Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers, Home Plate Club

Detailed Nomination
As part of a forward-looking initiative to elevate premium offerings, the Detroit Tigers, Comerica Park, and Delaware North Sportservice collaborated to create the Home Plate Club, a brand-new hospitality environment built within previously unused space beneath the ballpark’s grandstand.

Overview
Unlike traditional projects that renovate or refresh existing clubs, the Home Plate Club represents the creation of an entirely new premium experience, introducing a previously nonexistent level of hospitality to Comerica Park.
The design transforms what was once underutilized space into a vibrant, welcoming environment that balances exclusivity with energy. The club emphasizes openness and flow, featuring a mix of seating options, standing areas, and social zones that accommodate a wide range of guest preferences from corporate entertainment to personal season ticket experiences.

From a culinary standpoint, the program overseen by Executive Chef Mark Szubeczak blends elevated dining with local familiarity. Open kitchen concepts bring the preparation process into full view, creating an interactive, almost theatrical experience for guests. The result is an environment where premium dining and live sports intersect seamlessly.
Equally important is the personalized service culture that defines the space. As Club Manager Carolyn Bender notes:
“I pretty much know about 80% of the guests that walk through the door. I know their families. I know what days they come in. Some just have Monday packages, some have weekend packages, and I get to know them on a personal level. It’s about making connections to make this all feel personalized. And it’s about giving our guests the experience that they ultimately deserve.”

This level of familiarity and connection transforms the Home Plate Club from a premium space into a relationship-driven hospitality experience.

Innovation & Impact
The Home Plate Club is defined by three core elements:
1. Flexibility: Guests are free to move and interact rather than remain in assigned seating, creating a sense of ownership over their experience. This fluid environment not only enhances guest engagement but also keeps the energy of the seating bowl, particularly behind home plate, visually active and impactful for both in-venue atmosphere and broadcast presentation.
2. Culinary Integration & Variety: Food and beverage is central to the experience, with offerings embedded throughout the space and designed to encourage exploration. The culinary program is intentionally dynamic, featuring multiple chef-driven stations that rotate continuously throughout the season.

As General Manager Joe Slomski explains:
“The feedback has been absolutely phenomenal. There is something for everybody. The food to me is second to none – we have seven stations that are constantly rotating. You’re never going to find the same menu twice. We do have our game day favorites, but you know when you come in, it’s going to be something different; oysters, lobster rolls, tomahawk steaks, sushi. We’re going to keep you coming in for more.”
This approach ensures that no two visits are the same, reinforcing repeat attendance and sustained engagement.

3. Connection: The club enhances the connection to the game through improved sightlines and proximity to the field, while also deepening emotional connection to the Tigers’ history and brand. Exclusive retail offerings available only within the club, including merchandise featuring the iconic “batting tiger” logo from Briggs Stadium, create an additional layer of identity and belonging for members.
Sportservice’s operational expertise ensures that this highly dynamic environment is supported by consistent, high-level service, with staffing models designed to anticipate and respond to the needs of premium guests in real time.

Results & Success Metrics
Since opening in July 2025, the Home Plate Club has delivered strong early results:
• Increased demand for premium inventory driven by the introduction of a new hospitality tier
• Strong guest satisfaction and repeat visitation, supported by personalized service and evolving culinary offerings
• High engagement with food and beverage, particularly driven by the rotating station model
• Positive qualitative feedback from guests and leadership, reinforcing the club’s broad appeal and experiential value
These outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of introducing a new premium concept that combines thoughtful design, operational execution, and guest-focused service.

Industry Influence
The Home Plate Club at Comerica Park demonstrates how legacy venues can expand their premium portfolio through strategic creation of entirely new hospitality environments.
By activating previously unused space and transforming it into a high-performing premium destination, the Detroit Tigers and Sportservice have established a model for how teams can unlock new value within existing infrastructure.
This concept reflects a broader shift in the industry toward experience-driven hospitality where personalization, culinary innovation, and flexibility define premium. The Home Plate Club stands as a compelling example of how that vision can be realized, positioning Comerica Park as a leader in the next generation of premium experiences.