One thing we all love about sports is its ability to bring people together. People from different continents and cultures come together as one in support of a team. Few things can compete with the unity that sports brings. This unity and oneness are often exemplified in the conduct of the home supporters of a team. That’s why the home grounds of successful sports teams are considered a fortress.
The feeling of tens of thousands of people pouring out their soul in support has proven to have beneficial psychological effects on the way teams perform. This is common in all sports leagues, and Major League Baseball is no different.
Popularly known as home-field advantage, teams in MLB have proven to perform better when they play in front of their home crowd. A 2015 report showed that teams won 55.5% of their home games. The power of the home ground has also played a significant role in baseball betting, with most tipsters using the home advantage when generating baseball picks.
The Biggest Stadiums In MLB
Major League Baseball has some of the most iconic sports clubs in North America, and these teams have been able to build some of the best stadiums you will see anywhere in the world.
This article will take you through the top five biggest stadiums in Major League Baseball.
1. Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is the third oldest stadium in the league, but that’s not its most prestigious record. With a seating capacity of 56,000, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ home ground is the biggest stadium in the MLB.
Opened in 1962, the stadium cost over US$197 million to build. The stadium is now a baseball icon and a prime tourist location in Los Angeles. The stadium will also host the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the first time since 1980, a true honor.
2. Yankee Stadium
The New York Yankees hold the record for the most World Series titles in the history of MLB, and although they have had some iconic players in their books, the continued presence of fans in their stadium did play a major role in those 27 titles wins.
The New York Yankees’ home ground is definitely the most iconic stadium in the history of the MLB. Derek Jeter’s memorable inside-out swing that saw the Yankees defeat the Orioles in Jeter’s final game for the club will forever remain in the minds of the 48,316 people sitting that day.
The stadium is worth over $2.3 billion and can hold 54,251 spectators. An average attendance of 53,070 in 2008 saw the Yankees Stadium record the highest average attendance in the MLB.
3. Coors Field
The Colorado Rockies have played their home games in Coors Field since 1995, and in that time, they have managed to host two MLB All-Star games. The stadium has a baseball capacity of 50,144 and is the third-largest baseball stadium in the MLB.
Aside from its capacity, Coors Field earned a reputation for being a hitter-friendly stadium due to the number of home runs hit in the park.
4. Rogers Center
Opened on 3 June 1989, Rogers Center is a multipurpose stadium that has played host to different Canadian sports teams over the years. It is currently the home ground of the Toronto Blue Jays and has a seating capacity of 49,282 for baseball games.
Formally called Skydome, the stadium is loved for its seating capacity and the great atmosphere it generates on game days. It is the only MLB stadium with a hotel located in the ballpark. From some of the rooms in the hotel, occupants can watch games directly.
Rogers Center is also a retractable roof stadium, and when the roofs are opened, spectators can gaze upon the beauty of the CN Tower.
5. Chase Field
Located in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona, the Chase Field stadium was opened the same year the Arizona Diamondbacks started to compete professionally in MLB, 1998.
With a seating baseball capacity of 48,686, Chase Field is revered for being the first US stadium to be built with a retractable roof covering a natural grass surface. Barely three years after it was opened, it hosted four games of the 2001 World Series.
Final Notes
In 2018, 69.6 million people watched MLB games live from the stands. This number was the highest total season attendance for any sports league in the world.
While the love for the MLB is ever-present, the capacity and standard of stadiums is another reason for this mind-blowing stat. Talks of stadium expansions are already ongoing for several teams, and in the years to come, we might see far bigger stadiums.
