Featured image credit: Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees, one of Minor League Baseball’s most historic franchises, has opened up its new home – The Ballpark at America First Square.
The stadium debuted yesterday (Tuesday) as the Bees defeated the Reno Aces 13-10. The Larry H. Miller Company (LHMCO), which oversees the Miller family’s business platforms, initially announced in January 2023 that it was moving the Bees, Triple-A affiliate of MLB team the Los Angeles Angels, from their long-time home in Salt Lake at Smith’s Ballpark to the new stadium, which is anchoring an entertainment district in Downtown Daybreak in South Jordan, Utah.
In May last year, Miller Sports + Entertainment (MSE) revealed fresh details behind the project, as it separately pursues a venture designed to attract an MLB franchise to Salt Lake City. The privately funded Daybreak Field at America First Square has 6,500 fixed seats plus an open grassy berm and picnic area in right field for a capacity of 8,000 baseball fans. While this is around half the capacity of Smith’s Ballpark, the new facility provides a significant improvement in fan experience.
The ballpark has a 360-degree concourse walkaround with views of the field, along with a full range of spectator options, from open-lawn seating and party decks on the first and third base sides, to club seating and field-level suites, where fans are seated a closer distance to home plate than the pitcher’s mound.
The stadium is now open following an 18-month construction process, with the Bees having worked closely with Levy to shape a fan experience that seeks to incorporate tradition – like its picturesque Wasatch Range backdrop – while adding modern amenities.
These amenities include food, beverage and retail offerings, which will be operated by Levy’s minor league baseball division (PSC) and retail company (Rank + Rally). Levy previously partnered with MSE at Smith’s Ballpark, with the new facility offering a checkout-free frictionless market, powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.
The Ballpark at America First Square features unique premium experiences not found at most minor league ballparks, according to the Bees and Levy. These include the field-level suites, two inclusive premium clubs (the Diamond Club and Terrace Club) with access to private chef’s tables and beverage service, and open-air terrace party decks that double as private event spaces. Finishing touches on the concourse will take place over the coming weeks.
Rank + Rally, the retail arm of Levy, will operate the team’s 2,200 square foot retail store – to open later this season – and online shop. The Salt Lake Bees Team Store will have pop-up shops along the concourse, and its flagship brick-and-mortar location opens next month.
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