New MiLB Ballparks in 2026: CarMax Park

This is the first one (second if you count the blogpost about ONT Field too) about new ballparks (to be) opened in the 2026 season. Since the Dutch Baseball Hangout already wrote about the Tower Buzzers and their new ballpark, we start with CarMax Park, new home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

After more than a decade debates and (false) hopes, the Richmond Flying Squirrels finally have a new home. CarMax Park is located next to the old ballpark, the Diamond.

What is very special about this new ballpark, replacing the obsolete Diamond, is the 360 degree concourse. It is slightly above street-level and offers a good view on the lowered playing field.

Another exciting item in this ballpark is the third base dugout suites at field level. They offer close-up views like you’re in the dugout yourself.

But the ballpark offers more. Early March, the club announced it would offer family oriented amenities: an inclusive playground experience, a family-friendly seating area and a dedicated lactation suite.

The AA Flying Squirrels were one of the lucky teams that started their season right at their new home. Others, like the Wilson Warbirds and the Chattanooga Lookouts had to play their first series on the road. But then again, these teams had something to look forward to.

Next to all this, the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ new stadium will include multiple public art installations, including murals, four giant baseball cards welcoming fans into the park and a Richmond 34 monument.

The Richmond 34 was a group of Virginia Union University students who who staged a sit-in at the Thalhimer’s department store in downtown Richmond at its “whites only” counter in 1960. Their protest later inspired the desegregation of Richmond.

Of course Opening Day at CarMax Field was a huge success as almost 50,000 fans filled the ballpark at the inaugural game, well exceeding the capacity of 10,000, which is a normal capacity at AAA ballparks.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many photos of the interior of the finished ballpark yet, so this is the best the Dutch Baseball Hangout can offer.

The short Instagram video below gives a bit of an impression of how the ballpark looks like.