Stadium Journey is proud to present our Major League Ballpark Rankings for 2019. Mirroring the action around the big leagues this season, there are surprises aplenty on this list. The competition for the top spots was fierce, as 26 of the 30 ballparks were separated by less than a point. As a testament to how closely packed these rankings were, a former number one-ranked ballpark fell entirely out of the top ten.

Our rankings are compiled based on our exclusive FANFARE rating scale, which considers a facility’s food and beverage, game day atmosphere, neighborhood, fans, access, return on investment and other factors. When two ballparks received an identical score, reader reviews were used as a tiebreaker.

We expect that many of our readers will disagree with some part of this ranking list. Debate over our favorite ballparks is why we publish lists like this. We encourage our readers to submit their own reviews on our website, or give us your opinions on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages. Thank you for reading, and without further ado, here is our 2019 Major League Ballpark Rankings:

There’s just something about baseball in the Midwest – Progressive Field, formerly Jacobs Field, was built in the era of baseball stadiums being built as cathedrals. That said it aged quickly, but the team didn’t let age make the game day experience any less enjoyable. A total renovation of the outfield and concessions areas, as well as the addition of a museum in the outfield, make what was once looking a bit drab completely new again.

As you walk along the concourse you will not only be offered beautiful views of the Bay Bridge but you will be a stone’s throw away from McCovey Cove, where you will see kayakers awaiting a Splash Hit. Even with the short distance down the right field line, splash hits are not easy to come by.

Busch Stadium offers enough history, class, and views to make it an ideal baseball destination. The ballpark is a favorite among many ballpark enthusiasts and is considered home to many Cardinals fans during the season. Does it have to stand out among the copious “retro-classic” facilities built in the past 25 years? Perhaps, Busch doesn’t necessarily need to be anything more than what it is, a nice spot for baseball.

For all ballpark travellers, a trip to PNC Park is a must and should be near the top of the travelling bucket list. PNC Park is the best venue in the Major League and the Pirates offer an experience that is more affordable than just about every other team. If the Pirates can get their act together and put a winning team on the field, and they Raise the Jolly Roger more often in Pittsburgh, PNC Park would be THE spot in all sport.

In an era where cities are building new ballparks to replace diamonds that are only 25 years old, it is refreshing to see a classic park not only still being used, but thriving into its second century of existence. Fenway Park’s mix of historical touches, quirky features, and modern comforts is unmatched anywhere. There’s a reason so many cities keep trying to re-invent the wheel: they are all trying to find the magic formula that has existed in Boston for over a century.

Wrigley Field is in a category all its own. Renovations were needed, but when a ballpark with history can retain its charm through modernization, a special thing is achieved, which is exactly what is transpiring on the North side of Chicago.

Coors Field was among several yards that opened during the so-called “retro parks” era. The recent enhancements to Coors Field, most notably the new video/scoreboard and The Rooftop, have only helped improve the game day atmosphere. Though only in its 24th season, that is still no small feat as Coors Field has aged well. While it can be debated what makes for a “retro” yard, Coors Field blends in nicely with the Lower Denver’s surroundings, dotted with old brick warehouses turned entertainment district.

There’s a reason why Kauffman Stadium has been regarded as one of the class jewels of Major League Baseball for well over 45 years. It is a baseball facility that offers tantalizing views of waterfalls and great menu items for everyone who visits. It continues to reinvent itself making it a great place for a stadium journey during the baseball season.

Target Field definitely makes its case for one of the premier destinations in the major leagues. The views of the Minneapolis skyline, ticket prices, access, food options, and vantage points to enjoy the game at the park make this beauty of a baseball facility stand out among the best built this century.

Citizens Bank Park does a great job in showing off the long history of the Phillies organization, while providing one of the better stadiums in the MLB, as far as sight lines and offering great in between entertainment from one of the leagues best mascots, the Phillie Phanatic. The park also provides a wonderful opportunity to sample the many foods unique to the city of Brotherly Love.

It’s worth mentioning again that when they started redesigning ballparks in the 1990s – and the trend continues to this day – they really took into consideration the overall fan experience, and there really are a ton of things for fans to do during lulls in the on-field action at Globe Life Park in Arlington. There is a play area for kids, and there are numerous games and shopping kiosks throughout every concourse.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in 1992 and has been considered one of the best Major League Baseball stadiums in the league. Prior to its opening, the landscape of professional baseball was littered with boring, multipurpose bowl stadiums. Now nearly every team has a great baseball stadium. Luckily Oriole Park has kept up with the experiences. Out were lackluster parks and in were fan friendly stadiums that were designed for the optimum fan experience. If Baltimore had built a standard, boring facility, baseball may not look and feel the way it does now.

Since its opening in 2004, Petco Park continues to play a huge role in the revitalization of the local area throughout the East Village and will continue to entertain baseball fans for many more years to come. Stacked with a mix of proven vets and young talent, the 2019 edition of the Friars have the locals excited about the future.

When entering the hallowed grounds of Chavez Ravine, fans are entering the third oldest stadium in the majors. Now in its 58th season, with its 1960s style colored seating pallet, it is hardly ever referred to as a classic ballpark nor does it pretend to be. When not fully paying attention to the action on the field, some of the best views of the city, be it the San Gabriel Mountains beyond the outfield or the downtown skyline can be seen from the top deck and reserved levels.

