Andrew Joseph
April 2, 2022 11:30 am ET
It’s so nice to have baseball back.
This past offseason hasn’t been easy for baseball fans. The contentious, 99-day lockout nearly ate into the season and did result in a shortened spring training. But in the end, a deal did get done, which means we can all enjoy big-league games again.
The 2022 season is special because it’ll be the first time since 2019 that every stadium is open at full capacity for Opening Day. Baseball is at its best when there’s a full stadium of fans to enjoy it. So, it’s as good a time as ever to break out our For The Win MLB stadium rankings.
Going off the similar — and admittedly subjective — criteria of general atmosphere, design, location, amenities, food and character that we used in 2016 and 2020, we’ve arrived at an updated rankings of MLB ballparks to get ready for the 2022 baseball season.
30. RingCentral Coliseum - Oakland A’s
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
I’m not going to pile on the A’s here. They know their stadium is atrocious, and they may get a new ballpark one of these years. Maybe.
29. Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Rays
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a stadium with absolutely zero redeeming qualities. The location is a traffic nightmare. The food is abysmal. The catwalks interfere with play. I could go on forever. I hate this place.
28. Guaranteed Rate Field - Chicago White Sox
Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
I can’t get over how the stadium could’ve had an epic skyline view if it was flipped around — quite the design flaw.
27. Rogers Centre - Toronto Blue Jays
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Not much has changed here. A world-class city like Toronto really should have a better stadium. Right now, there are some upgrades in the works, but that might not be enough to drastically improve this aging stadium.
26. Angel Stadium - Los Angeles Angels
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani are not stadiums.
25. Yankee Stadium - New York Yankees
Chris Pedota-USA TODAY Sports
The Yankees replaced the old Yankee Stadium with a soulless, corporate replica. It’s wild how $2.3 billion can buy you such a boring baseball venue.
24. American Family Field - Milwaukee Brewers
(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
It will always be Miller Park to me and you can’t convince me otherwise.
23. Chase Field - Arizona Diamondbacks
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Chase Field was a state-of-the-art facility when it was built in 1998, but it has aged poorly — something the Diamondbacks ownership would be the first to admit. It’s too big, not conducive to major upgrades and feels like an airplane hangar when the roof is closed (which is for most of the season during the scorching Phoenix summers).
22. LoanDepot Park - Miami Marlins
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t let the corporate name distract you from the fact that The Outfield Dinger Machine needs to be brought back.
21. Comerica Park - Detroit Tigers
Detroit Free Press
See No. 20.
20. Great American Ball Park - Cincinnati Reds
The Enquirer
Great American Ball Park is just an OK place to watch baseball. There are worse stadiums, but there are definitely better parks.
19. Progressive Field - Cleveland Guardians
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It’s fine. Forgettable, but not particularly bad.
18. Globe Life Field - Texas Rangers
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Some $1.2 billion went into this stadium, and it’s been a dud. The exterior got roasted on Twitter, and when the roof is closed, it gets weirdly dark. New stadiums are usually nice, but Globe Life Field seems like a newer Chase Field. It could have been better.
17. Minute Maid Park - Houston Astros
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Astros got rid of Tal’s Hill, which finally made this place seem like a baseball stadium instead of an obstacle course. About time.
16. Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City Royals
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
In the first few years after the renovation, The K was solidly among baseball’s top 10. But the Truman Sports Complex location makes Kauffman Stadium feel so isolated compared to other big-league parks. The Royals are even exploring a move to downtown KC. Still a solid ballpark, though.
15. Nationals Park - Washington Nationals
Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
A game at Nationals Park feels like a game at Citizens Bank Park but without the cheesesteaks, Philadelphia sports fans and Bryce Harper.
14. Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia Phillies
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
While Citizens Bank Park lacks character and could benefit from a better location, it’s a fine stadium that has cheesesteaks. That makes it a top-half ballpark on its own.
13. Busch Stadium - St. Louis Cardinals
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
We’re in that spot on the rankings where there hasn’t been much separation between the past four stadiums. They’re all decently new parks with solid offerings for fans. Busch Stadium is a modern version of the old Busch Stadium, and that’s totally fine. The view is phenomenal too.
12. Truist Park - Atlanta Braves
(Photo by Michael Zarrilli/Getty Images)
Truist Park had some issues when it first opened — it seemed overly corporate, the lines were ridiculous, it looked like a modern Turner Field. But it’s growing on me, and The Battery district is becoming a model for teams across all of sports.
11. Camden Yards - Baltimore Orioles
Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
I think it’s a bit overrated by Orioles fans. It’s a nice ballpark in a great location, and it inspired a ton of the newer parks across baseball. But Camden Yards itself could use some upgrades besides moving the left-field wall back. A new videoboard and more concourse amenities would be solid places to start.
