There’s something about late February in Arizona: the way the desert air hums with pre-season anticipation, the crack of bats echoing from nearby Spring Training diamonds, and now, once again, the thrum of amplifiers rolling across Tempe Beach Park. Innings Festivals is returning for 2026, bigger than ever, adding a third day of music to what’s become one of the most anticipated weekends of the baseball and live music calendar.

Presented by Major League Baseball, the festival has carved its own space between the worlds of sports and sound since debuting in 2018. It’s part victory lap for fans who’ve spent the winter counting the days until Spring training, part celebration for those who just want to lose themselves under the Arizona sky for a few days of guitars, sand, and sun.

This year’s first weekend, set for February 20 through 22, 2026, comes with a stacked lineup that reads like a love letter to stadium-sized nostalgia and modern spirit. Mumford & Sons will open the weekend on Friday night, backed by Goo Goo Dolls, a pairing that feels like a perfect blend of anthemic charm and heartstring pull. Saturday keeps the adrenaline rushing with Twenty One Pilots headlining, joined by Cage The Elephant, two bands that know how to turn a crowd into a chorus. The closing night belongs to Blink-182, the eternal kings of pop-punk chaos, and Sublime bringing a haze of laid-back, beachside rebellion.

Of course, the magic of Innings Festival has always been in the in-between moments: the discovery of a smaller act tucked into the midday lineup, the casual meet-and-greet with a retired ballplayer who might still swing an imaginary bat for a selfie, the sound of a crowd roaring for a home run story told onstage between sets. Baseball greats and local legends alike make appearances throughout the weekend, adding a layer of hometown camaraderie that ties the music to the sport that underpins the heart of the event.

Food trucks line the park with everything from Sonoran dogs to frozen lemonade, and pop-up shops turn Tempe Beach Park into a temporary city of merch, memorabilia, and sun-bleached denim. Even with its growth, the festival has kept its easy flow – crowds are lively but not overwhelming, and the park’s layout still allows for shade, space, and views of the water glinting behind the stages.

Tickets for the first weekend are on sale now. General admission runs about $180 before fees, which total roughly $204 once the wristbands and shipping are factored in. VIP options and multi-day passes are available, too. Though it rarely sells out in advance, the wristband system – physical bands shipped to your rather than digital tickets – makes it worth securing your entry early.

After expanding from two days to an “Extra Innings” weekend in 2024, this year’s addition of a third day feels like the natural next step for a festival that’s grown with its audience. What started as a clever tie-in to baseball’s spring rebirth has become one of the most beloved traditions of Arizona’s live music season.

If you’re planning a trip to catch some Cactus League action, it’s hard to imagine a better way to round out your weekend than standing shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of fans as the sun sets behind the stage and a favorite chorus spills out across the desert air.

Innings Festival 2026 isn’t just about baseball or music; it’s about that perfect intersection where both meet, where memories stretch out like the outfield and the sound never quite fades.

For ticket info, schedules, and lineup details, visit the official Innings Festival website HERE.