About the Cactus Jam
The 25th annual Cactus Jam is a premier Girls and Boys High School basketball tournament held December 26-31 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cactus Jam combines great competition with fun in the sun. The tournament hotels are located in the heart of the Arizona State University campus in the beautiful Tempe metropolitan area. Warm desert sun, great shopping and restaurants, and famous Southwestern hospitality make for a perfect tournament destination and fiesta in December!
Want to Join Us?
Interested in attending the Cactus Jam? Check out our 2023 pricing and contact our tournament director, Jason Sarkies.
Additional Information
GIRLS – ‘CACTUS’ DIVISION
GIRLS – ‘JAM’ DIVISION
GIRLS – ‘TEMPE’ DIVISION
BOYS – ‘CACTUS’ DIVISION
BOYS – ‘JAM’ DIVISION
BOYS – ‘TEMPE’ DIVISION
Flight Manifest/Arrivals (CLICK HERE)
Notre Dame Prep Bus Schedule
Scottsdale Christian Bus Schedule
Sunnyslope Bus Schedule
Notre Dame Prep
9701 E. Bell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Scottsdale Christian Academy
14400 N. Tatum Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Sunnyslope High School
35 W Dunlap Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Phoenix Suns vs. Charlotte Hornets – Friday December 29, 7pm Footprint Center. Contact rkennedy@suns.com (602) 379-7511 (CLICK HERE)
ASU WBB vs. Santa Clara – December 30
NHL Phoenix Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche – December 27, 7pm Mullett Arena (walking distance) (CLICK HERE)
Guaranteed Rate Bowl Game – December 26, 7pm Chase Field (light rail accessible) (CLICK HERE)
Escape Room (walking distance) (CLICK HERE)
Grand Canyon Tour (CLICK HERE)
Phoenix Zoo (CLICK HERE)
Tempe Activities (CLICK HERE)
Visit ASU campus (CLICK HERE)
Tempe has some of the Valley’s best shopping and nightlife venues including downtown Tempe, which offers a pedestrian-friendly shopping and entertainment district like no other in Arizona. Arizona Mills provides more than 175 shops and dining options under one roof including an IMAX Theater.
Tempe also offers NFL football, Major League Baseball Spring Training, rowing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and collegiate sporting events at Arizona State University, as well as Broadway shows at Gammage Auditorium, music and dance performances at Arizona State University, Childsplay at the Tempe Performing Arts Center, historical museums and art exhibits at the Nelson Fine Arts Center.
The 2023 Cactus Jam is sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations. (Learn more)
The Cactus Jam is based in the heart of Tempe at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. The Mission Palms is a first-class hotel with over 300 rooms located near many attractions and sights. Enjoy an afternoon spent on the picturesque roof-top pool and terrace, with splendid views of Downtown Tempe, or perhaps a gathering at Harry’s Place, the inviting indoor/outdoor lounge with live Jazz on Wednesdays. And finally, a delicious dinner at the acclaimed Mission Grille. The fully-equipped fitness center is located on the roof-top terrace, along with a lighted tennis court, sauna, whirlpool, and exercise room.
Tempe Mission Palms is located within a short drive of all the local attractions, including the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Gardens, Red River Music Hall, Mill Avenue shopping, Gammage Theatre, the Sun Devil Stadium, Desert Financial Arena, Wells Fargo Arena and the Karsten Golf Course. Both great locations!
Explore the Tempe Mission Palms – CLICK HERE
Download our 2023 Cactus Jam Pricing Sheet!
Q: How many games would we play?
A: Each team is guaranteed 3 games over 3 days (1 game per day) Dec. 27, 28, and 30.
Q: Can we stay for less than 5 nights?
A: We strongly suggest arriving on Dec. 26 and departing on Dec. 31. You never know what travel complications may delay your team’s arrival Additionally, check-ins are not guaranteed until 3:00 p.m. MST. If your team plays in the later games on Dec. 30 and chooses to depart that same night, you will be subject to late check out fees to hold onto your rooms. If you must depart on Dec. 30, aim for a departure time no earlier than 11 p.m. MST.
Q: What other costs should we budget for?
A: Each participant receives 4 breakfast coupons per person. You should have a plan for all lunches and dinners. Team activities and laundry are also costs to keep in mind.
Q: How does laundry work?
A: Laundry is each team’s responsibility. There are a few local laundromats we recommend. Eco Laundry and The Clean Spin are both good options.
Q: What team activities do you recommend?
A: See our “Things to Do” section of our website for lots of ideas! We suggest making a plan for activities ahead of time and checking with tournament staff that your plans do not interfere with game times.
Q: How does transportation work?
A: We provide team airport transfers and game transportation. The hotel also offers a shuttle to the Tempe Marketplace shopping center throughout the day. Anything outside that (laundry, dinners, activities, etc.) must be organized on your own.
Q: Are there any tournament-organized events to attend?
A: We provide free ASU basketball tickets (men’s or women’s, depending on schedule) to all participants for one game. Depending on the ASU and Cactus Jam game schedules, it’s possible that not all teams will get to attend.
Q: When will the brackets be released?
A: To avoid multiple bracket versions floating around, we typically release the brackets in November. Please keep in mind that it is very typical for teams to add or drop last minute, causing a shift in bracketing.
Q: How many brackets are there and which will we play in?
A: The number of total boys and girls brackets depends on how many total teams sign up. Each team is asked to fill out a questionnaire to best help us determine which bracket they should play in.
Q: Will we be able to practice?
A: There is not a practice court at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel or the Westin, but there is a walk through court with hoops and balls available for check out. We also have meeting rooms to sign up for in the lobby.
Q: Do we need to bring balls?
A: No, but please bring BOTH sets of uniforms. Home and away teams will be assigned when brackets are released.
Q: Where will the games be played?
A: We use multiple host sites each year. This year, our sites are Notre Dame Prep, Scottsdale Christian Academy, and Sunnyslope High School.
Q: Are there special rules to be aware of?
A: The tournament is sanctioned by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.
