THE BEST SINGLE-A BALLPARK IN AMERICA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In a national landscape filled with new stadiums, modern amenities, and state-of-the-art facilities, one historic ballpark in Daytona Beach continues to stand out above the rest.

Jackie Robinson Ballpark, the home of the Daytona Tortugas and the oldest Minor League ballpark still in use, has been recognized as a Top 5 Minor League Ballpark in America as part of the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. More significantly, it stands as the highest-ranked Single-A ballpark in the country and the only Single-A venue included among the Top 10.

It is a distinction that reinforces what generations of fans, players, and members of the baseball community have long understood, there is truly no place like Jackie Robinson Ballpark. For the Tortugas organization, the honor reflects more than just a national ranking. It underscores the identity of a franchise rooted in history, community, and a commitment to delivering one of the most unique experiences in all of baseball.

Opened in 1914, “The Jack” serves as a living piece of baseball history situated along the Halifax River on City Island. Its significance extends far beyond the game itself. On March 17, 1946, Jackie Robinson took the field at this very site with the Montreal Royals, farm club of the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking the color barrier in modern professional baseball and forever altering the trajectory of the sport and American society.

That legacy remains at the core of the ballpark’s identity. This month marked the 80th anniversary of that historic game, a milestone that continues to resonate throughout Daytona Beach and beyond.

“This recognition belongs to the fans of Daytona Beach,” said Tortugas Co-Owner & Operating Partner Bob Fregolle, Jr. “From Opening Day through the final pitch of the season, it is the energy in the stands, the families who choose to spend their time at the ballpark, and the passion for the game that make Jackie Robinson Ballpark what it is. The support of this community has sustained baseball here for more than a century, and it will continue to carry it forward for generations to come.”

“The Daytona Tortugas remain committed to that future, to preserving the legacy of Jackie Robinson, to continuing to invest in the ballpark, and to ensuring that baseball in Daytona Beach remains a vibrant part of the community for years to come,” added Tortugas President & General Manager Jim Jaworski.

From summer evenings with family and friends to the unmistakable feeling of stepping into a ballpark with more than a century of stories embedded in its walls, Jackie Robinson Ballpark offers something that cannot be replicated.

“This anniversary serves as a reminder that what happened in Daytona Beach did not just shape baseball, it helped shape the world beyond it,” said Tortugas Broadcaster & Media Relations Manager Matthew Mounsey. “From the statue that greets fans outside the Orange Avenue entrance to the historic markers throughout the facility, Jackie Robinson Ballpark is not simply a place where baseball is played, it is a place where baseball history lives.”

In recent years, Jackie Robinson Ballpark has entered a new era, with significant investment focused on elevating both the player experience and the fan environment while preserving the character that makes the venue so unique. A multi-million-dollar renovation project is transforming the facility with upgraded clubhouses, indoor batting cages, modernized dugouts, and a state-of-the-art player development complex. Enhancements to fan spaces and hospitality areas, including the new Daytona Beach Club, are also reshaping the way fans experience games at “The Jack,” ensuring the ballpark remains both timeless and forward-looking. The result is a venue that seamlessly blends past and present where the significance of what happened here nearly 80 years ago meets the energy of a modern Minor League experience.

It is history. It is community. It is baseball at its most authentic.

And now, it is officially recognized as the best Single-A ballpark in America.

OPENING DAY

The Tortugas open the 2026 season on April 2nd at Jackie Robinson Ballpark against the Jupiter Hammerheads. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET, with postgame fireworks to follow.

ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS

The Daytona Tortugas are entering their 11th season as the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, which was recently voted as the best Single-A Ballpark in the country by USA Today. “The Jack” was recently designated a National Commemorative Site and also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.