Angel Stadium opened in Anaheim, California on April 19, 1966, as the home of the Los Angeles Angels. Nicknamed “The Big A” after its towering 230-foot landmark sign, the ballpark is now the fourth-oldest active stadium in Major League Baseball still hosting its original tenant.
Originally built as a roughly 43,000-seat facility, the stadium underwent a major $100 million renovation completed in 1998 that returned it to a baseball-only configuration and added Disney-inspired touches like the rock formation and waterfall in center field known as the California Spectacular. From 1980 to 1994, the venue also served as home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Los Angeles Angels (MLB, since 1966); Los Angeles Rams (NFL, 1980-1994)
- Location: Anaheim, California
- Opened: April 19, 1966
- Capacity: About 45,500
- Original capacity: About 43,200 (1966)
- Notable fact: Hosted the 2002 World Series, won by the Angels
The Ballpark Experience
Fans entering Angel Stadium pass beneath the iconic Big A sign, a 230-foot structure that once supported the scoreboard and has become a symbol of Anaheim baseball. In the outfield, the California Spectacular rock formation erupts with geysers and fireworks whenever an Angels player hits a home run, a signature touch added during the 1998 renovation led by HOK Sport and Walt Disney Imagineering.
The current seating bowl, which holds around 45,500 fans, hugs the field closely after the removal of upper-deck football seating that had been added for the Rams era. Dimensions of 330 feet down the lines and 400 feet to center give the park a balanced mix of power alleys and spacious gaps in center field.
A History of Big Moments
Angel Stadium has hosted the MLB All-Star Game three times, in 1967, 1989, and 2010, and it was the site of the Angels’ only World Series championship in 2002. Before that, the stadium spent 15 seasons as a dual-purpose venue, hosting the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams from 1980 through 1994.
The Angels extended their lease to keep playing at the stadium through 2032, ensuring the ballpark remains the club’s home well into its seventh decade of operation.
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Angel Stadium FAQs
When did Angel Stadium open?
Angel Stadium opened on April 19, 1966, originally as Anaheim Stadium.
What is Angel Stadium’s seating capacity?
The stadium currently seats about 45,500 fans for Angels games.
Why is Angel Stadium called “The Big A”?
The nickname comes from its 230-foot tall landmark sign, which originally served as the scoreboard support structure.
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Photo: CrispyCream27 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.