Updated Sept. 21, 2026, 3:57 p.m. ET
The Detroit Tigers aren’t moving, but they won’t be playing at Comerica Park in the future, either.
In a news conference at Comerica Park on Monday, Sept. 21, the Tigers and Fifth Third Bancorp announced Detroit’s major league ballpark will be named Fifth Third Park starting in the 2027 season. This was an expected change following Fifth Third’s February merger with Comerica Bank, a $12.3 billion deal that immediately raised questions about the name of Detroit’s downtown ballpark.
“Fifth Third knows what this ballpark means to Detroit, and we don’t take that lightly. We’re here to be a responsible partner for this team and the city’s future, to honor it, invest in it, and help carry it forward for the fans and families who love it so,” Fifth Third President and CEO Tim Spence said Monday.
The Tigers’ home stadium has been named Comerica Park since its opening in 2000, but the Tigers organization has a recent history with Fifth Third’s branding. Detroit’s Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens, currently play at Fifth Third Field, while LMCU Ballpark in Grand Rapids, home of Detroit’s High-A affiliate, the West Michigan Whitecaps, was named Fifth Third Ballpark from 2000-20. There’s also a Fifth Third Park, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which hosts the Hub City Spartanburgers, the Texas Rangers‘ High-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League.
“This is more than just a name. It’s about the memories. It’s about the families. So we believe that we have a responsibility to be good stewards for this for many many years to come, and we’re looking forward to that,” said Steve Davis, Fifth Third regional president
Though the merger between the two banks was announced in February, Fifth Third at the time said that any name change to Detroit’s ballpark would occur after the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Despite the change in names announced Monday, Fifth Third also announced there would be no change in the naming rights deal with the team and city. The original contract, signed in 1998, was set to run for 30 seasons, through the end of the 2029 campaign. The team and Comerica Bank agreed to an fife-year extension in 2018, taking the deal through 2034.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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You can reach Christian at [email protected].
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