NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHER CATS
Delta Dental Stadium
Delta Dental Stadium sits on the banks of the Merrimack River in Manchester — New Hampshire's largest city, the state's former textile manufacturing hub, and a place whose identity is entirely defined by the great brick mill complexes that lined this river in the 19th century. The Fisher Cats are named for the fisher — Martes pennanti, the largest member of the weasel family native to northern New England forests. The Blue Jays pipeline runs through a Canadian city's affiliate in the heart of Yankee country.
PHOTO: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Architecture & History
Delta Dental Stadium was designed by Populous and opened April 11, 2005 on the west bank of the Merrimack River in Manchester — New Hampshire's largest city, which grew around the massive Amoskeag Manufacturing Company textile mills that lined this river in the 19th century. The Amoskeag mills, at their peak the world's largest textile manufacturing operation, employed 17,000 workers and defined Manchester's identity completely.
The fisher — Martes pennanti, a large, dark mustelid native to northern New England forests — is one of the few mammals capable of preying on porcupines. The Fisher Cats name is simultaneously New Hampshire-specific (the fisher ranges the White Mountain forests), slightly alarming (a weasel that eats porcupines), and endearing. It is one of the better minor league team name choices of the 2000s.
The Blue Jays' AA pipeline running through Manchester creates an unusual dynamic: the Toronto Blue Jays' prospects developing in Yankee country, in a New England city that is geographically and culturally closer to Boston than to Toronto. The Fisher Cats have a strong local following built on the Toronto pipeline.
Build specs
- ARCHITECT
- Populous
- CAPACITY
- 7,630
- OPENED
- April 11, 2005
- RIVER
- Merrimack River — Amoskeag Manufacturing Company mill site
- TEAM NAME
- Fisher Cat — Martes pennanti, large weasel native to NH forests
Statues & Exterior
EXTERIOR FEATURES
Merrimack River Proximity
Beyond outfield
The park sits near the Merrimack River in Manchester's mill district, connecting to the city's industrial heritage.
Mill Building Backdrop
Outfield view
Historic Amoskeag Mill buildings are visible from the park, remnants of what was once the world's largest textile mill complex.
Names & History
2005–2007
Merchantsauto.com Stadium
Original name at opening.
2008–2009
Fisher Cats Ballpark
Temporary name.
2010–2021
Northeast Delta Dental Stadium
Regional dental insurer naming rights.
2022–present
Delta Dental Stadium
Shortened name.
The Food
New Hampshire Lobster Roll
The Maine-style lobster roll — warm, butter-tossed claw and knuckle meat on a split-top bun — is the definitive New England baseball food north of Boston.
New Hampshire Lobster Roll
Seafood stand — main concourse
The Maine-style lobster roll — warm, butter-tossed claw and knuckle meat on a split-top bun.
Maple Glazed Sausage
Sausage stand
New Hampshire maple syrup — the state's most specific agricultural product. Kielbasa or bratwurst glazed with NH maple syrup.
New England Clam Chowder (Cup)
Chowder stand — main concourse
New England clam chowder — cream-based, with quahog clams, potato, onion, and salt pork.
Millyard Smoked Brisket
BBQ stand
Manchester's Millyard district has developed a food and brewery scene. Smoked brisket from a local supplier.
Fisher Cat Dog
Hot dog stands
Standard hot dog with New England yellow mustard and available maple relish.
The Beer
Delta Dental Stadium features a strong New Hampshire and New England craft presence. Throwback Brewery and Smuttynose Brewing have local presence.
Throwback Brewery Farm Ale
Throwback Brewery · North Hampton, NH
Throwback Brewery from North Hampton uses New Hampshire-grown ingredients in their farm-to-pint program. Their Farm Ale and seasonal offerings reflect the state's agricultural character.
Granite State Candy Shoppe Maple Porter
Granite Roots Brewing · Troy, NH
Granite Roots brings NH granite-country craft to the park with their maple-influenced seasonal lineup. Their dark ales fit the New Hampshire autumn and winter identity.
Smuttynose Brewing Finestkind IPA
Smuttynose Brewing Co. · Hampton, NH
Smuttynose Brewing, from Hampton, NH, is one of New England's most established craft breweries. Finestkind IPA and Robust Porter are their most nationally recognized offerings.
Bud Light
Anheuser-Busch
Volume beer. Redhook's New Hampshire brewery produces for the New England market.
Sun & Weather Guide
northeast — Manchester NH · Merrimack River valley · 160 ft elevation
Merrimack River valley — New England evenings
Delta Dental Stadium evening games along the Merrimack River are comfortable from May through September. Manchester's river valley location keeps summer evenings pleasant.
NH summer — milder than southern New England
Manchester summer afternoons are warm but milder than Boston or Hartford. New Hampshire's latitude and elevation moderate the worst of New England summer heat.
New England shoulder seasons — pack layers
Manchester spring and fall games require real preparation. New Hampshire cold arrives early and leaves late. April games can be genuinely cold.
NH White Mountains 50 miles north
The White Mountains — including Mount Washington, which holds the record for highest surface wind speed ever recorded (231 mph) — are 50 miles north.
Insider Tips
The One Thing
Order a New Hampshire lobster roll and a Smuttynose Finestkind IPA and walk the Merrimack River walkway before the game. The Maine-style lobster roll with a New Hampshire craft IPA is the most specifically New England minor league baseball experience available.
NH Maple Everywhere
New Hampshire maple syrup is available as a condiment and in several food preparations throughout the park. The state's sugarbush operations in Grafton County produce some of the best maple syrup in New England.
Mill District
Walk through the Amoskeag Mill District after the game — the brick mills converted to restaurants, breweries, and creative offices along the Merrimack are worth seeing.
Parking Reality
Delta Dental Stadium has parking lots along Line Drive adjacent to the stadium and in the mill district. Manchester is navigable by car. Parking is available close to the park.
Best Value Seat
First base lower grandstand — Merrimack River visible to the east, Mill District buildings visible to the north, and the park's most complete sight line. Best value seat at Delta Dental Stadium.
Pilgrim Stops Near Manchester
Weird, wonderful, and worth the detour.
Cornelia Molasses Explosion Memorial
On January 15, 1919, a 2.3 million-gallon molasses tank burst in Boston's North End, flooding streets at 35 mph. Twenty-one people died. A small plaque marks the site. Locals say you can still smell it on a hot summer day.
Walden Pond Concord
Thoreau's pond, where you can swim exactly where he swam while writing Walden.
Higgins Armory Worcester
A medieval French chapter house inside a Worcester art museum that also has the largest armor collection in the hemisphere.
Plan your pilgrimage
Every Park a Pilgrimage.
Plan a baseball road trip through Manchester and beyond.
Start Planning →