New details emerge on $425M downtown Spartanburg ballpark project (RENDERINGS)

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Many might wonder, what’s the value of putting a company name on a venue as big as a baseball park?

Fifth Third Bank announced in November that it sealed the deal on a multi-year agreement with Diamond Baseball Holdings, an organization that owns and operates select Minor League Baseball clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball, to become the official bank and naming rights sponsor for Spartanburg’s new ballpark, Fifth Third Park, the future home of the city’s professional baseball team, currently named the Spartanburg Professional Baseball Club.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Fifth Third Bank to bring this remarkable ballpark to life,” said Andrew Judelson, chief commercial officer of Diamond Baseball Holdings. “Their dedication to the community and shared vision for a vibrant Spartanburg align perfectly with our goals at Diamond Baseball Holdings. We are confident this venue will not only be a premier destination but also a source of pride for everyone in Spartanburg.”

Related content: Plans for $425 million Spartanburg baseball stadium project move forward

The relationship marks the beginning of a new era in Spartanburg’s professional baseball history.

“Breaking ground on Fifth Third Park marks a significant milestone in Spartanburg’s economic future, bringing new opportunities that will have a tremendous positive impact on the community,” said Spartanburg Mayor Jerome Rice.

Fifth Third Park, 131 W. Main St., will be part of a multi-use project led by local development company, The Johnson Group, and its first pitch is anticipated for the spring 2025 season. The ballpark will feature modern amenities, cutting-edge technology, and a seating capacity that ensures an “intimate atmosphere” for fans. In addition to serving as the home turf for the club, the stadium will host a variety of marquis events, making it a hub of activity for Spartanburg residents and beyond.

“We announced a committed investment in South Carolina several years ago and have backed that up by growing our teams which represent multiple lines of business in the Upstate but also into the Lowcountry,” said Charlie Arndt, South Carolina market president, Fifth Third Bank. “We live, work and play in the communities we serve so when an opportunity to support a collaboration between public and private sectors, like the planned ballpark in Spartanburg, it caught our attention both locally and at the highest levels of leadership here at Fifth Third Bank.

“We, along with all parties included in the project, believe this development will be a center of activity for the city of Spartanburg and a point of pride for Fifth Third Bank and the community.”

In addition to a 3,500-seat stadium, the overall $425 million baseball district development area is the largest economic development project in the city’s history and will include 200,000 square feet of office space, more than 375 apartment units, a 150-room hotel, parking facilities to house at least 1,500 vehicles, and a large public plaza and event space. Construction on the project will take place in phases, with the stadium and first parking structure expected to be completed first and subsequent phases to be completed over several years.

“Serving our communities is the focus of our business and we are confident this ballpark will enhance the lives of the Spartanburg community,” said Arndt. “Fifth Third Bank is proud to extend our long-term commitment to Spartanburg and the Upstate through this partnership and our continued retail expansion.”

The Spartanburg Professional Baseball Club will be a minor league affiliate of the Texas Rangers. The SPBC name is currently a placeholder until a new club name, logo, and mascot are unveiled to the public, in which Tyson Jeffers, the general manager for the Spartanburg Professional Baseball Club, said he hopes to be in April.

“In partnership with Fifth Third Bank and The Johnson Group, we are going to build one of the most beautiful facilities in minor league baseball,” said Jeffers. “Our goal is to establish a community-first culture here that harnesses the unique personality of the Upstate and creates nationwide attention for Spartanburg. But most importantly, Fifth Third Park will be a community destination for fun any night of the week.”

Jeffers said at the OneSpartanburg Inc. conference on Friday that the No. 1 question he has received is: when will season tickets’ sales be open for purchase?

He said they hope that by the end of January, a waitlist will be up-and-running for the public. Business event bookings is anticipated to be open in October, said Jeffers, while single tickets should be available for purchase beginning of January 2025. The public can be the first to know when tickets go on sale by signing up for the team’s newsletter by clicking here.