Fans React to New CarMax Park as Flying Squirrels Kick Off Inaugural Season

Richmond's new multi-million dollar baseball stadium debuts with mixed reviews from opening night attendees.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:20am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in progress, with players and the stadium rendered in sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, orange, and other vibrant colors, capturing the energy and excitement of the new ballpark's inaugural season.The opening of CarMax Park marks a new era for Richmond baseball, though early reviews suggest operational challenges remain to be addressed.Richmond Today

The Flying Squirrels kicked off their inaugural season at the brand-new CarMax Park in Richmond, Virginia on Tuesday night with a 3-2 win over the Altoona Curve. While fans were excited about the new stadium's amenities and accessibility, the most common complaint was about the long lines for food and drink that barely moved.

Why it matters

The opening of CarMax Park marks a new era for Richmond baseball, replacing the aging Diamond stadium that had served the city's teams for decades. The new facility represents a significant investment in the local sports scene and is expected to enhance the fan experience, though early reviews suggest there are still some operational kinks to work out.

The details

The multi-million dollar CarMax Park boasts new amenities, expanded food options, and improved accessibility compared to the previous Diamond stadium. However, many fans reported extremely long wait times at the concession stands, with some saying the self-service lines kept running out of popular items. Parking and exiting the stadium after the game also drew some complaints, with a need for better lighting identified.

  • The Flying Squirrels kicked off their inaugural season at CarMax Park on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • The team won their opening game against the Altoona Curve by a score of 3-2.

The players

Flying Squirrels

The minor league baseball team that plays in Richmond, Virginia and is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

CarMax Park

The brand-new multi-million dollar baseball stadium that is the new home of the Flying Squirrels, replacing the aging Diamond stadium.

Altoona Curve

The minor league baseball team that plays in Altoona, Pennsylvania and is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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What they’re saying

“We got there when the gates opened at 5:30 and had absolutely no issues with parking. Left after the AMAZING firework show and had no issues leaving. The only negative feedback is about the lines for food and drink... they were absurdly long and barely moved.”

— Emily Yeaman

“Great facility! Love the setup and different seating options to choose from. However, food lines were long and the self service ones kept running out of food causing significant delays. Parking lots need lighting! Overall great experience - will return when it's warmer!”

— Erin Murphy Robertson

“We arrived around 5:30 to find a beautiful facility. Parking was quick. Entering was quick. Looked at a couple of food options. Stood in line, ordered and got our food within 20 minutes. Left earlier than anticipated due to chilly weather-my biggest problem? Couldn't find my car in the parking lot-no lighting.”

— Joy Langford Kline

What’s next

The Flying Squirrels will continue their inaugural season at CarMax Park, with the team's next home game scheduled for Friday, April 10, 2026.

The takeaway

While the new CarMax Park represents an exciting upgrade for Richmond baseball, the opening night experience highlighted some operational challenges that the team and stadium management will need to address, particularly around concessions and parking, to ensure a consistently positive fan experience moving forward.