# Maimonides Park

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**Maimonides Park** (formerly **MCU Park** and **KeySpan Park**) is a [Minor League Baseball](/source/Minor_League_Baseball) stadium on the [Riegelmann Boardwalk](/source/Riegelmann_Boardwalk) in the [Coney Island](/source/Coney_Island) neighborhood of [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn) in [New York City](/source/New_York_City). The [home team](/source/Home_team) and primary tenant is the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets)-affiliated [Brooklyn Cyclones](/source/Brooklyn_Cyclones) of the [South Atlantic League](/source/South_Atlantic_League). The stadium has also hosted other teams and sports; the [NYU Violets](/source/NYU_Violets) Baseball team began playing at Maimonides Park in 2015 through the 2021 season, and soccer club [Brooklyn FC](/source/Brooklyn_FC_(USL)) has its [women's team](/source/USL_Super_League) playing at the ballpark since 2024, with its [men's team](/source/USL_Championship) joining them in 2026.

The official [seating capacity](/source/Seating_capacity) at Maimonides Park is 7,000, though the Cyclones sell up to 2,500 more standing-room tickets. Prior to 2016, the capacity was 7,500 plus 2,500 standing room. Features include a concourse with free-standing concession buildings and overhanging [fluorescent lamps](/source/Fluorescent_lamp) in different colors, evoking an [amusement park](/source/Amusement_park) atmosphere. In addition, the park overlooks the Atlantic Ocean as well as the [Parachute Jump](/source/Parachute_Jump) in right field, and the [Wonder Wheel](/source/Wonder_Wheel) and [Coney Island Cyclone](/source/Coney_Island_Cyclone) in left field.

## Site

Maimonides Park stands on the old site of [Steeplechase Park](/source/Steeplechase_Park), an old-time Coney Island amusement park that closed in 1964 amid crime and general deterioration of [Coney Island](/source/Coney_Island) and of the subway routes that run to the area. Maimonides Park is accessible via the [New York City Subway](/source/New_York_City_Subway) at the [Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station](/source/Coney_Island%E2%80%93Stillwell_Avenue_station), served by the .

## History

Part of a general reinvestment in the Coney Island neighborhood, the stadium opened in 2001 as **KeySpan Park**, which had a capacity of 6,500. The opening of the park, and the Cyclones' permanent move there from their prior temporary home in [Queens](/source/Queens), marked the return of professional baseball to Brooklyn—albeit on a minor-league level—for the first time since MLB's [Brooklyn Dodgers](/source/Brooklyn_Dodgers) had played their last game at [Ebbets Field](/source/Ebbets_Field) in 1957 before moving to California the following season. Demand for Cyclones tickets was so great that the team added 1,000 seats in a right-field bleacher pavilion within three weeks after the park opened.

Maimonides Park and the [Staten Island Yankees](/source/Staten_Island_Yankees)' [Richmond County Bank Ballpark](/source/Richmond_County_Bank_Ballpark) were paid for with public money, part of a deal that involved both the Mets and Yankees. The Yankees had to approve the arrival of the Cyclones, and the Mets had to approve a Yankee farm team in Staten Island. The two teams share MLB territorial rights to the New York City market, and have veto power over each other (and any other MLB organization).

In October 2012, [Hurricane Sandy](/source/Hurricane_Sandy) hit Brooklyn and caused extensive damage to the ballpark, including the front office, clubhouses, and team store. The entire playing surface, previously a natural grass field, had to be replaced with synthetic FieldTurf before the 2013 season.

