*AutoZone Park entrance/Brittany Seiveno Lawless | MBJ*
AutoZone Park upgrades are underway as Memphis leaders and sports stakeholders look to modernize the 20-year-old stadium and prevent the potential loss of both the Memphis Redbirds and Memphis 901 FC. The city’s vision includes not just structural repairs, but also opportunities for future mixed-use development in the surrounding area.
Renovation plans call for updates to bathrooms, seating, concession stands, lighting, and repairs to the stadium’s roof. One of the most critical issues is that the stadium currently lacks its own heating and air conditioning system, a concern that could jeopardize its compliance with Major League Baseball’s facility standards for minor league parks.
According to Anthony James Partners, the technology upgrades will include large-format LED video boards, a high-performance audio system, and high-density Wi-Fi, enhancing both the game-day experience and MLB-required specifications.
City officials and team leadership have stressed that these improvements are essential for maintaining compliance and improving the fan experience, which could result in increased attendance and long-term team retention. Studies suggest that minor league stadium upgrades can deliver a more sustained boost in attendance than their major league counterparts.
Without these critical AutoZone Park upgrades, there’s concern that Memphis risks losing its foothold as the home to both the Redbirds and 901 FC, two teams that play a vital role in the city’s sports and cultural identity.
Content for this summary was derived from original reporting by the St. Louis Business Journal Facebook Page
