Miller Park, officially named American Family Field, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is used mostly for baseball matches, hosting the home games of the Milwaukee Brewers, its owner.
Opened on 6 April 2001 with an exhibition match between the Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds, it replaced the original Milwaukee County Stadium, which had 53,192 seats. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 41,900. The stadium was designed by HKS, Inc. and NBBJ and had a construction cost of $400 million.
A category-four stadium and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in the United States, Miller Park has hosted several significant matches, including the 2002 All-Star Game, as well as the 2011 National League Championship Series. It was recognized for having the best tailgating in Major League Baseball by the Sporting News in 2009. By its twentieth birthday, Miller Park had welcomed more than 44 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for future international baseball events.
While the previous Brewers stadium was also officially named 'Milwaukee County Stadium', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Miller Park. Miller is the name of the brewing company that purchased the naming rights for the stadium, located in the city of Milwaukee, known for its rich brewing history. The name derives from the Miller Brewing Company, one of the city's most iconic breweries. This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Milwaukee used to simply call it Miller. Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Miller Park'. The name Miller Park is often used to describe the modern, fan-friendly stadium that stands as a symbol of the city's proud baseball heritage. However, it is worth noting that Miller refers not to any specific concept but to the original sponsor of the stadium: the Miller Brewing Company.
Built to replace the aging Milwaukee County Stadium, Miller Park officially opened its doors in 2001, ushering in a new era for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. The stadium features a unique fan-shaped convertible roof, which can open and close in less than 10 minutes, ensuring games can be played in comfort regardless of the unpredictable Wisconsin weather. It is also known for the 'Sausage Race', a popular event during home games where participants dressed as various types of sausages 'race' around the field, reflecting the city's German heritage and love for bratwursts.
In addition to serving as the home field for the Brewers, Miller Park has also played host to numerous concerts and sporting events, showcasing its versatility as a venue. Its distinctive architecture and state-of-the-art facilities have earned it a place among the most beloved ballparks in Major League Baseball.
Despite its relatively short history, Miller Park has already seen plenty of memorable moments. From hosting the All-Star Game in 2002 to witnessing the Brewers' return to the postseason after a 26-year drought in 2008, the stadium has been the backdrop to some of the most exciting chapters in Milwaukee's sporting history.
In 2021, the stadium was renamed to American Family Field following a new sponsorship deal. However, for many fans, the park will always be fondly remembered as Miller Park, a testament to Milwaukee's love for baseball and beer.
An appropriate site, with excellent access and ample space for potential future expansion, was recognized in the western part of the Menomonee Valley. Being located on the boundary of the West Milwaukee and Story Hill neighborhoods, the new park was initially known as the 'Miller Park'.
The park was always intended to be owned by the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District, although it was initially built with funds generated from a five-county sales tax, introduced in 1996. The blueprints for the sports complex were drawn up as early as the mid-1990s by HKS, Inc., a renowned architecture firm.
Driven by the club's president, Bud Selig, the associates dealt with an increased fee to support the construction costs for the new park, offered large donations, and some even volunteered to work on the construction site on holidays or weekends. There was even a 'fundraising campaign', where large amounts of money were donated to the club.
The construction officially began on November 9, 1996. Less than five years later, and at a cost of $400 million, on April 6, 2001, a 41,900-capacity crowd filled the park for the inaugural match against the Cincinnati Reds.
Miller Park's design features include a unique fan-shaped convertible roof, which can open and close in less than 10 minutes, and a natural grass playing field. The park also houses the Brewers' Wall of Honor, a permanent display that honors the team's greatest players. Additionally, it features the Dew Deck, a seating area above the right-field bleachers that includes a 25-foot high rock climbing wall.
The stadium's facilities also include 20 luxury suites and a restaurant that offers panoramic views of the field. The ballpark's exterior is made up of red brick and arched windows, reminiscent of the classic ballparks. Inside the park, there are several amenities for fans, including interactive games, a Brewers' museum and team store, and plenty of food and beverage options. Furthermore, the park has a state-of-the-art sound system and a high-definition scoreboard for an enhanced viewing experience.
Miller Park (2001): A detailed account of the history and specifications of Miller Park, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. https://www.mlb.com/brewers/ballpark
Miller Park (The Cathedral) – until 2020: An extensive report about the stadium's history and various events it has hosted. https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/usa/miller_park
Miller Park never fades, Preface, Prime Books, 2003: A book detailing the enduring popularity and importance of Miller Park. https://www.amazon.com/Miller-Park-Never-Fades/dp/9728820070
Milwaukee Brewers 100 glorious years - The History 1, Edition and Contents, S.A., 2003: A comprehensive history of the Milwaukee Brewers and their iconic stadium, Miller Park. https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Brewers-Glorious-Years-History/dp/989554099X
Becoming a leading global provider of digital solutions and services for the sports industry, enabling our clients to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
We aspire to be a trusted partner and advisor to our clients, leveraging our expertise and passion for sports to help them succeed in a rapidly changing market.
