Editor’s note: This story was originally published in March 2023.
It’s that time of the year again.
March Madness is winding down, and Major League Baseball is back in our lives.
For the first time in what feels like forever, MLB will have a full season that starts on time, and we’re so happy about that. While we’re in for a few rule changes this season, you won’t see any new stadiums opening in MLB this year. However, several teams did make some upgrades to existing stadiums, and it was enough to shake up our stadium rankings for 2023.
Using the same — yes, subjective — criteria of general atmosphere, design, location, amenities, food and character that we used in past seasons, we’ve arrived at an updated rankings of MLB ballparks to get ready for the 2023 baseball season.
MORE BASEBALL:
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- Our fantasy baseball guide with sleepers, busts and more.
30. RingCentral Coliseum - Oakland A’s
I don’t want to pile on the A’s too much because everyone knows their stadium is terrible. The lease at RingCentral Coliseum expires after the 2024 season, and the effort for a new stadium is pointing increasingly towards Las Vegas.
29. Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Rays
RingCentral Coliseum is the only reason The Trop isn’t ranked last. It’s an aging stadium, difficult to get to and the food options are notoriously subpar. Just like the A’s, the Rays deserve better.
28. Guaranteed Rate Field - Chicago White Sox
I’ve mentioned it before, but I can’t get over how the stadium could’ve had an epic skyline view if it was flipped around. Instead we’re left with a view of nothing.
27. Chase Field - Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks and Maricopa County have been in a standoff over millions of dollars of repairs for the stadium, which has Chase Field quickly becoming one of the worst venues in the league. The roof is no longer safe to open when fans are present (they think the cables *could* snap and injure people). The air-conditioning system hardly works now, so when the roof is closed, the stadium is a sauna. Random panels on the already-dated videoboard are damaged, so you’re stuck staring at a reminder that the stadium is falling apart. I can go on, but you get the point.
26. Angel Stadium - Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have two of the greatest players in baseball history but put almost no investment into the aging stadium. Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani are awesome, though.
25. Yankee Stadium - New York Yankees
It’s expensive, has premium food and seating options. But that doesn’t necessarily make it a nice stadium. It’s a corporate replica of the old Yankee Stadium — just without the character. That remains a bummer.
24. American Family Field - Milwaukee Brewers
It’s not the worst stadium in the world, but it has a very similar vibe to Chase Field … in slightly better condition. The Brewers are looking to upgrade the ballpark. So, we could see the stadium move up the rankings when that work gets completed. It’ll always be Miller Park to me.
23. Rogers Centre - Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays completed Phase 1 of their Rogers Centre renovation this offseason, and it’s already looking like a much better place to watch a ballgame. The outfield concourses are totally upgraded and the amenities are only going to improve when Phase 2 gets completed next year.
Via @BlueJays, some progress pics of Rogers Centre's outfield renovation from earlier this month (1/2)
Just over a month until Toronto's home opener pic.twitter.com/ebhJP6WTXg
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 11, 2023
It’s a great start and already worth a bit of a jump in our rankings.
22. LoanDepot Park - Miami Marlins
The World Baseball Classic really was a reminder of what this stadium can be when there’s a reason to actually go to the ballpark. But we likely won’t see that with the Marlins in the near future. The stadium itself lacks the unique-to-Miami amenities that made the stadium somewhat interesting in the first place.
And do NOT get me started on The Outfield Dinger Machine. Bring that thing back already.
21. Great American Ball Park - Cincinnati Reds
Great American Ball Park is one of the more forgettable stadiums in baseball. Like, it’s fine. The food is below average compared to other ballparks I’ve been to, but the beer selection is definitely underrated. For a stadium with “GREAT” literally in its name, it’s really just an OK ballpark.
20. Globe Life Field - Texas Rangers
It’s a $1.2 billion stadium that absolutely doesn’t look the part. You have the depressing exterior and then some abysmal lighting when the roof is closed. There was a way to build a new stadium that didn’t have Chase Field and Minute Maid Park vibes, the Rangers just couldn’t figure it out.
19. Progressive Field - Cleveland Guardians
A downtown stadium with skyline views — I already approve. It’s not in the bottom tier of stadiums in baseball. There are just other ballparks that are better. The Guardians did announce that some significant upgrades are in the works for the 2025 season, so we’ll have to check back when that’s completed.
The future of Progressive Field is here. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/0GV378FKRO
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) January 12, 2023
18. Comerica Park - Detroit Tigers
In previous rankings, I think I was a bit harsh on Comerica Park. It’s in a prime location — right in the heart of downtown. You have views of the city, and when the weather is nice, it’s an enjoyable place to catch a game. This season, the Tigers are also switching up the outfield dimensions, bringing in the center-field wall by 10 feet and lowering some fences. More dingers? Yes, please.
17. Minute Maid Park - Houston Astros
The stadium is so much better when the roof is open — it feels like a totally different venue. The Astros, being perennial World Series contenders, make for a great atmosphere on a nightly basis, and you have to love that Tal’s Hill is gone.
16. Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City Royals
Despite being an older stadium, recent updates to The K make it feel like a fairly new stadium. There are more than enough amenities to compete with the newer ballparks — along with a great beer selection — and they retained the classic look with the fountains. The location, though, makes it tough to rank Kauffman Stadium highly. It’s right next to Arrowhead Stadium and surrounded by nothing but parking lots. No wonder the Royals are exploring a move to downtown Kansas City.
15. Nationals Park - Washington Nationals
Nationals Park always gives off a strong Citizens Bank Park aesthetic. It’s a solid, newer stadium. It has amenities but lacks overall character. If you love a backdrop of cranes and scaffolding, well, do I have a place for you!
hit it toward the gentrification pic.twitter.com/GO78E8BSMB
— Mike Tunison (@xmasape) July 17, 2018
14. Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia Phillies
Citizens Bank Park would benefit from a better location, but it’s held up well over the years and feels unique to Philadelphia. Like, there are cheesesteaks in the ballpark — that’s a game changer for me. And new for this year: they’re going to have a massive videoboard.
