Constellation Field - Sugar Land Space Cowboys

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43

Constellation Field 1 Stadium Drive Sugar Land, TX 77498

Sugar Land Space Cowboys website

Constellation Field website

Year Opened: 2012

Capacity: 7,500

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Sugar Land Space Cowboys – Constellation Field

In 2008 the city of Sugar Land, Texas (which was founded to be a company town for the Imperial Sugar Company in the early 1900s) approved of a plan to build a new ballpark in the hopes of luring a minor league franchise to the city. After several years of negotiations, the route to bring an independent league squad was born, in the form of the then Sugar Land Skeeters, in 2012.

As members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, the Skeeters made headlines by bringing in baseball greats like Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmeiro, as well as NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, to serve as members of their ever-rotating roster. The team would win league championships in 2016 and 2018.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the Skeeters reached an agreement with the Houston Astros to become their Triple-A affiliate, rebranding as the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in 2021. As members of the Pacific Coast League, they would add another championship to their trophy case in 2024.

From the beginning the team has called Constellation Field their home – the venerable park has become a key feature in the city of Sugar Land and is one of the main draws in the Pacific Coast League. Read on to learn more about it.

Food & Beverage   4

I am always pleasantly surprised when Minor League Baseball facilities go the extra mile in terms of concessions. While I am always a fan of hot dogs, popcorn, and peanuts, sometimes you crave just a little bit extra at a ballgame. Constellation Field scratches that itch in a lot of ways.

You can, of course, find the aforementioned ballpark staples at numerous kiosks on the main concourse. However, if you want that something different, it can be found in abundance. Chain favorites such as Bojangles, Double Dave’s Pizzaworks, Dippin’ Dots, and HTea0 all have pared-down menus of their wares (i.e. chicken sandwiches, pizza slices, ice cream, and artisanal iced tea) for fans to sample.

At other stands you can find burgers, chicken fingers, barbecue, nachos, sausages, funnel cake, and cotton candy. There are also multiple spots in the ballpark where one can find beer, hard seltzer, and cocktails. Also the costs are relatively reasonable, considering what you’re getting – you’re getting a pretty good deal, food and drink-wise, at Constellation Field.

Atmosphere   3

Despite being in use for over a decade, Constellation Field still looks and feels like a brand-new ballpark. The team has done a lot to make the overall game day experience something fun for fans of all ages.

One of the signature features of Constellation Field is – what must be – one of the largest scoreboards I have ever seen. As a Texan I love any and all things shaped like our great state; at Constellation Field they have applied this principle to their giant scoreboard in center field. It is eye-catching and an attention grabber right off the metaphorical bat.

Beyond the outfield walls, Constellation Field offers up an area called HEB Picnic Plaza – this full-scale playground and splashpad area for the kids is sure to keep young fans occupied and engaged during Space Cowboys games. There are also stands that serve adult beverages – a.k.a. bars – in both areas, for folks of age who are not interested in swing sets and climbing walls.

Also of note is the Moonshot Alley area on the main concourse behind home plate. This is a batting cage for fans to test their mettle just like the players on the field. There are also two team stores in the stadium, each chockful of Space Cowboys gear for fans.

Beyond the right field wall is The Grassland, where fans can watch the game on a grassy berm. Attendees can bring in lawn chairs and/or blankets to catch a Space Cowboys game truly out in the elements.

Lastly, and conversely, the Regions Bank Club offers up a premium seating experience for fans. There is a climate-controlled area with a full bar and food options, along with balcony seats. It’s a great place for fans to cool off during those warm summer evenings in southeast Texas.

Neighborhood   3

As mentioned, Sugar Land has become a de facto suburb of the fourth-largest city in the country, Houston. Space City, with all that it has to do and see, including major sports franchises such as the Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, Houston Astros, and Houston Dynamo FC, is less than an hour north of Sugar Land. However, if you’re looking to stay in Sugar Land proper, there are plenty of options to keep you occupied.

In terms of things to do, the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land should be right at the top of your to-do list, either before or after a game at Constellation Field. The vast collection of artifacts at the museum allows visitors a chance to explore the multiple floors, with a variety of hands-on science exhibits.

