Juice Box gives way to Daikin Park Ice House

HOUSTON – The Astros’ Minute Maid Park will be called Daikin Park in 2025. The American League West champs and Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. reached a 15-year, naming-rights partnership.

Astros owner Jim Crane, Daikin President and CEO Satoru Akama, and Daikin Senior Vice President Doug Widenmann walked onto the podium with both World Series titles settled in the background.

The three businessmen approached the microphones embarking on a new chapter in the franchise’s history.

“Today we’re here for a special celebration and welcome Daikin to the Astros family,” Crane addressed the media. “Beginning January of 2025, Daikin Park will become the home of the Houston Astros for the next 15 seasons.”

Daikin is the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer and refrigeration innovator. The Japanese company constructs, manufactures and develops heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment.

Daikin has large area presence

Moreover, Daikin provides three HVAC brands in North America: Goodman, Amana, and Quietflex.

Daikin operates a 4.2 million square foot campus in Waller, Texas, about an hour away from Houston. The company provides jobs for approximately 10,000 people in the Greater Houston area.

Daikin has the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America.

A new chapter begins.

Daikin Park coming January 2025 pic.twitter.com/8vyPYGciqn

— Houston Astros (@astros) November 18, 2024

“Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home,” Crane said. “The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.

More from Our Esquina

Jim Crane makes winning move with Dana Brown

Astros make right move, extend icon Jose Altuve
Astros mates hope Alex Bregman returns

Minute Maid, owned by Coca-Cola, bought the naming rights after Enron Field filed for bankruptcy in 2001. The Astros moved to Houston’s East End from the Astrodome for the 2000 season.

Infamous energy company Enron bought the stadium’s original naming rights. After Enron filed for bankruptcy, the team called the stadium Astros Field. The retractable roof stadium then signed a deal with Minute Maid and renamed the stadium Minute Maid Park in 2002 in the heart of downtown.

Minute Maid will continue to be a partner of the Astros through 2029. However, The Juice Box, as fans called the ballpark, continues to be called Minute Maid Park until Dec. 31. There will be signage of Daikin Park in and out of the stadium immediately on Jan 1., as it starts its journey as the home of the Astros through the 2039 season.

Famous train’s oranges might be gone

“Daikin is a well-known brand all over the world and enjoys a reputation for innovative quality products and outstanding customer service,” Akama said. “We are thrilled to partner with the Houston Astros in building a premier position based on our shared values of excellence, in both sports and community leadership.”

One of the most unique pieces at the ballpark is the Astros’ train that sits on the tracks atop the façade in left field. Every time Houston scores a run, hits a home run, or secures a win at home, the historic red and black locomotive blows its whistle and moves at a slow linear motion.

The faux oranges loaded on the back of the train, which represented the Minute Maid brand, was a topic of discussion. What will replace the oranges? Well, we’ll find out at the Astros’ home opener on March 27 at Daikin Park.

“That’ll be a surprise, Crane said about the Union Station train. “We do have something we’re working on. We’ll show it on Opening Day.”