Diamondbacks’ new ribbon boards causing problems for fans on Opening Day
The Diamondbacks are in problem solving mode, as the new ribbon boards at Chase Field are causing view obstructions.
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PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are in problem-solving mode, according to a team spokesperson, as the new ribbon boards at Chase Field are causing view obstructions for fans, particularly those sitting in the 300 level.
The D-backs, in partnership with Daktronics, had ribbon boards installed below the 200 and 300 sections around the ballpark, along with a shorter board underneath the suites.
Several fans sitting in the front row of the 300 level explained that they had to lean forward or bring multiple seat cushions to see the field, as they could no longer watch the game between the rails.
The boards prevented fans from seeing foul ground on their respective side of the park, the dugout and depending on height, sections of fair territory when sitting back normally.
“Very disappointed because I had to bring four cushions to sit on to see the game,” Nancy Abalos, a season-ticket holder since 1998, told Arizona Sports.
“I still have to lean over because I’m not six feet tall. I usually lean back and look through the rail, and I can see the whole field from end to end, all the way down the foul line. They took that away from us. Not only that, the last three years, the air conditioning is so bad that it’s unbearable. Putting this wall here does not help the air circulate any better.”
Fans had additional concerns about children being able to see without standing up and those in the second row losing their view when people in front lean forward.
The Diamondbacks have started to receive complaints. No season ticket holders had asked to be relocated as of Friday, but Monday was the home opener, the first time the ballpark filled up for a game since the fall.
“We are well aware that the view has changed for ticket holders in the first row and are also not happy about it,” D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall said in a statement. “We are working closely with them to relocate to an acceptable location. For some fans, the seats may be a partially obstructed view, but I clearly understand they previously were not and apologize. We had a similar situation years ago on the suite level when we first built its ribbon.”
The first row of the 300 level has offered a unique experience to see the entire field from an elevated view.
Taking the ribbon boards down is not presently a discussion, according to a team spokesperson, as the club is trying to find other ways to accommodate fans. Those who don’t want to relocate will be offered refunds, according to Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com.
Season-ticket holders can contact their membership experience representative regarding concerns or wishes to relocate.
“I’m going to watch the game and see how it goes,” Serge Forten, another season-ticket holder, said. “Based on my first impression, it’s not terrible. I used to be able to see in between the railings, you can’t with the ribbon anymore. And I’m going to have to lean forward. I guess at the end of the game I’ll know if it’s the right seat for me for the rest of the year.”
Relocating was not an ideal solution for several fans sitting in the front row on Opening Day, especially for those who go to games with friends year-after-year. Some fans called for the boards to be taken down.
New ribbon boards on at Chase Field. pic.twitter.com/5q5heHKssj
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) March 9, 2026
The upper deck ribbon board is 3.5 feet tall and 984 feet around the ballpark.
Additionally, game operations crew (including the pitch clock operator and official scorer) in the press box had to move back with obstructed views from the primary ribbon board.
The club paid for the video and ribbon boards with team money.
The Diamondbacks plan to renovate Chase Field over the next few offseasons, including infrastructure repairs. The club plans to address the air conditioning next offseason, but it could take two winters to complete.
The D-backs have entered a public-private partnership to fund upgrades moving forward, with a tax recapture bill having been passed last summer.
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Comments
10 Comments
Have to agree. If they can't even manage something this relatively simple, how are they going to manage a complex operation such as replacing the AC?
Diamondbacks organization. Is anyone surprised by this? Room for more advertising, less room for fans. Buy a beer, it's only $20.
The press boxes have the same problem. Why wasn't that disclosed? On the Burns & Gambo, they disclosed the issue about the press boxes.
How could this happen? Unless the new boards are exactly the same size as the old one, how difficult to think of the what ifs; putting up one board and having people to sit there to see if there are any issues; etc. On the Burns & Gambo show, they disclosed they added a cat walk which probably caused the problem.
It is my understanding that the Dbacks are in charge of the stadium renovations. In other words, they couldn't manage this simple upgrade. Who are the project managers? Bubba and Melvin?
I am sorry but it is really sad that the local teams can't execute!