Mariners announce $30 million in T-Mobile Park upgrades and improvements for 2020

The Seattle Mariners today announced $29.8 million in improvements and upgrades at T-Mobile Park for the 2020 season.

The work, which will be performed over the offseason, includes 49 basic infrastructure projects as well as plans to enhance the fan experience on all levels of the ballpark.

The projects are part of the Mariners commitment to spend, over the next 10-years alone, at least $280 million to maintain, improve and upgrade the ballpark. The Mariners 25-year lease with the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District (PFD) specifies that the necessary improvements and upgrades are the Mariners responsibility.

“At 20-years of age, T-Mobile Park is still in good condition and a great place to watch baseball. The work we will be doing for next season and the years to come will ensure that it continues to be a first class experience for fans and is our home for generations to come,” said Kevin Mather, Seattle Mariners President and Chief Executive Officer.

Infrastructure Improvements -- $20.56 million

The 49 necessary capital improvements are required to keep the ballpark in good working order. The projects include:

• On-going replacement of roof wheels, painting, plumbing, and other basic infrastructure work;
• Replacement of the ballpark’s original, now 20-year-old sound system;
• Replacement of failing point-of-sale system to improve the fan experience at concession stands;
• ADA fan improvements.

Fan Upgrades -- $9.24 million

In addition to maintaining and improving the ballpark’s infrastructure, the 25-year lease between the Mariners and the PFD requires the Mariners to continually upgrade the fan experience at T-Mobile Park. The upgrade projects to be completed for the 2020 season will benefit fans on all levels of the ballpark.

The 2020 improvements and upgrades are subject to final approval by the PFD Board as well as City of Seattle permitting.

2020 Required Fan Upgrade Projects:

• Expand the Left Field Gate to add 15 additional points of entry for fans and replace the existing Left Field ticket office with a new concession area that will connect to The T-Mobile ‘Pen;
• Create a new bar and fan/group entertainment space at Lookout Landing above the left field foul pole on the View Level;
• Create an elevated Rooftop Boardwalk above the Home Plate Gate rotunda with enhanced viewing areas, concessions, monitors and kids play activities;
• Introduce a new seating option in the First Base Terrace Club with Terrace Club Loge Boxes and Terrace Club Tables to provide an alternative to single seats in favor of small group or social spaces for fans.

“In many ways, T-Mobile Park was ahead of today’s trend toward social spaces with The T-Mobile ‘Pen. We know that fans want to connect with friends and share their ballpark experience. The improvements at Lookout Landing, the Rooftop Boardwalk and Terrace Club will provide fans with even more open areas and flexible spaces to enhance their ballpark experience,” said Frances Traisman, Seattle Mariners Senior Vice President, Sales.

Flexible Social Spaces

The Lookout Landing renovation will create a “rooftop” bar with one-of-a-kind views of T-Mobile Park, the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains. The atmosphere will be patterned after a casual backyard experience with bench seating and picnic tables. The space will be available for sale to groups during games and open to all fans when not in use for group events.

The Rooftop Boardwalk above the Home Plate Gate Rotunda on the View Level will include a raised walkway for enhanced views of Puget Sound, bench seating and tables, outdoor LED video monitors, destination concession stands, a new bar area, and Kids Corner baseball themed activities. The space will be available for sale to groups for pregame events and open to all fans at game time.

The Terrace Club project will create a new seating concept by replacing a number of single seats in the First Base Club with 18 Terrace Club Tables that will accommodate four people each as well as 10 Terrace Club Loge Boxes with padded sofa-style seats that will accommodate up to four guests. Both concepts will include video monitors, charging stations for mobile devices and in-seat wait staff service with exclusive menu options. The Terrace Club Tables will account for 72 seats and the Terrace Club Loge Boxes will provide a capacity of 40 seats for a net reduction of Terrace Club capacity of 367 seats.

Workforce Opportunity

The Mariners are committed to provide workforce opportunities for union workers performing ballpark maintenance and major capital projects. This includes a commitment by the Mariners to support training and apprenticeship programs for women and people of color in the construction trades.

Mariners Lease Obligation

The 25-year lease the Mariners and PFD signed prior to 2019 obligates the Mariners to operate, maintain and upgrade T-Mobile Park in first-class condition. The Mariners are required to submit one-year and 10-year capital expenditure plans to the PFD. The PFD reviews and approves all projects as part of their oversight obligation to ensure the publicly owned ballpark is kept in top condition.

The current 10-year plan submitted to the PFD calls for the Mariners to spend $280.7 million in necessary improvements and upgrades at T-Mobile Park.