The Ballpark at Union Station was introduced in the late 90s as the Astros prepared for a new home in Downtown Houston. It opened on March 30, 2000, as Enron Field, becoming the city’s first retractable-roof stadium. After Enron's collapse in 2001, the park briefly went by Astros Field in 2002 before entering a long-term partnership with Minute Maid in June 2002, which lasted 22 years. Today, as the Astros celebrate their 25th year in this downtown location, they are excited to announce a new naming rights agreement with Daikin, a global leader in HVAC technology.
This partnership kicks off on January 1, 2025, and will run through 2039. Minute Maid will continue its collaboration with the Astros, with plans to transition the ballpark's signage shortly after the New Year. This process will take some time, especially for the massive signs on the park's exterior.
Fans are curious about what will replace the iconic oranges inside the Minute Maid Park train. "That’ll be a surprise," said Astros owner Jim Crane. "We do have something we’re working on and we’ll show it on opening day."
This marks the seventh name for the Astros' ballparks:
- Colt Stadium (1962-1964)
- Astrodome (1965-1999)
- Ballpark at Union Station (1996-1999; used during construction)
- Enron Field (2000-2001)
- Astros Field (2002; temporary name)
- Minute Maid Park (2002-2024)
- Daikin Park (2025-2039)
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Jim Crane remarked, “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values—a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”
Satoru Akama, Daikin President and CEO, added, “We are thrilled to partner with the Houston Astros in building a premier position based on our shared values of excellence, in both sports and community leadership.”
Founded in 1924 in Osaka, Japan, Daikin has grown into an innovative leader in air-conditioning technology, with over $29 billion in net sales and a presence in over 170 countries. They are unique in producing every aspect of HVAC systems, from manufacturing to servicing.
With 7,700 tons of air-conditioning already in place at the ballpark, this partnership feels like a perfect match, especially considering the Astros built the world’s first climate-controlled stadium, the Astrodome, in 1965. Daikin employs over 22,000 people across the U.S., including 10,000 in Waller, Texas, just outside Houston. The Daikin Texas Technology Park consolidates manufacturing and engineering, fostering innovation and collaboration.
The Astros and Daikin partnership plans to enhance stadium amenities and to maintain a fantastic gameday experience for fans. It also includes community initiatives to strengthen connections between the Astros, Daikin, and the Houston community.
Mark your calendars: the first game at Daikin Park will be an exhibition on Monday, March 24, 2025, against the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys. The first regular season game will follow on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 3:10 PM against the New York Mets.
In the meantime, fans can brainstorm new nicknames for the Astros' home, previously known as the “Juice Box.” Many have playfully suggested the “Ice Box.”