### Naming rights

The park's original name was part of a [naming rights](/source/Naming_rights) deal with [KeySpan](/source/KeySpan) Energy, a utility company whose primary holding is the former Brooklyn Union Gas, until 2020. However, in 2007, KeySpan was acquired by [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom)-based [National Grid plc](/source/National_Grid_plc), which retired the KeySpan name. On January 29, 2010, the Cyclones announced that they had ended the deal with National Grid because the KeySpan name no longer existed. On February 4, 2010, it was announced that the [Municipal Credit Union](/source/Municipal_Credit_Union), the city's largest credit union, signed an agreement for the ballpark to be called MCU Park in an eleven-year naming rights deal.[5][6]

In 2021, MCU did not renew the naming rights deal. [Maimonides Medical Center](/source/Maimonides_Medical_Center) became the new sponsor.[7][8]

## Policies

Maimonides Park prohibits fans from bringing outside food into the stadium, a policy in every minor league stadium, but not in effect at [Citi Field](/source/Citi_Field) and [Yankee Stadium](/source/Yankee_Stadium) (as they are major league).

## Baseball

In 2005 and 2014, MCU Park hosted the [New York–Penn League](/source/New_York%E2%80%93Penn_League) All-Star Game.

In early 2015, the [New York University Violets](/source/New_York_University_Violets) moved in and made Maimonides Park their home stadium. In the process, they forced the [St. Joseph's College Bears](/source/St._Joseph's_College_(Brooklyn/Patchogue,_New_York)) to move out. [Baruch College](/source/Baruch_College) plays a few games at Maimonides Park, as do a few high school teams.

Following the 2015 season, a set of bleachers was removed, removing 500 seats from the ballpark. The area that housed the bleachers was turned into a picnic area.

Maimonides Park hosted a [qualifying round](/source/2017_World_Baseball_Classic_%E2%80%93_Qualifier_4) for the [2017 World Baseball Classic](/source/2017_World_Baseball_Classic) in September 2016.[9] Israel won the Qualifier over Great Britain, Brazil & Pakistan.

Maimonides Park served as the Mets' alternate training site in 2020 when the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) forced the cancellation of the [Minor League Baseball](/source/Minor_League_Baseball) campaign and the shortening of the [Major League Baseball season](/source/2020_Major_League_Baseball_season).[10]

As part of the restructuring of Minor League Baseball over the 2020–21 offseason, it was announced that the Cyclones would continue to operate in the Mets farm system, now their High-A team playing in the new [High-A East](/source/High-A_East).

## Other uses

### Soccer

The [New York Cosmos](/source/New_York_Cosmos_(2013%E2%80%932020)) hosted their home games at Maimonides Park for the [2017 NASL season](/source/2017_NASL_season).[11] The Cosmos had previously used Maimonides Park as a home field: once for a regular season match against the [Ottawa Fury](/source/Ottawa_Fury_FC)[12] and once for a post season match against the [Fort Lauderdale Strikers](/source/Fort_Lauderdale_Strikers_(2006%E2%80%932016)),[13] both in 2015. The NASL cancelled its 2018 season, and the Cosmos later announced they would move to [Mitchel Athletic Complex](/source/Mitchel_Athletic_Complex) in [Nassau County](/source/Nassau_County,_New_York) for their 2019 home games.

On January 19, 2024, it was announced that then-[USL League One](/source/USL_League_One)-hopeful expansion side [Brooklyn FC](/source/Brooklyn_FC_(USL)) planned to play home matches at Maimonides Park for their inaugural 2025 season, which would then be pushed back to [the 2026 USL Championship season](/source/2026_USL_Championship_season) as they then looked to join [the league one tier higher](/source/USL_Championship) one year later.[14][15][16][17] Brooklyn FC was granted an additional expansion side in the new first-division women's league [USL Super League](/source/USL_Super_League), to begin play at Maimonides Park for the 2024 season, after playing their fall half of the season at [Commisso Soccer Stadium](/source/Commisso_Soccer_Stadium).[18][19]

### Football

The [Brooklyn Bolts](/source/Brooklyn_Bolts) played their home games at Maimonides Park during the 2014 and 2015 [Fall Experimental Football League](/source/Fall_Experimental_Football_League) seasons before folding. The football field was positioned in the outfield.

