About Angel Stadium
Angel Stadium sits in Anaheim, California โ a 45,050-seat ballpark where the Los Angeles Angels play baseball, where a 230-foot A-frame sign lights its halo after every win, and where the fourth-oldest active MLB venue has survived two major renovations, three names, and one of the greatest World Series comebacks ever played.
The $24 million ballpark, designed by Noble W. Herzberg, opened on April 19, 1966, as Anaheim Stadium โ a three-tiered cantilevered grandstand with open outfield views of the Chino Hills and San Gabriel Mountains. The Big A, standing 230 feet and weighing 210 tons, was the tallest structure in Orange County. In 1979-80, a $43 million renovation enclosed the stadium to accommodate the NFLโs Los Angeles Rams, pushing capacity to 65,158 and relocating the Big A 1,300 feet to the parking lot.
The Walt Disney Companyโs 1997-98 renovation brought the ballpark back to baseball. HOK Sport and Robert A.M. Stern Architects demolished the outfield upper deck, restored the open-air configuration, and added the California Spectacular โ a 22,000-square-foot rock formation with a 100-foot geyser designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. The $118 million project transformed the venue, and the stadium was renamed Edison International Field before becoming Angel Stadium of Anaheim in 2004.
The 2002 World Series is the defining moment. The Angels โ a franchise that had never won it all in 41 years โ trailed the Giants 5-0 in Game 6 and rallied to win 6-5. Game 7 the next night was a 4-1 clincher. It remains one of the greatest World Series comebacks in baseball history.
Getting to Angel Stadium
Public Transit
Angel Stadium has a commuter rail connection through the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), plus bus and shuttle options.
โ Via Metrolink: The Anaheim-ARTIC station on the Orange County Line is across SR-57 from the stadium, accessible through the Douglass Road parking gate (about a half-mile walk).
โ Via OCTA Bus: Routes 50 (Katella Ave), 53, and 57 (State College Blvd) stop within walking distance.
โ Via ART Shuttle: The free Anaheim Resort Transportation shuttle connects Disneyland, Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and area hotels.
The ART shuttle is the easiest option if youโre staying near Disneyland. Metrolink serves Anaheim from LA Union Station and stations along the Orange County Line.
Driving + Parking
The ballpark address is 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806. I-5 and SR-57 are the primary approaches.
โ From Los Angeles (~30 mi): I-5 South to the Katella Avenue exit. About 35-60 minutes depending on traffic.
โ From San Diego (~93 mi): I-5 North to SR-57 North, exit Orangewood Avenue. About 1 hour 30 minutes.
โ From Long Beach (~20 mi): I-405 South to SR-22 East to SR-57 North, exit Orangewood. About 25-40 minutes.
The main parking lot has three entrances (Douglass Road, State College Boulevard, Orangewood Avenue). General parking is $20, preferred/oversized $30. Lots open 2.5 hours before game time. Tailgating is only permitted in the Big A Lot near the iconic sign โ no alcohol, no outside catering, approved gas/propane grills only.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft drop off via Gene Autry Way near the main entrance gates. Post-game pickup is near Gate 1 toward left field โ look for the red rideshare light pole near the City National Grove of Anaheim. From downtown Anaheim, expect $8โ$12. From Disneyland, $8โ$10. From LAX, $45โ$70.
From the Airport
โ John Wayne Airport (SNA): 11 miles south, about 17-20 minutes by car. The closest commercial airport. Rideshare runs $20โ$30.
โ Long Beach Airport (LGB): 19 miles west, about 26-30 minutes. Served by JetBlue and Southwest.
โ Los Angeles International (LAX): 36 miles northwest, about 44 minutes without traffic (often longer). Widest carrier selection but worst traffic.
History of Angel Stadium
Angel Stadium was built to give the California Angels a permanent home in Orange County. The $24 million project, designed by Noble W. Herzberg and built by Del E. Webb Construction, broke ground on August 31, 1964 โ using 42,000 cubic yards of concrete and 15 million pounds of steel.
First Game (April 19, 1966): The Chicago White Sox defeated the Angels 3-1 in the stadiumโs inaugural regular-season game. The Big A โ 230 feet tall, 210 tons, funded by Standard Oil for $1 million โ served as the scoreboard behind left field and gave the stadium its nickname.
