Are 105-degree days coming to the Cactus League? Spring training could turn to summer in Arizona

PHOENIX (AP) — A day of fun in the sun for a Major League Baseball spring training game in the Cactus League looks like it's about to get toasty — even by Arizona standards.

Record-setting heat is forecast over the next 10 days in central Arizona with temperatures that could rise into the 90s by the end of this week and top 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 degrees Celsius) late next week.

National Weather Service meteorologist Katherine Berislavich in Phoenix said Wednesday that the current forecast shows a roughly 55% chance the temperature will top 105 by next Wednesday, March 18. That chance improves to 70% on March 19 and 85% on March 20.

Fifteen of MLB's 30 teams play their exhibition games in the Phoenix area. MLB does not schedule spring training games, leaving the calendar up to individual teams. Theoretically, teams could move day games to the night if they wanted.

Many games in spring training are during the day, where fans soak up temps that are typically in the 70s or 80s.

Even if it doesn't quite make it to 105 next week, triple digits are very likely. The previous record for the earliest day of the year above 100 in Phoenix was on March 26, 1988, which is also the only day that has hit 100 in March.

Even well-conditioned MLB players might have a tough time adjusting to the heat. Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that he's aware of the potential heat and that the team could alter its schedule.

“We know it's going to be smoking hot next week, but we've got to get work done,” Lovullo said. "There's nothing that you can do sometimes to replace going out and actually doing it. We'll find a way to get it done and make sure these athletes are healthy, strong, hydrated and ready for the next day.

“But we may make some adjustments.”

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Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell signs autographs prior to a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Fans reach for a baseball tossed into the crowd by Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Angels fans wait in the stands prior to a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich signs autographs prior to a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday, March 9, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A PWHL official said Wednesday that there have been constructive conversations in potentially teaming with the NHL's Ottawa Senators to secure its women's hockey franchise a long-term future in the Canadian capital.

The discussions center on the Ottawa Charge playing home games at the Senators' arena, the Canadian Tire Centre, PWHL senior VP of business operations Amy Scheer told The Associated Press. The Charge’s future is in Ottawa is uncertain beyond this season due to the city going ahead with renovations that will reduce the team’s current home’s capacity by about 2,000 seats.

“We’ve got a long ways to go to figure out where we are for the future of Ottawa, but the relationship with the Senators has blossomed,” Scheer said during a video conference call.

She referred to Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder as being “a gem to work with.” Scheer and league officials also met with Senators owner Michael Andlauer while attending the women’s tournament at the Milan Cortina Games last month.

The PWHL has already established a partnership with the Senators, with the Charge scheduled to play Montreal at the Canadian Tire Centre on April 3.

“The game is selling really well, so hopefully that’s the first of a really positive road for us to skate down,” Scheer said.

Leeder looked forward to the Senators hosting the game, and further discussions with the PWHL.

“We can confirm we’ve had positive dialogue with the PWHL and the Ottawa Charge, which is consistent with our desire to grow the game for women, men and youth in our Ottawa-Gatineau community,” Leeder said in a statement the Senators released to the AP.

The Charge were one of the PWHL’s original six franchises, and have spent the first three seasons playing at the city’s centrally located TD Place, which is also home to the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67s. The aging facility has a capacity of about 8,500 for hockey but the renovation will reduce seating to about 5,700, with an additional 900 standing-only spots.

The PWHL said the cuts make it financially unfeasible to stay at the arena. The Charge averaged about 7,000 fans per outing over the first two seasons, with that number jumping to 7,225 over the team’s first nine home games this year.

Scheer previously said the league was exploring all options, including the possibility of relocation. “We will not go backwards,” Scheer said in November.

The PWHL expanded to eight teams this season, with plans underway to add 2-4 teams for next season.

The Senators' home arena is located about a 40-minute drive outside of downtown. The team, however, is in the early planning stages of building a new home closer to downtown.

AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

Ottawa Charge's Kathryn Reilly, left, celebrates her teammate Alexa Vasko's goal during the first period of an PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Charge's Fanuza Kadirova (centre) spins around as she celebrates her goal on Seattle Torrent goaltender Hannah Murphy (83) during the first period of an PWHL hockey game in Ottawa, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)