Tempe Diablo Stadium is in the midst of its dual-phased plan to renovate the stadium to better both the fan and the player experience, as its work on the first phase of updates prepares to wrap for this spring training season.
The oldest stadium in the Cactus League, Tempe Diablo Stadium was founded in 1968 and was extensively renovated in 2005, according to the city’s website.
Tempe receives 20% of ticket proceeds from the stadium and at least $200,000 annually for digital display advertising, while the Los Angeles Angels take all concessions, live broadcast and game program proceeds.
The stadium has hosted the Angels for more than 30 years, and the team has extended its lease through at least 2035. This agreement also sets the annual rent to $500,000, with annual increases, and includes an option to extend through 2045.
Part of this renewal agreement also detailed a major renovation, according to the city, which will add new features to improve fan and team experiences.
As spring training approaches, the stadium is getting ready to wrap up the first phase of improvements, which is creating a new Major League clubhouse adjacent to the Minor League clubhouse. Projected costs for the projects are estimated at $20.9 million, with $10 million coming from the Angels and Tempe providing the rest.
Deputy Director of Community Services with Parks and Recreation Alex Jovanovic said these improvements are expected to be completed by the end of January and are mostly non-public facing.
Changes provide and improve the space for major and minor league players at the stadium throughout the year, hopefully supporting them in their performance goals in the updated performance center.
“Fans this year shouldn’t expect to see anything majorly different at the stadium, other than building some minor things like additional signage, maybe some advertising through the Angels,” Jovanovic said.
Major changes and improvements related to the fan experience won’t be coming until after this spring training, and patrons of Tempe Diablo Stadium will need to wait at least another year before any major changes will take place.
Phase 2, which is estimated to cost $30 million, consists of the planned improvements that will impact the fan experience. Funding for this part of the project came from Tempe’s recent voter-approved bonds from the November election.
A new outfield concourse will be added to create a 360-degree experience, and more improvements such as new shade structures, modern restrooms and better traffic flow outside the facility. Other improvements could include increasing ADA accessibility.
The first phase of the stadium’s updates are wrapping this year, as the work for the second phase gets underway.
Courtesy City of Tempe
Jovanovic said they are in the early planning process now for the second phase, with staff looking for a contractor or vendor to assist with the prioritization of the outlined elements, price estimations and the completion schedule for the next couple of years.
“Ideally, in a perfect world, we’ll be able to start some of the work after this coming spring training,” he said.
If planning goes smoothly and the necessary tools and specialists are available, Jovanovic estimates the architectural design and full construction will likely start happening at the end of spring training in 2026. The full project is expected to be completed within the next two to three years.
While the stadium is mostly known for hosting the Angels during spring training, this city facility also hosts many unrelated events throughout the year, including the drive-through light show World of Illumination and being a practice location for teams in the Fiesta Bowl.
“We’re hoping that the improvements can assist with those events as well, and maybe even draw some additional folks to the facility outside of spring training in addition to coming out for a game,” Jovanovic said.
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Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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Deputy Director of Community Services with Parks and Recreation Alex Jovanovic said these improvements are expected to be completed by the end of January and are mostly non-public facing.
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