Home Run Hospitality: The Story Behind Detroit Tigers' New Priority Club
- Piece of Cake Staff
- Aug 13
- 6 min read
Written by Lindsay Grohs
On a game day in Detroit, Comerica Park comes alive. Between the smell of fresh popcorn and sizzling ballpark hot dogs, the roar of the crowds, and the energy of the stadium, you are in for an unforgettable experience. But just behind home plate, past the beer lines and bustling concourse, lies a different, unique type of ballpark experience. One that takes stadium dining to a new, elevated level. Welcome to the Priority Club—the newest, most exclusive addition to Comerica Park, where fine dining meets baseball.
Before the Priority Club, the Tiger Club, located upstairs on the suites level of the park, set the standard for premium hospitality at Comerica Park. The Tiger Club offers fans a comfortable space to eat, drink, and enjoy the game with an excellent view. However, as expectations and new ideas around sports entertainment and dining at Comerica Park evolved, so did the desire for something different. That’s where the Priority Club came in. This club is designed for those craving a more elevated ballpark experience. The Priority Club offers multi-course menus, specialty drinks, live cooking stations, and some of the best seats in the house, making it more than just a place to watch the Tigers win; it’s a full-blown sensory experience.
The Vision
The Priority Club was, at its core, created to “enhance the game day experience,” as Executive Chef Mark Szubeczak said. The creation of this club is part of both the Tigers and Delaware North’s overall goal to rebuild the whole park with higher-end experiences to give the fans the best game day experience possible. “We heard a lot from our fans that they wanted a high-end area. They wanted to entertain clients, they wanted to entertain employees, and they wanted a place where they could go to have a drink that was in proximity to their seats,” Ryan Gustafson, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment President and CEO, said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press (Selasky, 2025). As part of a “more than $160 million investment into improvements at Comerica Park, their Lakeland home, and a player academy in the Dominican Republic,” and over two years in the making, the Priority Club became the first space to bring these goals to life (WXYZ‑Detroit, 2025). The Priority Club is personable, exclusive, and rooted in a deep love for Detroit, all while elevating the level of culinary craft within the ballpark.
In a CBS news feature on the Priority Club, Szubeczak shared his vision of creating a space for his team that allowed creativity and growth to shine by mimicking culinary school-level ideas and incorporating high-end kitchen equipment. Every detail of this club was designed with intention, from exclusive club access, plush, climate-controlled seats, VIP parking, an all-inclusive culinary experience with live cooking and rotating seasonal menus, and service that feels both personal and professional. This club wasn’t just about luxury but rather about setting a new standard in raising the bar for both fans and MLB stadiums around the nation in terms of what people can expect from a game day experience.
Building the Experience
Creating the Priority Club was about establishing an atmosphere where food, design, and storytelling come together to elevate the game day experience. From a culinary standpoint, the menu was approached at the same intensity and creativity as a fine dining restaurant, changing daily to match seasonal ingredients, guest preferences, and game day themes. Every dish is executed with both love and intention.
The kitchen sources local ingredients from over 140 different farms, spotlighting Michigan produce, seasonal ingredients, and Detroit-based chefs. While menu specials differ each day, some staple ballpark items stay the same, such as classic hot dogs. The visual design of the club was just as intentional, with subtle nods to Tigers history woven throughout the space. Historic player photos, custom signage, and themed colors and textures pair together to reflect Detroit’s grit and beauty within the club. Interior elements, such as warm, ambient lighting, intimate seating, and an open-concept layout, help the space feel welcoming and relaxed. Guests have the luxury of enjoying a multi-course meal steps away from the action on the field.
Getting the Priority Club ready for Opening Day wasn’t always a walk in the park. Construction deadlines, equipment delays, and the complexity of launching a fine-dining operation inside a baseball stadium all brought about challenges. “We were finishing construction up until hours before opening doors,” Executive Sous Chef Megan Wonnacott said. Despite these challenges, the team rallied together in the testing of recipes, staff training, station adjustment, and service refinement to be ready for opening. “It was so special to see the transformation process and all our work come to life in the end,” Chef Tara Szubeczak said.
The Team
Behind every plate and service detail at the Priority Club is a team of passionate, driven individuals who work together to bring this vision to life. Executive Chef Mark Szubeczak led the culinary direction, bringing both discipline and creativity to the table. His leadership set the tone for the club’s high standards, not only in food but also in mentorship. Executive Sous Chef Megan Wonnacott contributed greatly to the kitchen buildout, menu and recipe development, and fine-tuned details. Other chefs and staff were equally essential in bringing the club to life, as each person played a unique role in the process.
In the weeks leading up to Opening Day, the entire team, including chefs, servers, dishwashers, and managers, came together for equipment training, station testing, and menu refinement. One of the most memorable moments during that time was our very first family meal together in the new kitchen. It was our first real test run, and somehow everything came together. Between the freshly made pasta from the brand-new pasta machine, the flatbreads cooked in the new oven, and the sauces simmered on the new stove, the meal was a celebration of everything we had been working towards.
For me personally, being a part of this process was truly unforgettable. I got to help open a restaurant inside a ballpark! This was definitely a step towards my future career goals and dreams. And being able to do it with such a loving, caring team made all the difference. Whether I was on desserts, the grill station, or floating between roles, I was proud to be part of a team that cared deeply about both each other and the details behind the food and service. This wasn’t just about launching a new club. It felt like opening day at a restaurant we built together, and it’s a feeling I won’t forget.
Opening Day & Guest Reactions
When the doors of the Priority Club finally opened on July 24, 2025, the response was nothing short of enthusiastic. Guests were treated to a 13,000-square-foot sanctuary beneath the stands with amenities and services unlike anything Tigers fans had ever seen before. The guests were wowed by the variety in cuisine and flavor, the exclusive experience, and the overall level of hospitality.
The club was not only gaining attention from guests but also from media outlets, news channels, and social media influencers. All of whom were eager to showcase what many were calling a game-changer for stadium hospitality.
Beyond the Opening
While Opening Day marked the beginning of the Priority Club’s story, its vision reaches far beyond a single game. One of the core goals moving forward is menu evolution, as the club continues to push boundaries with seasonal ingredients, rotating chef-driven concepts, and creative takes on ballpark classics. The culinary team aims to keep the experience dynamic and organic, ensuring that even regular guests have something new to look forward to each visit.
Long term, the Priority Club is designed to be more than just a premium offering; it’s a cornerstone of Comerica Park’s broader mission to transform the game day experience. It represents a shift towards personalization, elevated hospitality and service, and the creation of memorable moments. As the Tigers and Delaware North continue investing in the future of the park, the Priority Club stands as a model of what’s possible when sports and hospitality truly come together.
Conclusion
The Priority Club is more than just an exclusive space. It’s a testament to Detroit’s innovative and community-oriented spirit. It represents a new chapter in blending tradition with forward-thinking hospitality. This project shows that sports hospitality is evolving tremendously. It’s no longer just about the game, but rather the full guest experience. One that brings people together, celebrates local culture, and creates unforgettable moments. For fans and staff alike, the Priority Club is a home run space. A place where Detroit’s heart and hospitality come together to elevate every game day!
Thumbnail Credit:
Lindsay Grohs
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