Bees celebrate success during first season at The Ballpark at America First Square

The Ballpark at America First Square is part of the Downtown Daybreak development by Larry H. Miller Real Estate and Miller Sports & Entertainment, and completed its first year as some of the Salt Lake Bees. (Photo courtesy Miller Sports & Entertainment)

The Salt Lake Bees are calling their inaugural season at The Ballpark at America First Square a success. The Triple-A team opened their 280,000-square-foot Ballpark in April, anchoring Downtown Daybreak, a 200-acre mixed-use development located within the 4,000-plus-acre master-planned community of Daybreak in South Jordan. 

“The Salt Lake Bees had a successful inaugural season at our new ballpark, and we are excited to continue welcoming the community to attend events, concerts and more at The Ballpark at America First Square,” said Michelle Smith, president of Miller Sports & Entertainment, in a company release. “Sports and entertainment at their best unite a community. We are honored to invest in places and experiences, including The Ballpark at America First Square, that build connections, inspire memories and shape the future of Utah for generations to come.”

During its inaugural season, The Ballpark welcomed over 390,000 fans and attracted more than 400 season ticket holders with 1,778 tickets per game. The Ballpark hosted 75 Pacific Coast League games and more than 70 community events, concerts and corporate events, including MLB Home Run Derby X. Additionally, The Ballpark welcomed over 1,300 youth participating in baseball clinics throughout the year.

“The Ballpark at America First Square combines a best-in-class baseball experience with thoughtful district development. It anchors the surrounding neighborhood, amplifies the fan experience and functions as a true community asset in South Jordan,” said Shannon Bartch, director of sports, recreation and entertainment at HOK, which designed the stadium. “Larry H. Miller Real Estate and Miller Sports & Entertainment maximized the project’s potential in their first season, welcoming diverse events, creatively programming versatile public spaces and delivering a vibrant destination for events of all sizes.”

The three-story ballpark celebrates the region’s dramatic landscape while driving growth in the adjacent mixed-use district. The Wasatch Mountains, visible from every angle of the venue, directly influenced the design, including stainless-steel panels around The Ballpark that include a laser-etched design of the Wasatch Mountain Range. Mountain views are featured throughout, with public spaces arranged in terraces that mimic the mountainside. Materials, landscaping, fixtures and furnishings honor these regional influences while complementing the Bees’ brand identity.

The recently completed center-field plaza, America First Square, connects The Ballpark to the rest of Downtown Daybreak, realizing the ownership group’s vision of creating a connected, community destination with 365-day activation. America First Square hosted more than 100 concerts, community events and festivals this summer, including a performance by Ben Folds. This winter, Downtown Daybreak’s Winter Village launches with a display of holiday lights at The Ballpark at America First Square and ice skating, keeping the development active year-round. A Megaplex cinema entertainment center opened over the summer and includes bowling, games, cinema and dining. In addition, Downtown Daybreak includes restaurants, retail and residential development.

“The successful inaugural season at The Ballpark at America First Square is a testament to our commitment to build the places where life takes place,” said Brad Holmes, president of Larry H. Miller Real Estate. “We are proud to work alongside Miller Sports & Entertainment to create a welcoming environment that not only celebrates sports but also fosters connections between people. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to developing spaces that inspire, engage, and serve the vibrant community of South Jordan and beyond.”

Future phases of Downtown Daybreak are under construction, with complete build-out estimated to take 10 to 15 years.