Utah Baseball Ushers in New Era with Opening of Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark
After three decades of playing off-campus, the University of Utah baseball team will officially inaugurate its on-campus home, Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark, on Friday, March 6, 2026, with a game against Grand Canyon.1 The opening marks the culmination of a nearly ten-year pursuit for a dedicated facility and a new chapter for Utes baseball.
A Long-Awaited Home
For nearly 30 years, the Utah baseball program shared Smith’s Ballpark with the Salt Lake Bees.1 However, with the Bees’ planned move to a new stadium in South Jordan announced in January 2023, the University accelerated its efforts to secure an on-campus ballpark.1 Construction began in the summer of 2024, with a topping-out ceremony held in May 2025.1 The team officially moved into the $39 million state-of-the-art facility in late January 2026.1
Facility Features and Benefits
Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark, located at 725 S. Guardsman Way, boasts a seating capacity of 3,000, including 1,200 chairback seats and a grass berm in the outfield.3 The facility offers a significant upgrade in convenience and resources for the team, centralizing essential amenities.
“To have everything in one centralized location’s been outstanding,” said Utah baseball coach Gary Henderson. “We’ve got things that sometimes the fan base doesn’t think about, but we’ve got the weight room here at the site, we’ve got the training room, we’ve got the equipment room, we’ve got the laundry room.”1
The ballpark includes batting cages, a pitching lab, a clubhouse, a lounge, a film room, weight training facilities, sports medicine facilities, donor spaces, coaches’ offices, a recruiting area, and an expansive press box.1 The FieldTurf playing surface allowed the team to begin practicing on the field as early as August 2025.1
Partnerships and Support
America First Credit Union secured a multi-year naming rights partnership for the ballpark in November 2023.1 Significant support also came from Charlie Monfort, owner and general partner of the Colorado Rockies and a University of Utah alumnus.2 Layton Construction served as the general contractor, with architectural support from VCBO, and Populus.2
Looking Ahead
The Utes will host their first Huge 12 series at the new ballpark against Arizona from March 13-15.1 The on-campus ballpark coincides with Utah’s second year competing in the Big 12 Conference after more than a decade in the Pac-12.1
“It’s very safe to say that not only is the team excited, but the (athletic) department’s excited, and the fan base is excited, and we’re really looking forward to a good weekend of baseball at the new ballpark,” Henderson said.1
A community open house was held on January 28, 2026, from 5-7 p.m., offering fans a chance to tour the new facility.1