We’ll see more TigerTown player facilities upgrades for 2027, as the Detroit Tigers are adding a new Player Development Academy to the team’s Lakeland training complex.
According to a team press release, the new four-story, 59,000+ square-foot facility Player Development Academy will feature spaces for players and staff, including:
- 76 sleeping rooms to house players
- A 200-seat dining hall with world-class kitchen facilities
- A spacious player lounge and recreation area
- A flexible, multi-purpose meeting room accommodating up to 200 people
- Administrative office space
The new $33-million player academy replaces the Fetzer Hall player dormitory and is funded by the Tigers and the City of Lakeland. The academy, slated to open in 2027, follow TigerTown player facilities upgrades in 2025, including a covered turf half-field, climate-controlled batting cages, and expanded bullpen mounds. Upgrades like this are happening across Major League Baseball: the New York Yankees unveiled similar upgrades to Steinbrenner Field in 2025.
“This development represents a transformative step forward for our organization, impacting thousands of players in years ahead,” said Scott Harris, Tigers President of Baseball Operations, via press release. “The Player Development Academy is designed to create an incredible environment that helps our youngest players transition into professional baseball, maximize their on-field skills, and ultimately put them in a position to help us win ballgames in Detroit. This investment reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and has come together thanks to the hard work of local partners in Lakeland and members of our front office staff.”
The Tigers’ tenure in Lakeland, dating back to 1934, represents the longest continuous relationship between a Major League team and a host city. TigerTown hosts not only spring training but Low-A Florida State League and the Florida Complex League Tigers.
Photo courtesy Detroit Tigers.
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