Top 15 Ranked Baseball Stadiums
A look at baseball’s best and most unique stadiums
For many fans, a baseball stadium is a second home, a safe-haven; it’s more than just a place to watch your favorite team play for three hours. The in-stadium experience and variances between ballparks have made them the destination for many fans’ road trips.
There is something particularly American about visiting a baseball stadium, but even if you are not a baseball fan there is a uniqueness to each stadium that you can appreciate. Some are better than others, but each certainly have plenty to offer for even the least avid baseball fan.
So, where is the best place to watch a baseball game? Let’s take a look at the top 15 list of ballparks you need to visit. This list takes into account uniqueness, design, views, interior features, amenities, food and more. Let’s dive in.
#15. Rogers Center — Toronto Blue Jays
I already hear, “but the turf field.” Sorry, but the Rogers Center is a unique place to watch a game. From the retractable roof to the hotel in the outfield, it gets credit for being different.
Additionally, the stadium’s location in downtown Toronto also gives it some extra points. While the Rogers Center was not built exclusively as a baseball stadium, its layout can be a bit wonky in comparison to our other venues, but the Canadian fan base can certainly bring the heat when their team is in a big game.
The retractable roof allows fresh air into the stadium on nice summer days, but also keeps out the brutal cold in the early and late parts of the season.
#14. Citi Field — New York Mets
The Mets did a great job incorporating designs from the old Shea Stadium with tasteful modern touches. With the famous Mets orange and blue littered throughout, you know exactly who you are there to watch.
You’ll also notice tributes to the famous Ebbetts Field in the design which any baseball fan can appreciate. For non-baseball fans, Citi Field offers loads of food and drink options to keep everyone happy.
Fans will also see and hear the constant hum of planes taking off from LaGuardia Airport.
Citi Field is certainly a unique place to watch a game and has earned its spot on this list.
#13. Coors Field — Colorado Rockies
As its name would suggest, Coors Field is a great place to have a few drinks and enjoy a ballgame.
With views of the Rocky Mountains and the gorgeous Denver sunsets, this is certainly a special place.
Because of the elevation, Coors Field has a deep outfield and high walls to counteract increased ball flight, but you won’t want to sit in the outfield anyway, because everybody knows that the upper deck is where you will see the best sunset in baseball.
#12. T-Mobile Park — Seattle Mariners
T-Mobile Field Field in Seattle neighbors CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, and the similar designs provide a cool aesthetic for fans.
The retractable roof that opens into right field, provides cover for those notorious rainy Seattle Days.
Aside from the roof and its neighbors, T-Mobile Field has ample amenities for fans to enjoy including fried crickets. When the roof is open, it even has a view of the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier.
#11. Yankee Stadium — New York Yankees
The New Yankee Stadium has received some bad press over the years, from the dark interior, to the overly industrial feel, and the outrageous prices, but no list of top stadiums would be complete without it.
After playing across the street for over 80 years, the Yankees built a modern-day replica with all of the luxury and glamor of the 21st century. The sheer size of the stadium will blow anyone away, and the amenities within the venue can keep anybody busy.
The new Monument Park in centerfield and the museum on the third level are all must-sees. Once you’re done taking in the history, be sure to grab a beer and a classic order of Yankee Stadium garlic fries while you watch the game.
#10. Citizens Bank Park — Philadelphia Phillies
Citizens Bank Park deserves mention on this list, as one of the “original” new stadiums. The stadium’s location amongst other Philly sports venues and clean design earns it the first place in the top 10.
As soon as you enter Citizens Bank Park, whether it is the Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks, Chickies and Pete’s crab fries, or the multi-story light up Liberty Bell in the outfield, you know you’re in Philadelphia.
The product on the field may not be stellar, but you are sure to find yourself a good place to watch the game and have a few drinks.
#9. Busch Stadium — St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium is another one of the older new stadiums, but it barely shows its age. Located in the heart of St. Louis, Busch Stadium is the home to some of the most passionate fans in baseball.
You won’t find too much in the way of “attractions” at Busch Field, but you will see a beautifully maintained baseball diamond with a view of the Gateway Arch in centerfield. This view alone, bumped Busch Stadium up a few points spots the list.
#8. Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City Royals
The home of the Royals is particularly unique, from the waterfall displays in right-center field, to the massive Jumbotron in leftfield. In fact, the board is even in the shape of the Royals’ logo.
The stadium has plenty of space to move around with extra standing room in the outfield. In addition to these perks, the Kansas City barbecue at every corner will be sure to leave you stuffed.
#7. Petco Park — San Diego Padres
Petco Park, located in San Diego, may just be home to the best weather in the game. In addition, it provides fantastic city views and an abundance of good seating options. Many even suggest that it may be home to some of the best ballpark food in baseball.
