To kick off Major League Baseball’s Cactus League Spring Training season, Tempe Beach Park & Arts Park once again becomes the field for Arizona’s Innings Festival. Now entering its eighth edition, the music-meets-baseball festival promises three days of rock, pop, indie music from February 20 to 22, 2026, expanding back to a full three-day schedule for the first time since its inaugural run in 2018. Alongside the music, attendees can expect interactive baseball activations – batting cages, speed-pitch booths, player meetups, and more – woven into the festival footprint.

Festival Lineup

Heavy-hitters Blink-182, Twenty One Pilots, and Mumford & Sons headline the festival, and 25 other artists play throughout the day, including Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Lord Huron, Goo Goo Dolls, The Fray, Peach Pit, Switchfoot, and Myles Smith – a mix of nostalgic favorites, indie standouts, and fresh new voices.The baseball side is also packed. Alongside Off the Mound with Ryan Dempster and a new “All-Star Baseball Jam” hosted by Jake Peavy, festivalgoers can expect appearances from MLB legends like Torii Hunter, Brandon Crawford, Jason Kipnis, and many others, and Olympic medalist and former softball player Jessica Mendoza, throughout the weekend.

Headliners

Blink-182: A natural draw for punk-pop loyalists, the band has been riding high on recent tours and a reinvigorated fan base. Expect a set full of sing-alongs, throwback anthems, and maybe even some unexpected surprises.

Twenty One Pilots: Known for their unpredictable sets and genre-hopping stagecraft, this duo is one of the most dynamic live acts around. They’re masters of crowd engagement (think drum breaks performed on platforms held up by the crowd), and it makes their shows a full experience. 

Mumford & Sons: For fans of folk-rock and emotionally rich arrangements, Mumford & Sons bring a more grounded contrast to the high-energy acts. Their festival credentials are strong, and a Tempe performance could well become a late-day ambient highlight.

Undercard Gems to Watch

Here are a few artists worth keeping an eye on (or catching live) earlier in each day:

Peach Pit: The Canadian indie-pop group are known for their jangly guitar riffs and bittersweet, catchy songwriting. Their live sets often straddle the line between dreamy and danceable, a perfect choice for fans who want to ease into the day while still moving to the beat.

Goo Goo Dolls: A band that defined ‘90s alt-rock radio, they still know how to deliver soaring choruses and emotional sing-alongs. Their inclusion adds a wave of nostalgia that’s bound to resonate with longtime fans.

Catie Turner: A breakout singer-songwriter with witty, honest lyrics and a knack for connecting with audiences. Her intimate, confessional style translates beautifully on stage.

The Backfires: This rising indie-rock outfit is bringing sharp hooks and youthful energy that could easily make them one of Innings’ biggest discoveries. They’re the type of band you catch on a small stage now, only to brag later when they blow up.

Artikal Sound System: This reggae-rock band delivers sun-soaked grooves that should fit perfectly with Tempe’s festival vibe. Their breezy, feel-good energy will thrive outdoors in the warm and sunny desert weather.

Key Details

Getting there is relatively seamless – Tempe Beach Park & Arts Park sits right near downtown Tempe. Parking around the park is limited, so organizers encourage ride-share, biking, or using Valley Metro Light Rail or Bus, which drops off just steps away from the festival grounds. For those traveling in, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will be the closest airport to Tempe. The festival gates open each day at 12:00PM MT. Festival tickets for Day 1, 2, and 3-day tickets are available now via the festival’s official site.

Between its stacked lineup, nostalgic curveballs, and unique music-meets-baseball energy, Innings Festival continues to carve out its own lane on the festival circuit. Whether you’re chasing headliner anthems, digging into the undercard for your next favorite band, or just taking a few swings in the batting cages between sets, Tempe is the place to be this February!

Words: Carolyn Wang

Banner: Nathan Zucker