CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS
AUBURN —
Auburn Athletics has finalized plans for the previously approved $30 million Plainsman Park renovation project that will begin this summer.
Scheduled to start in July and be fully completed prior to the 2025 season, the project will be spearheaded by CDFL Architects + Engineers out of Jackson, Mississippi. “This renovation is a vital part of enhancing the Auburn baseball experience at Plainsman Park for our donors, fans, students and most importantly our student-athletes,” said Auburn Athletics Director John Cohen. “The scope of these enhancements will touch all areas and help make the game-day experience uniquely Auburn. Coach Thompson has led the program to unprecedented heights, and this renovation is possible because of his stewardship. Without the support of the Board of Trustees and our incredible donors and loyal fan base, this project would not be possible. We are extremely appreciative of their commitment to the future of Auburn baseball.”
The renovations are highlighted by the additions of three new premium experiences — the Hall of Fame Club, First Base Club and Home Plate Club — as well as a unique general admission space atop the War Eagle Wall in left field. The project will also enhance the popular student experience in the right-center field through the addition of new elevated and tiered standing room spaces, while also further expanding in-stadium concourse spaces to provide expanded standing room and fan capacity. Additionally, new and improved team spaces such as the Tim Hudson Locker Room, bullpen, weight room, team meeting room and coaches’ offices will help provide a premier student-athlete experience.
“Made possible by the contributions and efforts of many, this project couldn’t come at a better time for our program,” said head coach Butch Thompson. “We’ve been to five of the last six regionals, three of the four super regionals in our program’s history, two College World Series, had a No. 1 overall draft pick, built a statue for the only Hall of Famer in the history of our great league, hosted back-to-back regionals for the first time ever, set consecutive attendance records and the list goes on. This project is a major brick in the wall and continues the momentum all parties of our program, including our coaches, staff, players, donors and fan base, have helped create the last few years.”
HALL OF FAME CLUB
A tribute to Auburn, Southeastern Conference and Major League Baseball great Frank Thomas, who remains the only player from the SEC enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame Club will add 113 premium seats at field level and is scheduled to be completed for the upcoming 2024 season. Divided between two tiered rows, these high-end leather seats will offer a dynamic field-level view behind home plate. Club members will have access to a 3,000-square-foot climate-controlled club space featuring food, drinks, televisions, restrooms and indoor seating. This space will be accessible via a new private entrance to Plainsman Park or via the main concourse.
In addition to the 113 reserved seats, season ticket holders throughout Plainsman Park will have the opportunity to enjoy the Hall of Fame Club experience as a season ticket add-on. Those ticket holders who opt into this add-on will gain access to a standing-room drink rail located directly behind the two rows of reserved seating while being able to enjoy all of the other premier perks of the Hall of Fame Club.
EXPANDED PLAINSMAN PATIO AND FIRST BASE CLUB
A new three-story structure that will complement Plainsman Park’s classic ballpark architecture, the expanded Plainsman Patio and First Base Club will provide a variety of new fan experience offerings, including indoor and outdoor viewing areas, new concession offerings, expanded restrooms and more. The space will be completed for the 2025 season.
At the inner-concourse level, the newly covered Plainsman Patio space will provide expanded standing-room space, while offering access to an all-new walk-in concession market.
The third level will feature an all-new upscale ballpark experience with the First Base Club. This area is expected to include approximately 200 new seats ranging in type from cushioned chair back seats to outdoor loge seating options and will offer elevated food and beverage options, a climate-controlled indoor space, as well as private restrooms.
The space will also provide a premier viewing experience for Auburn football’s Tiger Walk during football game days.
HOME PLATE CLUB
By relocating the existing press box to a new location on the third level of the First Base Club structure, a new high-end club experience will be developed atop the home plate grandstands. With one of the best views in the ballpark, this area is expected to include approximately 50 high-end seats and a climate-controlled environment with access to food, drinks, restrooms and more premium amenities.
This space will be completed prior to the 2025 season.
WAR EAGLE WALL
The experience Auburn fans love within the Tiger Terrace along the third base line will soon be expanded to provide access to a unique experience atop the War Eagle Wall in left field. A general admission space that will be completed for the 2025 season, this project will add a two-tiered terrace atop the wall to provide a one-of-a-kind experience in college baseball.
ENHANCED RIGHT FIELD STUDENT EXPERIENCE
As Auburn University students continue to pack Plainsman Park, the first phase of renovations prior to the 2024 season will provide an enhancement to the current standing room area beyond the right-center field fence. This portion of the project will provide a multi-tiered, elevated platform to bring students closer to the action while providing expanded standing-room capacity.
EXPANDED AND RENOVATED TEAM SPACES
The third phase of the project will include upgrades to the student-athlete experience through renovated and expanded team spaces. These upgrades include a renovation and expansion of the Tim Hudson Locker Room, a new bullpen and pitching lab, new weight room and nutrition area, new team meeting room and new coaches’ offices. This phase of the project is scheduled to be completed throughout 2025-26.
While pricing for each seating location is still being finalized, fans and Tigers Unlimited members interested in learning more about the new seating concepts and premium options at Plainsman Park may request more information by completing this form: www.aub.ie/PlainsmanParkPremium.
