Candace BarnetteArizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill on June 27 approving $500 million in public funding to renovate Chase Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks.
The legislation allocates $750 million in combined public and private funding for the renovations, with $250 million coming from the Diamondbacks franchise. The remaining $500 million will come from tax revenue generated from the stadium and nearby businesses, avoiding new taxes on residents.
The funding is part of a broader agreement to keep the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. The team’s current lease expires in 2027, and efforts have been underway to secure an agreement before then.
The planned renovations focus heavily on infrastructure upgrades, including the air conditioning system and concrete foundation. The air conditioning system is considered a top priority, as the aging system reportedly struggles to maintain comfortable temperatures during Arizona’s summer months.
Major upgrades are also planned for the stadium’s retractable roof. The renovated roof will be able to open or close with fans present in the stadium, a capability that was previously unavailable due to mechanical issues.
Additional improvements include improvements to the stadium’s plumbing and electrical systems. The scoreboard will also be upgraded, along with new club seating and renovated club areas.
Photo by metsfan84 at the English Wikipedia project, CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons
