March 17, 2026, 9:49 p.m. ET
The site of the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship, loanDepot Park is in the international spotlight. Many baseball fans—perhaps outside the Miami Marlins’ fan base—are unfamiliar with the stadium, which is one of the newer ballparks in MLB.
It’s been a unique setting, though, one that has blended with the area while also providing a cool atmosphere for baseball.
With the USA and Venezuela game underway, here are things to know about loanDepot Park.
Where is loanDepot Park located?
LoanDepot Park is located in Miami, Florida, specifically in the Little Havana section of the city. It is built on the site of the former legenday stadium that was the Orange Bowl. College football games and Super Bowls were played in the Orange Bowl.
When was loanDepot Park built?
The ballpark is 14 years old, having seen construction completed in 2012.
What is the capacity at loanDepot Park?
The venue holds around 37,000.
What happened to the fish tanks behind home plate?
There were fish tanks behind home plate. In 2017, a foul ball off the bat of then-Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto cracked the glass that people believed was bulletproof. The tank did not shatter and no fish was harmed. It was removed in 2021, along with a home run sculpture in left-center by new ownership, which then featured Derek Jeter.
What is the surface at loanDepot Park?
There were issues with the grass field at loanDepot Park. Eventually, in 2019, it was changed to an articificial surface (Shaw Sports B1K), which was being used at Chase Field, which the Diamondbacks call home in Arizona, and Globe Life Field, which is where the Texas Rangers play their home games.
What happened to the sculpture behind the wall at loanDepot Park?
Oringally, there was a 70-foot-tall Home Run Sculpture that created one of the most unique backdrops in baseball. The Red Grooms design has since been relocated to the outside of the stadium — though it still activates.