### Rugby

[Rugby United New York](/source/Rugby_United_New_York) played its first two [Major League Rugby](/source/Major_League_Rugby) seasons at MCU Park before moving to [Cochrane Stadium](/source/Cochrane_Stadium) in [Jersey City, New Jersey](/source/Jersey_City,_New_Jersey).[20][21]

### Concerts

- In 2003, [Björk](/source/Bj%C3%B6rk) performed two shows at Maimonides Park: on August 22[22] and August 23.[23] Portions of these concerts appear in the Icelandic music documentary *[Screaming Masterpiece](/source/Screaming_Masterpiece)*.
- In summer 2004, the jam band [Phish](/source/Phish) began what was billed as its last tour with a two-night stand at Maimonides Park, with a guest appearance by rapper [Jay-Z](/source/Jay-Z), a native of Brooklyn, on the second evening. The first concert was simulcast in movie theaters and in 2006, released (along with selected songs from the second night) as a concert album and DVD under the name *[Phish: Live in Brooklyn](/source/Phish:_Live_in_Brooklyn)*.
- In 2005, the stadium hosted the Across the Narrows Festival along with Richmond County Bank Ballpark. In the same year, [The White Stripes](/source/The_White_Stripes) performed one of their recent tours following the release of their album *[Get Behind Me Satan](/source/Get_Behind_Me_Satan)*.
- In summer 2005, [Def Leppard](/source/Def_Leppard) and [Bryan Adams](/source/Bryan_Adams) performed at Maimonides Park on July 9 as a part of their efforts to bring major league rock 'n' roll to America's Minor League Baseball parks during their 2005 cross-country "Rock 'N Roll Double-Header" tour.
- On August 9, 2007, the French [electronic music](/source/Electronic_music) duo [Daft Punk](/source/Daft_Punk) performed in Maimonides Park during their [Alive 2007](/source/Alive_2007) Tour.
- On July 16, 2008, [311](/source/311_(band)) and [Snoop Dogg](/source/Snoop_Dogg) played a show together.
- On July 13, 2009, [Wilco](/source/Wilco) performed with "very special guests" [Yo La Tengo](/source/Yo_La_Tengo).
- On June 26 and 27, 2010, [Furthur](/source/Furthur_(band)), featuring [Grateful Dead](/source/Grateful_Dead) members [Phil Lesh](/source/Phil_Lesh) and [Bob Weir](/source/Bob_Weir), performed at the park; they returned to perform again on July 13 and 14, 2012.
- On July 4, 2013, the String Orchestra of Brooklyn [24] performed music of Dvorak and patriotic favorites as part of an Independence Day celebration with fireworks.

### Wrestling

On July 2, 2010, Maimonides Park hosted a live [Total Nonstop Action Wrestling](/source/Total_Nonstop_Action_Wrestling) house show, which also broke the TNA attendance record and became the most attended live TNA house show in the United States to date with a crowd of just under 5,550 fans.

On August 15, 2014, [Ring of Honor Wrestling](/source/Ring_of_Honor_Wrestling) debuted at Maimonides Park with Field of Honor.

On August 22, 2015, Ring of Honor Wrestling returned to Maimonides Park with [the second edition of Field of Honor](/source/Field_of_Honor_(2015)).

On August 27, 2016, [Ring of Honor Wrestling](/source/Ring_of_Honor_Wrestling) returned to Maimondes Park for the third time with Field of Honor.

### Other

The ballpark hosted the annual [Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Contest](/source/Nathan's_Famous_Hot_Dog_Contest) on July 4, 2021. The contest is usually held in a public plaza on Coney Island (at the location of The Original [Nathan's](/source/Nathan's) Restaurant on the corner of [Surf and Stillwell](/source/Stillwell_Avenue)), but, for 2021, was temporarily relocated due to capacity restrictions and other health and safety requirements related to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_New_York_(state)). At that event, [Joey Chestnut](/source/Joey_Chestnut) set a world record of 76 hot dogs and buns within 10 minutes.

