Progressive Field interior view during a Cleveland Guardians game in downtown Cleveland
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Progressive Field

Cleveland, Ohio

Location

Cleveland, Ohio

Capacity

34,830

Year Built

1994

Matches

Host Venue

Roof Open
Surface Natural Grass (Kentucky Bluegrass)
Teams Cleveland Guardians (MLB)

About Progressive Field

Progressive Field sits in the heart of downtown Cleveland โ€” a 34,830-seat ballpark where the Cleveland Guardians play baseball, where 455 consecutive sellouts once defined an era, and where three World Series have unfolded on the same patch of Kentucky bluegrass. Clevelanders still call it โ€œThe Jake,โ€ and the ballpark still plays like the venue that saved baseball in this city.

The park opened in 1994 as Jacobs Field โ€” named for team owner Richard E. Jacobs โ€” and immediately transformed a franchise that had been an afterthought in American sports. Designed by HOK Sport (now Populous) for $175 million, it anchored the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex alongside what is now Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Indians sold out 455 consecutive games from 1995 to 2001, an MLB record at the time, with all 81 home games selling out before Opening Day in five separate seasons. The team retired the number 455.

Progressive Corporation purchased the naming rights in January 2008 for $57.6 million over 16 years โ€” extended through 2036 โ€” and despite the name change, the ballparkโ€™s identity has never wavered. It was voted the best in MLB in a 2008 Sports Illustrated fan poll, and its intimate sightlines, exposed steel architecture, and views of the Cleveland skyline beyond the outfield remain among the finest in the sport.

The park is also the only venue in MLB history to host both the All-Star Game and the World Series in the same season โ€” 1997 โ€” a distinction that speaks to its standing in the league.

Getting to Progressive Field

Public Transit

Progressive Field has one of the best transit connections of any ballpark in the American League โ€” three rail lines converge at a station connected by an enclosed walkway.

โ†’ Via RTA Rapid Transit: Take the Red, Blue, or Green Line to Tower City-Public Square station. A 1,050-foot enclosed walkway connects the Tower City food court to the arena district, right across the street from the ballpark. The walkway opens 3 hours before every game.

โ†’ Via HealthLine BRT: The Euclid Avenue bus rapid transit line stops near the ballpark at Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue โ€” a 5-minute walk to the gates.

RTA runs service for 60 minutes after games. Free parking is available at outlying RTA park-and-ride stations โ€” ride the Red Line in and skip the downtown parking hassle entirely.

Driving + Parking

The ballpark address is 2401 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44115. I-77 and I-90 are the primary approaches.

โ†’ From Akron (~34 mi): I-77 North to downtown Cleveland. About 42 minutes.

โ†’ From Columbus (~143 mi): I-71 North to downtown. About 2 hours 15 minutes.

โ†’ From Pittsburgh (~130 mi): I-76 West to the Ohio Turnpike. About 2 hours 15 minutes.

The Gateway East Garage (enter via Bolivar Road) offers parking for $10โ€“$15. The Great Day Garage at 650 E Huron Rd is the official fan garage. Surrounding lots range from $5โ€“$20. All passes are mobile-only via the MLB Ballpark app โ€” pre-book through SpotHero or ParkWhiz for popular games.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft have a designated pickup/drop-off zone at Erie Court and East 9th Street. From downtown hotels, expect $8โ€“$15. From CLE airport, about $25โ€“$35. Post-game surge is moderate โ€” walk a few blocks toward East 4th Street for a faster pickup and a better selection of bars while you wait.

From the Airport

โ†’ Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE): 12 miles west, about 15โ€“20 minutes by car. The RTA Red Line runs directly from the airport to Tower City station near the ballpark in about 37 minutes for $2.50 โ€” one of the best airport-to-ballpark transit connections in MLB. Rideshare runs $25โ€“$35.

History of Progressive Field

Progressive Field was built to replace Cleveland Stadium โ€” a cavernous lakefront facility the Indians shared with the Browns. The $175 million project, designed by HOK Sport, opened in 1994 as Jacobs Field and immediately became one of the most celebrated ballparks in the game.

