Surprise Stadium Tips

Surprise Stadium is located in Surprise, Arizona in the northwest section of the Greater Phoenix area. The Stadium is part of a larger sports complex, the Surprise Recreation Campus. The stadium was built in 2002, and the first Spring Training games took place here in 2003. In the fall, the Grand Canyon Rafters play here for Arizona Fall League Baseball.

Surprise Stadium is one of the newer and more modern Cactus League stadiums in Arizona. The library, aquatic center, tennis complex, a fishing lake and the Heard Museum North are all in very close proximity.

These photos will help you get a feel for Surprise Stadium before you buy your tickets and plan your day at the ballpark.

Surprise Stadium Tips

These comments are based on a visit in March 2008, March 2011 and March 2012.

1. Parking is free at Surprise Stadium. The quickest way to handicapped parking is to access Bullard Avenue from Greenway. (2011)
2. Odd numbered sections are along the third base (visitor's) side. Even numbered sections are along the first base (home) side.
3. Surprise Stadium is shared by two teams during Spring Training. The home dugout for the Texas Rangers is on the 1st base line. The home dugout for the Kansas City Royals is on the 3rd base line.
4. There is plenty of berm area. That means that tickets for the grass where you can lay down a blanket are plentiful. Of course, those areas face west and on a sunny afternoon the sun will be in your eyes.
5. About 10,500 people can see a game at Surprise Stadium.
6. All the infield seats except maybe the first row or two will have shade after about the first hour and a half. The first base side gets shade first. Even on a sunny day, it can get cool if there's a breeze once the shade hits! The upper level seats (all infield) are in the shade. There are no concessions stands on the second level.
7. All the seats at Surprise Stadium have backs. There are no metal bleachers.
8. The concourse on the third base/visitor side has the largest concession area, and you can stand in that area and eat/drink and still see the game. You can stand there even if you have a grass ticket.
9. All the seats have cup holders.
10. The scoreboard is clearly visible from all seats in the stadium. There are also electric scoreboards with large numbers on the concourse side so the count is easily seen even in the sun and from the grass.
11. If you look carefully, you'll notice that this stadium's scoreboard includes the speed of the pitches, too. It's on the bottom portion of the scoreboard, in the middle.
12. Besides typical stadium foods, you'll find ribs, barbecue, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, and Asian noodles at Surprise Stadium. (2011)
13. The practice fields for Surprise Stadium are in the same complex as the Stadium.

Pictures of Surprise Stadium
Surprise Stadium Seating Chart
Map and Directions to Surprise Stadium
Kansas City Royals Spring Training Schedule Texas Rangers Spring Training Schedule

Everything you need to know to get in on Cactus League action -- team schedules, tickets, stadium information, maps, team gear, photos -- can be found in the Arizona Spring Training, Cactus League Guide.

_{All prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.}