In 2023, the park hosted the inaugural [One Bite Pizza Festival](/source/One_Bite_Pizza_Festival) by [Dave Portnoy](/source/Dave_Portnoy), the founder of [Barstool Sports](/source/Barstool_Sports), which was organized by production company [Medium Rare](/source/Medium_Rare_(production_company)).[25] Over 35 [pizzerias](/source/Pizzeria) participated, including establishments such as [Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana](/source/Frank_Pepe_Pizzeria_Napoletana), [Sally's Apizza](/source/Sally's_Apizza), and [Lucali](/source/Lucali). The festival attracted more than 5,000 attendees who sampled pizzas selected by Portnoy, based on his popular "One Bite" pizza review series.

## References

1. Rope, John (April 9, 2001). ["Lexington, Others Continue Building Boom for Minors"](http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2001/04/20010409/No-Topic-Name/Lexington-Others-Continue-Building-Boom-For-Minors.aspx). *SportsBusiness Daily*. Retrieved September 14, 2011.

1. Lueck, Thomas J. (August 23, 2000). ["Opposition Precedes Arrival of Teams at New Coney Island Stadium"](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/23/nyregion/opposition-precedes-arrival-of-teams-at-new-coney-island-stadium.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved January 4, 2010.

1. Vecsey, George (June 26, 2001). ["Summer Rite Returns To Borough of Churches"](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/26/sports/sports-of-the-times-summer-rite-returns-to-borough-of-churches.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved January 4, 2010.

1. ["KeySpan Park"](http://archrecord.construction.com/features/bwarAwards/archives/02keyspan.asp). *[Architectural Record](/source/Architectural_Record)*. 2002. Retrieved June 3, 2014.

1. Brown, Stephen (January 29, 2010). ["Lights Out at Keyspan Park as Naming Rights Deal Ends"](http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/6/33_06_sb_keyspan_is_dead.html). *[The Brooklyn Paper](/source/The_Brooklyn_Paper)*. Retrieved January 31, 2010.

1. Epstein, Victor & Yaniv, Oren (February 4, 2010). ["Brooklyn Cyclones' KeySpan Park Renamed MCU Park"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100207013310/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/02/04/2010-02-04_brooklyn_cyclones_keyspan_park_renamed_mcu_park.html). *[Daily News](/source/Daily_News_(New_York))*. Archived from [the original](http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/02/04/2010-02-04_brooklyn_cyclones_keyspan_park_renamed_mcu_park.html) on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2010.

1. DeJesus, Jaime (May 20, 2021). ["Goodbye MCU Park, hello Maimonides Park in Coney"](https://brooklynreporter.com/2021/05/goodbye-mcu-park-hello-maimonides-park-in-coney/). *The Brooklyn Home Reporter*. Retrieved June 22, 2022.

1. DeJesus, Jaime (May 21, 2021). ["Goodbye MCU Park, hello Maimonides Park in Coney Island"](https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2021/05/20/goodbye-mcu-park-hello-maimonides-park-in-coney-island/). *Brooklyn Eagle*. Retrieved June 22, 2022.

1. ["2017 World Baseball Classic qualifiers are set"](https://www.mlb.com/news/2017-world-baseball-classic-qualifiers-are-set/c-150118388). *Major League Baseball*. Retrieved August 5, 2017.

1. [Dykstra, Sam. "Roundup: Major League alternate training sites," Minor League Baseball, Thursday, July 16, 2020.](https://www.milb.com/news/roundup-major-league-alternate-training-sites) Retrieved August 28, 2020

1. ["New York Cosmos Moving to MCU Park in Brooklyn"](http://www.nycosmos.com/news/2017/02/02/new-york-cosmos-moving-to-mcu-park-in-brooklyn). *New York Cosmos*. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

1. ["Match Center – NASL"](http://www.nasl.com/match-center/894/nyc-vs-tbr#tabs-3). *www.nasl.com*. Retrieved August 5, 2017.