10. Citi Field - New York Mets
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Both the Mets and Yankees got new ballparks around the same time, and it’s almost hilarious how bad Yankee Stadium looks in comparison.
9. T-Mobile Park - Seattle Mariners
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
There’s something about watching baseball on a summer day in Seattle, it’s just great. T-Mobile Park has the views, location and weather, obviously. But the food and beer selection are also top notch. The stadium has aged wonderfully as well.
8. Target Field - Minnesota Twins
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been over a decade since Target Field opened, and it deservedly ranks among baseball’s best ballparks.
7. Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox
Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Fenway Park is truly one of those bucket-list venues. It’s like a trip through baseball history. The Fenway–Kenmore neighborhood is all about the Red Sox, and while there are better stadiums in baseball, the nostalgia makes watching games at Fenway a special experience. Just avoid those obstructed-view seats.
6. Coors Field - Colorado Rockies
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Location, views, beer, altitude and baseball. What’s not to like?
5. Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles Dodgers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The fans have been known to show up late, but Dodger Stadium deserves plenty of credit for the perfect blend of old-school charm and modern upgrades like the outfield concourse. And any stadium that has a live mariachi band is automatically top 5. Dodger Dogs are the best hot dogs in baseball too — I stand by that statement.
4. Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
The renovations to Wrigley Field weren’t without controversy, but the Cubs did a great job preserving the classic Wrigley experience while embracing much-needed modern upgrades.
3. PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The stadium was brilliantly designed, and it boasts one of baseball’s most scenic backdrops. You have the Pittsburgh skyline right on top of you, and the amenities aren’t bad either. It helps distract you from the bad Pirates baseball being played.
2. Oracle Park - San Francisco Giants
Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Going to a game at Oracle Park is an absolutely unique experience, and arguably no stadium utilizes its picturesque setting better. You’re right on the water, enjoying a baseball game in a stadium that smells like garlic fries. It doesn’t get much better.
1. Petco Park - San Diego Padres
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
STILL THE STADIUM CHAMPS.
Petco Park is simply the best place to watch a baseball game. The location (embedded in downtown San Diego), the weather, the food, the beer and, of course, the stadium itself — it’s all phenomenal. Petco Park often doesn’t get the credit it deserves when compared to the Fenways and Wrigleys of the baseball world. But don’t listen to those people. Petco Park is the best stadium in baseball.
FAQs
What is the best ballpark in the MLB 2022? ›
The ballparks were ranked on the factors of general atmosphere, design, location, amenities, food and character. When is Padres Opening Day? Petco Park came in at the top spot for 2016, 2020 and 2022 editions of the USA Today rankings.
Where does Busch stadium rank? ›11. Busch Stadium – St. Louis Cardinals.
What is the newest stadium in MLB? ›What is the newest MLB ballpark? MLB's newest ballpark opened in 2020. Globe Life Park hosted three playoff series that postseason, including the World Series, but none of them featured the hometown Texas Rangers.
What is the smallest MLB stadium ranked? ›Who Has the Smallest MLB Stadium? The Cleveland Guardians have the smallest home field in Major League Baseball. Progressive Field, located in the downtown area of Cleveland, Ohio, has a capacity of just 34,830 people.
What is the hardest ballpark to hit in? ›That honor goes to Coors Field. Even though it is the league's largest ballpark, the altitude in Denver helps sluggers get extra distance on their fly balls.
Who has the loudest MLB stadium? ›However, many people would say that the loudest stadium in the MLB is Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. The stadium is known for its incredibly loud and passionate fans, who often make it difficult for opposing teams to communicate on the field.
What is the #1 stadium in America? ›| Rank | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan Stadium | 107,601 |
| 2 | Beaver Stadium | 106,572 |
| 3 | Ohio Stadium | 102,780 |
| 4 | Kyle Field | 102,733 |
Capacity at Wrigley Field is 41,649, while Fenway holds 37,755 – one of the smallest in the majors.
Who has the oldest MLB stadium? ›There are 30 stadiums in use by Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. The oldest ballpark is Fenway Park in Boston, home of the Boston Red Sox, which opened in 1912. The newest stadium is Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers, which opened in 2020.
Which MLB team has the oldest stadium? ›What is the oldest MLB stadium still in use today? The distinction goes to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. The ballpark opened in 1912 and is still going strong at 110 years old.
Where is the oldest MLB stadium? ›
The oldest MLB stadium still in use is Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Fenway Park is home to the Boston Red Sox of the American League. Constructed in 1912 with a Jewel Box design, it has seen several renovations and has reached National Landmark status in its 100th year.
Who has deepest stadium in MLB? ›...
