The home stadium for the San Francisco Giants baseball team has been known by several names since its construction. Its original name was PacBell Park, followed by AT&T Park, before becoming Oracle Park.
A Stadium with a Rich History
Opened in the year 2000, this iconic stadium in San Francisco quickly established itself as a premier venue for baseball and a significant landmark in the city. It has since become a popular attraction for both tourists and locals, renowned for its stunning views of San Francisco Bay and its fan-friendly atmosphere.
The evolution of the stadium's naming rights reflects changes in corporate sponsorship over the years:
- Initial Naming: When the stadium first opened its doors in 2000, it was christened PacBell Park. This name originated from the Pacific Bell telecommunications company.
- Second Naming: In 2003, the naming rights transitioned, and the stadium was renamed SBC Park following SBC Communications' acquisition of Pacific Bell. This name was short-lived.
- Third Naming: Just two years later, in 2006, the stadium's name changed again to AT&T Park. This change occurred after SBC Communications rebranded itself as AT&T, which had acquired BellSouth and become the largest telecommunications company in the United States. This name remained for over a decade.
- Current Naming: In 2019, the stadium's naming rights were acquired by Oracle Corporation, leading to its current designation as Oracle Park.
Evolution of Stadium Names
To provide a clear overview, here's a table summarizing the naming history of the San Francisco Giants' stadium:
Era | Stadium Name | Primary Sponsor | Dates |
---|---|---|---|
Old Name | PacBell Park | Pacific Bell | 2000 – 2003 |
Old Name | SBC Park | SBC Communications | 2003 – 2006 |
Old Name | AT&T Park | AT&T | 2006 – 2018 |
Current | Oracle Park | Oracle Corporation | 2019 – Present |
This state-of-the-art facility has not only served as the cherished home of the San Francisco Giants, witnessing multiple World Series championships, but also as a versatile venue hosting various concerts, events, and other public gatherings. Its design incorporated unique features like McCovey Cove beyond the right-field wall, where home run balls frequently splash into the bay, earning the term "splash hit."