Yankee Stadium
New York, NY

A new era in the history of the New York Yankees begins in 2009 as the team moves across the street to their new stadium from the most famous and historic stadium in the world. The name, Yankee Stadium, remains the same, and both the team and fans alike hope that the Yankees 26 World Championships transpire at the new Yankee Stadium. For over eight decades, except in 1974 and 1976, the Yankees played at the old Yankee Stadium. When it opened in 1923, it was the largest and most magnificent stadium in baseball. Throughout its history Yankee Stadium was home to many legendary players and teams. 

Because of its deteriorating condition in the late 1960s and 1970s, Yankee Stadium was renovated and rebuilt. Since this renovation, nearly every team in baseball has either renovated or had a new ballpark constructed. While many fans and traditionalists would have preferred the Yankees to continue to play at Yankee Stadium, the team wanted a new ballpark built in order to bring in additional revenue and to offer fans more amenities and luxuries. After years of discussions and rumors, the New York Yankees officially announced plans for a new Yankee Stadium in June 2005. Constructed adjacent to the old Yankee Stadium, groundbreaking occurred on August 16, 2006. The Yankees will finance the $1.6 billion project, and the City of New York will spend $220 million for infrastructure and other improvements in the area.

On April 16, 2009 the New York Yankees played their first game at the new Yankee Stadium against the Cleveland Indians. Tradition and the look of the original Yankee Stadium prior to its renovation in the 1970s is incorporated into the new stadium. The new Yankee Stadium seats approximately 52,000 fans as the main grandstand consists of four levels stretching from foul pole to foul pole, with nearly 30,000 seats in the first two levels. The third level contains 56 luxury suites and the fourth level features a split level upper deck. Fans who enjoyed sitting in the bleachers at the old Yankee Stadium will be able to do so at the new stadium as it has the same number of bleachers and includes a food court. Many elements are incorporated into the new stadium that were lost when Yankee Stadium was renovated in the 1970s. The stadium consists of two separate structures. The exterior wall consisting of limestone and granite, constructed to replicate the original Yankee Stadium built in 1923 is known as the Great Hall. It features 31,000 square feet and serves as the concourse before entering the stadium. The interior stadium itself rises over the top of the exterior. From outside the structures appear as one building almost identical in materials and design to the original stadium. Cavernous concourses give way to open spaces with sightlines to the field from nearly every vantage point.

The signature copper frieze, the lattice work that once rimmed the original stadium roof and was recreated in the outfield of the renovated Yankee Stadium, is now replicated in its original location. Monument park located beyond the outfield fence in centerfield below a restaurant that makes up the batters eye. The new stadium has the same dimensions and bullpen placements as the old Yankee Stadium. A 56ft. by 101ft. high definition video scoreboard is located in the outfield. Hand operated auxiliary scoreboards are incorporated as part of the right-center and left-center fences. There are many amenities at the new stadium including luxury, outdoor and party suites, club seats, a martini bar, steakhouse and picnic areas. A Yankees Museum that displays memorabilia of great Yankee teams and players from the past, along with a Hard Rock Cafe is located in the Grand Hall.