and minor leaguers working out, which is half the spring training experience.
What to Bring
- Sunscreen and a hat (the park is mostly uncovered)
- A baseball — autographs are still very approachable in spring
- Cash for the berm and concession stands
- A cooler for the parking lot tailgate (allowed in the lot, not the stadium)
Where to Stay
The smartest base for a Tigers spring training trip is a North Lakeland vacation rental. The stadium sits at 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd — minutes from anywhere in North Lakeland and a quick I-4 hop from Lakeland Highlands.
Don't Miss
- The TigerTown complex — back-field workouts open to fans most mornings
- Postgame at Swan Brewing — Dixieland is the locals' postgame stop
- The Tigers Den — the official team store, more deals than the regular-season parks