Hospitality

Blue Jays detail plans for ‘compelling premium experiences’ at Rogers Centre

Images: Toronto Blue Jays

Major League Baseball (MLB) club the Toronto Blue Jays has shed further light on the next phase of Rogers Centre renovations by revealing three new premium clubs for the stadium.

The new premium clubs, set to open during the 2024 season, will be located beneath a completely reimagined lower bowl, connected to the best seats in the ballpark, with entertainment experiences.

Each club is designed to offer a differentiated experience to satisfy fan interests, with personalised levels of service including private members entrance and in-seat dining. Capacities are limited and are available as full or multi-season memberships. The new premium clubs are:

Batting Tunnel Club (behind home plate – third base side)

The Blue Jays said this is intended for passionate fans to enjoy an authentic – yet elevated – sports bar atmosphere, punctuated by direct views over the home dugout and into the team’s batting cage. Design and décor feature memorabilia and tributes celebrating the team’s greatest moments.

Home Plate Club (directly behind home plate)

From all access to exclusive, the Home Plate Club is set to be the very best that Rogers Centre has to offer with an unprecedented culinary experience, best-in-ballpark ‘In the Action’ seats, and the only membership with access to all three clubs.

The Lounge (behind home plate – first base side)

Intended to provide a private and intimate atmosphere with Blue Jays baseball as the backdrop, where fans can host colleagues, family, and friends. As the largest of the three clubs, the Blue Jays said fans will be able to seamlessly flow between work and play with an expanded culinary menu, live preparation chef’s table, in-club entertainment from pre to postgame, and a professional ambiance for hosting.

Current Blue Jays season ticket members have first access to the new clubs and will receive information directly from their dedicated account manager. Construction on the premium clubs will get underway at the end of the 2023 season, with the Blue Jays set to outline the full scope of the next phase of renovation work later this campaign.

“The types of entertainment experiences fans are looking for have evolved dramatically since Rogers Centre opened in 1989, and our ballpark currently has among the fewest premium experience options compared to MLB and other entertainment venues in Toronto,” said Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays.

“The next phase of renovations will introduce more of the amenities we know Blue Jays fans want – compelling premium experiences that uniquely cater to the Greater Toronto Area.”

In July, the Blue Jays announced a more than C$300m (£179.7m/€204m/$223.5m) privately funded renovation, to be completed between 2024 and 2025, that will transform Rogers Centre from a stadium into a ballpark through a series of projects focused on modernising the fan experience and building world-class player facilities. 

The ribbon was cut on the first phase of work on April 6, unveiling a new Outfield District, featuring five distinct neighbourhoods and many additional new social spaces. The Outfield District first opened to fans at the Blue Jays home opener on April 11.

Rogers Centre was conceptualised as a multi-purpose stadium when it opened in 1989 and had not previously undergone a large-scale renovation in its history.