Young superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are among the reasons Major League Baseball is so popular. In order to provide new fans with some key information about the oldest arenas in the MLB, we dug into the game’s storied history.
There are only a couple of years between Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago as the oldest MLB stadiums. It speaks volumes about each of these ballparks and their franchises that they have hosted baseball games for over a century.
In addition, it tells a great deal about professional baseball at its highest level. Many baseball fans cherish old ballparks more than any other major sport, probably more than any other.
Before the 1960s, only two of the current major league stadiums had been built. The construction of a new baseball stadium in Toronto (with the first retractable roof) appears to have opened the floodgates to construction of new stadiums built specifically for baseball, following a period of mostly bland and enclosed circular stadiums with artificial turf for multi-use games (with football).
Baseball stadiums experienced a renaissance after Camden Yards in Baltimore kicked off a trend where clubs ditched uniform outfield fence distances for interesting angles, asymmetry, and classic touches that paid tribute to their hometowns. A newer stadium generally looks like an older baseball stadium.
The Oldest MLB Ballparks Still in Use Today
Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California, home of the Los Angeles Angels
The fact that Angel Stadium is among the five oldest in the MLB is almost as surprising as the fact that it is among the oldest stadiums anywhere! The “Big A” metal tower beyond the left-field fence at Angel Stadium is easily distinguishable from Dodger Stadium. There is still that A inside, but the tip is all that can be seen from inside.
In the past, the stadium was enclosed to house the National Football League’s Rams, but it was then opened and remodeled into a more modern stadium design.
There was an open view outside, an outfield walkway, a kids’ playground, and some interesting rocks lining the outfield wall, which mimicked the California coast.
RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland, home of the Athletics
Originally known as Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, RingCentral Stadium was built in 1966 to accommodate the NFL’s Raiders, MLB’s A’s, and off-season events. In 2019, the Raiders left this stadium to move to Las Vegas, making it the last U.S. stadium where baseball and football played simultaneously.
While the encircled monstrosities lacked the charm favored by baseball fans, the “multi-use” trend began in the 1960s. Despite years of efforts, the A’s franchise has yet to find a new stadium dedicated exclusively to baseball.
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, home of the Royals
One of the oldest stadiums still in use in the MLB was built in the 1970s, indicating how many venues have been replaced since then. The Royals Stadium, which opened in 1973, shares many similar characteristics with Dodger Stadium (notice how the uniform colors of both teams are similar?).
There are no distinctive features beyond the outfield fences, except for the water fountains that are most prominent. The Royals team continues to ebb and flow between being competitive, and rebuilding, as seating has been constructed around the fountains beyond the outfield.
Rogers Centre, Toronto, home of the Blue Jays
Upon its opening as the SkyDome in 1989, Rogers Centre made a lot of history because it was the first stadium to have an operational retractable roof. Beyond the centerfield fence is a hotel that was built into the stadium years ago.
A new stadium has been threatened, however, when the local community cannot help finance a new one to replace the aging stadium and artificial turf. Despite the Blue Jays’ return to competitiveness in recent years, the relationship between the team and Rogers Centre may be coming to an end.
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Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida, home of the Rays
It is likely that the single MLB facility that generates the most complaints, in line with the Blue Jays’ feelings about its home stadium, is Tropicana Field, a new stadium in Tampa Bay that was built in 1990 as the Florida Suncoast Dome (but didn’t host its first MLB game until 1998).
Unless the community assists the club in moving out of the last domed stadium with artificial turf in the majors, the club has been threatening to move. Besides having a low seating capacity, the underside of the dome is white like a baseball, making catchers difficult to see pop flies, and striking balls can actually hit the catwalks.
Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, home of the White Sox
The last new stadium designed with then-modern styles to open for the 1991 season was Guaranteed Rate Field, formerly known as Comiskey Park. In 2003, after the company that purchased its naming rights for 20 years, the stadium was renamed U.S. In favor of U.S. cellular, the stadium was renamed U.S. Through 2029, the stadium will be known as Guaranteed Rate Field.
Several people say this stadium was designed at an unfortunate time since the very next MLB stadium would set the standards for design preferences.
Camden Yards, Baltimore, home of the Orioles
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is an innovative baseball stadium that deviates from the long-used “cookie-cutter” design of baseball stadiums.
