Each time Shohei Ohtani steps onto a Cactus League field, thousands of Japanese tourists and media are present, making Arizona’s spring training an international destination.
You might say Ohtani’s arrival has introduced a new cultural dynamic to the state.
“We call that the Ohtani factor,” Bridget Binsbacher, executive director of the Cactus League said. “It has been a significant factor and it reminds me of the days back with the Mariners and Ichiro (Suzuki). It was incredible how the energy changed, and just the intensity of all the people in the stadium here and it’s just beyond what you can imagine.”
After Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, the number of Arizona visitors from Japan jumped from 21,000 to 26,000, a 22% increase from 2023 to 2024 – the second largest increase among the 12 nations that were surveyed, according to a study by the Arizona Office of Tourism. Ohtani also drew a large following from 2018 to 2023 when he play for the Angels, who also train in the Valley, but the jump to the high-profile Dodgers seemed to give tourism an extra boost.
“The fan base coming from Japan, following their players, they go to great lengths to see them up close like you can here in spring training,” Binsbacher said.
The press box at Camelback Ranch – the spring training home of the Dodgers and White Sox – has gotten so crowded with reporters that officials have made special accommodations for Japanese media.
“Japanese media has just come in huge numbers, and to the point where they’ve had to put another tent on the property because there just isn’t enough room in the press box,” Binsbacher said. “We embrace it, we welcome it. I will be so excited to see how all of these things combined affect the total impact for 2026. We’re looking for some good numbers.”
The Cactus League drew 1,695,480 fans to stadiums in 2025, and in 2023 generated $418.5 million for Arizona’s gross domestic product; $710.2 million in statewide economic impact, according to a survey by the Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business.
The Cactus League is once again partnering with ASU for another full economic impact study for the 2026 season.
“We’re going to do a survey on the concourse, and really get a good feel for who’s coming, where they’re coming from, how long they’re staying and where they’re visiting,” Binsbacher said. “We’ll have some good information early this fall.”
It’s not just Ohtani and the Dodgers who bring all the Japanese tourists to the Cactus League. The White Sox made a big splash in free agency, signing third baseman and slugger Munetaka Murakami from Japan. He is already making a cultural impact with the team and the fans.
“It’s great to see,” White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield said. “We’re so excited to have him out here and he already is having a great impact here with the team.”
The White Sox, who finished last in the American League Central last year and drew one of the worst attendance figures in baseball, are trying to boost their chances to compete for a playoff spot and increase attendance by signing the Japanese slugger.
A lot of the Japanese superstars will be departing in late February to go to Japan when the World Baseball Classic starts on March 5 across four international locations: LoanDepot Park in Miami, Daikin Park in Houston, the Tokyo Dome in Japan and Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miami will host quarterfinals and the championship rounds.
Before that happens, some of the WBC teams will visit the Cactus League for exhibition games against MLB teams.
“Always so excited for international baseball,” Binsbacher said. “The WBC this year is bringing five countries and that again puts us on a global stage. It will draw fans, just based on, you know, history has told us that people are definitely interested in those teams and following their teams. We couldn’t afford to buy that kind of coverage.”
Along with having Ohtani, the Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series and will look to win a third consecutive title which is something no team has accomplished since the Yankees did so from 1998 to 2000.
“That’s another great example of international exposure when you have a player like Shohei Ohtani,” Binsbacher said. “That’s just all the buzz surrounding the Dodgers and what that means in the way of bringing Japanese media and fans.”
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