This year's unlikely World Series pitting the wild-card Texas Rangers against the Arizona Diamondbacks, set to start Friday at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, spotlights two very different stadiums.
The matchup will feature Arizona's once innovative structure that now needs renovations, while the newer Texas sports arena is part of a growing property development area. Here's a quick look at the prominent playoff real estate.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Where based? Phoenix
Stadium: Chase Field
Capacity: 48,686
When built: 1998
The lowdown: The $364 million stadium was the first one built with a retractable roof and a natural grass field when Major League Baseball approved the expansion team. The stadium later replaced the natural grass with artificial turf. The D-backs are weighing whether to build a new stadium or renovate Chase Field when the team’s lease expires in 2027. Executives at the team say they want to build a mixed-use development surrounding its stadium.
Naming rights: Chase Field was previously known as Bank One Ballpark before Bank One merged with JP Morgan Chase & Co. in 2005. The 30-year naming rights contract is worth $66.4 million or $2.2 million dollars per season, according to media reports. The sponsorship deal is scheduled to expire in 2028.
Interesting fact: Under Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick's watch nearly two decades ago, the team eliminated more than $350 million of debt and offers one of the most affordable fan experiences at its stadium in Major League Baseball.
Texas Rangers
Where based? Arlington, a city equidistant between Dallas and Fort Worth
Stadium: Globe Life Field
Capacity: 40,300
When built: 2020
The lowdown: The $1.2 billion, 1.8 million-square-foot stadium has the world's largest single-panel retractable roof spanning 5.5 acres that was unveiled to fans just before the pandemic led to an abbreviated Major League Baseball season. Globe Life Field became home to the Rangers after the team spent 25 years playing at what is now called Choctaw Stadium. The new stadium anchors a larger entertainment district in Arlington with even more real estate development on the way. The $550 million Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center is scheduled to open in early 2024 and will add nearly 900 rooms and 200,000 square feet of convention space in the Arlington Entertainment District.
Interesting fact: The team's ownership once included U.S. President George W. Bush. Former Energy Transfer CEO Ray Davis is now the managing partner and majority owner of the team.