Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium has been the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers since 1966 and serves as the year-round home of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Tigers' Single-A affiliate. The 8,500-seat stadium, located in Lakeland, Florida, is named for Marcus "Joker" Marchant, the longtime Lakeland parks and recreation director who was instrumental in bringing the Tigers to the city. The venue's nearly six decades of association with the Tigers makes it one of the longest-running spring training relationships in Major League Baseball.

The stadium has been extensively renovated multiple times, most recently with a major overhaul completed in 2017 that essentially rebuilt the facility within its existing footprint. The renovation modernized every aspect of the fan experience — new seating, upgraded concessions, enhanced shade structures, and a contemporary video board — while preserving the intimate character that has made the venue a favorite of both Tigers fans and baseball purists who appreciate the connection to an earlier era of the game. The playing surface is maintained to Major League standards year-round.

The Lakeland Flying Tigers roster features some of the youngest professionals in the Detroit organization, and the shared facility with the Major League spring training operation ensures that minor leaguers benefit from the same infrastructure and amenities as their big-league counterparts. The "Flying Tigers" name references the famous World War II fighter squadron, the 1st American Volunteer Group that fought in the China-Burma-India theater, connecting the franchise to military heritage in a way that resonates with the broader Lakeland community.

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium occupies a special place in the landscape of Florida baseball venues. Its longevity is a testament to the strength of the relationship between the Tigers organization, the city of Lakeland, and the fans who have supported spring training and minor league baseball in central Florida for generations. The naming rights partnership with Publix Super Markets reflects the grocery chain's deep roots in Lakeland, where the company was founded in 1930. For Lakeland, the stadium is as much a part of the city's identity as Publix itself.