The City of Irvine and Innovation Baseball Partners (IBP) announced the launch of a new professional baseball franchise set to begin play in the summer of 2027. Operating in the Pioneer Baseball League (an MLB Partner League), the club plans to make its home in Irvine at the Great Park Baseball Stadium (Open in new window), anchoring the team in a community that perfectly blends diverse, family-first neighborhoods with a world-renowned culture of forward-thinking innovation.
“A new era of professional baseball is heading to Orange County, bringing a brand of world-class, family-friendly sports entertainment to one of the most vibrant regions in California, said Mayor Larry Agran. “And what better place to call home than the Great Park.”
With a growing population and a City identity forged around innovation and diverse cultures, Irvine is the perfect geographic and cultural epicenter for Orange County, making it highly accessible for families across the region. IBP will work with the City to build on the local pride already evident in the area.
Recognizing that Orange County communities deserve elite entertainment without the elite price tag, IBP is designing a premium ballpark experience from the ground up. By combining the high-caliber athleticism of an MLB Partner League team with high-end food, entertainment, and hospitality offerings, the club will deliver a top-tier professional sports experience at a price point that remains accessible to everyone.
“IBP is designing a premium ballpark experience from the ground up, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome them to the Great Park,” said Councilmember William Go, Chair of the Great Park Board. "This partnership will bring elite entertainment to our City without the elite price tag, tailored for the people who live here."
Central to this vision is a profound belief in the power of sports to bring diverse communities together. Taking a cue from the unparalleled passion and collective energy witnessed on global stages, the club is leveraging Irvine’s status as a premier innovation hub to introduce a revolutionary twist to the American ballpark.
"We've always believed the sports industry has gotten one thing wrong. It acts like fans have to choose between a premium experience and affordable prices. We think they deserve both," said Paul Freedman, Co-Founder of Innovation Baseball Partners. "Orange County is a community where baseball should thrive, and Great Park gives us the chance to build something special. If we do this right, people won't just come for the baseball. They'll come because it's one of the best ways to spend an evening with family and friends, and they'll be able to do it often."
Drawing rich inspiration from the legendary stadium cultures of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan and the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in South Korea, the club will celebrate Orange County’s unique cultural tapestry. Ballpark attendees can look forward to a highly interactive, joyful environment where elements like coordinated crowd participation, energetic fan entertainment, and a reinvented culinary menu featuring iconic Asian street foods and local craft beverages seamlessly blend with traditional stadium favorites.
Ensuring that this premium vision is backed by elite baseball execution is former World Series-winning manager Don Wakamatsu, who serves as the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations for Innovation Baseball Partners. As the first Asian-American manager in MLB history, Wakamatsu brings a unique perspective to merging vibrant global sporting cultures with highly competitive professional play.
"Throughout my life in baseball, I’ve seen how the game has the power to bridge cultures, ignite passion, and bring diverse communities together for shared joy," said Don Wakamatsu, SVP of Baseball Operations for Innovation Baseball Partners. "We are thrilled to bring this innovative concept to California. Our goal is to capture the incredible energy of global fan culture and pair it with a high-caliber product on the field."
Learn more about the agreement between the City and IBP by viewing the City Council item and staff report (Open in new window). Further details regarding the team’s official branding, final venue agreements, and player signings will be released in the coming months. Fans can follow updates and join the priority ticket waitlist by visiting OCbaseballclub.com (Open in new window).
