Top 15 Best Major League Baseball Stadiums

If you are planning to visit the best major league baseball stadiums in America, where should you begin? To help anyone plan a road trip to different MLB ballparks, we have put together a list of the 15 best baseball stadiums. Some of the best places to watch a ballgame are not the most expensive or the newest. Our list has a good mix of historic and modern ballparks.

Bet Station has scrutinized every MLB stadium in North America. Some ballparks like Wrigley Field and Fenway Park achieved National Historic Landmark status. Others, like Target Field, are relatively new and could not host many historical baseball events. Many of these ballparks made history when the best baseball players took to the field and set unbelievable records.

What makes one ballpark better than the next? We were on the lookout for many factors when scouting the best major league baseball stadiums. The capacity, design, and atmosphere created by the fans are just a couple of examples. When creating our list, we tried to consider external factors, such as the commute or public transport access to the ballpark. Below, you will find a complete list of the very best major league baseball stadiums that you can visit this season to enjoy a game.

15. Progressive Field – Cleveland Guardians

Progressive Field is one of the best major league baseball stadiums in America. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Progressive Field is home to the Cleveland Guardians. The ballpark first opened in 1994, costing around $175 million. The stadium originally opened under the name Jacobs Field, affectionately giving it the nickname “The Jake”.

There was a lot of excitement when the stadium first opened, as it was the first new significant sports facility to open in Cleveland since 1937. The fortune in Cleveland changed, as the Indians went on an 18-game unbeaten streak at home in their debut season. This helped start a 455 consecutive regular-season sell-out streak, spanning from 1995 to 2001. The Guardians (Indians at the time) ended their 41-year playoff drought in 1995 and then hosted the 1995 and 1997 World Series games and the 1997 All-Star Game. The stadium became the tenth in MLB history to host both World Series matches and the All-Star Game in the same season.

Progressive Field has pretty good views of downtown Detroit, plus a capacity of 34,830 seats. When the stadium first opened, it had a capacity of 42,865, a number that gradually increased year on year till around 2010. This is when the stadium reached a capacity of 45,569. After this point, the attendance numbers dropped, as did the seating capacity. The current capacity of Progressive Field is the smallest in the stadium’s history. If you would like to read more about the history of baseball in Cleveland, check out our list of the worst baseball players of all time. The Cleveland Bronchos had John Gochnaur, the worst MLB player ever.

• Location:  Cleveland, Ohio
• Capacity: 34,830
  
• Opening Day: April 2, 1994
  
• Construction Cost: $320m
  

14. T-Mobile Park – Seattle Mariners

The T-Mobile Park is famous for being a stadium with a retractable roof. It is the home of the Seattle Mariners and was originally called Safeco Field. That naming-rights deal expired and T-Mobile picked it up in late 2018. They built the T-Mobile Park just south of the Mariners’ previous stadium, the Kingdome. The Kingdome was a multi-purpose sports facility, hosting the Seattle Seahawks, Sounders, and SuperSonics at one point.

The Mariners’ ownership group threatened to take the team out of Seattle if they did nothing about the Kingdome. Many regarded it as a poor facility for baseball games. The difficulty in securing land and funding for a stadium nearly led to the franchise moving out of state. They eventually agreed to contribute towards the state-backed development with construction beginning in 1997. The stadium opened in 1999 and cost around $500m.

We are big fans of retractable roofs as it means players get to experience some weather with no threat of delays in the game. There are a few stadiums with similar designs, but it only takes ten minutes for the roof to deploy in Seattle. Plus, given the location, T-Mobile Park is a fantastic venue to watch a ballgame.

• Location:  Seattle, Washington
• Capacity: 47,929
  
• Opening Day: July 15, 1999
  
• Construction Cost: $842m
  

13. Busch Stadium – St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals play at one of the best major league baseball stadiums, Busch Stadium. The ballpark is in St. Louis, Missouri, and has a capacity of 44,494. This is the third ballpark in St. Louis to be called the Busch Stadium, replacing the much-loved Busch Memorial Stadium. They built the new ballpark opposite the predecessor, partially overlapping the former footprint.

Lobbying for a new ballpark began in 1995, but as with most multi-million dollar stadiums, it took several years to secure funding. The stadium finally began construction in 2004 and cost $365 million. Busch Stadium opened its doors in 2006 with two minor league teams taking to the field; both affiliates of the Cardinals. The first official MLB game was on April 10 and the Cardinals beat the Brewers 6-4. In this debut season, every single Cardinal game was a sell-out.

