Astros’ ballpark renamed as Daikin Park

Article posted by Coliseum, November 28^th, 2024

Image: Sarah White (LinkedIn) and Houston Astros

Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park ballpark will be rebranded Daikin Park in January 2025.

MLB.com said the move comes after the Astros announced a 15-year naming-rights deal with Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

The agreement runs through the 2039 season and includes official naming rights and other partnership benefits.

The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, US. The Astros compete in MLB as a member club of the American League West Division, having moved to the division in 2013 after spending their first 51 seasons in the National League.

Minute Maid Park, nicknamed The Juice Box, is a retractable roof stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. It opened in 2000 and has a seating capacity of 41,168, which includes 5,197 club seats and 63 luxury suites.

The downtown ballpark debuted as Enron Field in 2000, with the energy company taking a 30-year, $100 million naming rights deal.

After Enron went bankrupt in 2001, the ballpark was briefly named Astros Field before the naming rights were sold in 2002 to Minute Maid, which is owned by Coca-Cola.

Astros’ owner Jim Crane said, “We hope to make that name present and popular around town. We’ve had the honor and the privilege to spend a lot of time with the Daikin team at all levels and get more excited about the partnership in each and every engagement we have with them.

“They’re truly a world-class organization. We strongly believe that Daikin shares the values of business excellence, employee engagement and commitment to the community and are perfectly aligned with the Astros. And this partnership brings two very great brands together.”

Daikin develops, manufactures, sells, and supports heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

The company has more than 98,000 employees worldwide, including 10,000 in the Houston area. Daikin operates a 4.2 million square foot campus in Waller, Texas, which is about 45 minutes northwest of downtown.

Daikin president and CEO Satoru Akama said, “Daikin is a well-known brand all over the world and enjoys a reputation for innovative quality products and outstanding customer service.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Houston Astros in building a premier position based on our shared values of excellence, in both sports and community leadership.”

The partnership between the Astros and Daikin will enable the franchise to continue to invest in stadium amenities. The partnership also includes community initiatives aimed at continuing and creating connections between the Astros, Daikin and the Houston community.

Matt Brand, the Astros’ senior vice president of corporate partnerships and special events said, “Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner. Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros.

“We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

Minute Maid, which will continue to be a partner of the Houston Astros through 2029, has signage on the interior and exterior of the ballpark that will have to be replaced by January 1.

The Astros open the 2025 season on March 27 against the Mets in the first game at Daikin Park.

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