“More Than a Ballpark” initiative aims to transform iconic stadiums into bustling hubs of entertainment, for meetings and events
In an exciting new initiative, eight Major League Baseball teams have banded together to launch “More Than a Ballpark,” a collaboration aimed at transforming their historic venues into versatile spaces for meetings, events, and private concerts year-round. This initiative was unveiled during the 2024 IMEX America event at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, showcasing the potential of these iconic stadiums beyond the baseball diamond.
“We want to raise awareness among the public and our travel partners about the year-round possibilities at our venues,” said Joey Nevin, vice president of Giants Enterprises, which collaborates with the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. “The best way to achieve this is through visual demonstrations of our capabilities for large events. Our unique advantage lies in being at a ballpark—an iconic landmark with stunning views.”
The Line Up
The initiative brings together the following teams and their respective host destinations:
Arizona Diamondbacks / Visit Phoenix
Boston Red Sox / Meet Boston
Chicago Cubs / Choose Chicago
Los Angeles Dodgers / Los Angeles Tourism
Miami Marlins / Greater Miami CVB
Seattle Mariners / Visit Seattle
San Francisco Giants / San Francisco Travel
Washington Nationals / Destination DC
These venues range from the century-old Fenway Park in Boston to the relatively newer Oracle Park in San Francisco, offering diverse settings for a variety of events.
Expanding Opportunities
All participating teams are eager to broaden their event offerings. Andy Blackburn, vice president of strategic partnerships for the Chicago Cubs, emphasizes this shift: “While our primary focus is baseball, we’ve begun hosting a variety of events, including concerts, and allowing our corporate partners to utilize the ballpark on non-game days. We’re open to exploring any and all events that could benefit from a distinctive venue.”
Recent examples of innovative event hosting include Wrigley Field, which recently held a National Women’s Soccer League game and is set to host Big Ten football games and an NHL Winter Classic this winter. “Our goal is to maximize the number of events we host, extending beyond just sports,” Blackburn noted. “This is our initial attempt at this approach, but I expect it to expand significantly.”
Chris Koenig, executive director of Dodgers 365, highlights the unique experiences available at Dodger Stadium: “VIP dinners offer unmatched onsite branding capability and can include behind-the-scenes tours, batting practice, or even meeting a legendary player. If you put your meeting in an interesting place, people will show up, creating a new experience.”
Facilities and Future Developments
The stadiums involved in this initiative boast a wide array of facilities that can accommodate various types of events:
Private Concerts: Ideal for opening and closing night celebrations during conferences.
Corporate Events: Spaces equipped for VIP dinners, showcasing branding opportunities in a unique setting.
Sporting Events: Hosting non-baseball sports, including soccer, football, and hockey games.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Offering attendees an exclusive look at the stadium and its history.
“There are roughly 270 days a year that our ballparks are available to host other events,” noted Carrie Campbell, senior vice president of Fenway Park Events. “While we may be competitors on the field, we’re united and collaborating off it. A baseball stadium serves as a cultural landmark, fostering a deep emotional bond that people have with the venue.”
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
