The Binghamton Rumble Ponies will remain in the Southern Tier for at least another decade after a new lease extension was secured with the help of $6 million included in New York’s recently approved state budget.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets has agreed to extend its lease at Mirabito Stadium through the 2035 season, ensuring professional baseball remains in Binghamton for years to come.
The agreement was made possible through a package of state, local and federal investments aimed at upgrading the city-owned stadium and surrounding district. The state will provide up to $6 million for improvements, while the city and team are contributing an additional $1.2 million. Another $12 million in city and federal funding is planned for infrastructure and streetscape improvements around the stadium.
Planned upgrades include a new playing field and dugouts, renovations to the press box, technology improvements, expanded concessions, a new team store, accessibility improvements and upgrades to heating, electrical and energy systems. State officials said the project will help ensure the facility continues meeting Major League Baseball standards.
Diamond Baseball Holdings, which owns the Rumble Ponies, exercised its option to extend the lease as part of the agreement. Team and city officials said the investment will improve the fan experience while supporting ongoing redevelopment efforts in the surrounding Stadium District.
The Rumble Ponies, originally founded as the Binghamton Mets in 1992, adopted their current name in 2017. Officials said the team supports 16 full-time jobs and more than 230 seasonal positions while drawing visitors from across the Southern Tier each year.
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