ONT Field named 2026 Ballpark of the Year

ONT Field, home of the Ontario Tower Buzzers in Ontario, California, has been named BaseballParks.com’s 2026 Ballpark of the Year for its aviation-themed design and fan experience. The award highlights the ballpark’s role as a community destination and a showcase for the City of Ontario, Populous and Diamond Baseball Holdings.

Why it matters: - ONT Field’s award puts the Ontario Tower Buzzers’ home among the top fan experiences in Minor League Baseball. - The recognition also underscores the City of Ontario’s goal of using the ballpark as a driver of economic activity, tourism and civic pride. - BaseballParks.com’s award is meant to spotlight excellence in venue design, operations and fan experience.

What happened: - ONT Field was named the 2026 BaseballParks.com Ballpark of the Year. - The ballpark is home to the Ontario Tower Buzzers, the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. - The award was announced Sept. 3, 2026. - The venue was selected for its “impeccable execution” of an aviation theme and the city’s commitment to a “best in class” professional baseball experience. - Populous designed the ballpark in partnership with the City of Ontario, Diamond Baseball Holdings and the Ontario Tower Buzzers.

The details: - ONT Field was built around a fully immersive fan experience. - The ballpark’s aviation theme runs through its architecture, storytelling and family-friendly entertainment. - The venue uses its location near Ontario International Airport as part of the design. - A center field food hall is inspired by a baggage-claim carousel. - The left-field concourse is designed as an interactive runway. - A vintage airplane lights up after a Tower Buzzers home run. - The left-field scoreboard echoes the hexagonal boards at Dodger Stadium. - A Fernando Valenzuela mural and other Dodgers history displays connect the ballpark to the club’s past. - Allan Benevides, general manager of the Ontario Tower Buzzers, said the venue reflects “intentionality and authentic storytelling” in every part of the ballpark. - Jason Michael Ford, a principal at Populous, said the award reflects the creativity, collaboration and dedication behind the project. - Pat Battle and Peter Freund, executive chairman and CEO of Diamond Baseball Holdings, said the debut season featured a sold-out Opening Day, record crowds and unforgettable moments. - Scott Ochoa, city manager of the City of Ontario, called the ballpark a source of pride and a “living legacy” for residents and businesses. - Populous said ONT Field is its 13th venue to earn Ballpark of the Year.

Between the lines: - The award signals that ONT Field was designed to be more than a baseball stadium. - The aviation theme gives the ballpark a local identity tied to Ontario International Airport and the city’s broader brand. - The Dodgers tie-in gives the venue another layer of familiarity for fans and helps connect the team’s current identity with its history.

What’s next: - The Ontario Tower Buzzers will continue to use ONT Field as their home ballpark for Minor League Baseball games and community events. - The City of Ontario appears likely to keep positioning the venue as a year-round destination for the Inland Empire. - Fans can find tickets, schedules and event details at the team’s official site.

The bottom line: - ONT Field’s first major national award confirms the ballpark’s pitch: a local, themed, big-league-style experience built to stand out in Minor League Baseball.