Great American Ball Park
Great American Ball Park is a baseball stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. It serves as the ballpark of Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds, and opened on March 31, 2003, replacing Cinergy Field (formerly Riverfront Stadium), the Reds' former ballpark from 1970 to 2002.[8] Great American Insurance bought the naming rights to the new stadium at US$75 million for 30 years.[9][10][11]
Address
100 Joe Nuxhall Way
850 spaces
43,500 (2021–present)
42,319 (2008–2020)
42,271 (2003–2007)
44,599 (2010 NLDS, Game 3)
Left Field – 328 ft (100 m)
Left-Center – 379 ft (116 m)
Center Field – 404 ft (123 m)
Right-Center – 370 ft (110 m)
Right Field – 325 ft (99 m)
Backstop – 55 ft (17 m) 
August 1, 2000
March 31, 2003
US$290 million
($480 million in 2023 dollars[2])
HOK Sport/GBBN Architects
M-E Engineers, Inc.[5]
RLE Construction, Inc.[7]
History[edit]
Planning and funding[edit]
In 1996, Hamilton County voters passed a ½% sales tax increase to fund the construction of new venues for both the Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL).[6] According to the lease agreement, the Reds owed $2.5 million in rent annually for years 1–9 to Hamilton County, and owe $1 annually for years 10-35 of the contract.[12] The Reds and the Bengals had previously shared occupancy of Riverfront Stadium, but by the mid-1990s, they complained that the multi-purpose stadium lacked amenities necessary for small-market professional sports teams to compete and each lobbied for venues of their own.[13] Nearby Paycor Stadium broke ground in 1998 and was opened on August 19, 2000.
Design and construction[edit]
Great American Ball Park was built by the architectural firms HOK Sport (now Populous) and GBBN at a cost of approximately US$290 million. It is located on the plot of land between the former site of Riverfront Stadium (currently, The Banks mixed-use development) and Heritage Bank Center (previously, U.S. Bank Arena, previously Riverfront Coliseum). The limited construction space necessitated the partial demolition of Cinergy Field. It was fully demolished on December 29, 2002.[14] MSA Design [15] has been the Official Architect of the Cincinnati Reds since 2009.
2015 All-Star Game[edit]
The ballpark hosted the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The Reds put in $5 million for improvements, which included two new bars and upgraded concession stands.[16]
Lowest attendance record[edit]
The Reds set the lowest attendance record on April 17, 2023 at Great American Ballpark, due to the cold weather. The attendance number was 4,967 fans. Temperatures were near 30 degrees, which is not normal for April weather, let alone baseball weather. Fans were seen in the stands holding blankets and drinking hot coffee, which can be bought at most concession stands. The Reds defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, by a score of 8-1.
Fan amenities[edit]
Nursing suites[edit]
For the 2015 season, Great American Ball Park became the first MLB ballpark to feature a suite designed exclusively as a place for mothers to feed and care for their babies.[25] Reds COO Phil Castellini, a father of 5, says he felt compelled to do his best to provide a worthwhile solution after stadium officials told him an increasing number of women were asking where they could nurse their children at the ballpark.[26] The suite has 5 glider chairs, diaper-changing stations, a restroom, a kitchenette, refrigerator, lockers, and televisions showing the game. It's located on the Suite Level near the Champions Club elevators.[27] A second nursing suite was added as part of the addition of the TriHealth Family Zone on the former site of Redlegs Landing.[28]
Sportsbook[edit]
For the 2023 season, the Reds partnered with BetMGM Sportsbook to introduce on-site sports betting. The BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park is located in the Machine Room, and features three betting windows and 15 self-service kiosks, in addition to a full-service bar and food options.[29]