Council approves 25-year lease extension, $20M stadium upgrades for San Jose Giants
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Summary
The council unanimously approved a 25-year amended and restated lease with DBH San Jose LLC (San Jose Giants) that includes an estimated $20 million in private stadium improvements and a $5 million city reimbursement paid over seven years starting FY 2027–28.
San Jose City Council on March 4 approved a 25-year amended and restated lease with DBH San Jose LLC for Excite Ballpark (San Jose Municipal Stadium), committing to a privately financed modernization of the facility and a city reimbursement of $5 million spread over seven years beginning fiscal 2027–28.
Under the agreement, the San Jose Giants and their ownership group, Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), will invest roughly $20 million to $25 million to modernize the 83-year-old stadium. Planned improvements include a new approximately 18,000-square-foot clubhouse, upgraded batting cages and player facilities and other work intended to bring the park into compliance with Major League Baseball standards. City staff said the work will go through the city permitting process, including environmental review under CEQA, with construction timed so there is no interruption to the 2025 season and completion by opening day 2026.
Kevin Ice, director of real estate in the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs, said the Giants will increase annual rent to $40,000 (deposited in the stadium maintenance fund), retain naming-rights and video-board revenues estimated at $120,000 annually, and remain responsible for day-to-day maintenance and nonstructural repairs. The city will reimburse the club $5,000,000 over seven years beginning in FY 2027–28 to help offset a portion of the improvements.
Ben Taylor, general manager of the San Jose Giants, described the lease extension as an investment in a civic asset that hosts thousands of community events and said the team intends to increase community access to indoor facilities (for youth programs and year-round activities) while keeping games affordable for families.
Council members across the chamber praised the public–private partnership, citing the ballpark’s community role and the risk that without upgrades the team might not be permitted to continue playing there. After public comment from fans and longtime San Jose residents, the council voted unanimously to adopt the amended lease.
What happens next: staff will finalize the agreement, complete required permitting and CEQA review, and begin construction with a target of opening day 2026 for the upgraded facilities. Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate pedestrian-safety and lighting improvements near Center and Alma to support increased event traffic.
