Perennial favorite Modern Woodmen Park has been nominated once again for “Best Minor League Ballpark” in USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
Twenty nominees selected by a panel of editors and industry experts are competing for the honor brought home again last year by the Quad Cities River Bandits. The Davenport park was tops in 2014 before going back-to-back in 2024, then 2025. Today it’s going for a third back-to-back title and its fourth win overall by urging Quad Citians to vote every day to celebrate the riverfront ballpark’s unique minor league experience.
Fans can vote for Modern Woodmen Park and see the full list of nominees at 10best.usatoday.com under the “Readers’ Choice Awards” tab. They also can share their vote to urge others to pick the Quad Cities ballpark.
Voting is open to the public with no sign-up required. It ends at 11:59 a.m. EDT on Monday, March 16. Fans are eligible to vote once per day, per browser. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10BEST readers, will be announced Wednesday, March 25, at noon EDT.
“We are thrilled to have our great ballpark, Modern Woodmen Park, go for a four-peat as we defend our title as America’s Best Minor League ballpark,” River Bandits’ owner Dave Heller said in a news release. “With baseball’s only full-sized Ferris wheel, a spinning kids roller coaster, a myriad of other rides and attractions, the beautiful Centennial Bridge down the right field line, and the best views in baseball, there really is no better place to watch a game.”
“Add to that you’re surrounded by the nicest people in America, and you have all the ingredients for a fantastic night out with family and friends,” he added.
This year’s home opener is Tuesday, April 7.
About the park
Built in 1931, Modern Woodmen Park is the fourth-oldest ballpark in Minor League Baseball. It has been home to 10 affiliated Davenport-based clubs and hundreds of future Major Leaguers, the River Bandits said.
Since the Quad Cities franchise was bought by Main Street Baseball in 2007, the park has seen several major renovations and additions. They include a 110-foot-tall Ferris Wheel and its iconic amusement deck. The park also boasts the carousel and other in-park amusement rides for fans of all ages.
Modern Woodmen has been named one of the nation’s best by USA Today, Bleacher Report, Ballpark Digest, and Parade Magazine. The ballpark also sports its own cornfield, a 690-square-foot 4K video board, 20 luxury suites, and five unique group areas.
Lineup of ballparks
Voters can choose from among these 20 parks and minor league teams:
- Modern Woodmen Park, Quad Cities River Bandits – Davenport.
- Toyota Field, Rocket City Trash Pandas, – Madison, Alabama.
- Sahlen Field, Buffalo Bisons, – Buffalo, New York.
- Polar Park, Worcester Red Sox – Worcester, Massachusetts.
- Keesler Federal Park, Biloxi Shuckers – Biloxi, Mississippi.
- Victory Field, Indianapolis Indians – Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Daytona Tortugas – Daytona Beach, Florida.
- Huntington Park, Columbus Clippers – Columbus, Ohio.
- Truist Field, Charlotte Knights – Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Southwest University Park, El Paso Chihuahuas – El Paso, Texas.
- Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham Bulls) – Durham, North Carolina.
- Coolray Field, Gwinnett Stripers – Lawrenceville, Georgia.
- Sutter Health Park, Sacramento River Cats – Sacramento, California.
- FirstEnergy Stadium, Reading Fightin Phils – Reading, Pennsylvania.
- Riders Field, Frisco RoughRiders – Frisco, Texas.
- Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville Bats – Louisville, Kentucky.
- First Horizon Park, Nashville Sounds – Nashville, Tennessee.
- Dow Diamond, Great Lakes Loons – Midland, Michigan.
- Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter Hammerheads/Palm Beach Cardinals – Jupiter, Florida.
- Dell Diamond, Round Rock Express – Round Rock, Texas.