Also, no trip to Sugar Land is complete without a visit to Sugar Land Town Square. Like a lot of great towns in Texas (and across the country), Sugar Land was originally built outward from its now historic town square. Home to historical sites, public spaces, dining, and shopping options, the square offers visitors a chance to park, stroll, and explore.

Speaking of dining options, I recommend State Fare Bar & Kitchen and Live Oak Grill; State Fare offers up a fun take on a lot of classic dishes, such as Frito pie, burgers, and street corn, while Live Oak Grill serves up classic Texas favorites like chicken fried steak, fried catfish, and tacos.

For lodging, there are plenty of options very close to the ballpark (though I wouldn’t recommend walking to and from them), including Residency Suites Sugar Land and Hilton Garden Inn Houston/Sugar Land.

Fans   3

The Space Cowboys have consistently averaged around 3,800 fans a game over the past few seasons. This puts them near the top of the Pacific Coast League and makes them one of the premier destinations in the league.

Fans that attend can generally be found rocking Space Cowboys gear – I even spotted a few Clemens Skeeters jerseys at the last game I attended. There is also quite a bit of Astros gear to be seen, but that is to be expected.

With Sugar Land being basically a suburb of Houston, the club is competing with everything that Space City has to offer. The fact that the Space Cowboys get the support they do is a testament to the organization and to what the staff does at Constellation Field.

Access   3

As mentioned, Sugar Land is just under an hour (depending on the time of day and the traffic) from Houston. Both George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston offer flights into and out of Space City to spots all over the world, if you’re flying in.

Once in Sugar Land, Constellation Field is easy to find and has plenty of signs marking the way. Parking is abundant at the ballpark as well. The only thing keeping this section’s score from being higher is there are no real public transportation options to get you to Space Cowboys games; ridesharing is going to be your best bet if you don’t want to drive.

Return on Investment   4

Single game tickets at Constellation Field can be had for as little as $9 for general admission seating. This is truly a unique bargain, even for a lot of clubs at the minor league level. Parking is also quite the bargain at $10 at the gate, or $5 if purchased ahead of time.

The concession costs here are pretty much on par with what you’d expect to find in the minor leagues. Not overly cheap, but there are options that won’t bust your budget or empty your wallet.

This is triple-A baseball and a spot where a lot of Astros do their rehab work. To get the chance to see the future (and sometimes the present) of the big-league club at these kinds of prices is really a bargain that more fans should take advantage of.

Extras   4

Like pretty much all the teams in the minor leagues, the Space Cowboys do a ton of promotional nights for fans. These include Star Wars night, Harry Potter night, and Barbie night, just to name a few – the game I most recently attended had a Taylor Swift theme.

Sugar Land also takes part in baseball’s Copa de la Diversion (“Fun Cup”) that reaches out to Hispanic communities across the country. Teams that take part don new uniforms and swap names that are both area appropriate and culturally fitting; when it’s Sugar Land’s turn they become the Payasos del Rodeo de Sugar Land (aka the Sugar Land Rodeo Clowns).

Lastly the Space Cowboys have their own unique costumed mascot, Orion. This blue-furred alien space dog can be found throughout games dancing on the dugouts, riding around in the bed of a pickup shooting his t-shirt cannon, and interacting with fans. He’s a great addition to the team and a real hit with young fans.

Final Thoughts

I had not been back to Sugar Land since the team rebranded itself and became affiliates of the Astros. I wasn’t sure how much had actually changed in the ensuing seasons, but I was optimistic. Having now gone back, I can say my optimism was rewarded.

Constellation Field takes its place among the great minor league parks in Texas, right up there near the top. It’s a great venue for fans, with a ton of options to make sure everyone has a good time. It also doesn’t hurt that the team has ridden the wave of success that’s carried their parent club.

Sugar Land is also a sneaky good place to have a weekend getaway – it’s far enough removed from the hustle and bustle of Houston, but has enough amenities to ensure a good time. If you’re a baseball fan, Sugar Land, the Space Cowboys, and Constellation Field need to be added to your bucket list.

Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on X at @EricMoreno6477.