When Do the Dodgers Start Spring Training?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the most iconic teams in Major League Baseball, with a rich history of success and a loyal fan base. As the winter season approaches, baseball fans around the world eagerly anticipate the start of Spring Training for their favorite teams. But when does the Dodgers start their spring training camp?
When Does the Dodgers’ Spring Training Begin?
The Los Angeles Dodgers typically start their Spring Training in late February or early March, with the exact start date varying from year to year. According to the official Los Angeles Dodgers website, the team will begin its spring training camp on Tuesday, February 20th. This marks the official start of the 2024 MLB season.
A Brief History of Dodgers Spring Training
The Dodgers have been participating in Spring Training since 1899, when they first began playing games in El Paso, Texas. Over the years, the team has relocated to Los Angeles on several occasions, and their spring training camps have taken place in various locations across the country. Some notable Spring Training sites for the Dodgers include:
- Los Angeles, California
- San Diego, California
- Glendale, Arizona
- Fort Myers, Florida
Spring Training Schedule for the Dodgers
The Dodgers typically spend 13-14 days in their designated spring training camp, during which time they will play exhibition games against other teams in the league. Here is a breakdown of the Dodgers’ 2024 Spring Training schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Series Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 20-23 | Houston Astros | Grapefruit Series | Sarasota, FL |
| February 24-25 | Tampa Bay Rays | Grapefruit Series | Tampa, FL |
| March 3-6 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| March 7-10 | Miami Marlins | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| March 13-14 | Atlanta Braves | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| March 15-18 | St. Louis Cardinals | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| March 20-24 | Chicago Cubs | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| March 25-28 | New York Yankees | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| March 29-31 | Texas Rangers | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 1-3 | San Francisco Giants | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 4-6 | Colorado Rockies | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 7-10 | Kansas City Royals | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 11-14 | Minnesota Twins | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 15-17 | Toronto Blue Jays | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 18-21 | Boston Red Sox | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 22-24 | Philadelphia Phillies | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 25-28 | Washington Nationals | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| April 29-May 1 | Cincinnati Reds | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 2-4 | Milwaukee Brewers | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 5-7 | Chicago White Sox | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 8-10 | Seattle Mariners | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 11-14 | Houston Astros | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 15-17 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 18-21 | San Diego Padres | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 22-24 | Los Angeles Angels | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 25-28 | Oakland Athletics | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| May 29-31 | San Francisco Giants | Cactus League Games | Glendale, AZ |
| June 1-4 | Tampa Bay Rays | Regular Season | Tampa, FL |
| June 5-8 | Miami Marlins | Regular Season | Fort Myers, FL |
| June 9-12 | Houston Astros | Regular Season | Fort Myers, FL |
| June 13-16 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| June 17-20 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| June 21-24 | San Francisco Giants | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| June 25-28 | New York Yankees | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| June 29-July 2 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| July 3-6 | Chicago Cubs | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| July 7-10 | Minnesota Twins | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| July 11-14 | Toronto Blue Jays | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| July 15-18 | Boston Red Sox | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| July 19-22 | Philadelphia Phillies | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| July 23-26 | Washington Nationals | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| July 27-30 | Miami Marlins | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| July 31-August 4 | New York Mets | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| August 5-8 | San Diego Padres | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| August 9-12 | Los Angeles Angels | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| August 13-16 | Oakland Athletics | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| August 17-20 | Houston Astros | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| August 21-24 | Texas Rangers | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| August 25-28 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| August 29-September 1 | San Francisco Giants | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
| September 2-4 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Regular Season | Surprise, AZ |
Why Do the Dodgers Start Spring Training in February?
The Dodgers start their spring training camp in February for a few reasons:
- Relaxation: After a long off-season, the team can use the downtime to rest and recover before the grueling 162-game regular season schedule.
- New Year, New Team: Starting Spring Training in February allows the team to shake off any lingering emotions and frustrations from last season and approach the new season with a clean slate.
- Experience: By playing games in February, the team gets to experience the warm weather and enjoy the outdoors, which can help them stay focused and energized for the long season ahead.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training schedule is set to begin on Tuesday, February 20th, with their opponents and series names already announced. As one of the most iconic teams in Major League Baseball, the Dodgers have a rich history of success and a loyal fan base that eagerly anticipates their start to Spring Training. With a packed schedule of games and activities, the Dodgers are sure to make the most of their time in sunny California and head into the new season with high hopes and optimism.