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Rutgers Athletics and Middlesex County entered into a letter of intent that includes designating the future Multipurpose Community Venue on Middlesex College’s campus as a home field for Rutgers Baseball, starting in 2026.

The July 31 announcement, made at Middlesex College’s West Hall in Edison, included a number of leaders and stakeholders from Rutgers, Middlesex County and the municipality. Officials say the partnership is intended to create new educational pathways for students of Middlesex College – the largest feeder college to Rutgers – that will offer enhanced access to curriculum, mentorship opportunities, and the potential for shared educational programming.

The new multipurpose venue in Edison is about 15 minutes from the team facility on Rutgers’ Livingston campus and will serve as the home venue for select series and games for the Scarlet Knights.

“We are delighted to partner with Middlesex County to bring Big Ten baseball to this fantastic new facility,” said Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs. “Steve Owens and his staff have done a tremendous job developing the players in our baseball program both on and off the field. This new chapter in Middlesex County will only help Coach Owens and his team continue their pursuit of Big Ten championships and more. We will continue to explore other ways we can partner with the county, but this is a great first step.”

“Thank you to Middlesex County for the invitation to play games at a beautiful new stadium facility. This move will continue to grow our program’s fan base across the state and provide an incredible venue with all the amenities currently available at the power-five level,” said Rutgers Baseball Head Coach Steve Owens. “This is 100% a win for the State of New Jersey, Middlesex County, and Rutgers Baseball!”

Rutgers says it will continue to utilize Bainton Field and its on-campus facilities at Jersey Mike’s Arena, adding that the new multipurpose venue will have no effect on planned upgrades to the former or on-campus facilities for the baseball program.

The partnership also marks a pivotal next step of Middlesex County’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Plan, which NJBIZ reported on in November. County officials say that the state-of-the-art venue will boast dedicated Rutgers amenities — enhancements that will not only provide support to Rutgers Baseball while meeting NCAA and Big Ten athletic standards, but also position Middlesex County and its college as a premier sports and recreation destination in New Jersey and the region.

“Our deep relationship with Rutgers University continues to grow and strengthen with this new partnership with Rutgers Athletics,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald Rios. “The county’s strong fiscal position, coupled with the opportunity of significant state and federal investment in the CIO Strategic Investment Plan, gives us the advantage to seize crucial opportunities like this for the benefit of our residents and partners like Rutgers University. This is just the beginning of many more transformative and innovative changes at Middlesex College and in our county.”

“The CIO Strategic Investment Plan spearheaded by Middlesex County will transform our campus with new facilities and strengthened partnerships that will become a new era of growth for our college,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “As elements of the CIO Strategic Investment Plan begin to take shape all around us – with the partnership with Rutgers Athletics being a key component – we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Middlesex County, the Board of County Commissioners and future partners.”

Edison Mayor Sam Joshi said it is an honor to announce this “exciting and forward-thinking partnership.”

“Which is the latest significant development in our collective ongoing efforts to move Edison forward for our families and our future,” said Joshi.