That is, architects chose not to remove the huge B&O Warehouse building behind the right field fence and instead incorporated it into the design as an asymmetrical “retro” look. As a significant upgrade to Memorial Stadium, which the Orioles had been using since 1954, the design won many awards.
Fenway Park, Boston, home of the Red Sox
It opened the same month as the Titanic sank in 1912, making it the oldest stadium still being used by Major League Baseball teams. The 37-foot “Green Monster” wall behind the left-fielder makes this park resemble what it was over a century ago, as beloved home of the Boston Red Sox.
Despite this, the scoreboard is still operated manually (by someone behind the Monster! ), and the right field and left field poles have been named by fans over the years.
Wrigley Field, Chicago, home of the Cubs
Despite its proximity to Fenway Park, Wrigley Field in Chicago has hosted Cubs games since 1914 and continues to charm fans with its tradition. Several new baseball fans are unaware that Wrigley Field opened for the new Federal League team (Whales) and lasted only two seasons.
Wrigley, Jr. bought the Cubs four years later and renamed Cubs Park after the chewing gum magnate. Wrigley Field has been called Wrigley Field since 1926 because of the iconic ivy growing on brick walls.
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, home of the Dodgers
In 1962, this stunning stadium in Chavez Ravine, just outside downtown Los Angeles, opened in 1962, older than only a couple of current MLB stadiums. Dodger Stadium remains an example of excellence in ballpark design after more than six decades of baseball and concert performances.
Parking lots with access to multiple freeways and more concession stands inside than one stadium can handle add to a ballpark with no obstructed views. The Hollywood Hills or downtown skyline can be seen from upper-level seats.
Progressive Field, Cleveland, home of the Guardians
The designers of Jacobs Field used the retro style theme with a great deal of success based on the popularity of Camden Yards. Before its name was changed to Jacobs in 2008, this beauty was named after the former owners of the team, Richard and David Jacobs.
Major League Baseball fans voted this stadium the best that year. Guardians fans still refer to the facility as “The Jake.” Opening the stadium was perfect timing for the then-Indians, who had suffered from a terrible on-field performance for decades.
Coors Field, Denver, home of the Colorado Rockies
After two years of playing at football’s Mile High Stadium, the Rockies were finally able to play in Coors Field in 1995. Because baseballs travel farther because of the high altitude in the stadium, the outfield fences were moved back.
Although there are still a lot of home runs, there is more room to evade defenders. Outside the centerfield fence, there is a landscape featuring trees, waterfalls, and fountains.
Chase Field, Phoenix, home of the Diamondbacks
With the opening of Chase Field in 1998, the Diamondbacks became the first MLB team to play on a natural grass field under a retractable roof. In right-center field, patrons can rent a suite beyond the fence that includes a swimming pool as well as a toilet and shower space.
Originally called Bank One Ballpark, this stadium has large windows that allow enough light to enter the playing field to facilitate play even when the roof is closed to combat the most extreme temperatures in the northern hemisphere.
FAQs
What about the successful old franchises, the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals?
There are three versions of the same stadium named Yankee Stadium in the American League and two in the National League. The current stadium for both is the third version. In 1973 and 1974, a renovation of the original Yankee Stadium brought about the first significant changes since it opened in 1923.
As a result of the opening of the New Yankee Stadium right next door in 2009, the original Yankee Stadium was demolished in 2010. A new enclosed artificial turf stadium was built in St. Louis in 2006 to replace the original Busch Stadium, which was known as Sportsmen’s Park from 1953 to 1966.
What is the smallest MLB stadium?
As of now, Progressive Field, the home ground of the Cleveland Guardians, has the smallest capacity of all stadiums. It was originally designed to accommodate 42,865 people. As a result of renovations, the capacity has been increased to 34,830.
What is the Biggest MLB stadium?
There are currently no other MLB stadiums with a larger capacity than the Oakland Coliseum. Among MLB stadiums in use, the stadium has the most capacity (expandable): 56,782.
Which new MLB stadiums came after Chase Field?
Safeco Field opened in Seattle in 1999, now known as T-Mobile Park, and Pacific Bell Park, now Oracle Park, opened in San Francisco in 2000. As the company changed ownership and the mother corporation changed names, this beautiful stadium was sometimes referred to as AT&T Park or SBC Park. There are two new stadiums in Major League Baseball that are regarded as among the best.
Conclusion
The oldest MLB stadiums may include many other legendary venues. However, they are no longer used today. According to their current state of use, this list is arranged from oldest to newest.
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