MLB Stadium With Deepest Outfield Walls.
That honor goes to Coors Field. Even though it is the league's largest ballpark, the altitude in Denver helps sluggers get extra distance on their fly balls.
What MLB stadium has the deepest center field? ›Minute Maid Park (Houston Astros)
With the deepest center field of any park in baseball—one that features a flagpole and hill that are in play—you'd think that Minute Maid Park in Houston would be more of a pitcher's park than a hitter's park.
MLB's shortest ballpark, based on distance to center field
One of the most iconic properties in all of baseball, Fenway Park measures 310 feet down the left field line, 302 feet down the right field line, and just 390 feet to center field — though, deep center field stretches to 420 feet.
It is located at home plate at Fenway Park, 302 feet from the plate, making it a good place for a long ball to go. In Major League Baseball, Coors Field in Denver is the easiest stadium to hit a home run in, while Chase Field in Arizona is the toughest.
What is the smallest MLB stadium to hit a homerun? ›The smallest MLB stadium to hit a homerun is Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The park has a capacity of just over 37,000 people and is the home of the Boston Red Sox. The park is well known for its Green Monster, a 37-foot high wall in left field that is one of the most iconic features in all of baseball.
Which MLB ballpark has the best craft beer? ›Petco Park – San Diego Padres
Petco Park is certainly one of the best places to drink craft beer and watch a baseball game, especially if you're into hoppy styles. San Diego breweries are very well represented. You'll find the likes of Alesmith, Stone, Ballast Point, Coronado, and Modern Times.
| Overall Rank | City | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | 56.064 |
| 2 | St. Louis, MO | 51.553 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | 51.263 |
| 4 | Atlanta, GA | 50.289 |
1. New York Yankees. The New York Yankees are the most popular MLB team, and one of the most popular sporting teams in the world.
What Baseball stadium seats the most fans? ›
| # | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland Coliseum | 56,782 |
| 2 | Dodger Stadium | 56,000 |
| 3 | Yankee Stadium | 54,251 |
| 4 | Coors Field | 50,144 |
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is currently the smallest baseball stadium, with a capacity of only 25,000 since 2019. The ballpark is located in St.
Soldier Field in Chicago, home of the Chicago Bears is the oldest stadium in the league having opened in 1924. The stadium that has been used the longest by an NFL team is Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers since 1957.
What is the oldest big stadium? ›The oldest known stadium is the Stadium at Olympia in Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held from 776 BC. Initially the Games consisted of a single event, a sprint along the length of the stadium.
What is the oldest stadiums in USA? ›Franklin Field, 1895
Franklin Field, situated at University of Pennsylvania, is the oldest surviving football stadium in the U.S. and can seat approximately 70,000 fans. It was the location for the first ever game broadcast on radio all the way back in 1922.
Technically speaking, the Cubs fanbase is bigger than the White Sox due to the location of Wrigley Field and also the Cubs franchise being owned by the parent company of the Chicago Tribune.
Who had the biggest crowd at Fenway Park? ›...
Fenway Park.
| Record attendance | 47,627 |
| Construction | |
|---|---|
The White Sox currently lead the regular season series 70–64. There have been eight 3 game series sweeps since interleague play began: four by the Cubs in 1998, 2004, 2007, 2008, and four by the White Sox in 1999, 2008, 2012 and 2021.
Which is better Wrigley or Fenway? ›There's no doubt that both Fenway and Wrigley are national treasures, and are among America's most beloved parks – probably the top two on that list. Wrigley, though, edges out Fenway, especially when you consider architecture, surroundings and concessions.
Which is older Wrigley vs Fenway? ›Wrigley opened in 1914, making it the second-oldest active MLB ballpark behind Fenway.
What is the oldest MLB team in America? ›
The Cincinnati Red Stockings made their mark as the first openly professional baseball club in 1869. Members of the team would go on to form a club that still plays ball today, the Atlanta Braves.
Do any MLB teams share a stadium? ›From Yankee Stadium to the O.co Coliseum, take a look at some of the best football-baseball hybrid fields. Oakland's O.co Coliseum is the only remaining stadium shared by a Major League Baseball team and an NFL team.
What is the first MLB stadium with a retractable roof? ›A general view during a game between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays on September 18, 2021 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Toronto's Rogers Centre, the first retractable roof stadium in baseball, gets a little more of the "sky" and less of the "dome" over an entire season.
How many MLB stadiums have a roof? ›The only stadium in the MLB with a fixed roof is Tropicana Field. Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, Tropicana Field is home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The domed stadium controls the climate and protects fans from heat and rain.
What is the oldest major league? ›Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada.