The Western Metal Supply Co. warehouse in leftfield adds character and makes Petco Park unique. As the story goes, the stadium was built backwards around the abandoned building. Today, it serves as a backdrop to homeruns and the rowdy San Diego faithful.
6. Fenway Park — Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park will certainly find its way onto any baseball fans top 10 list of Stadiums.
Fenway Park has been the home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912 and endured the entirety of their 86 year championship drought. The unique outfield, which includes the 37 foot-tall Green Monster and odd twists and turns add to the stadium’s prowess.
Located in the heart of Boston, Fenway Park is a must visit for anybody planning a trip to New England. Be careful however, as Fenway Park is notorious for obstructed views and seats facing away from the game if you do not pay up for a good seat.
#5. Oriole Park at Camden Yards — Baltimore Orioles
Like Petco Park, the right field warehouse makes Camden Yards a particularly unique place to watch a game. Instead of demolishing the 430,000 square foot building, it stayed to provide a unique, classic feel to an otherwise modern ballpark.
Eutaw Street, between the warehouse and playing field makes a great place to catch a batting practice homerun or enjoy some delicious Boog’s Barbecue. You’ll also find a commemorative plaque for each homerun that has landed there.
Like many other stadiums, Camden Yards location in the heart of Baltimore and on the Inner Harbor makes it a great place to catch a game.
#4. Dodger Stadium — Los Angeles Dodgers
The stars are always out at Dodger Stadium. Just a short drive (miles-wise) from Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium provides a massive venue for people to enjoy a ball game.
From the scenic view of the Chavez Ravine in the outfield, to the multiple video boards in the outfield, Dodger Stadium is a great place to take in a game.
Built in 1962, Dodger Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in the league, but without that knowledge, you would never know.
#3. Wrigley Field — Chicago Cubs
Consider the great debate of which classic field is better (Wrigley vs. Fenway) solved…okay well maybe not.
Similar to Fenway Park, there is just something special about watching a game at Wrigley. From the ivy-covered outfield walls to the manual scoreboard, to the fans sitting on rooftops in the outfield, there is no place like it.
Like Fenway, Wrigley Field underwent a long championship drought. In fact, Wrigley Field was not even built yet when the Cubs won their last World Series before 2016, but the Cubs fans are resilient and always there for their team.
The stadium has undergone some extensive renovations in recent years to keep up with modern technology and conveniences, but the old-school charm certainly remains.
#2. PNC Park Pittsburgh Pirates
There is not much debating why PNC Park finds its way to the top of almost every top baseball stadium list: it is a spectacular place to watch a game.
With a view of the Roberto Clemente Bridge and Pittsburgh skyline in Center Field, PNC Park is sure to astound you.
The views continue all around the stadium and the experience of walking into the game when automobile traffic is shut down around the stadium only enhances the game day experience.
PNC Park has earned its spot as a top stadium, even if the product Pittsburgh ownership puts on the field may be too unbearable to watch.
#1. Oracle Park — San Francisco Giants
Like PNC, there is no argument to Oracle Park being a top baseball stadium. This stadium incorporates the new with the old to make what may be the best stadium in all of sports.
In right field, you will find McCovey Cove, where anxious kayakers look to catch long homerun ball, and ticketholders can enjoy a nice view. In left field, you will see the Bay Bridge, only adding to the charm of this stadium.
Do bundle up on your next trip however, as those bay breezes can certainly put a damper on your visit.
Honorable Mentions:
As with any list, you cannot include everyone, and there were certainly some noteworthy ballparks that did not make the cut. Some stadiums that deserve mention include: Commerica Park, Minute Maid Park, Chase Field, Target Field, and Miller Park. Better luck next time!
The Bottom
So we’ve named the best stadiums, but what are the worst baseball stadiums? Well, when it comes to baseball stadiums, most fans know that there are two that stand out in particular. Unlike the top 15, there likely will not be too much debate with these.
Tropicana Field — Tampa Bay Rays
Starting with the obvious: Tropicana Field. The “Trop” in Tampa has been described by many as a dump. Starting with the cat walks interfering with fly balls to its location that makes access difficult, the Trop is not fan-friendly.
As if there weren’t enough reasons to hate on the Trop, just look at it. Inside, you have the dark turf field and on the outside, it is just an ugly concrete monstrosity.
The time has come for the Rays to find a new home.
RingCentral Coliseum — Oakland Athletics
With the Raiders moving to Vegas, the Oakland A’s are now the only team to call the Coliseum home.
Like the Trop, the Coliseum is not a friendly place to watch a game. From its location, to its outdated sound system, to its notorious plumbing issues, there is a reason that the Coliseum is at the bottom of almost every list.
Maybe someday the A’s will find themselves a stadium worthy for an MLB to call home.
