Jackie Robinson Ballpark Nominated for USA TODAY 10BEST Best Minor League Ballpark Award

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — USA TODAY has announced that Jackie Robinson Ballpark, home of the Daytona Tortugas, has been selected as a nominee for the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award for Best Minor League Ballpark.

Voting is open now and runs through Monday, March 16 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. The Top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10BEST readers, will be announced on Wednesday, March 25 at noon EDT. Fans may vote once per day by clicking HERE.

“We’re honored to see Jackie Robinson Ballpark nominated on a national stage,” Tortugas President & General Manager, Jim Jaworski said. “There is simply no other place in Minor League Baseball with the history, significance, and community impact that “The Jack” provides. As we continue investing in the future of the ballpark, this recognition speaks to how special this venue truly is.”

A Living Piece of Baseball History

Opened on June 4, 1914, Jackie Robinson Ballpark is the oldest Minor League ballpark still in use. Located on City Island along the Halifax River, the stadium has served as the heartbeat of professional baseball in Daytona Beach for more than a century.

The ballpark was renamed in 1989 in honor of Jackie Robinson, who made history here on March 17, 1946, when he played his first professional game with the Triple-A Montreal Royals. That moment helped pave the way for Robinson breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier the following year with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Today, fans can visit the Jackie Robinson statue outside the Orange Avenue Gate and experience the same field where history unfolded nearly 80 years ago.

Investing in the Next 100 Years

While the history of Jackie Robinson Ballpark is unmatched, the future is just as exciting.

A $30 million renovation project, which began in late 2024 and will be completed in early 2026, is transforming the historic facility while preserving its character. The upgrades are highlighted by an all new Jackie Robinson Museum, as well as state of the art clubhouses, indoor batting cages, upgraded dugouts, a modern player development facility, expanded event space, multiple hospitality areas, and enhanced fan amenities.

These improvements ensure that Jackie Robinson Ballpark remains both a premier professional baseball venue and a year-round community gathering place.

About the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards highlight top destinations across the country. A panel of industry experts selects 20 nominees in each category, and readers vote daily over a four-week period to determine the Top 10.

Fans can vote once per day through Monday, March 16 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. Winners will be announced Wednesday, March 25.

Support one of the most historic venues in all of baseball by voting daily for Jackie Robinson Ballpark HERE.

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. “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.