Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N 83rd Ave
Peoria, AZ 85382
Year Opened: 1994
Capacity: 12,882
Peoria Javelinas Baseball
The Peoria Javelinas are one of six teams playing in the Arizona Fall League. The Arizona Fall League is a developmental instructional baseball league played in various spring training complexes in the Greater Phoenix area. The season lasts six weeks, during October and November. Major league teams send some of their most highly touted prospects to play in the league for additional practice.
For those not familiar with the term, javelinas are nasty pig-like mammals (though they’re not actually in the pig family) often seen in the Arizona wild. The ballplayers are much more approachable and friendly than the animals.
For the 2024 season, the Padres, Mariners, Braves, Brewers, and Marlins sent players from their minor league teams to join the Javelinas.
The Javelinas play at the Peoria Sports Complex, home to the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners for spring training, and the ACL (Arizona Complex League) Padres in the summer. NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball), Nippon-Ham Fighters KBO (Korean Baseball Organization), Doosan Bears, Lotte Giants, and NC Dinos have used the facility for their spring training in the past. It is owned and managed by the city of Peoria.
The two best features of the Peoria Sports Complex are the spectacular sunset views and the scoreboard.
Food & Beverage 2
The stadium does not offer a lot of fare for Fall League games. One concession stand is open. The concession prices are a tad lower than other venues in the league.
Food choices are jumbo hot dogs ($4.99), nachos ($6.49), soft pretzels ($4.99), popcorn ($3.99), chips ($2.99), and candy ($3.99). A footlong hot dog costs $9.49.
Bottled soda (Pepsi) is $4.99, and water is $3.99. A 24 oz can of domestic beer is $9.99, while premium beer cans are $10.99. Canned beer selections are Michelob Ultra, Hop Knot IPA, 805, Modelo, Angry Orchard, and Truly.
The food choices won’t wow you but are okay for a snack. You can bring in your own water and snacks.
We recommend eating elsewhere before or after the game and getting something here as a snack if needed.
Atmosphere 3
Javelina games are a peaceful baseball-watching experience.
The Peoria Sports Complex seating is staggered blue stadium fold-down seats on three levels with a small walkway between the first two. They have decent legroom but are a tad narrow. You can sit anywhere you want in the main stadium; the outfield lawn is closed off for most games.
Row O has more legroom than other rows. Seats behind home plate and on the first base side get the shade first for day games. Fans can still watch net-free baseball in sections past the dugouts. Accessible seating lines the walkway.
Be sure to visit the left-field patio deck (third level). It’s a great place to catch some foul balls and see that beautiful sunset.
Peoria Sports Complex, Left Field Patio, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
The scoreboard is the best in the Arizona Fall League. It is easy to read without binoculars. It shows the lineup for both teams (white letters on a black background), the name, number, position, and MLB affiliate of each player, which is great for learning the players’ names that will likely be in the majors in the future. The line score is displayed as well.
The pitch clock is attached to the batter’s eye in center field. It’s difficult to read during day games because of the sun, but it is simple to read at night games.
The music volume is just fine. Thankfully, the organization does not play music between each pitch and batter, just between innings. This allows fans to talk with each other without competing against the music. The sounds of the game are delightfully magnified, with few in the seats and no music. The cracks of the bat, players calling for fly balls, and calls by the umpire - you can hear it all.
The PA announcer does an excellent job. With a strong, clear voice, he calls almost all the batter and pitcher changes. Nicely done!
Game day operations have an occasional t-shirt toss. Stop by the merchandise counter on the concourse and complete a raffle ticket to win a prize, announced in the 8th inning.
Neighborhood 4
The stadium is in the heart of the P83 Entertainment District in Peoria, AZ, a northwest suburb of Phoenix.
Retail, restaurants, hotels, apartment and office complexes, movie theaters, and shopping all abound next to the stadium, mostly on the north side. Over 15 restaurants, bars, and fast food are within a block or two. Many are chain restaurants if that’s what you prefer. However, we recommend The Social on 83rd (good for weekend brunch). We also suggest Pho For Days (Vietnamese) and Revolu Modern Taqueria + Bar (Mexican).
Besides shopping, a Harkins and an AMC movie theater are nearby, as is an Air Trampoline and Adventure Park for those a little more adventurous. To get in a few easy steps, take a stroll (or bike ride) on New River Trail. Downtown Phoenix is around 20 miles away.
Several hotels are within walking distance. The LaQuinta Inn & Suites is the closest. A Hampton Inn, Comfort Suite, and Residence Inn are .3 miles from the park.
Other Fall League teams to visit when in town are the Glendale Desert Dogs and the Surprise Saguaros. Check if the Arizona Cardinals or the Phoenix Suns are playing at home during your visit.
Fans 3
Fans who visit the Fall League and the Javelinas are fans of the game.
Lots of retired folks are in attendance. Families and kids are seen more on weekend or evening games. And there are lots of autograph hunters. Scouts generally sit up behind home plate.
Average attendance runs close to 400 fans a game.
Access 3
Peoria Sports Complex is less than a half mile off Loop 101 (Bell Road exit) in the northwest suburbs of Phoenix.
Bell Road / 83rd Ave is a traffic mess when leaving an afternoon game or getting to a weekday evening game.
Parking is free. Only Gate B is open for Javelinas games (home plate entrance) on the corner of N 83rd and Stadium Way. The stadium is a 30-minute or so drive from Sky Harbor Airport. Public transportation is not easily available from the airport; riders must make multiple transfers, and travel time takes close to 2 ½ hours.
The concourses are wide open. Minimal pedestrian congestion is found at a Javelinas game.
Restrooms are plentiful and clean (at least the ladies).
Return on Investment 4
Single-game tickets are $13 (seniors 55+ and teens 11 - 17 are $11). Kids 10 and under get in free. If you live in the area or are planning on attending 12 or more games, a season pass is a less expensive way to go. A single admission season pass is $155; a double admission pass is $185 (both are less if you are 55+).
Concessions, though limited, are priced lower here than at other Fall League parks. And there’s no charge for parking (none of the Arizona Fall League stadiums charge for parking).
Attending a baseball game on a warm fall day or evening is worth the price.
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Extras 2
Both the PA announcer and the scoreboard deserve extra mentions and the sunsets.
Final Thoughts
Attending a Javelina baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex is a marvelous experience, especially for a baseball purist. If you are planning on visiting any Fall League venues, be sure to put Peoria on the list.
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