If you’ve driven past the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex lately, you’ve seen the cranes. They’re gone now, mostly. Honestly, it’s about time. For a while there, it felt like the Hillsboro Hops new stadium was the most expensive "maybe" in Oregon sports history.
But it’s real. As of early 2026, the keys have officially changed hands.
The Hops reached substantial completion in late December 2025, a massive sigh of relief for anyone who followed the drama of the funding gap that almost killed the project back in '23. We aren't just getting a minor league park. We're getting a $150 million year-round entertainment beast that basically redefines what High-A baseball looks like in the Pacific Northwest.
Why Ron Tonkin Field wasn't enough
Most people ask: why build a new one? Tonkin is barely a decade old. It feels like we just got it. But basically, Major League Baseball changed the rules. When the Hops moved up to High-A, the facility requirements for player health and wellness skyrocketed.
Think about it like this. The old clubhouse was built for kids playing a short season. Now, these guys are here all year. They need massive weight rooms, proper nutrition stations, and—crucially—facilities for female coaches and umpires. MLB basically told the Hops: "Fix it or lose the team."
Upgrading Tonkin was actually the first plan. But it was a nightmare. Because the football stadium is literally attached to the third-base side, there was nowhere to grow. Moving pipes and retrofitting that structure was going to cost nearly as much as starting fresh. So, the city and the team decided to move across the parking lot.
The money trail (and why it almost failed)
The price tag is eye-watering. $150 million.
For a minute there, the state legislature was the holdout. The Hops ownership, led by Mike and Laura McMurray, put up a staggering $112 million in private money. The City of Hillsboro chipped in $18 million via lodging taxes. Washington County threw in $8 million. But there was a $15 million gap.
Senator Janeen Sollman and other local leaders had to fight for that last piece of the puzzle. It finally cleared in March 2024. Without that state money, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ affiliate might be playing in a different state right now.
It’s a city-owned park, which is a detail some people miss. The Hops are the primary tenant, but the City of Hillsboro owns the dirt.
What’s actually inside the new park
It’s not just a field. It’s a 360-degree experience.
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The biggest game-changer for fans is the orientation. At Tonkin, the sun would absolutely cook you if you sat in the wrong spot. The new Hillsboro Hops new stadium is rotated so the sun is at your back. Plus, there's a 32-foot canopy. If you’ve ever sat through a June drizzle in Oregon, you know why that matters.
- Capacity: 4,700 fixed seats. It can expand to 7,000 for concerts.
- The Food Hall: Six different dining options. No more standing in one 40-minute line for a mediocre hot dog.
- The Beer Garden: It’s a Hops game. The beer garden is essentially the heart of the right-field line.
- The Screen: An LED video board four times larger than the old one.
The premium level is where things get fancy. There’s a 9,000-square-foot climate-controlled lounge called the Meridian Club. Padded seats, high-end food, and actual air conditioning for those 95-degree August afternoon games.
It's about more than baseball
The Hops are planning to host 200 events a year.
That means 60+ home games, but also 20 major concerts, festivals, and even amateur sports. The economic impact is estimated at $64 million annually for the local area.
They’ve already started the "HOPSpitality" hiring process. They had "Draft Day" events in January 2026 to fill roughly 300 seasonal positions. It’s a big engine for the local economy, even if you don’t care about the difference between a slider and a curveball.
What happens to the old field?
The city takes it back. Completely.
Since the Hops are moving their business operations into the new facility this month, Ron Tonkin Field becomes a dedicated community resource. That means more space for youth baseball, soccer, and local events that used to be blocked out by the Hops' schedule. It’s a rare win-win for local field space.
Actionable next steps for Hops fans
If you’re planning to catch a game this year, don't wait until April.
- Check the Waitlist: Fixed seating is actually quite limited (around 4,700 seats). If you aren't a current season ticket holder, the waitlist deposit is usually around $50 to get priority.
- Mark February 28: This is the "Lights On: A First Look" event. It’s a fundraiser for the Hillsboro Hops Fund and the first time the public can actually walk through the gates and see the new 360-degree concourse.
- Opening Day is April 7, 2026: The Hops start the season at home. Given the hype around the new stadium, this will likely be the fastest sell-out in the team's history.
- Download the App: The new stadium uses a high-density Wi-Fi system and a new state-of-the-art sound system. Expect most concessions to be entirely cashless and mobile-ordered to keep those food hall lines moving.
The transition is happening fast. From a muddy construction site in 2024 to a "substantial completion" mark in late 2025, the team has managed to keep this on schedule. It's a massive bet on the future of Hillsboro, and honestly, standing in that new shaded seating bowl, it feels like a bet that’s going to pay off.