A Look at Milwaukee Brewers & American Family Field

Since 1970, the Milwaukee Brewers have mirrored this city’s blue-collar roots, and every summer, fans revel in that bond by filling American Family Field’s 41,900 seats. Get ready to discover how Milwaukee celebrates America’s pastime and why a Brewers game should always be on your Milwaukee to-do list.

Milwaukee Brewers History & Name Origin

The Brewers are the third major league baseball franchise to call Milwaukee home and the second MLB club with the Brewers nickname. The original Brewers became a charter American League club in 1901, but in 1902, they moved to St. Louis and became the Browns. Next, the Milwaukee Braves arrived from Boston in 1953, won a World Series with Hank Aaron in 1957, and left for Atlanta in 1966.

A young Bud Selig, heartbroken by the Braves moving away, did all he could to bring the big-league ball back to Milwaukee. In 1970, he finally succeeded, acquiring the bankrupt Seattle Pilots on April 1, just six days prior to Opening Day, and rechristening them in honor of the city’s storied brewing industry.

County Stadium: The Brewers’ First Home

Beloved County Stadium opened in 1953 to host the Milwaukee Braves and witnessed plenty of history before its final Brewers game in 2000. The Braves contested two World Series there, winning in 1957 and losing in 1958. The Brewers won the American League pennant in 1982 before losing the World Series to St. Louis in seven games (and still getting a parade). County Stadium also regularly hosted Green Bay Packers games from 1953 to 1994, where they went 75-47-3.

Hall of Famer and former Home Run King Hank Aaron played 14 seasons at County Stadium, the last two with the Brewers, and Robin Yount, who played his full Hall of Fame Career with the Brewers, laced his 3,000th hit there in 1992. Other Hall of Famers who called it home include Eddie Matthews and Warren Spahn of the Braves and Paul Molitor, Don Sutton, and Rollie Fingers of the Brewers.

Miller Park and American Family Field

As County Stadium aged, the fight to replace it became a fight to keep the Brewers in Milwaukee. Selig led the oft-contentious battle to fund a new stadium, and Wisconsin State Sen. George Petak cast the decisive vote in 1995 that secured the future of what would become Miller Park and, later, American Family Field. The stadium features North America’s only fan-shaped retractable roof, ensuring games are played rain or shine. American Family Insurance signed a 15-year naming rights deal in 2021, and in 2023, the state approved $500 million in public funding to renovate the stadium and keep the Brewers through 2050.

Brewers Traditions

Tailgating at American Family Field is a cherished Brewers tradition, with fans arriving early to grill brats, enjoy local beer, and soak in the lively pre-game atmosphere. Parking lots open three hours before game time, and guests must follow safety rules, including using approved grills and entering the stadium within 30 minutes of first pitch.

Few figures embody the Brewers’ blend of baseball, tradition, and fun more than Bob Uecker. His legendary 54-year broadcasting career with the Brewers epitomized the team’s combination of baseball, tradition, and fun. Baseball fans everywhere mourned his passing on Jan. 16, 2025, and he will forever be remembered as Milwaukee’s Mr. Baseball. His legacy lives on at American Family Field, most memorably in Section 422, where a bronze statue captures his trademark grin—a tribute to the wit and charm that made him a legend.

The Brewers have also introduced some of baseball’s most iconic mascots to the world. Bernie Brewer, the official team mascot, celebrates every Brewers’ home run with a trip down Bernie’s Chalet slide, and the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club runs the Famous Racing Sausages that always entertain fans with their runs around the infield.

Awards & Success

After starting in the American League, the Brewers have played in the National League Central Division since 1998, sharing the division with the rival Chicago Cubs. They’ve made the playoffs 10 times, with six of those coming since 2018. They’ve won seven division titles and played in three league championship series and one World Series.

You could fill a trophy cabinet with the individual awards won by Brewers players, including league MVPs from Fingers, Yount, Ryan Braun, and Christian Yelich, and Cy Young winners Fingers, Pete Vukovich, and Corbin Burnes.

The deep love between Milwaukee and its Brewers is evident during every game played at American Family Field. There’s nothing like seeing it up close for yourself, so plan your trip today.