Charlotte Sports Park

Official address: 2300 El Jobean Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33948, United States

Seating capacity:  7,670

Home team: Charlotte Stone Crabs and Tampa Bay Rays

Open date: 6 March 1987

Located in Port Charlotte—an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Charlotte County, Florida—Charlotte Sports Park is the home of the Charlotte Stone Crabs and the Tampa Bay Rays’ Spring Training home. Though it was originally completed in 1988, the main stadium underwent $27 million worth of renovations, which were completed in January 2009.

Before the Rays, Charlotte Sports Park was the home of the Texas Rangers’ Minor League affiliate, as well as the Charlotte Rangers. The venue has also hosted some of the United States' amateur baseball championships, particularly the Port Charlotte Invitational. Another of its past tenants is the Charlotte County Redfish, a short-lived minor league baseball team that was a member of the South Coast League.

Historical Background

Charlotte Sports Park was formerly called the Charlotte County Stadium. The idea for its establishment was mooted and acted on in 1987, at the time conceived as a spring training facility for the Texas Rangers. The venue served in that capacity until the team’s relocation to Surprise in Maricopa County, Arizona, in 2002.

When the Rangers still had residence, the stadium was also the home of the Charlotte Rangers, the Class A Texas affiliate that played in the Florida State League. When the Major League squad left for greener pastures, so did the Minor League affiliate, leaving Charlotte County without a baseball team. In the summer of 2007, the Charlotte County Redfish rose to the occasion.

The Redfish identified with the independent South Coast League, which was not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Cecil Fielder, a former Major Leaguer, served as the team’s manager, but they finished in last place with a 22-64 record. After the lone season and under financial pressure, the South Coast League put its 2008 season on hold, forcing the Redfish to jump ship.

But the Park did not go tenantless for long. In 2006, Tampa Bay Rays said they would move their Spring Training to Port Charlotte in 2009, after which they signed a 20-year agreement that guaranteed baseball in Charlotte County until no sooner than 2029. Renovations started in summer 2008 at costs up to $27 million, with the Rays scheduled to touch down in March 2009.

In August 2008, the team joined forces with Ripken Baseball in a bid to buy and relocate their Class A Advanced affiliate from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. This not only meant the Rays moving their Spring Training back home but also the Stone Crabs playing their home games at the Park. The stadium eventually reopened in February 2009, with the Rays playing their first 2009 season game.

Stadium layout and seating

Charlotte Sports Park adopts the standard minor league layout, with three entrances into a gargantuan plaza, a promenade, and a small interior seating walkway.

All the pathways at the venue intersect at the outfield, turning into a baseball boardwalk that winds its way around the whole outfield. Party areas, tables, and booths are set for admission ticket holders.

Since the stadium is elevated, you will have to climb up to get to most of its entrances. Similarly, you have to walk down to the box seats nearest to the field and up to the 200 reserved seats.

Some 200 sections are covered with awnings that provide shade against the usually unforgiving Florida sun. From all areas, the sightlines are fine. A lone main scoreboard to the left of the center keeps fans informed.

Looking for shade? The first base side is the best choice in the last eight rows of 200 seats. But if the sun is not bothersome, the tables on the boardwalk are a good choice.

Events at Charlotte Sports Park

Some exciting baseball games are coming up, and if you are a die-hard Tampa Bay Rays fan, you would not want to miss out on the live, scintillating action.

On Thursday, March 7th, 2024, the team will go against the Philadelphia Phillies in a Spring Training faceoff. Then, on Monday, March 11, they will have a separate match with the Toronto Blue Jays. Both of these away teams are long-time rivals, formidable ones at that/

Still in the spirit of Spring Training, the Rays will play against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, March 13th, two days after which it will contest with the Baltimore Orioles. Later in the month, the team has a match against the Atlanta Braves.

How to Get Cheap Tickets to Charlotte Sports Park

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How to Get to Charlotte Sports Park

Without exaggeration, driving is the most common mode of transportation to Charlotte Sports Park. Visitors can use GPS navigation to reach the park, which is conveniently located near major roads and highways.

Transportation and Parking

From Interstate 75 (I-75), take exit 179 toward Toledo Blade Boulevard. Head south on Toledo Blade Boulevard, then turn left onto El Jobean Road (State Road 776). Continue on El Jobean Road until you reach the park on your left.

From US-41: If traveling south on US-41, turn left onto El Jobean Road (State Road 776). If traveling north on US-41, turn right onto El Jobean Road. Continue on El Jobean Road until you reach Charlotte Sports Park, which will be on your right.

Though public transportation options may be limited, some bus routes or shuttle services may offer transportation to Charlotte Sports Park during special events or games. Check with local transit authorities for information on available routes and schedules.

Parking Facilities

Parking costs $10. Traffic can be crazy, leaving on county roads to routes 41 and 75, especially after late weekday games. There are three entrances: main by home plate, others at third and first base. The home plate entrance is the busiest, while the first base usually has shorter lines.

Near the park entrance, accessible parking spaces are available for visitors with disabilities. Inside, navigating is simple, with a boardwalk circling the outfield and wide paths around the infield. However, parts of the outfield boardwalk can be crowded.