After nearly 40 years of baseball games, memorable moments, and community gatherings, The Diamond is winding down its role as Richmond’s major ballpark, and the city is preparing for its transformation. The site will soon become part of a larger redevelopment project known as the Diamond District.
The Diamond opened in 1985 as a modern home for baseball in Richmond. Over the years, it hosted professional teams such as the Richmond Braves and the Richmond Flying Squirrels, as well as college baseball for Virginia Commonwealth University.
The stadium has also hosted graduations, charity events, and fireworks nights. Fans often described the Diamond as a place where they could come together with communities and make long-lasting memories. On its final professional season at the stadium, many fans reflected on the decades of memories they had made there.
The new stadium, CarMax Park, is expected to open in approximately 2026. Some of the current lots around the Diamond will be used temporarily for parking, with a permanent parking structure planned in later phases. According to city officials, the project aims to create more than just a sports venue. The Diamond District will include many affordable and workforce housing options.
When a long-standing venue like The Diamond closes or gets repurposed, it can feel like the end of a chapter, but it can also open new opportunities for new growth and different kinds of community spaces. The Diamond District plans include new streets, trees, sidewalks, parks, and housing options, creating a more walkable and connected neighborhood.
City officials say the redevelopment will bring new energy to the area, adding affordable housing, new job opportunities, and better transportation connections. Some of the current space will be used temporarily for parking while the permanent structures are built.
The closing of The Diamond marks the end of an important era for Richmond sports and community life. While many fans are sad to see the old stadium go, there’s excitement about what is to come next.
The Diamond District represents a major step in modernizing the city’s infrastructure and creating new opportunities for residents and visitors alike. For many Richmond residents, saying goodbye is bittersweet. The stadium has been a symbol of community spirit and summer tradition for decades. Although it brings backlash from certain residents, there is excitement about what is to come.
As demolition begins and construction continues, Richmond looks ahead to a future that honors its past while building something new. In this place, memories of old games and new beginnings can come together.
