Progressive Field

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Lore & Background

The ballpark opened as Jacobs Field in 1994 to replace Cleveland Stadium, which the Guardians, then known as the Indians, had shared with the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. Since 2008, the facility has been named for Progressive Corporation, which purchased naming rights for $58 million over 16 years. The previous name came from team owners Richard E. and David H. Jacobs, who had acquired naming rights when the facility opened. The ballpark is still often referred to as 'The Jake' based on its original name. The ballpark and arena are funded mainly by the passage of a sin tax in 1990 and both are owned by the Gateway Economic Development Corporation of Greater Cleveland, which is an appointed board of elected officials from the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.

In Their Own Story

On October 5, 2007, during Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, the stadium witnessed a bizarre event now known as the "Bug Game." A swarm of midges from Lake Erie enveloped the field in the eighth inning, distracting relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain. The insects caused him to walk outfielder Grady Sizemore, who later scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Years earlier, on July 3, 1999, Jim Thome launched the longest home run in ballpark history, measured at 511 feet (156 m) to center field. The facility also saw significant milestones like the first playoff game on October 3, 1995, ending a 41-year drought with a 5–4 win over the Boston Red Sox. Between 1995 and 2001, the team sold out 455 consecutive regular-season games, establishing a golden era for Cleveland baseball.

Reader's Guide

When it opened, the listed seating capacity was 42,865 people and between 1995 and 2001 the team sold out 455 consecutive regular-season games. Modifications over the years resulted in several moderate changes to the capacity, peaking at 45,569 in 2010. As of 2025, the official seating capacity is listed at 34,820 people, making it the smallest MLB stadium by total maximum capacity, though additional fans can be accommodated through standing room areas and temporary seating. Since moving to Progressive Field, the Guardians have won 12 Central Division titles, three American League pennants and have hosted playoff games in 13 different seasons. In the 1997 season, it became one of the few facilities in baseball history to host the MLB All-Star Game and games of the World Series in the same season. The stadium has hosted games of the World Series three times: in 1995, 1997, and 2016.

Did You Know?

• The ballpark opened as Jacobs Field in 1994.
• U.S. President Bill Clinton threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the first official game on April 4, 1994.
• The longest home run in ballpark history was hit by Jim Thome on July 3, 1999, though the exact distance is not confirmed in the source.
• In 2007, the Indians became the first American League team to install solar panels on their stadium.
• The ballpark hosted the MLB All-Star Game and World Series games in the same season in 1997.