After the second incarnation of the Washington Senators moved to Texas in 1972, Washington, D.C. was without a baseball team for over 30 years. In 2005, the Nationals came to town, and in 2008, they got a brand-new stadium. Although the excitement has worn off a little bit and crowds aren’t what they were a few years ago, a visit to Nationals Park is still an enjoyable way to take in a baseball game.

Citi Field may not have the history that is stored across town at New Yankee Stadium, but it has a lot to see on its own merits. If you are planning a trip to New York during the summer, check the Mets schedule and time your visit so you can see what is happening at Citi Field.

There is, quite frankly, so much to Minute Maid Park that it would require multiple visits to take it all in. Built on the grounds of the former Houston Train Depot (the remnants can still be seen where Saint Arnold has set up its beer garden in left center field), the park has tons of features that hearken back to a different time in baseball history, while still blending in all of the new-age, modern amenities.

A trip to downtown Detroit may not seem like a great plan at first glance. However, with Comerica Park at the center, Detroit is a real treat to hit during the baseball season. Baseball fans everywhere should make their way to see the Olde English D, numerous Tiger statues and great experience at Comerica Park, which actually might surpass Tiger Stadium.

The Chicago White Sox have been working very hard to improve the amenities at the stadium. The past few seasons have seen renovations to the concourse in regards to food and beverage service, social areas for fans, a brand new scoreboard, and fan-friendly pricing on game day tickets. If you haven’t been to a Sox game lately, perhaps you need to come back sometime soon for a game.

The Mariners do an excellent job celebrating the history of the franchise, starting with the Ken Griffey Jr statue situated out the front of the main entrance. Be sure to take the time to also experience the Hall of Fame at the top of the escalators just inside the home plate entrance. The collection is a holistic showcase of baseball in the Pacific Northwest, and is definitely worth a look.

Great American Ball Park is a perfect sized place for baseball in the Queen City. The price of tickets, parking, concession, and surrounding neighborhood makes an ideal trip for the baseball traveler or a quick vacation for the family. The city of Cincinnati takes pride in being the oldest professional baseball team and it is evident from the Opening Day Parade to the Reds Hall of Fame.

A carnival-like atmosphere is experienced at the Battery prior to the game. Fans arrive hours prior to the game to stroll the Battery complex. There are lots of people eating, drinking, socializing and watching the entertainment / just people watching. It is quite fun. Once inside the park there is a lot of activity due to all the features the park has.

If you’re looking for something that is uniquely SoCal without feeling like you’re in Los Angeles, the Angels may be your best option. The team is rich in history, features a friendly home stadium, and has a stellar fan base that never feels like they are just bandwagon fans or with mostly visiting team fans filling the seats. What makes the Angels a true hidden gem is their electric atmosphere on game days, the surprisingly beautiful stadium, and the touch of nostalgia you feel when you walk through the gates on a cool southern California evening.

Miller Park is a beautiful stadium, and it features a unique roof design mixed with appropriate architectural design. The food is plentiful and top quality, and the fans are among the best in baseball. Almost every game is a packed house, so you get that exciting experience sports fans yearn for. If you’re visiting Milwaukee, or even just passing through, a stop here is definitely a must consider, even for the casual sports fan.

Chase Field provides good game day enjoyment and it is easy to reach and traverse. The swimming pool and the retractable roof offer unique elements to the ballpark. A recommendation is to visit early in the season (April) to enjoy a game with the roof open. Phoenix is a vacation destination in early spring and late fall. Check out a Diamondbacks game during your visit!

Yankee Stadium is physically designed to keep the rich fans away from the regular folks. That’s not an opinion, there is a physical barrier between the Legends Suite seats (which are mostly owned by companies for employees and clients and regularly go empty) and the rest of the crowd.

While many may regard Tropicana Field as one of the worst stadiums in baseball, the facility still has some life in it. Yes, the age and overall aesthetic of the place just feels “meh” worthy, but the Tampa Bay Rays have called it their home since their inception in 1998, and you can almost feel a bit of history when you walk through the ballpark doors.

The Rogers Centre has been an innovative stadium with the best location in Major League Baseball. However, the crossroads that face the Rogers Centre and the Toronto Blue Jays is quite significant. The investment needed in the facility and ballpark experience is only matched with the renewed investment needed in the product on the field. Where Rogers Communications goes in the immediate future is still a bit of a mystery, but time is of the essence and the Jays are in danger of falling behind the rest of the league in experience.

If you want to visit every stadium in the major leagues, Marlins Park is a must, for sure. Or if you are looking to see a road game for one of your favorite teams, Marlins Park is a must. However, if you’re just looking for a random game to catch at a stadium while you’re traveling, consider Marlins Park, but understand the experience isn’t exactly one that screams amazing atmosphere. The stadium itself is a masterpiece without a bad seat in the house, but as for the atmosphere and fans, there isn’t much to be hit out of the park.

OK, so she’s not a thing of beauty. But she’s still worth visiting if to say you hit up one of the last remaining multi-purpose yards, or to just knock it off your 30 ballparks list. Besides, wouldn’t you rather be at the old ballgame than a day at the office?

———-

Did you enjoy this content? Help support our work by becoming a supporter of Stadium Journey on Patreon. Supporter levels begin at just $2/month.