With fans in the new stadium, the Cardinals’ performances picked up. They made the playoffs in their debut season at Busch Stadium, eventually winning the World Series that year. The stadium is situated facing the beautiful St. Louis skyline. Including brilliant views of the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse, and several other iconic buildings. There is no better feeling than a day at the ballpark, and Busch Stadium is one of the best in North America.

• Location:  St. Louis, Missouri
• Capacity: 45,494
  
• Opening Day: April 10, 2006
  
• Construction Cost: $491m
  

12. Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Baltimore Orioles

Oriole Park is an iconic baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of MLB side Baltimore Orioles, who built it to replace the Memorial Stadium. The stadium is unique because of how it incorporated an old derelict warehouse in its design. Rather than demolishing a historic building, they renovated the B&O Warehouse. Ensuring they kept the grandstands near the building low, fans can get a unique view from the warehouse on game day.

Between the warehouse and the stadium is Eutaw Street. This street is pedestrian-only with limited access during game days. There have been over 100 home runs to grace Eutaw Street since the stadium first opened in 1992. April 11, 1997, was the first game where two home runs made it to Eutaw Street, both hit by Rafael Palmeiro. The most recent homers were all hit by Anthony Santander, hitting three homers in August 2021.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a special stadium. Not just because of the charm and design characteristics, but because there is something extra special when a ball lands on Eutaw Street. Plus, when you consider the notable baseball moments the stadium has seen over the years, you can see why it’s one of the best MLB Stadiums ever.

• Location:  Baltimore, Maryland
• Capacity: 44,970
  
• Opening Day: April 6, 1992
  
• Construction Cost: $212m
  

11. Coors Field – Colorado Rockies

Coors Field is one of the best major league baseball stadiums. Home to the Colorado Rockies, this fantastic stadium has a capacity of 50,144 and a superb reputation as a hitter’s park. Partially because of the high elevation and the climate, home runs seem to fly a lot further in Colorado. Located in the heart of Denver, it’s close to Black Hawk, a famous gold-mining town and now a casino haven.

Located 5,200ft above sea level, Coors Field is the highest baseball stadium in the majors. The second highest is 4,100ft lower than Coors, and that is Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Coors Field has twice set the record for home runs in a season. In 1996, they hit a whopping 271 home runs at Coors Field, beating the previous record of 248. Then in 1999, they smashed the record yet again, remaining to this day at 303. In recent times, the number of home runs at the ballpark is decreasing, but it is still statistically a hitter-friendly park.

The home run pedigree at Coors Field makes it one of the most enjoyable places to watch baseball. Add in the Blue Moon Brewery next door and the multitude of historic baseball moments that have taken place over the years, and you have one very special ballpark.

• Location: Denver, Colorado
• Capacity: 46,897
  
• Opening Day: April 26, 1995
  
• Construction Cost: $534m
  

10. Yankee Stadium - New York Yankees

They built the Yankee Stadium in 2009, directly opposite the original ballpark. The first Yankee Stadium hosted baseball from 1923 to 1973 until they renovated it. It opened again in 1976 and the Yankees moved back in after a brief stay at the Shea Stadium. The new Yankee Stadium is in the Bronx, New York City. It is one of the most expensive ever built, costing $2.3bn in total. 

The discussion of a new Yankee Stadium began in the early 1980s. From here, they discussed a lot of potential deals. This included new locations and various lucrative state-funded proposals, but they all fell through. Even when construction began in 2006, controversy shortly followed. A worker confessed to burying a Boston Red Sox jersey behind the dugout. The worker hoped to place a curse on the team, but his plan was foiled and the Yankees won the 2009 World Series, the first season in the new stadium.

The new ballpark commemorates the original stadium, in both its 1923 and 1976 post-renovation state. Few new stadiums are smaller than their predecessors, but the 4,000 fewer seats allow for modern comforts, like wider seats, padding, and even cup holders. The new Yankee Stadium also pays homage to previous players, with over 1,300 photographs adorning the building and the “Great Hall”. If you get the chance to visit the stadium, it is well worth your time. There aren’t many ballparks in the world that contain as much memorabilia as Yankee Stadium. Cementing it as one of the best major league baseball stadiums of all time.

• Location: The Bronx, New York
• Capacity: 46,537
  
• Opening Day: April 16, 2009
  
• Construction Cost: $2.3bn
  

9. Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City Royals

Kauffman Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals, is another fantastic MLB ballpark. They opened the stadium in 1973, at a cost of around $70 million. Although they built the Kauffman Stadium during the multi-purpose stadium craze of the 60s, it is a ballpark just for baseball. Both the Kauffman and the Dodger Stadium are the only two remaining active ballparks that avoided the multi-sport facility trend.

