MLB stadiums are iconic venues providing a unique atmosphere for players and fans, making each game an unforgettable experience. Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox, is the oldest active MLB stadium. It was established in 1912. On the other end of the spectrum, Globe Life Field, the Texas Rangers' home, opened in 2020 and is one of the newest additions to MLB stadiums. Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is the largest stadium in terms of seating capacity, with room for 56,000 spectators. In contrast, Tropicana Field is the smallest with a capacity of only 25,000.
Many of the stadiums across the league have retractable roofs or domes. These features are designed to protect against bad weather or extreme temperatures. In total, 13 stadiums have roofs that can be opened or closed. The outfield dimensions of MLB stadiums can have a significant impact on gameplay. Some stadiums, like the now-defunct Polo Grounds, had unusual dimensions that made it challenging for players. Even current parks such as Fenway Park and Oracle Park are known for their unique layouts.
Closest MLB Stadiums
The closest MLB stadiums are Yankee Stadium located in the Bronx and Citi Field found in Queens; these ballparks represent the New York Yankees and New York Mets, respectively. They are about 9.7 miles (15.6 km) distant from one another via I-278 W and Grand Central Pkwy. Positioned in different boroughs of New York City, Yankee Stadium sits in the Bronx while Citi Field lies in Flushing Meadows, this closeness further fuels their local rivalry known as the Subway Series, named after how conveniently fans can move between these two locations via subway transportation.
Following closely behind in terms of driving distance, are Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, home to the Chicago White Sox, and Wrigley Field, which hosts the Chicago Cubs. The two parks are approximately 9.9 miles (15.9 km) apart when taking the I-90 W/I-94 W route. Their proximity within the same city intensifies the fierce "Crosstown Classic" rivalry between the teams, making it easy for supporters from both sides to travel back and forth.
The third closest MLB stadiums in terms of distance are Oracle Park and the Oakland Coliseum, home to the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics, respectively. These two ballparks are located in the San Francisco Bay Area and are separated by the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. The driving distance between the two stadiums is approximately 15.4 miles (24.8 km), making it the shortest distance between two MLB parks by car. Fans can easily travel between the two using the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) system, which connects the cities of San Francisco and Oakland and takes roughly 30 minutes.
Highest seating-capacity MLB stadium
The MLB stadium with the highest seating capacity is Dodger Stadium, which serves as the home grounds for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Inaugurated in 1962, it boasts a capacity of 56,000 seats, distinguishing it as the largest stadium in Major League Baseball. This venue is located in the Elysian Park area of Los Angeles, this renowned venue offers picturesque views of nearby hills and the downtown skyline. The stadium showcases a distinctive multi-tiered architecture that enables it to host more fans than any other facility in the league.
FAQs on MLB stadiums
A. Fenway Park in Boston, home of the Red Sox, is the oldest active MLB stadium. It opened in 1912.
A. Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers, is the newest MLB stadium, which opened in 2020.
A. Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, has the smallest seating capacity at 25,000.
A. Coors Field in Denver, home of the Colorado Rockies, is the highest-elevation MLB stadium at 5,200 feet above sea level.
A. Fenway Park has the tallest wall in MLB, known as the Green Monster, which stands at 37 feet 2 inches tall.
