Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sports Spring Training topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Goodyear Ballpark previews 2026 spring training, unveils group area and suite upgrades
Summary
Goodyear Ballpark managers told the City Council the 2026 spring training season will include a Desert Invitational doubleheader Feb. 13, a 30-games-in-30-days schedule beginning opening day Feb. 21, new left-field group seating for 40–120 people, suite renovations, expanded concessions and several giveaways.
Bruce Kussman, ballpark general manager, told the Goodyear City Council on Feb. 2 that Goodyear Ballpark will host a condensed 2026 spring training season highlighted by a Desert Invitational doubleheader on Feb. 13 and a standard season opening on Feb. 21.
Kussman said the Desert Invitational will feature Kansas State against the University of Iowa at 1 p.m., followed by Penn State and the Air Force Academy at 6 p.m. He told the council the ballpark will present 30 games in 30 days and return five popular night games. “So we’re a couple weeks away, and we’re ready to play ball,” Kussman said.
The preview included plans for physical upgrades at the ballpark: a new left-field group area that will seat groups of roughly 40 to 120 people, renovated suites with larger countertops and leather seating, and larger televisions. Kussman said the suites will offer more storage and presentation space and that when groups aren’t occupying the new group area, those seats will be sold on an individual-game basis.
Kussman and John Brown, assistant general manager of business development, also described concessions and promotions returning for the season: a Desert Heat Burger available at the Burgertopia cart, a “ballpark bowl” healthier option, a schedule-magnet giveaway on opening day that doubles as a picture frame, a St. Patrick’s Day pint glass giveaway, and an “Ace” stress ball distributed later in the season. Kids run-the-bases will begin on Saturdays starting Feb. 28; senior stroll days are scheduled for Feb. 25 and March 4. The ballpark will host first-responder days and other ticket promotions.
Tickets and schedule information will be available at goodyearbp.com, Kussman said. Council members thanked ballpark staff after the presentation and raised no substantive questions.
The ballpark presentation preceded the council’s consent and business items and did not include a formal council action beyond the informational preview.