The stadium has hosted two MLB All-Star Games, one in 1973 and one in 2012. It has also hosted multiple home games during four World Series. In those four attempts, the Royals won the 1985 and 2015 World Series. The Kauffman Stadium is the sixth-oldest in the MLB and they renovated it between 2007 and 2009. The renovation cost $250 million, but it brought The K into the 21st century with iconic features, such as the former largest HD LED display in the world.

The Royals hosted their first game at the new stadium in 1973, a 12-1 victory against the Texas Rangers. The Lawrence Daily Journal reported on the historic event from the spacious press box. Chuck Woodling, Sports Editor for the Lawrence Journal said:

Obviously, the Kansas City Royals had the right opponent to dedicate their marvelous $43 million baseball palace. If the Rangers aren’t the worst team in baseball, they’re in the top three.

- Chuck Woodling

Kauffman Stadium was built at a time when separate stadiums for football and baseball were not commercially viable. Not only did The K prove a lot of financial experts wrong, but it has provided dozens of iconic baseball moments over the years.

• Location:  Kansas City, Missouri
• Capacity: 37,903
  
• Opening Day: April 10, 1973
  
• Construction Cost: $250m
  

8. Target Field - Minnesota Twins

Target Field is home to the Minneapolis-based MLB franchise, the Minnesota Twins. The ballpark began construction in 2007 and finally opened in 2010. It cost $555 million to build a 38,544-seater stadium. Target Field has already gone down in the history books by hosting the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.

This is the Minnesota Twins’ sixth home after they began life as the Washington Senators, then the Nationals, and then back to Senators in 1956. The franchise moved to Minneapolis in 1961, where they played at the Metropolitan Stadium until 1981, and then the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in 2009. Carl Pohlad, the owner of the Twins, deemed the Metrodome “economically obsolete” in 1994. After this, Pohlad had several failed attempts to find the funding or support for a new ballpark, until 2005. Even after he secured funding, it did not mark the end of proceedings.

The City did not approve the development of the new stadium until 2006. There was one final snag to hold up proceedings, a land dispute. The dispute arose when Hennepin County assumed they could acquire the land for a similar amount paid in 2004. However, given the scarcity of land in downtown Minneapolis, the Land Partners believed the value per acre had gone up. The Twins settled the dispute, agreeing to pay the difference between both parties’ valuations.

The development of Target Field showed MLB teams how important it is to secure the land before beginning development. While the new stadium was certainly a headache, the result was one of the best major league baseball stadiums with beautiful views of the Minneapolis Skyline.

• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Capacity: 39,504
  
• Opening Day: April 12. 2010
  
• Construction Cost: $555m
  

7. Citi Field - New York Mets

Citi Field has been the home of the New York Mets since 2009. They built the new stadium opposite the previous ballpark, Shea Stadium. The Mets’ new stadium has a lucrative naming rights deal, worth $20 million a year. The total cost of the stadium was $900 million, with $615m provided by public subsidies. Construction began in 2006 and the stadium opened in March 2009.

The first game at the new stadium was a college baseball game, followed by two charity exhibition matches against the Boston Red Sox. The first official MLB game took place in April 2009 against the San Diego Padres, which the Mets lost 6-5. Citi Field hosted the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, the second in their history, with the first taking place at Shea in 1964.

Since the 90s, the Mets had looked to replace Shea Stadium. Shea was a multi-purpose stadium that was retrofitted to baseball after the New York Jets left for the Giants Stadium in 1983. The Shea was a poor ballpark for baseball, with seats located further from the field than other MLB ballparks. Originally, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced funding for both new Yankees and Mets stadiums. But the new Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, pulled the plug on the deal.

The plans for the Mets’ new stadium came to fruition after the failed New York City 2012 Olympic bid. The stadium features a lot of quirky and unique charms, such as orange foul poles, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, and the Home Run Apple. Overall, few ballparks offer a baseball experience as memorable as Citi Field.

• Location:  Queens, New York City
• Capacity: 41,922
  
• Opening Day: April 13, 2009
  
• Construction Cost: $1.09bn
  

6. Petco Park - San Diego Padres

Petco Park is the home of the San Diego Padres, an MLB team based in California. The stadium broke ground in 2000, but it wasn’t until 2004 that it finally opened. As well as hosting top-level baseball games, Petco Park has hosted concerts, soccer games, and even golf events. 