1967 MLB All-Star Game (July 11, 1967): The first All-Star Game broadcast in prime time on national television. The NL defeated the AL 2-1 in 15 innings โ still the longest All-Star Game in history.
Football Enclosure (1979-80): A $43 million renovation enclosed the stadium to accommodate the NFLโs Los Angeles Rams, pushing capacity to 65,158 and relocating the Big A to the parking lot. The Rams played here from 1980 to 1994.
Disney Renovation (1997-98): The Walt Disney Company โ which purchased the Angels in 1996 โ invested $118 million to demolish the outfield upper deck, restore the open-air configuration, and add the California Spectacular rock formation. The stadium was renamed Edison International Field.
2002 World Series (October 19-27, 2002): The Angels defeated the Giants in seven games for their only championship. Game 6 on October 26 is one of baseballโs all-time moments โ down 5-0, the Angels rallied to win 6-5 behind Scott Spiezioโs three-run homer and Troy Glausโs RBI double. Game 7 the next night: Angels 4, Giants 1.
From the Big A to the California Spectacular to Gonzalezโs rally monkey, Angel Stadium is where Orange County baseball lives โ the fourth-oldest active ballpark in the majors, where the halo still lights up after every win.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
The Big A stands 230 feet tall and weighs 210 tons โ when built in 1966, it was the tallest structure in Orange County. Originally the left-field scoreboard, it was moved 1,300 feet to the parking lot in 1979, and its halo still lights up after every Angels win, inspiring the fan catchphrase 'Light That Baby Up!'
The California Spectacular in center field โ designed by Walt Disney Imagineering during the 1997-98 renovation โ features a 100-foot geyser, five 50-foot geyser bursts, a cascading waterfall, real trees, and artificial boulders spanning over 22,000 square feet.
Angel Stadium is the fourth-oldest active MLB ballpark, trailing only Fenway Park (1912), Wrigley Field (1914), and Dodger Stadium (1962) โ and it has had three official names: Anaheim Stadium (1966-1997), Edison International Field (1997-2003), and Angel Stadium of Anaheim (2004-present).
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of Angel Stadium?
- Angel Stadium seats 45,050 for baseball. The stadium originally held 43,204 when it opened in 1966 and was expanded to 65,158 for football in 1980 before being reduced back to a baseball-only configuration during the 1997-98 Disney renovation.
- Where is Angel Stadium located?
- Angel Stadium is at 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, California 92806, in Orange County. It sits just east of I-5 and west of SR-57, about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and 2.5 miles from Disneyland.
- How do I get to Angel Stadium by public transit?
- Take Metrolink's Orange County Line to the Anaheim-ARTIC station, located across SR-57 from the stadium (accessible through the Douglass Road parking gate, about a half-mile walk). OCTA bus routes 50, 53, and 57 also stop nearby. The free ART shuttle connects the stadium to Disneyland and nearby hotels.
- How much does parking cost at Angel Stadium?
- General parking costs $20 per vehicle and preferred/oversized vehicle parking is $30. The parking lot opens 2.5 hours before game time with three entrances: Douglass Road, State College Boulevard, and Orangewood Avenue. The lot closes one hour after the game.
- Have the Angels ever won the World Series?
- Yes. The Angels won their only World Series in 2002, defeating the San Francisco Giants 4 games to 3. Game 6 on October 26, 2002 featured one of baseball's greatest comebacks โ the Angels overcame a 5-0 deficit to win 6-5 โ and clinched the title the next night with a 4-1 Game 7 victory.
- What is the Big A at Angel Stadium?
- The Big A is a 230-foot-tall, 210-ton A-frame sign topped with a halo โ Angel Stadium's most iconic landmark. Built in 1966 as the scoreboard behind left field, it was relocated 1,300 feet to the parking lot in 1979 when the stadium was enclosed for football. The halo lights up after every Angels win.
- What is the closest airport to Angel Stadium?
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana is the closest, just 11 miles and about 17-20 minutes away. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is 19 miles away, and Los Angeles International (LAX) is 36 miles away but offers the most flight options.
- Why is it called Angel Stadium and what were its previous names?
- The stadium has had three official names: Anaheim Stadium (1966-1997), Edison International Field of Anaheim (1997-2003 naming rights deal during the Disney renovation), and Angel Stadium of Anaheim (2004-present). Fans commonly call it 'The Big A' after its iconic parking lot sign.
Last updated: 2026-03-08
