Written by Mark Bailey
The allure of baseball under a roof cannot be overstated, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Here’s a list of MLB stadiums that feature the comfort and convenience of a retractable or fixed roof, providing a consistent playing environment regardless of the season.
1. Tropicana Field
The only stadium in the MLB with a fixed roof is Tropicana Field. Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, Tropicana Field is home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The domed stadium controls the climate and protects fans from heat and rain. It opened in 1990 and seats 25,000 fans.
The fixed roof requires an artificial turf field. Built before there was a baseball team in Tampa, Tropicana Field became home to the Rays in 1993. The stadium hosted events like arena football, tennis, hockey, and more. Construction cost $130 million dollars.
2. Globe Life Field
Globe Life Field is the most recent addition to the retractable roof fields. Built in 2020, it is the home of the Texas Rangers.
Arlington, Texas, is the home of Globe Life. Arlington experiences frequent rain and high temperatures – making the retractable roof beneficial. The field is artificial turf, with centerfield reaching 407 feet.
There are only four other stadiums in Major League Baseball that use artificial turf. Globe Life Field has a retro-modern design. Construction costs exceeded $1 billion dollars.
3. LoanDepot Park
LoanDepot Park serves as the home park for the Miami Marlins. It is the second newest stadium with a retractable roof. Built in 2012 in Miami, Florida, the field has a seating capacity of 36,742 fans.
Designed in a neo-modern fashion, the construction costs reached over $630 million dollars. The intention of the design is to evoke all things Miami. It is a LEED-certified building. LoanDepot includes a parking complex and trolley service.
4. American Family Field
American Family Field’s retractable roof is unique. Its roof is fan-shaped and convertible. In less than 10 minutes, the roof can open and close. A short operation time limits game stoppage during a contest.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the home of American Family Field and its team – the Milwaukee Brewers. The field opened in 2001. Construction costs equaled about $400 million dollars. Approximately $290 million dollars came from public funds.
The ballpark has a grass and dirt field. The retro-modern design has a seating capacity of more than 41,000.
5. Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is home to the Houston Astros. Located in Houston, Texas, Minute Maid Park opened in 2000. It features a grass and dirt field. The retractable roof allows fans to enjoy Houston’s weather when it is pleasant. The construction costs equaled $250 million dollars.
Some technological features include Wi-Fi throughout the stadium, the fourth-largest HD screen in the league, and a closed caption video board for PA announcements. The field hosted several events outside of baseball. Soccer, professional wrestling, concerts, and mass wedding were all hosted. The ballpark holds 41,188 fans and has a retro-modern design.
6. T-Mobile Park
T-Mobile Park is located in Seattle, Washington. When completed, the stadium was named Safeco Field.
In 2018 the name changed to T-Mobile Park. It replaced the Kingdome as the home of the Seattle Mariners. This stadium has a seating capacity of 47,929 fans. Its retractable roof covers a grass and dirt field. The design of the field is retro-modern and opened in 1999.
In addition to MLB games, amateur baseball is also played on this field. The ballpark also hosted a Wrestlemania in 2003. A unique feature of T-Mobile Park is that the roof does not completely close.
When closed, it serves as a cover for the field and the stands but still has permanent openings to the outside. The mild climate of Seattle makes this design possible. The park witnessed two perfect games in 2012 (one against the Mariners and one by a Mariner). The park has seen 6 no-hitters since it opened.
7. Chase Field
You can find Chase Field in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. The retractable-roof stadium has a retro-modern design. The ballpark is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 1998, the stadium opened for the then-expansion team.
The Arizona location demanded a stadium with a roof. The roof opens or closes in under five minutes. Game temperatures can reach above 100 degrees. Field temperatures could exceed that with the artificial turf field.
Chase Field uses a very unique cooling system to cool the park before opening the gates. The cooling system involves a plant located outside of the stadium. The plant freezes large amounts of water overnight, which reduces electric use during the day. The system is also used to cool additional buildings in downtown Phoenix.
In addition to baseball, you can find international soccer games and concerts there. College baseball and basketball games are also hosted there from time to time. Chase Field has a seating capacity of 48,405 fans.
8. Rogers Centre
The Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose facility with a retractable roof. It is the oldest such stadium on the list. Built to host baseball and football, it opened in 1989. It is the current home of the Toronto Blue Jays.
You can find the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. The stadium seats 49,286 fans. The carpeted field is AstroTurf Gameday Grass. In 2016, a full dirt infield replaced the sliding pits.
As a multipurpose facility, it is interesting to note that Wrestlemania X8 set the attendance record. In 2002, 66,237 wrestling fans filled the Rogers Centre. The stadium cost $570 million dollars to build. Rogers Centre holds the distinction of being the first fully retractable roof in North America. Basketball, wrestling, cricket, soccer, and hurling are sports that have been hosted at the Rogers Centre. You may also find a hotel, restaurant, and team store in the stadium.
How Many MLB Stadiums Are There?
Major League Baseball has 30 teams, each with a unique stadium. These stadiums vary significantly in terms of design, capacity, and features. Among them, a distinct subset is classified as indoor stadiums, either having retractable roofs or being fully enclosed. For the most current and specific number of MLB stadiums, refer to the latest MLB resources or stadium listings.
How Many MLB Stadiums Have Roofs?
MLB has 8 stadiums with covered roofs, including domes and enclosed parks. These include Tropicana Field with a fixed dome roof, and retractable roof stadiums like Globe Life Field, LoanDepot Park, American Family Field, Minute Maid Park, T-Mobile Park, Chase Field, and Rogers Centre. Each of these parks offers unique designs and features, providing climate control and protection from weather elements for fans and players.