1. ["Cosmos to host NASL playoff match at MCU Park"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150802055629/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/cosmos-playoffs-park-38113/). *Empire of Soccer*. June 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www.empireofsoccer.com/cosmos-playoffs-park-38113/) on August 2, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

1. Nalton, James (January 19, 2024). ["New York Pro Soccer Club Brooklyn FC To Play At Maimonides Park, Coney Island"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesnalton/2024/01/19/new-york-pro-soccer-club-brooklyn-fc-to-play-at-maimonides-park-coney-island/). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. Retrieved January 19, 2024.

1. BKLYNFC Staff (December 6, 2024). ["Brooklyn Football Club Men's Team Launch Moves to 2026"](https://www.brooklynfootballclub.com/news/2024/12/06/brooklyn-football-club-mens-team-launch-moves-to-2026/). *brooklynfootballclub.com*. Retrieved September 12, 2025. Brooklyn Football Club (BKFC) today announced that the on-field launch of its men's team will be postponed to the 2026 USL Championship season.

1. ["Brooklyn FC owner Matt Rizzetta: The potential of pro/rel coming to USL "excited us""](https://www.transfermarkt.us/brooklyn-fc-owner-matt-rizzetta-the-potential-of-pro-rel-coming-to-usl-quot-excited-us-quot-/view/news/451975). *transfermarkt.us*. March 29, 2025. Retrieved September 12, 2025. Based in the heart of New York, Brooklyn FC already operates a USL Super League women's team and will launch a men's team in 2026. Originally scheduled to kick off in the USL League One this season, the club will start playing in the USL Championship in 2026.

1. John Morrissey (April 16, 2025). ["USL Championship Expansion: Spring 2025 Update"](https://www.usltactics.com/p/usl-championship-expansion-2025-promotion-relegation). *usltactics.com*. Retrieved September 12, 2025. Initially announced as a member of USL League One's 2025 slate, Brooklyn FC opted to buy into the USL Championship instead. Now, they've pushed back another year and will anchor the class of 2026.

1. Leigh, Andrew (February 10, 2024). ["Brooklyn FC women's team to play in USL Super League"](https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/brooklyn-football-club-womens-team-in-usl-super-league-nwsl-uswnt-gotham-fc/). *hudsonriverblue.com*. Hudson River Blue. Retrieved April 15, 2024.

1. BKLYNFC Staff (September 19, 2024). ["Club to host matches at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium through remainder of 2024"](https://www.brooklynfootballclub.com/news/2024/09/19/brooklyn-football-club-announces-temporary-home-venue/). *brooklynfootballclub.com*. Retrieved September 12, 2025. Brooklyn Football Club (BKFC) today announced it has reached an agreement with Columbia University to play seven home matches through the remainder of 2024 at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.

1. Rugby United NY (November 7, 2018), ["Rugby United New York's Stadium Announcement"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnpoIT8IlcA), retrieved November 8, 2018

1. "We have finally found a location for our first two home games Thanks to the people of Jersey City, we will be playing at Cochrane Stadium.". No. 1381725671995568131.

1. [August 22, 2003](https://web.archive.org/web/20080115052039/http://www.bjork.com/facts/gigography/sub.php?date=2003-08-22)

1. [August 23, 2003](https://web.archive.org/web/20080115120032/http://www.bjork.com/facts/gigography/sub.php?date=2003-08-23)

1. ["String Orchestra of Brooklyn » July 4 Fireworks in Coney Island"](http://www.thesob.org/concert/fourth-of-july-fireworks-in-coney-island/)

1. Holtermann, Gabriele (September 25, 2023). ["Thousands of pizza lovers flock to inaugural One Bite Pizza Festival in Coney Island"](https://www.brooklynpaper.com/thousand-inaugural-one-bite-pizza-festival/). *[The Brooklyn Paper](/source/The_Brooklyn_Paper)*. Retrieved January 3, 2026.

## External links

- [Maimonides Park on Brooklyn Cyclones Web site](http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/mcupark/mcupark/)
- [Maimonides Park Views – *Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues*](http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadium/2001/Brooklyn/Brooklyn.htm)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Maimonides Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides_Park) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides_Park?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.