The stadium cost $450 million, which is approximately $697 million if built today. Once again, this MLB ballpark was delayed by legality issues. A court decision to nullify the already passed ballot for the city’s portion of stadium finances caused part of the issue. The second interruption came when deciding what to do with the Western Metal Supply CO. building, a historical landmark. The builders refurbished the iconic building and incorporated it as part of the stadium. This may not sound special to anyone who hasn’t visited the ballpark, but it truly is a sight to see!

The first baseball event at the new stadium was a four-team NCAA invitational tournament for college baseball teams. With an attendance of 40,106, it is the biggest crowd ever recorded for a college baseball game. Petco Park also made history when Barry Bonds hit his 755th career home run, tying with Hank Aaron’s record. The Park also hosted the 2016 MLB All-Star Game and will host the Holiday Bowl for the next five years. Petco is also a future venue for ice hockey games, including the AHL Outdoor Classic and the NHL Winter Classic. 

There were two huge concerts scheduled in 2022, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Def Leppard, with the supporting act Mötley Crüe. Any ballpark played by Mötley Crüe is certainly one of the best major league baseball stadiums, in our view!

• Location:  San Diego, California
• Capacity: 40,209
  
• Opening Day: April 8, 2004
  
• Construction Cost: $450m
  

5. Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field is home to the Chicago-based MLB team, the Chicago Cubs. It is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors, behind Fenway Park, and was recently marked as a National Historic Landmark in 2020. The construction of Wrigley Field began in 1911 and finished in 1914. The stadium was first called Weeghman Park until 1920 when it changed its name to Cubs Park. In 1926, it adopted the iconic name it holds to this day.

The historical significance of Wrigley Field is interwoven into our nation’s story and a key part of what has become America’s beloved pastime for over a century

- Secretary David Bernhardt

Wrigley Field has hosted multiple sporting events over the years. Some teams that have called Wrigley Field their home include the Chicago Whales, Tigers, Bears, Cardinals, and the Chicago Sting. Only the Chicago Cubs remain a tenant to this day, having joined in 1916.

Wrigley Field is a ballpark that is proud of its heritage and boasts a wide range of unique or exciting features. One of the most iconic parts of Wrigley Field is the use of rooftop bleachers. The buildings that surround the stadium have grandstands on their roofs, allowing the community to look in the ballpark on game day.

Another iconic feature that makes Wrigley photogenic is the ivy-covered outfield walls. This may not sound special, but it’s a rule in the MLB that outfield walls must have padding, with Wrigley being the only exception. This is just one of many features that makes Wrigley Field one of the best major league baseball stadiums of all time.

• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Capacity: 41,649
  
• Opening Day: April 23, 1914
  
• Construction Cost: $250,000
  

4. Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park is the home of the Boston Red Sox and is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world. They added the stadium to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 and it’s the oldest ballpark in the MLB. They built Fenway in 1912 and they have renovated and expanded it five times since it first opened its doors.

Lots of teams have called Fenway Park their home over the years, with the Red Sox being the only current tenants. They are also the original tenants, beginning their stay on April 20, 1912. The stadium has hosted other sporting events, such as football, soccer, boxing, hockey, Gaelic football, and skiing. The teams that used to call Fenway their home included the Boston Braves, Bulldogs, Redskins, Shamrocks, Yanks, Patriots, and Beacons.

Being almost 110 years old, there is a lot of history, features, and unique stories surrounding this famous ballpark. One entertaining story comes from Roger Clemens, who first arrived in Boston in 1984. He hopped in a cab and asked to go to Fenway Park, which was built to a similar height as neighboring buildings to "blend in". Clemens thought the driver took a wrong turn and said:

No, Fenway Park, it’s a baseball stadium... this is a warehouse.

- Roger Clemens

Only after the driver assured Clemens and told him to look up, he saw the light towers and realize he was at the ballpark. The ballpark has many famous features, such as 37ft tall Green Monster, also known as The Wall. Aspects like this combine to make Fenway Park a special place to watch baseball, sealing its place as one of the best major league baseball stadiums ever.

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Capacity: 37,305
  
• Opening Day: April 20, 1912
  
• Construction Cost: $650,000
  

3. PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates

PNC Park is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the MLB franchise based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The ballpark is the fifth home of the Pirates after the franchise had two stints in Exposition Park in the late 1800s and early 20th century. The new stadium is on the Allegheny River and it has a spectacular view of Downtown Pittsburgh. Seriously, there are few major sporting grounds in America with views as good as PNC.

Plans for a new stadium in Pittsburgh started in 1991 but didn’t materialize until 1996. The stadium took 24 months to build and finished on March 31, 2001. The total cost of construction was $216 million. They completed this project much quicker and on a tighter budget than most new builds in the MLB; especially impressive when given the location.

