Behind the Scenes at American Family Field
Students from Mr. Djordjevic’s Principles of Hospitality and Tourism class got a firsthand look at the business of sports and hospitality on Tuesday, Nov. 8, during an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of American Family Field, home of the Milwaukee Brewers.
The trip gave students access to areas normally closed to the public, including the press box, luxury suites, and even the field. The experience helped them see the inner workings of a major sports venue and how many different departments it takes to keep it running.
A Hub of Sports and Innovation
American Family Field, located in Milwaukee, features a distinctive fan-shaped retractable roof that can open or close in just 10 minutes—the only one of its kind in North America. Construction began in 1996, and the stadium officially opened in 2001.
In the Brewers’ 2025 record-breaking season, the ballpark hosted approximately 2,650,089 fans across 81 regular-season games, averaging about 32,717 fans per game. That attendance ranked 12th out of 30 MLB teams.
Despite having the 22nd-ranked payroll in Major League Baseball, the Brewers secured 97 regular-season wins. The stadium welcomed another 211,372 fans during five postseason home games, with an average attendance of 42,274.
Student Perspectives and Industry Insights
The tour made a strong impression on students.
“What surprised me about the stadium is that the field actually had real grass. Before I visited, I thought the grass was artificial,” said junior London Moore.
Junior Marshanae Clark said her favorite part was “seeing the field and taking pictures.”
Mr. Djordjevic emphasized how valuable these experiences can be. “American Family Field is a major tourist draw for our community and provides a lot of different hospitality jobs,” he said.
Economic Impact and Career Opportunities
According to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article from Dec. 5, 2023, American Family Field employs more than 3,000 workers and has generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue for the state since opening in 2001.
Career opportunities at the stadium span the sports and hospitality industries. Positions include ushers, concession workers, and grounds crew, as well as corporate roles in sales, marketing, and IT. The venue also offers seasonal event staff jobs and internships in areas such as turf management, ticket operations, community foundations, and marketing—often with flexible hours and free meals.
With its signature roof and year-round events, American Family Field remains a major landmark in Milwaukee. For students, the tour provided an inside look at how the stadium operates as both a sports powerhouse and a key employer in the hospitality industry.
