Where the Atlanta Braves Hold Spring Training (And How to Get There from Atlanta)

If you follow the Braves from Atlanta, spring training means one big thing: a trip to North Port, Florida, not metro Atlanta.

Here’s exactly where the Atlanta Braves spring training is, how it works, and what Atlanta fans typically do to follow the team in February and March.

Where Is the Atlanta Braves Spring Training Facility?

The Atlanta Braves spring training complex is located in North Port, Florida, on the Gulf Coast between Tampa and Fort Myers.

Official spring training home:

• CoolToday Park
• Address: 18800 S. West Villages Parkway, North Port, FL 34293
• Primary use: Atlanta Braves Spring Training (February–March) + minor league and event use the rest of the year

CoolToday Park is not in Atlanta or even in Georgia. If you’re in metro Atlanta—whether you live in Buckhead, Decatur, Marietta, or South Fulton—you’ll need to travel to Florida to see the Braves in their spring training home.

Quick Overview for Atlanta Fans

Why the Braves Don’t Hold Spring Training in Atlanta

Many Atlanta fans expect spring training to be somewhere around Cobb County, Gwinnett, or downtown Atlanta. Historically, though, Major League Baseball spring training happens in warm-weather hubs:

• Florida (the “Grapefruit League”)
• Arizona (the “Cactus League”)

The Braves are part of the Grapefruit League, which is clustered in Florida to:

• Avoid cold-weather delays that are common in early spring in Atlanta
• Limit travel distances for exhibition games against other teams
• Provide consistent practice conditions for pitchers and position players

So even though the team is based at Truist Park in Cumberland during the regular season, spring training is intentionally located in Florida.

Getting from Atlanta to Braves Spring Training in North Port

If you’re planning a trip from Atlanta to see the Braves in spring training, here’s what Atlantans typically consider.

1. Driving from Atlanta to CoolToday Park

Many Braves fans in Georgia choose to drive.

• Approximate distance from Atlanta: ~520–550 miles
• Typical driving time: Around 7–8 hours, depending on traffic and exact starting point

Common routes from Atlanta:

• I-75 South through Macon, Valdosta, into Florida
• Continue on I-75 through Tampa area
• Then head south toward North Port / Port Charlotte area

📝 Tip for Atlanta drivers:
Leaving early from Atlanta (especially to avoid weekday rush hour on the Downtown Connector and I-75) can make the drive significantly smoother.

2. Flying from Atlanta (ATL) to the Spring Training Area

If you prefer to fly out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you have several airport options near North Port:

• Tampa International Airport (TPA) – often has many nonstop flights from ATL
• Fort Myers / Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
• Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) – closer to North Port than Tampa or Fort Myers, but may have fewer direct options

From any of these airports, you’ll typically:

• Rent a car or
• Use a mix of rideshare and local transportation to reach CoolToday Park in North Port

Spring Training vs. Regular Season in Atlanta

From an Atlanta perspective, it’s helpful to think of the Braves’ year in two different locations:

Regular Season Home in Atlanta

• Stadium: Truist Park
• Address: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Area: Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta in Cobb County
• Time of year: Typically late March/early April through late September (plus postseason)

This is where you’ll watch meaningful regular-season and playoff games if you’re staying in metro Atlanta.

Spring Training Home in Florida

• Stadium: CoolToday Park
• Location: North Port, Florida
• Time of year: Usually mid-February through late March

If you want to see early looks at prospects, lighter crowds, and more casual game environments, you’ll need to plan for a trip from Atlanta to Florida.

What to Expect at Braves Spring Training (From an Atlanta Fan’s View)

Many Atlantans describe their first spring training trip as feeling very different from a game day at Truist Park.

Here’s how it typically compares:

Atmosphere

• Smaller stadium: CoolToday Park is much more intimate than Truist Park.
• Closer to the field: Fans often feel closer to players, especially for warmups and batting practice.
• Relaxed vibe: The games are competitive but have a more laid-back, vacation feel.

Players and Lineups

• Early in spring:
  • You may not see regular starters the entire game.
  • Prospects and minor leaguers get substantial playing time.
• Later in spring:
  • Lineups start to look more like regular-season combinations.
  • Starters may play more innings as they ramp up for Opening Day in Atlanta.

For someone used to watching the Braves in Atlanta, spring training is a chance to:

• Get a first look at new signings and top prospects
• See players without the full in-season intensity
• Enjoy baseball in a smaller, sunnier setting before they return to Georgia

Do the Braves Ever Train or Play Spring Games in Atlanta?

Formal spring training games and full training camp are in Florida, not in Atlanta.

However, from an Atlanta standpoint, there are a few relevant points:

• The final days of spring sometimes include exhibition-style or warm-up games that may bring the team closer to its regular-season home surroundings, but these are generally not full spring training camps in metro Atlanta.
• Once the team returns to Atlanta, they shift to regular-season preparation at Truist Park and surrounding practice facilities.

For everyday fans in Atlanta:

• If it’s February or early March and you want to see official spring training action, you’ll need to go to Florida.
• Once late March rolls around, your focus shifts back to Atlanta and Truist Park.

How Atlanta Fans Typically Plan a Spring Training Trip

If you live in or around Atlanta and want to catch the Braves in North Port, most fans follow a simple planning pattern:

1. Check the Braves’ spring training schedule

   • Look for home games at CoolToday Park.
   • Many Atlantans pick a long weekend with 1–3 games.

2. Decide on travel from Atlanta

   • Drive: Good if you’re comfortable with a full-day road trip down I-75.
   • Fly from ATL: Good if you prefer speed and don’t mind a car rental in Florida.

3. Book lodging near North Port

   • Many fans stay in neighboring areas like Venice, Port Charlotte, or Sarasota, depending on price and availability.

4. Plan for regular-season games back in Atlanta

   • Once you’re home, look ahead to Opening Day and early series at Truist Park in Cobb County.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• The Atlanta Braves do NOT hold spring training in Atlanta.
• Their spring training home is CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida, about a 7–8 hour drive from Atlanta.
• If you’re staying in Atlanta and want live Braves baseball:
  • Spring (Feb–March): You’ll need to travel to Florida for official spring training.
  • Regular season (April–Sept): Head to Truist Park in the Cumberland area of metro Atlanta.

Understanding this split helps you plan:

• Florida trips if you want the spring training experience.
• Atlanta game days at Truist Park once the season begins.