Shaded Seating at Scottsdale Stadium

What You Need to Know About Shade at Scottsdale Stadium

Scottsdale Stadium is widely regarded as one of the best locations in Spring Training because of its walkability. Unlike many parks situated in isolated suburban complexes, this stadium sits right in downtown Scottsdale.

Home to the San Francisco Giants, it holds about 12,000 people with a mix of traditional stadium seats, backless bleachers, and a sprawling grass berm in the outfield.

Because the stadium is older, there is a “premium” on shade, both literally and figuratively (money!).

How Shade Moves During the Day

With a northeast orientation, the sun starts the game positioned over the first-base grandstand. Early on, the only shade available is in the very back rows of the upper deck. As the game moves into the 3rd and 4th innings, the grandstand acts as a shield.

The shadow moves from the top of the first-base side down toward the field and eventually over home plate. The third-base line will be looking directly into the sun for almost the entire game. By the 7th or 8th inning, the sun descends low enough behind the stadium that the majority of the infield seating finally finds relief.

Top Picks: The Best Sections for Shade

Shade is at a minimum, so look to get into these sections as early as possible:

• Grandstand Sections 300 – 306 Even Numbers, and 309 – 310): These are the only seats in the main grandstand with “built-in” shade. Row 1 and 2 are often left in the sun until mid-afternoon, so target Row 3 or higher to be safe from the start.

• Upper Box (Sections 200 – 204 Even Numbers: These middle-tier sections behind home plate and toward the first-base side receive shade earlier than the lower-box seats.

• The Charros Lodge (Right Field): This is an elevated party deck that is fully shaded and cooled by misters. It’s perfect for groups or fans who want a VIP social experience.

• Lawn Seating (The Trees): If you have a lawn ticket, skip the sunny right-field berm and head straight for the trees in left field. They are highly coveted, so you’ll need to arrive when gates open to claim your spot.

Evening and Night Games

Night games at Scottsdale Stadium are rare but spectacular, offering a much cooler environment with a unique downtown backdrop. For an evening start, the sun sits low behind the first-base grandstand. However, as the sun sets, the desert air cools down rapidly. Scottsdale can see a temperature swing of 20 degrees or more between the first and last pitch.

While the evening is a great time to sit on the third-base side to watch the sky change color over the outfield, you’ll likely want a light jacket by the 7th-inning stretch once the sun is gone and the breeze kicks in.