Detroit — As expected, this will be the final season the Tigers’ home ballpark will be called Comerica Park.
With Fifth Third Bancorp completing its acquisition of Comerica Incorporated earlier this year, a spokesperson for Fifth Third confirmed the downtown Detroit stadium will undergo a name change after the 2026 season.
It still hasn’t been announced what the Tigers’ ballpark will be called after 2026, though Fifth Third has a history of naming-rights deals with sports stadiums, including, currently, with the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate that plays at Fifth Third Field. The High-A West Michigan Whitecaps used to play in Fifth Third Ballpark.
“Fifth Third is deeply committed to the communities we serve, including Detroit. Comerica Park is a treasured landmark with a rich history, and we understand how much it means to Tigers fans and to the city,” Fifth Third said in a statement to The News on Thursday.
“At some point the name will change, but not until the offseason. We’ll continue to support the places and partnerships that matter most to our customers and communities.”
Comerica Park opened in 2000, with the bank — whose roots in Detroit date to the 1800s, when the Detroit Savings Fund was founded — signing an original 30-year naming-rights deal. That deal later was extended through 2034. Comerica moved its headquarters to Dallas in 2007.
With the $11-billion acquisition of Comerica, Fifth Third becomes the ninth-largest bank in the United States.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Comerica Park getting name change after 2026, amid Fifth Third merger
Reporting by Tony Paul, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