First Game (April 4, 1994): The Cleveland Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 before a sellout crowd. The new ballparkโ€™s intimate design โ€” a dramatic contrast to the 74,000-seat Cleveland Stadium โ€” made every seat feel close to the action.

455 Consecutive Sellouts (1995โ€“2001): From June 12, 1995 to April 4, 2001, the Indians sold out 455 straight games โ€” an MLB record at the time. Demand was so intense that all 81 home games sold out before Opening Day in five separate seasons.

1997 All-Star Game and World Series: The only venue in MLB history to host both in the same season. The AL won the All-Star Game 3-1 in July, and the Indians reached the World Series in October but fell to the Florida Marlins in seven heartbreaking games.

2016 World Series (Octoberโ€“November 2016): The Indians hosted Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 against the Chicago Cubs. Game 7 โ€” widely considered one of the greatest World Series games ever played โ€” went to extra innings in a rain delay before the Cubs won their first championship in 108 years.

From the 455 sellout streak to three World Series to the skyline views beyond the outfield, Progressive Field is where Cleveland baseball lives โ€” a ballpark that transformed a franchise and a downtown, still intimate, still electric, still โ€œThe Jakeโ€ to anyone who was there for those sellout years.

Fun Facts

From June 12, 1995 to April 4, 2001, the Indians sold out 455 consecutive home games at Jacobs Field โ€” an MLB record at the time โ€” with all 81 home games selling out before Opening Day in five separate seasons. The team retired the number 455 in honour of the streak.

Progressive Field is the only venue in MLB history to host the All-Star Game and the World Series in the same season โ€” both in 1997 โ€” when the American League won the Midsummer Classic 3-1 in July and the Indians fell to the Florida Marlins in seven games that October.

The ballpark was voted the best in Major League Baseball in a 2008 Sports Illustrated fan opinion poll โ€” the same year it was renamed from Jacobs Field to Progressive Field after Progressive Corporation purchased the naming rights for $57.6 million over 16 years.

Stadium Location

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the seating capacity of Progressive Field?
Progressive Field seats 34,830 fans. The original capacity was 43,368 when the park opened in 1994 as Jacobs Field, but renovations have reduced it to create a more intimate atmosphere. The ballpark was designed by HOK Sport (now Populous) at a cost of $175 million.
Where is Progressive Field located?
Progressive Field is at 2401 Ontario Street in Cleveland, Ohio 44115. It sits in the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex alongside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (home of the Cavaliers), about 5 blocks south of Public Square in downtown Cleveland.
Why was Jacobs Field renamed Progressive Field?
On January 11, 2008, Progressive Corporation purchased the naming rights for $57.6 million over 16 years. The park had been Jacobs Field since 1994, named after then-owner Richard E. Jacobs. Many fans still call it 'The Jake.' The deal was extended through 2036.
How do I get to Progressive Field by public transit?
Take the RTA Red, Blue, or Green Line to Tower City-Public Square station. A 1,050-foot enclosed walkway connects Tower City to the arena district right across from the ballpark. The HealthLine BRT on Euclid Avenue also stops nearby. RTA park-and-ride lots offer free parking at outlying stations.
Is there parking at Progressive Field?
The Gateway East Garage (enter via Bolivar Road) offers parking for $10-$15. The Great Day Garage at 650 E Huron Rd is the official fan garage. Surrounding surface lots range from $5-$20. All passes are mobile-only via the MLB Ballpark app. Pre-booking through SpotHero is recommended.
What World Series games have been played at Progressive Field?
Progressive Field hosted World Series games in 1995 (Indians vs. Braves), 1997 (Indians vs. Marlins), and 2016 (Indians vs. Cubs). The 2016 Game 7 โ€” widely considered one of the greatest World Series games ever โ€” went to extra innings before the Cubs won their first title in 108 years.
How far is the airport from Progressive Field?
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is 12 miles west, about 15-20 minutes by car. The RTA Red Line connects the airport directly to Tower City station near the ballpark in about 37 minutes for $2.50 โ€” one of the best airport-to-ballpark transit connections in MLB.

Last updated: 2026-03-06