TACOMA RAINIERS
Cheney Stadium
The oldest current PCL stadium — Cheney Stadium opened in 1960 and is one of the oldest continuously operating professional baseball venues in the country. Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro, and Felix Hernandez all passed through here on their way to Seattle. On the rare clear days, Mount Rainier (14,411 ft) is visible beyond center field. The team, the beer, and the mountain share the same name.
PHOTO: Kenny Rowland · CC BY-SA 4.0
Architecture & History
Cheney Stadium was built in 1960 and named for Ben Cheney, the Tacoma timber magnate. A $33 million renovation by Populous in 2011 modernised the park.
Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki, and Felix Hernandez all passed through Cheney Stadium on their way to Seattle.
Mount Rainier — at 14,411 feet the highest Cascade peak — is visible from Cheney Stadium on clear days beyond center field.
Build specs
- ORIGINAL OPENING
- 1960
- RENOVATION
- $33 million — 2011 by Populous
- CAPACITY
- 6,500
- ALUMNI
- Griffey Jr., Johnson, A-Rod, Ichiro, Hernandez
Statues & Exterior
EXTERIOR FEATURES
Mount Rainier Views
Cheney Stadium offers iconic views of Mount Rainier beyond the outfield on clear days — arguably the most stunning mountain backdrop in minor league ball.
Historic Charm
Opened in 1960, Cheney Stadium is one of the oldest active minor league parks, carrying decades of Pacific Northwest baseball history.
Names & History
1960–present
Cheney Stadium
Named for Ben Cheney, the Tacoma timber magnate who funded construction.
The Food
Dungeness Crab Roll
Cold Dungeness crab in a butter-toasted split-top roll with lemon aioli and chives.
Dungeness Crab Roll
Pacific Northwest Seafood stand
Dungeness crab served cold in a butter-toasted split-top roll with lemon aioli and chives.
Salmon Chowder in a Bread Bowl
Chowder Bowl stand
Pacific Northwest smoked salmon chowder — salmon, cream, potato, dill — in a sourdough bread bowl.
7 Seas Brewing Beer Brat
Beer Garden stand
7 Seas Brewing, the Tacoma waterfront craft brewery, supplies beer-braised bratwurst.
Rainier Cherry Pie
Dessert stands — in season
Rainier cherries — the sweet bicolour cherry from the Yakima Valley — available as pie filling in season.
Rainiers Dog
Every stand
Standard hot dog with Pacific Northwest mustard and Rainier cherry relish option in season.
The Beer
7 Seas Brewing Tropical Haze IPA
7 Seas Brewing Co. · Tacoma, WA
7 Seas is the most locally specific craft at Cheney Stadium.
Odd Otter Brewing Sea Otter Stout
Odd Otter Brewing Co. · Tacoma, WA
Odd Otter, the South Tacoma craft brewery.
Elysian Brewing Space Dust IPA
Elysian Brewing Co. · Seattle, WA
Elysian's Space Dust IPA at specialty stands.
Rainier Beer
Pabst Brewing Company
Drinking a Rainier at the Tacoma Rainiers while hoping to see Mount Rainier — the most complete nominal convergence in sports.
Sun & Weather Guide
Bring layers regardless of forecast
A jacket is the correct preparation for any Cheney Stadium game. Pacific Northwest weather is unpredictable.
Look toward center field — the volcano appears
On clear days, Mount Rainier's 14,411-foot volcanic peak appears beyond center field. Clear days are rare, which makes the view all the more valued.
Team + Beer + Mountain = one experience
Drinking a Rainier Beer at the Tacoma Rainiers while looking at Mount Rainier is the most nominally coherent experience in professional sports.
Long PNW summer days — light until 9 PM
Pacific Northwest summer days are long — light until 9 PM in late June. The extended daylight makes summer evening games distinctive.
Oldest PCL stadium — 1960 origins visible
Cheney Stadium's 1960 character is visible throughout. The park feels authentically different from modern corporate ballparks.
PNW heat waves — no shade infrastructure
When Pacific Northwest heat events occur, Cheney Stadium has limited shade. PNW parks are not built for heat.
Insider Tips
The One Thing
Order the Dungeness crab roll and look toward center field. On a clear day, Mount Rainier is visible. The Rainier Beer in your hand shares the name.
Bring a Jacket
Always bring a jacket regardless of the forecast. Pacific Northwest weather is unpredictable.
Parking Reality
Cheney Stadium is about 2 miles west of downtown Tacoma. Most fans drive.
Best Value Seat
Right field general admission — closest to the Dungeness crab roll stands, with a direct Mount Rainier sight line on clear days.
Pilgrim Stops Near Tacoma
Weird, wonderful, and worth the detour.
Jimi Hendrix Grave
A guitar, granite, and song titles in the Seattle suburb where Hendrix was born.
Pike Place Market Gum Wall
America's oldest farmers market, the first Starbucks, and fish-throwing since 1907.
Mount St Helens
The volcano that removed 1,300 feet of its own summit in 1980. The dome is still growing.
Plan your pilgrimage
Every Park a Pilgrimage.
Plan a baseball road trip through Tacoma and beyond.
Start Planning →