Astros' stadium is now Daikin Park after new naming rights deal

HOUSTON -- As the Minute Maid Park signage begins to be removed from the Astros’ downtown ballpark over the next few weeks to make room for it being rebranded Daikin Park in January 2025, owner Jim Crane said the club also has plans for the familiar oranges that fill the back of the locomotive that runs atop of left field.

“We’ll show it on Opening Day,” Crane said with a smile.

In a press conference on the infield dirt Monday morning, the Astros announced a 15-year agreement with Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc., on a 15-year naming-rights deal. The agreement, which begins Jan. 1 and runs through the 2039 season, includes official naming rights and other partnership benefits.

“We hope to make that name present and popular around town,” Crane said. “We’ve had the honor and the privilege to spend a lot of time with the Daikin team at all levels and get more excited about the partnership in each and every engagement we have with them. They’re truly a world-class organization. We strongly believe that Daikin shares the values of business excellence, employee engagement and commitment to the community and are perfectly aligned with the Astros. And this partnership brings two very great brands together.”

The downtown ballpark opened as Enron Field in 2000, which had a 30-year, $100 million naming rights deal. After the energy company went bankrupt in 2001, the ballpark was briefly named Astros Field before the naming rights were sold in 2002 to Minute Maid Park, which is owned by Coca-Cola.

“We look forward to continue working with them moving forward,” Crane said of Minute Maid.

Daikin develops, manufactures, sells, and supports heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The company has more than 98,000 employees worldwide, including 10,000 in the Houston area. Daikin operates a 4.2 million square foot campus in Waller, Texas, which is about 45 minutes northwest of downtown.

“Daikin is a well-known brand all over the world and enjoys a reputation for innovative quality products and outstanding customer service,” Daikin president and CEO Satoru Akama said. “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.”

The partnership between the Astros and Daikin will enable the franchise to continue to invest in stadium amenities. The partnership also includes community initiatives aimed at continuing and creating connections between the Astros, Daikin and the Houston community.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” said Matt Brand, the Astros’ senior vice president of corporate partnerships and special events. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

Minute Maid, which will continue to be a partner of the Houston Astros through 2029, has signage on the interior and exterior of the ballpark that will have to be replaced by Jan. 1. The Astros open the 2025 season on March 27 against the Mets in the first game at Daikin Park.