America’s Best Gets Better
A series of interconnected upgrades at one of America’s best ballparks brings new dimensions to the fan experience through hospitality, retail, dining, social gathering, and Phillies history.
Fan Experience Upgrades at Citizens Bank Park
Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Phillies have called Citizens Bank Park home since 2004, building one of Major League Baseball’s most recognizable fan cultures around a ballpark designed to connect people closely with the game. As expectations for sports venues continue to evolve, the organization sought to expand what fans can experience beyond their seats while preserving the character and traditions that make the ballpark distinctly Philadelphia.
EwingCole, the original architect of Citizens Bank Park and a design partner to the Phillies since the 1980s, developed a series of upgrades that rethink how fans move through and engage with the ballpark. The improvements strengthen circulation and introduce new opportunities for hospitality, dining, retail, social interaction, and storytelling, creating a more layered experience from arrival through the final inning.
History, Reframed
The reimagined Cadillac Hall of Fame Club transforms the ballpark’s premium level into a more contemporary hospitality environment, with redesigned interiors and gathering spaces that encourage fans to spend more time together before and during the game. Select suites complement the club with intimate settings designed for business entertaining and social occasions.
At the heart of the Cadillac Hall of Fame Club, the expanded Cooperstown Gallery turns Phillies history into an interactive experience. World Series trophies, championship rings, uniforms, and other artifacts connect fans with the players, eras, and defining moments that have shaped the franchise.
Permanent digital installations, designed in collaboration with Jack Porter, add movement and participation to the collection. An interactive championship ring display lets fans virtually place a World Series ring on their own hand, while a digital exploration of historic uniform styles pairs archival looks with dressed mannequins. The World Series trophies sit against floor-to-ceiling LED screens displaying large-scale championship imagery. Overhead, synchronized lighting responds to the color and movement of the digital content, surrounding the trophies with an evolving visual backdrop that brings championship moments into the gallery.
Food and beverage become another layer of the experience. The renovated Bistro adds full cooking capabilities to support made-to-order service, while an expanded culinary program draws inspiration from Philadelphia’s food scene. New bars, dining areas, and social settings give fans a more luxurious dining experience and greater choice in how they experience the club, without separating them from the energy of game day.
Retail in Play
The New Era Phillies Team Store operates as a distinct project within the broader ballpark improvements, transforming the retail experience into a more dynamic extension of game day. The fully renovated, expanded bi-level store improves access and circulation while creating more space for merchandise, customization, and changing product collections.
Five 25-foot-tall LED towers establish a new presence at the main-concourse entrance and introduce digital storytelling before fans enter. Inside, a rotating product launchpad creates a flexible focal point for exclusive merchandise and seasonal collections. On the second floor, the Players Clubhouse focuses on authentic on-field apparel and player gear, and an enhanced customization area where fans can personalize jerseys and caps.
A 370-foot video wall keeps the store connected to the field, letting fans follow live game action while browsing. Together, digital media, flexible merchandising, and a more intuitive layout make shopping an active part of the ballpark experience rather than an interruption.
The improvements extend into the concourses through new social and food-and-beverage destinations, including an open-air upper-concourse beer garden and grab-and-go concepts designed to improve service and accessibility. Collectively, the projects give fans more ways to experience Citizens Bank Park while remaining connected to baseball, whether exploring Phillies history, gathering over food and drinks, shopping, or watching the game.
For EwingCole, the work represents the continued evolution of a ballpark the firm first helped create more than two decades ago. Rather than changing the identity of Citizens Bank Park, the upgrades build on it, introducing contemporary fan amenities while reinforcing the history, energy, and social experience at the center of Phillies baseball.