PNC Park opened with two exhibition matches against the New York Mets in March 2001. The first MLB game at the ballpark was on April 9, 2001, against the Cincinnati Reds. It’s no wonder that many consider PNC Park to be one of the best ballparks in America, as the stadium is a dedicated home to baseball. It prioritizes a fan’s experience above all else, with an incredible backdrop to America’s favorite pastimes. Eric Enders, the author of Ballparks Then and Now, said PNC Park was: 

Everything a baseball stadium could hope to be, and an immediate contender for the title of best baseball park ever built

- Eric Enders

• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Capacity: 37,898
  
• Opening Day: March 31, 2001
  
• Construction Cost: $216m
  

2. Dodger Stadium

Dodger Stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a famous MLB franchise that originally began as the Brooklyn Grays. They are now in California, after moving out of Boston in 1958. The Dodgers originally moved to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, before they started building their current stadium in 1959. They finished it in 1962 and it cost $23 million, which is around $230 million if built today.

The stadium is the third-oldest ballpark in the MLB and is the world’s largest baseball stadium by seat capacity at 56,000. Dodger Stadium has a reputation for being a pitcher’s ballpark. There have been 13 no-hitters, games where a team could not register a single hit. The stadium hosted the 1980 MLB All-Star Game and the 2022 game. It has hosted various other events, such as the 2009 and 2017 World Baseball Classics and baseball at the 1984 Olympics. Plus, it will host baseball and softball in the 2028 Olympics.

Of course, no stadium in baseball is complete without a questionable history. Walter O’Malley, team president, tried in vain to build a new stadium in Boston, but they could not agree. So, he took the team across America when he reached a deal with Los Angeles. They permitted him to build a new stadium in the Chavez Ravine if he could convince the Hispanic residents to sell their homes. Most refused, leading to some dirty tactics to force all residents to sell. This took place over ten years, now known as the Battle of Chavez Ravine.

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Capacity: 56,000
  
• Opening Day: April 10, 1962
  
• Construction Cost: $23m
  

1. Oracle Park – San Francisco Giants

Oracle Park is the best major league baseball stadium, and it’s the home of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants, originally called the Gothams, were a baseball team from New York. Between 1883 and 1957, they played in several ballparks before making the move across the country. The Giants are one of the oldest and most successful teams in MLB history, including playing in the World Series 20 times.

The Giants’ first stadium in San Francisco was the Seals Stadium, followed by Candlestick Park. They moved to Candlestick Park in 1960 and shared the stadium with the 49ers from 1971 to when the Giants left in 1999. Oracle Park started construction in 1997 and finished in 2000, costing $357 million. The stadium has a capacity of 41,915 seats for baseball and has changed names many times since construction. Originally called Pacific Bell Park, then SBC Park, and AT&T Park. Oracle Park has already left its mark on American sports history.

Being so close to the river has benefits beyond picturesque views; it makes home runs even more exciting. On the right-field wall by McCovey Cove, there is a tally that keeps track of all home runs that land in the cove by the home team, so far 91. Barry Bonds has found the drink 35 times in his career, sending two balls into the cove in one game on two different occasions. The most recent home run in “The Cove” is from Mike Yastrzemski on June 19, 2023. The away team has hit the water on 53 occasions, the most recent from Jack Suwinski twice in one game on May 29, 2023.

How Special is Oracle Park?

Baseball is America’s pastime, and ballparks like Oracle Park are exactly what baseball is about. Sure, there are grounds like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field which have significantly more history than the relatively new Oracle Park, so what? Each ballpark in the league has a special something when you first look at home plate. Some are just more special than others. Given the fantastic view of the San Francisco Bay, and the rich history the stadium has acquired since 2000, Oracle Park is the best major league baseball stadium; for now!

• Location:  San Francisco, California
• Capacity: 41,915
  
• Opening Day: April 11, 2000
  
• Construction Cost: $357m
  

Honorable Mentions

MLB franchises renovate and expand their stadiums regularly. This constant pursuit of perfection is great for the fans, as who will ever complain about getting higher-quality seats and more food stalls? Below are just a few of the stadiums that narrowly missed out on a top spot on our list of the best major league baseball stadiums. Also, if you want more light reading, check out our list of the ten best MLB pitchers or best catchers in MLB history.

• Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia Phillies
• American Family Field – Milwaukee Brewers
• Minute Maid Park – Houston Astros
• Comerica Park – Detroit Tigers