A look at the top three most expensive baseball stadiums in Northern America that have cost the most money to build.
Third on the list of top three most expensive baseball stadiums is Nationals Park (Washington Nationals).
Cost to build: $611 million
Capacity: 41,888
Currently the home of the Washington Nationals, Nationals Park is actually the first LEED-certified green friendly major pro sports stadium inside the United States, meaning it is a stadium that has been recognised for its environmentally sustainable construction.
It is intentionally located along the beautiful Anacostia River in the acclaimed Navy Yard area of Washington, D.C., and has replaced the RFK Stadium as the new Nationals’ home ballpark.
It was designed by the famous Populous (formerly HOK Sport) alongside the well known Devrouax & Purnell Architects and Planners and seats over 41,000 fans. In what must be a very patriotic scene for many of the Nationals fans, the magnificent Washington Monument and the patriotic U.S Capitol building are visible in certain areas from the ballpark.
The third on the list of top three most expensive baseball stadiums has a name that pays tribute to the original ballpark’s name which was built in the early-1900s and used by the local Washington Senators/Nationals, which has been called National Park until the day it was rebuilt and wisely renamed Griffith Stadium.
The second on the list of top three most expensive baseball stadiums is Citi Field (New York Mets).
Cost to build: $850 million
Capacity: 41,800
In the borough or county of Queens, is the second of the top three most expensive baseball stadiums. Completed this year, the Citi Field baseball stadium has been built to replace the neighbouring Shea Stadium, and like the Nationals Park it was intellectually designed by the famous Populous. It has been named after the Citigroup Financial Services Company who paid big money for the unique naming rights. It was funded by the much-needed sale of New York City municipal bonds that will be repaid by the club, with interest. The total payments will counterbalance property taxes of the entire life of the stadium.
The park has also hosted events other than baseball, such as a series of three gigs by Paul McCartney.
And the number one on the list of the top three most expensive baseball stadiums is the New Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees).
Cost to build: $1.3 billion
Capacity: 52,325
New York is unsurprisingly also home of the number one of the top three most expensive stadiums. Incorporating many design elements from the original Yankee Stadium, which was located just across the street, the New Yankee Stadium is the world’s most expensive ballpark, eventually costing a huge $1.3 billion at its completion. It opened in April this year with an event inviting Yankee fans from the local Bronx community to workout. Its construction faced a lot of criticism from many sources, as city funds were used for the ground’s construction, which detractors thought would be better used on urban regeneration projects.
Although this stadium is recognised as number one on the list of the top three most expensive baseball stadiums and has been commended for its amenities and its adherence to the look of the 1923 original, it has been heavily criticised for its “Legends suite”, which sees the first eight rows in the lower bowl reserved for astronomically priced tickets, ranging from $510 all the way up to $2,600. As a result many of the seats in this section are empty for important games, which have been called “embarrassing” by many Yankee patrons.