Did they tear down old Yankee stadium? ›Demolition of the original Yankee Stadium was completed on May 13, 2010. A 10-acre (40,000 m2) park complex called Heritage Field was constructed on the old stadium site, accounting for 40% of the original parkland that is now occupied by the new Stadium.
What is the tallest wall in an MLB stadium? ›The Green Monster is the highest among the walls in current Major League Baseball fields; it is the second highest among all professional baseball fields (including minor leagues), as in 2007 it was surpassed by the left field wall of WellSpan Park in York, Pennsylvania, which is approximately 6 inches (15 cm) taller.
What ballpark has the most home runs? ›| Stadium | Location | HR |
|---|---|---|
| Dodger Stadium | Los Angeles | 32 |
| Yankee Stadium | Bronx | 31 |
| Petco Park | San Diego | 31 |
| Tropicana Field | Tampa Bay | 28 |
Barry Bonds holds the Major League Baseball home run record with 762. He passed Hank Aaron, who hit 755, on August 7, 2007. The only other players to have hit 700 or more are Babe Ruth with 714 and Albert Pujols with 703.
What MLB park has the shortest fence? ›Fenway Park opened in 1912 and remains the oldest Major League Baseball stadium still in use. The park has the shortest distance of any field in baseball to left field (310 feet) or right field (302 feet).
What MLB stadium is the closest to sea level? ›
MLB stadium altitudes range from the 5211 feet above sea level of Coors Field to the 20 feet of Philadelphia's Citizen Bank Park. Yet, one must consider that much of the influence of altitudes are de facto calculated in a stadium's park factor as a result of total offensive output by stadium.
What is America's number 1 ballpark 2022? ›1. Petco Park - San Diego Padres.
Who has the best MLB in the league 2022? ›The Los Angeles Dodgers had the best record in MLB for the 2022 season. LA finished with a record of 111-51 and had the best overall mark for the league.
Who has the best outfield arm in MLB 2022? ›- Hardest OF assists, 2022. ...
- Michael Harris II, Braves. ...
- Manny Machado, Padres.
- Ha-Seong Kim, Padres.
- Shortstops with the highest max arm strength, 2022. Ha-Seong Kim (Padres): 95.2 mph.
- Aaron Judge, Yankees.
- Harrison Bader, Yankees.
- The Dodgers outfield.
Los Angeles Dodgers
With Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Trea Turner all in the NL MVP race and one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball, it's easy to see why the Dodgers are the current favorites to win the 2022 World Series.
Angel Stadium of Anaheim has a capacity of 45,050 seats and the lowest per-game prices on season tickets, averaging $9.80 each. These cheap tickets, along with lower prices on beer ($4.50 each) and parking, make Angel Stadium the most affordable ballpark, where catching an MLB game is less than $50 for two people.
What is the most beautiful baseball stadium in the US? ›Since the 1970s, the Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions have been lucky to call this seaside oasis -- dangling ever so gently off downtown San Diego -- home. Baseball writer Kevin Kernan gave the ballpark its "Most Scenic" moniker in the mid-'90s -- a trademark the school has run with ever since.
Who is the best shortstop in baseball 2022? ›Former Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner, who signed a 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason, checked in as the No. 1 shortstop according to The Shredder. It's the fifth time Turner has been ranked, and the first time he has taken the top spot.
Who has the most home runs? ›Barry Bonds holds the Major League Baseball home run record with 762. He passed Hank Aaron, who hit 755, on August 7, 2007. The only other players to have hit 700 or more are Babe Ruth with 714 and Albert Pujols with 703.
Who is the best player in baseball history? ›Babe Ruth, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees
It should come as no surprise that “The Sultan of Swat” tops our list of the best baseball players of all time. He posted Hall of Fame-caliber numbers in his first five seasons with the Boston Red Sox (981 OPS, 190 OPS+.
Who is the best home run hitter in MLB 2022? ›
Who Has The Best Arm Strength In Mlb? Nathan Eaton has the most lethal arm of any of the firearms. His average throw speed of 95.1 mph is the league's best, and he has at least 100 throws in 2022, ranking first in the league on arm strength.
Who is the best defensive player in MLB 2022? ›- Utility: Nicky Lopez, Royals. ...
- First base: Christian Walker, D-backs. ...
- Third base: Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pirates. ...
- Shortstop: Dansby Swanson, Braves. ...
- Left field: Corbin Carroll, D-backs. ...
- Center field: Trent Grisham, Padres. ...
- Right field: Daulton Varsho, D-backs.
Atlanta's Ozzie Albies is the most likely player to record a stolen base at +400 odds, and it makes sense.
Who is the World Series favorite? ›New York Yankees: +650. Los Angeles Dodgers: +750. New York Mets: +750.
Who leads the MLB in World Series? ›