The Everett AquaSox are in the process of having a new stadium built.
The Everett AquaSox, the High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, got some good news regarding their future this week, as the Everett City Council approved an additional $10.6 million in funding for the new ballpark project.
The AquaSox, as well as a USL women's soccer team, are set to share the new area, which will also be used as a community gathering ground for concerts, festivals, etc.
The full stadium price tag is now at $120 million, per reports, and was seen as a better alternative than remodeling the current Funko Field.
The ballpark is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027, which means that the AquaSox have only two more seasons at Funko Field if all goes according to plan.
Funko Field has been in operation since 1947, when it opened as Everett Memorial Stadium. The AquaSox have been a Mariners affiliate since 1995 and previously served as an affiliate for the San Francisco Giants.
The AquaSox won the Northwest League title in 2025 under previous manager Zack Vincej and have seen several prominent M's alumni come through, including Felix Hernandez, Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh and George Kirby.
More recently, Colt Emerson, Michael Arroyo and Lazaro Montes starred for the group, and top prospects Jonny Farmelo and Luke Stevenson are there now.
New ballpark keeps M's pipeline open
The Mariners are fortunate to have two affiliates within the state of Washington: Everett and Triple-A Tacoma. That affords executives the opportunity to bounce around affiliates and see multiple members of the system, while also giving players the flexibility on rehab assignments.
Just now, Bryce Miller has been able to make three rehab assignments without having to leave Washington. He pitched at Tacoma on Thursday and could make an additional start at Everett next week.
In Tacoma's case, it also offers a short drive for call-ups to the major league team.
Recent M's minor league turmoil
Stadium disputes caused the Single-A Modesto Nuts to have to shudder operations after the 2025 season. The Mariners moved their California League affiliate to Inland Empire and re-upped their previous affiliation with the 66ers, who were an M's minor league team in the early 2000s.
At the major league level
The Mariners enter play on Friday night at 16-16 and in second place in the American League West. The M's are coming off a 5-1 road trip through St. Louis and Minnesota and will open up a new three-game series on Friday against the Kansas City Royals.
First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. PT and the game will air on Apple TV.
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