Peoria Sports Complex – San Diego Padres Spring Training
- Meg Minard
- Mar 19
- 6 min read
Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29
Peoria Sports Complex 16101 N. 83rd Ave Peoria, AZ 85382
Year Opened: 1994
Capacity: 11,333
Spring Padres
The San Diego Padres have held Spring Training at Peoria Sports Complex for over 30 years. They have shared the facility with the Seattle Mariners every February and March since the city built the complex in 1994. It was the first spring training complex to be shared by two Major League baseball teams. That is now the norm in the Cactus League, with only a few clubs having their own facilities. Both the Padres and Mariners are leased to stay in Peoria through 2034. The Arizona Fall League Peoria Javelinas also make Peoria Sports Complex their home.
The Padres began their spring training history at Keegan Field in Yuma, AZ, for their first season in 1969. They moved to Desert Sun Stadium, also in Yuma, and played there from 1970 to 1993 before they relocated to Peoria, AZ.
Peoria Sports Complex often rates high on any Cactus League ranking list as the staff is extremely helpful, the concourses are spacious, there are plenty of kid’s activities, the gameday setting still focuses on the game, and the food and beverage choices throughout the venue amaze visiting fans.
Food & Beverage 5
Peoria Sports Complex has a wide variety of concessions. The best food places are the free-standing kiosks, carts, and tents, which line the concourse from third base around the outfield to first base.
Strolling along the outer concourse, you’ll find an ice cream truck and a West Coast Grill offering footlong char, Frito pie, and Sonoran dogs grilled right in front of you. A Maui Wowi sells frozen cocktails and smoothies; a Mac Shack and chicken tenders and fries stand are next door. Treat your palette (and your waistline) to Nina’s, which sells curly fries, Philly cheesesteak, jumbo bratwurst, and deep-fried treats ($9 - $17). Another kiosk offers pizza, burgers & fries, and beignets.
The third base concourse has noodle bowls, gyros, Dickey’s BBQ ($14 - $15), walking tacos, hot Italian sausages, churros, kettle corn, and garlic fries.
Standard baseball fare is sold at the permanent concessions with a regular hot dog costing $4.99 and a jumbo dog running $7.99. Nachos, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, Cracker Jack, candy, and the like are available throughout the ballpark.
A huge, shaded Four Peaks Patio Bar sits above the bullpen on the left field concourse and offers their local brews and other varieties of adult beverages. A West Coast Beer Garden site is in right field, offering mostly California brews including Stone Brewery, 805 (Firestone), and the yummy ones from Pizza Port Brewing (a San Diego-based brewery).
Beers are $15.99; bottled water is $5.99. Fans can bring in sealed bottled water. Pepsi is the soft drink provider with fountain drinks costing $6.99 or $9.99 (refills are $1.99).
The stadium has fantastic choices at the expected high prices (but not as high as some of the other spring training ballparks).
Atmosphere 5
The San Diego Padres and Peoria Sports Complex create a vibrant, delightful gameday experience. Die-hard baseball fans and those there for camaraderie receive a mix of excitement and relaxation, perfect for all in attendance.
The stadium boasts an easy-to-read scoreboard. The words are big enough that fans can read them without binoculars; the scoreboard displays both lineups (player’s name, number, and position). It highlights the player at the plate. It shows the line score, balls, outs, strikes, hits, runs, errors, and a data point not often seen in the line score, LOB (runners left on base). Advertisements are not broadcast during play, only between half-innings.
The music volume level is loud but mostly turned off when the PA announcer talks. Music is only played between batters and innings and rarely during at-bats and between pitches, which is a relief. The music person does play music when the announcer calls the starting lineup, but fans can still hear the announcer.
The Padres host several promotional days such as Bring Your Dog to the Ballpark (Rover’s ticket costs $5), Kids Run the Bases, etc.
Fans can stroll the entire circumference of the stadium, including a small bridge (overpass) down the first baseline. The Padres dugout is on the first base side. Seats are blue stadium fold-down seats on three levels with a walkway between the first two. The seats have plenty of legroom but are a tad narrow. The upper rows in the infield get shade first. Bleachers are down the first baseline in the second level. A thin net suspends to the ends of dugouts. The last three or four seating sections are net-free. Plenty of berm seating is available in the outfield. Fans in the berm area can peer into the bullpens.
Built in 2016, the Colonnade, on the third base side, is an indoor space for groups and events to enjoy the game.
Finally, a unique feature at Peoria Sports Complex is the Cove. It is a play area on the third base concourse shaped like a ship with misting fans, picnic tables, and a small baseball field. Kids have a great time here.
Neighborhood 5
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 more shopping all abound next to the stadium. Over 15 restaurants, bars, and fast food eateries are within a block or two. Many are chain restaurants if that’s what you prefer. We recommend The Social on 83rd (good for weekend brunch). During the week, they even offer a special spring training happy hour. 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. If you’re looking 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. Keep in mind that prices for hotels almost double during the spring training season.
Stay an extra day or two and watch the Seattle Mariners spring training as they also use Peoria Sports Complex. Surprise Stadium (Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers) is 10 miles west, and Camelback Ranch (LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox) is about 10 miles south.
Fans 3
Padres fans enjoy watching their team. They are an energetic yet respectful bunch who appreciate the game and the players during spring training. The complex is usually full (especially on weekends). You’ll see plenty of Tatis Jr and Machado shirts and jerseys in the stands.
Access 4
The city and organization have done some marvelous things related to getting in and moving around the venue. However, Bell Road / 83rd Ave is still a traffic mess when leaving an afternoon game.
Parking is free. Helpful attendants point you to the right spot as you enter the parking lot. Second, wide open concourses (especially in the outfield) offer easy and roomy movement. Finally, simple but quite effective signs indicating bag regulations focus on what IS allowed, not what is NOT allowed. That positive aspect makes fans feel much more welcome. (Clear sports stadium bags are permitted.)
The restrooms are older but plentiful and clean (at least the ladies).
The stadium is a 30-minute or so drive from Sky Harbor Airport. Public transportation is not easily available from the airport; riders need to make multiple transfers, and travel time takes close to 2 ½ hours.
Once you’re there, it’s fantastic. It’s pretty much a nightmare exiting the stadium and onto Bell Rd / 83rd Ave. We recommend waiting 15 or 20 minutes after the end of the game before heading to your car.
Return on Investment 4
Like all spring training venues, ticket prices have sky-rocketed. Ticket prices in 2025 run from $23 - $56 (plus a substantial Ticketmaster fee) for a Padres spring training game. The team has flexible prices depending on the day and opponent. Oddly, tickets cost more when purchased on game day. Even though these prices seem high, they are more affordable than some of the other spring training facilities in the Cactus League. And, parking is free. So, this is one of the more affordable venues in the league. Concessions are the typical high-priced stadium rates, but there’s such a variety with many local vendors on site. And, you can bring in your own water and a snack.
Extras 4
A few other items are worth noting. Peoria Sports Complex has an ‘Autograph Alley’ on the right field concourse where fans can attempt to get both the Padres and the visiting team’s autographs.
The main souvenir shop is set up nicely with plenty of room to maneuver; it’s not cramped. Plus, the venue has satellite merchandise stands throughout the concourse.
The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system was used during the 2025 spring training season. Peoria Sports Complex used this feature for its games.
The staff, mostly volunteers from the Peoria Diamond Club are incredibly helpful, kind, informative, and fun! I can’t say enough about their graciousness.
Final Thoughts
Going to Peoria for the day to take in some spring training is just a great experience. Be sure to put this ballpark on the list if coming to Arizona for spring training.
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