San Antonio, TX, August 28, 2025
News Summary
The San Antonio Missions have announced plans for a new downtown minor league baseball stadium designed by Populous, estimated at $160 million. The stadium will seat around 4,500 fans and is projected to open for the 2028 season. The project, funded primarily through bonds and a significant equity contribution from the ownership group, will replace the existing Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium, which has been in use since 1994.
San Antonio
San Antonio Missions have hired the architectural firm Populous to design a new downtown minor league baseball stadium, a project estimated at $160 million and planned to seat approximately 4,500 fans. The ownership group, Designated Bidders, provided a $34 million equity contribution, and the remainder will be financed by bonds issued by the newly formed San Pedro Creek Development Authority. The ownership group expects the ballpark to be ready for the start of the 2028 season.
Key facts up front
The new stadium will replace the current Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium, which has been in use since 1994 and is reported not to meet current Major League Baseball facility standards. The proposed location is at the intersection of Camaron and Kingsbury in downtown San Antonio. Project financing relies on bond proceeds that will be repaid through a combination of $1 million annual lease payments, a $2 ticket fee, and property tax revenue from the Houston Street Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ).
Project overview
The San Antonio Missions operate as the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The ownership group took control of the team in November 2022, the first ownership change since the 1980s. The stadium is being positioned by its backers as a long-term community asset, with design work led by Populous, an international firm with extensive stadium experience and multiple Ballpark of the Year awards. Design renderings are expected to be released by mid-summer 2025.
Funding and financing
Funding for the project will come primarily from bonds issued by the San Pedro Creek Development Authority, which was recently established by a City Council vote. The Missions’ ownership group will supply a $34 million equity stake. Bond repayment sources include:
- $1 million in annual lease payments
- $2 ticket fee charged on tickets
- Property tax revenue from the Houston Street TIRZ
These revenue streams are intended to cover bond service over the life of the issued debt.
Site, land acquisition and community impact
The proposed stadium site at Camaron and Kingsbury involves property currently occupied by the 381-unit Soap Factory apartments, which would be demolished under the development plan. The demolition creates a controversial outcome due to the loss of low-cost downtown housing. A memorandum of understanding with the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) has cleared a key procedural hurdle for land acquisition tied to the project. The establishment of the San Pedro Creek Development Authority by City Council action also cleared a governance step needed to issue project bonds.
Design, schedule and deliverables
Populous will produce stadium design documents and public renderings. The ownership group anticipates breaking ground and completing construction in time for the 2028 season, with design renderings expected by mid-summer 2025. The ballpark is planned to seat roughly 4,500 fans and will include supporting amenities consistent with professional minor league standards.
Context and considerations
Supporters describe the project as adding a cherished community amenity, while critics highlight the displacement of affordable housing and question long-term financing risks. Additionally, local officials and stakeholders note that San Antonio currently lacks the level of corporate backing commonly considered necessary to support a Major League Baseball franchise, a factor that affects broader discussions about stadium investment and economic development. The project has advanced through multiple administrative steps but still requires detailed design, permitting, and financing finalization before construction can begin.
What remains to be decided or completed
- Final design approvals after Populous completes renderings and technical documents.
- Issuance and closing of the proposed bonds by the San Pedro Creek Development Authority.
- Permitting, site clearance, and relocation or replacement plans for affected housing units at the Soap Factory site.
- Construction timeline confirmation to meet the planned 2028 season opening.
Stakeholders involved
- San Antonio Missions ownership group (Designated Bidders)
- Populous (design firm)
- San Pedro Creek Development Authority (bond issuer)
- San Antonio Independent School District (land MOU)
- Houston Street TIRZ (tax increment revenue source)
Tables and visual data
| Key Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project | New downtown minor league baseball stadium |
| Design firm | Populous |
| Estimated cost | $160 million |
| Planned seating | 4,500 |
| Primary funding | Bonds (San Pedro Creek Development Authority) + $34M equity |
| Repayment sources | $1M annual lease, $2 ticket fee, Houston Street TIRZ property tax |
| Planned opening | Start of 2028 season (anticipated) |
| Location | Camaron and Kingsbury, downtown San Antonio |
Project timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Opening of Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium (current Missions venue) | Historical facility in use; noted as not meeting current MLB standards |
| November 2022 | Ownership change: Designated Bidders take over the Missions | Ownership transition completed |
| Recent (2024–2025) | City Council vote establishes San Pedro Creek Development Authority | Authority formation completed to enable bond issuance |
| Recent (2024–2025) | Memorandum of understanding reached with SAISD for land acquisition | MOU cleared as a land acquisition step |
| Mid-summer 2025 (planned) | Design renderings from Populous released | Renderings expected |
| 2026–2027 (projected) | Construction period (planned) | Dependent on final financing and permits |
| Start of 2028 season (anticipated) | Opening of new stadium | Target completion date by ownership group |
Visual charts
Funding sources (approximate share)
Seating comparison
FAQ
What is being built?
A new downtown minor league baseball stadium designed by Populous, estimated to cost $160 million and planned to seat about 4,500 fans.
Who is funding the stadium?
Funding will come from bonds issued by the San Pedro Creek Development Authority and a $34 million equity contribution from the Missions’ ownership group, Designated Bidders. Bond repayments will rely on annual lease payments, a $2 ticket fee, and property tax revenue from the Houston Street TIRZ.
Where will the stadium be located?
The planned site is at the intersection of Camaron and Kingsbury in downtown San Antonio, which would require demolition of the Soap Factory apartment complex on the site.
When is the stadium expected to open?
The ownership group anticipates the stadium will be complete in time for the start of the 2028 season, pending final design, financing and permitting.
Who is designing the stadium?
Populous, an international stadium design firm with a long track record of major sports facilities and multiple Ballpark of the Year awards, has been selected to lead design work.
Will this affect local housing?
Yes. The development plans include demolishing the 381-unit Soap Factory apartments, which represents the loss of low-cost housing in downtown San Antonio and is a point of public controversy.
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Additional Resources
- KENS5: San Antonio Missions Stadium Design
- Wikipedia: San Antonio Missions
- News4 San Antonio: Missions Ballpark Design
- Google Search: San Antonio Missions Ballpark Design
- Express News: Downtown Land Baseball Stadium Sale
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Missions Ballpark Design
- KSAT: ISD Approves Land Sale for Ballpark
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Missions Ballpark
- KSAT: Land Sale Up for SAISD Board Vote
- Google News: San Antonio Missions Ballpark
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
