Atlanta Braves Spring Training: How Atlanta Fans Can Plan the Perfect Trip

If you follow the Atlanta Braves from here in Atlanta, spring training is your first real taste of the new baseball season. Even though the games are played in Florida, many Atlanta fans treat a trip to spring training as an annual tradition—or at least a bucket-list getaway.

This guide walks you through how Braves spring training works, where it happens, and exactly how fans in Atlanta, Georgia can plan and enjoy the experience.

Where Do the Atlanta Braves Hold Spring Training?

The Atlanta Braves spring training home is:

• CoolToday Park
• Address: 18800 South West Villages Parkway, Venice, FL 34293

This ballpark is in southwest Florida, not far from Sarasota, and serves as the Braves’ spring training facility and minor league complex.

From Atlanta, you have three realistic ways to get there:

• Drive – Around 8–9 hours from most parts of metro Atlanta, depending on traffic and route.
• Fly – Many Atlanta fans fly out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) into airports like Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ), Tampa (TPA), or Fort Myers (RSW), then drive to Venice.
• Drive/Fly combo – Some travelers fly to Orlando or Tampa, then make a road trip down the Gulf Coast with stops along the way.

When Is Atlanta Braves Spring Training?

Spring training typically runs from late February through March, leading into Opening Day. The exact schedule changes slightly year to year, but generally includes:

• Pitchers and catchers report: Mid-February
• Full squad workouts begin: A few days after pitchers and catchers
• Spring training games: Late February through the final days of March

For fans in Atlanta, this makes spring training a popular:

• Long weekend getaway (Thursday–Sunday games)
• Spring break trip for families when local schools are out
• Pre-season preview for fans who want to see new players and prospects before they reach Truist Park

Quick Atlanta Fan Snapshot: Travel & Timing

What Spring Training Is Like (Compared to a Game in Atlanta)

If you’re used to Truist Park and the Battery Atlanta, spring training will feel very different—in a good way:

A More Relaxed, Up-Close Atmosphere

• Smaller ballpark – CoolToday Park is more intimate than Truist Park, so there are no “bad” seats.
• Shorter lines – Food, merchandise, and restrooms usually involve less waiting.
• Easier autographs and photos – Fans often get closer to players near the dugout, bullpens, or practice fields.

A Focus on Player Development

In Atlanta, you mostly see finished major-league lineups. In spring training:

• Starters may only play a few innings as they ramp up gradually.
• Prospects and minor leaguers get more playing time in the later innings.
• You’ll often see position battles and players competing for the last roster spots.

If you like to follow the Braves’ farm system or want a preview of players who may later appear in Gwinnett or Mississippi, spring training is ideal.

How to Get from Atlanta to Braves Spring Training

1. Driving from Atlanta

For many locals, driving is the most flexible option.

Typical drive:

• From central Atlanta to Venice: about 500–550 miles
• Travel time: approximately 8–9 hours with brief stops

Common driving routes from Atlanta:

• I-75 South the whole way – Through Macon, Valdosta, then into Florida, connecting toward Venice near Tampa.
• Or I-75 South → I-4 West (toward Tampa) → I-75 South again down to the Venice area.

✅ Good for:

• Families bringing strollers, coolers, and beach gear
• Groups of Braves fans splitting gas and hotel costs
• Fans who want to make a multi-stop Florida road trip (Tampa, Sarasota, beaches)

2. Flying from Atlanta (ATL)

If you prefer to save time:

• Depart from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Look at flights to:
  • Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) – Closest to Venice
  • Tampa International Airport (TPA) – Often more flight options
  • Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers – Another reasonable option

From those airports, you can rent a car and drive approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to reach CoolToday Park, depending on which airport you choose.

Buying Atlanta Braves Spring Training Tickets

Ticket buying for spring training is usually more relaxed than for high-demand regular-season games in Atlanta, but popular games still sell quickly.

Types of tickets you’ll see:

• Reserved seating – Traditional stadium seats behind home plate and along the baselines.
• Baseline or outfield seating/berm – Often more affordable and relaxed.
• Group sections or party decks – Some games offer group ticketing options.

Tips for Atlanta fans:

• Look for weekday afternoon games if you prefer lighter crowds.
• For kids or autograph hunters, seats near the Braves dugout (first-base side) are often ideal.
• Compare weekday vs. weekend prices—weekends and games against popular opponents may cost more and sell out faster.