Citizens Bank Park new scoreboard is absolutely frightened pic.twitter.com/3XNbZAE7wY
— Sheffield Shuffler (@SheffieldShuff) March 19, 2023
13. Busch Stadium - St. Louis Cardinals
Can we just admire that apocalyptic photo for a second? I mean, wow.
Anyway, Busch Stadium is right in the same tier as Citizens Bank Park and Nationals Park — there’s not much separation between them because the offerings are similar. I am a sucker for Busch Stadium’s view. It’s awesome.
12. Truist Park - Atlanta Braves
Truist Park — despite the terrible name — has one of baseball’s most raucous atmospheres and just an incredible selection of food and drinks throughout the entire stadium. The Battery district around the ballpark is a real highlight and a main reason why the Braves left Turner Field (though I think they should have stayed in Atlanta). The move is certainly working out fine for the Braves — can’t argue that.
11. Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Baltimore Orioles
There’s a lot to like about Oriole Park at Camden Yards. It’s the stadium that inspired all the other modern, downtown ballparks across MLB. But nostalgia and crab cakes served at the stadium can only go so far. Oriole Park could use more amenities and definitely needs to update its archaic scoreboard. The decision to push back the left-field wall threw off the aesthetic of the stadium. More work could happen in the future — though we’re lacking details.
10. Citi Field - New York Mets
Both the Yankees and Mets opened new stadiums in 2009. And while the Yankees opted for a stale, corporate-focused atmosphere, the Mets actually built a significant upgrade from Shea Stadium. Citi Field feels similar to the other newer ballparks in the NL East and has great food and drink options — and really puts Yankee Stadium to shame in that regard.
They’re also getting a new videoboard for this season.
Fired up the scoreboard for the first time. Did we do this right? 🎮 pic.twitter.com/BOqWY6HQAu
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 20, 2023
So, fans will enjoy that.
9. T-Mobile Park - Seattle Mariners
You can’t go wrong spending a summer afternoon or evening at T-Mobile Park. The weather is generally perfect during baseball season, and the stadium is in an excellent location. It also has one of the better food and beer selections in baseball — along with many options for $5 and $6. Fans will get a chance to really appreciate this ballpark during the 2023 All-Star Game, and trust me: It won’t disappoint.
8. Target Field - Minnesota Twins
Target Field is just 12 years old, but you have to give the Twins credit for making sure the already-excellent stadium stays with the times. The stadium underwent a few upgrades this past offseason, which included a brand-new 178-foot videoboard.
The before-and-after photo is pretty remarkable.
The @Twins new scoreboard at Target Field vs the old one… Definitely a change of scenery in left field! pic.twitter.com/kpazKqBgCD
— Mark Freie (@MarkFreie) January 27, 2023
Not bad, Twins. Not bad at all.
7. Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park is a bucket-list experience for every baseball fan … or sports fan, really. It has arguably the best pregame atmosphere in baseball and walking around the stadium is a fun adventure by itself. Once inside, you’re going to deal with the quirks of an 111-year-old ballpark: obstructed-view seats, chairs not positioned towards the mound, aging concourses. But it’s still Fenway Park, and that counts for a lot.
6. Coors Field - Colorado Rockies
Coors Field being ranked this high might be a controversial pick for some, but I just love this ballpark. It’s surrounded by bars and restaurants, boasts some phenomenal views and is just an outstanding place to watch baseball.
5. Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have made a few upgrades to Dodger Stadium recently, and the added amenities in the outfield concourses were a great touch. It’s a bit hectic trying to get into the Chavez Ravine area, but once you’re there, the entire trip becomes worth it. Get yourself a Dodger Dog and enjoy one of the best stadiums that baseball has to offer.
4. PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates
The view at PNC Park is so spectacular that you almost forget you’re stuck watching the Pittsburgh Pirates. No other stadium has managed to showcase a city skyline quite like PNC Park has — though Petco Park is a close second. The stadium desperately needed a new videoboard, and thankfully, the team came through with a new one for 2023.
The best ballpark in baseball is getting even better!
We announced new improvement projects that are underway at PNC Park, including a new LED scoreboard. pic.twitter.com/LzLn8pbVUS
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 22, 2023
3. Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs
Like Fenway Park, a trip to Wrigley Field is something that every sports fan should try to experience at least once. The Cubs officially completed their massive, multi-phase renovation in 2019, and I think it was done in a perfect way that brought in modern amenities while still respecting Wrigley Field’s old-school charm. The food selection could be a bit better, but, I mean, you’re at Wrigley. Just enjoy it.
2. Oracle Park - San Francisco Giants
It’s wild that Oracle Park has already been open for 23 years because it’s aged as well as any stadium in baseball. You have the wonderful, picturesque setting right on McCovey Cove, and the concourses smell like garlic fries. The atmosphere is so unique to San Francisco that you don’t even need to be a Giants fan to appreciate the stadium.
1. Petco Park - San Diego Padres
We really shouldn’t be surprised at this point because Petco Park truly is the perfect ballpark. It’s embedded right in the heart of downtown San Diego with the skyline basically on top of you. There’s a community park that leads right into the outfield concourses, making it a cool place to check out even on non-gamedays. Petco Park has the best food and beer selection in baseball to go along with the top-notch location. And now that the Padres are among the more exciting teams in MLB, the game-day atmosphere measures up with the stadium itself.
It’s really difficult to imagine any stadium topping Petco Park — it’s simply the best.
