Opening night at CarMax Park: Richmond fans fall in love with their new ballpark 

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Eager fans flooded into Richmond's brand new CarMax Park on Tuesday for opening day. The biggest story of the night? The overwhelming excitement from the people experiencing it all for the very first time.

"I’ve been to plenty of minor-league stadiums, and this is the best one I’ve been in," one fan shared.

For fans of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, this wasn’t just another season opener; it was a special moment -- a first impression that’s already becoming a lasting memory.

“I mean, you get to walk all around the park.... much different than The Diamond, where it was kind of cramped,” another fan explained, highlighting the upgrade.

(Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)

The energy inside the stadium was impossible to ignore. It boasts a new space and new design, but the same deep love for baseball... just louder than ever. Cheers and screams echoed through the stands as the community came together.

“We have a big community here in Richmond, and it’s just a beautiful thing,” one fan said. Another added with a laugh, “This is beautiful. I went out to SoFi, and it’s going to give SoFi a run for its money.”

But the night wasn’t just about baseball. It marked the beginning of something bigger, a new chapter for the city.

(Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)

“As a Richmonder my whole life, this is amazing for us,” one lifelong fan said. “It is such a beautiful blend of the old and the new," said another. 

As the lights shone down on the field, one thing became clear: this isn’t just a stadium, it’s already home.

And if opening night is any indication, this isn’t just a place to watch baseball -- it’s a place where memories are just getting started.