Where to Stay: Planning Lodging from Atlanta

You won’t find Atlanta’s high-rise hotel clusters in Venice, but there are plenty of practical options.

Areas Atlanta Fans Commonly Choose

• Venice / North Port area – Closest to CoolToday Park; good if your priority is maximum ballpark time.
• Sarasota / Siesta Key – A bit farther but offers more dining, nightlife, and beach options.
• Port Charlotte / Punta Gorda – Another reasonable drive, often with more budget-friendly stays.

Factors to consider:

• Driving distance to the ballpark – Check actual drive time at game start (often midday).
• Beach access – If you’re turning it into a full vacation, staying closer to the coast can be worth it.
• Parking at your hotel – Many Atlanta travelers drive their own or rental cars, so easy parking is a plus.

What to Expect on Game Day at CoolToday Park

For an Atlanta local used to Braves games at the Battery, here’s how a spring training game day usually feels.

Arrival & Parking

• There is on-site parking with clearly marked lots.
• Many fans arrive at least an hour early to watch batting practice or get settled.
• The ballpark has a more casual, neighborhood feel compared to the urban surroundings of Truist Park.

Inside the Ballpark

You’ll find:

• Concessions with ballpark classics and regional options
• Team store with Braves spring training gear
• Shaded and unshaded seating – Florida sun is strong, so Atlanta fans should plan for sun protection even if you’re used to Georgia summers

🎒 What Atlanta fans often bring:

• Sunscreen and hats
• Light clothing and a jacket for breezy evenings
• A small bag, following posted bag policies
• Autograph items like baseballs or hats (within stadium rules)

Family Tips for Braves Spring Training from Atlanta

Many metro Atlanta families combine Braves spring training with spring break vacations.

Kid-friendly advantages:

• Daytime games are common, so evenings are free for dinner or beach time.
• Shorter stadium walks compared with a large park like Truist.
• A better chance for kids to see players up close or catch a ball.

Family planning tips:

• Check your school system’s calendar (Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, etc.) and line up games in late March if possible.
• Book lodging early for peak spring break weeks—prices can climb quickly.
• Build in non-baseball days for the beach or local attractions so everyone gets a break from the sun.

Comparing Spring Training to Regular-Season Braves Games in Atlanta

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective, here’s how the experiences differ:

At Truist Park in Atlanta:

• Larger crowds and a big-game atmosphere
• The Battery Atlanta offers restaurants, bars, and entertainment
• Games count in the standings, and star players typically play most of the game

At CoolToday Park in Florida:

• More relaxed, personal feel
• Easier to focus on player development and young prospects
• Games are exhibition, so results don’t affect the standings—but they do influence roster decisions

Many Atlanta fans find that spring training:

• Makes them more invested in young players when they later appear in Gwinnett or Atlanta
• Offers a chance to enjoy Braves baseball without the pressure of regular-season results
• Adds a vacation element you don’t typically get from a quick drive to Cumberland

How to Plan Your Trip from Atlanta Step-by-Step

For an Atlanta-based fan or family, here’s a simple planning rhythm:

1. Pick your dates

   • Aim for late February–March.
   • Decide if you want a weekend series or a full week.

2. Check the Braves spring training schedule

   • Look for home games at CoolToday Park.
   • Circle matchups you’re most interested in.

3. Decide how you’ll travel from Atlanta

   • Drive if you want total flexibility and lower cost.
   • Fly if you want to save time, then rent a car.

4. Book lodging near the ballpark or beaches

   • Compare Venice vs. Sarasota vs. other nearby areas.
   • Weigh commute time vs. vacation amenities.

5. Purchase tickets early

   • Especially for weekend games or popular opponents.
   • Aim for seats that fit your goals (shade, close to dugout, budget, etc.).

6. Prepare for Florida weather

   • Pack light, breathable clothes from Atlanta.
   • Bring sun protection, especially for kids.

7. Plan a few non-baseball activities

   • Beaches, local restaurants, and short side trips make the trip more memorable.

Is Braves Spring Training Worth It for an Atlanta Fan?

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, Braves spring training offers:

• A unique way to connect with the team before Opening Day at Truist Park
• A chance to see the next wave of Braves players before they reach Atlanta
• An easy way to combine baseball and a Florida vacation

If you love following the Braves all season, planning even one spring training trip can deepen your connection to the team and give you a new appreciation for what happens long before the first pitch in Atlanta.