10 Best Progressive Field Food Options 2023 | Cleveland Guardians

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10 Best Progressive Field Food Options 2023 | Cleveland Guardians

Posted by Kurt Smith

The Progressive Field food menu, in my humble opinion, is one of the best in baseball. The home of the Cleveland Guardians not only showcases iconic local restaurants (and who knew that Cleveland was such a great foodie town?), it offers a lot of the best in basic baseball food…like hefty foot long hot dogs and true ballpark mustard.

What the best food at Progressive Field is of course a matter of opinion, but I’ve picked out ten that I think you’ll be happy with, including some new food items they’ve added to the Progressive Field menu for 2023. This should help your taste buds if you’re a first time visitor especially.

Most all of these are on the lower level, although some of the concession stands have additional outposts in the upper level.

I’ll start with some amazeballs sandwich selections, after this quick word from our sponsor:

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progressive field food melt bar and grilled

This sandwich almost didn’t last long enough to be photographed.

Progressive Field Food, Tip #1) Melt Bar & Grilled (Right Field District). Melt started in Lakewood with a simple goal: “gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and lots of beer”. They have multiple types of large grilled cheese sandwiches at Guardians games, and the sandwiches are made with huge slices of Texas Toast and include a bag of chips.

Try the chorizo and potato or the mushroom sandwich with grilled onions…that might be the best vegetarian meal I’ve had at a game.

Recent additions to the menu: Melt now has mac and cheese bowls, including a Buffalo version topped with chicken. I trust these folks to get the taste right!

 

cleveland guardians food fat head's

The beer there is pretty good too.

Progressive Field Food, Tip #2) Fat Head’s Brewery (Infield District). Fat Head’s is a North Olmsted brewery and sandwich shop known for large-sized sandwiches that they call “Headwiches” (because they’re the size of your head).

They have a “Fat Italian” – ham, salami, capicola, pepperoni and hot sausage with provolone, banana peppers and a hard-boiled egg; and a “Southside Slopes” – a kielbasa with pierogies, American cheese, grilled onions and horseradish sauce. The Slopes, incidentally, was voted #5 Best Sandwich in America by Maxim Magazine.

They make great craft beers too…including some award-winners at the Great American Beer Festival. If you like citrus beers in the summer, Fat Head’s is for you.

Recent addition to the menu: Pepper Jack bites! Crusted Pepper Jack cheese with ranch dressing included for dipping.

 

Progressive field food throwing smoke bbq

Worth a try just because the name of the place is so cool.

Progressive Field Food, Tip #3) Throwin’ Smoke BBQ (Main Concourse). Throwin’ Smoke isn’t a local eatery, just a cleverly named BBQ stand that was a long time coming to Cleveland’s ballpark. The sandwiches are definitely BBQ messy and you should probably sit down to eat one. They have a BBQ mac and cheese in a baseball helmet too (I would clean it out before wearing it).

You can get a pulled pork, chicken or beef brisket sandwich; get it topped with slaw, sharp cheddar and pickle chips. And the specialty sandwich is the Heater, any kind of meat with habanero BBQ sauce, jalapenos and pepper jack cheese. Don’t mess around with that one, seriously; get a beer to go with it.

Recent additions: They have a pork mac and cheese cone now…a waffle cone with mac and cheese and topped with Montgomery Inn pulled pork, cole slaw and BBQ sauce. In 2023, Throwin’ Smoke added mac and cheese brisket: mac and cheese again topped with that Montgomery Inn BBQ brisket, pickled crunchy onions, and BBQ sauce.

 

So there’s your sandwich selections, at least not counting what is basic ballpark food…but in Cleveland, they take ordinary ballpark items a step further…check out Happy Dog, for example!

 

cleveland guardians food happy dog froot loops

Get froot loops on your hot dog. Only in Cleveland.

Progressive Field Food, Tip #4) Happy Dog (Infield District). At the actual Happy Dog in Gordon Square, they have over 50 toppings, but at the Prog the pared down offerings are wacky enough. Witness the Slider Dog…topped with Froot Loops, mac and cheese and bacon. Wait, what? Froot Loops? Yes.

They have lots of other unusual options for baseball’s classic food here, so check it out. Last I looked there was a Dyngus Dog with red cabbage sauerkraut; a southern BBQ Dog with pulled pork, beer cheese, greens and caramelized onions; or a Summer Veggie Dog with tomatoes, cucumbers, cole slaw and chimichurri. If nothing else that’s healthier than Froot Loops.

All Happy Dog dogs are all-beef quarter-pound sizable hot dogs on poppy seed buns. I would get a fork for the heftier ones. Froot Loops…wow.

Recent additions: Going healthy? Try the Wild Thing…a Field Roast vegan dog topped with house made vegetable chili, shredded cheddar, diced onions, and (of course) Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Your ballgame meal is complete.

 

progressive field food build your own burger

Bacon bits AND slices. You almost expect Kevin Bacon to make an appearance.

Progressive Field Food, Tip #5) Build-A-Burger (Main Concourse). The name Build-A-Burger invokes the obvious question: how many toppings can I pile on? We are paying ballpark prices here, so get your money’s worth. You can find this one in the left field corner.

Here you go: get an All-American burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles…or make it interesting with a pulled pork burger topped with BBQ sauce slaw, sharp cheddar and bacon (bits or slices!).

Several types of fries here, which I’ve read are crispy and excellent. Chicken tenders too. Get them topped with pulled pork, queso blanco, and/or peppers and onions or just plain loaded.

Recent additions: The Southwest Burger is a 1/3 pound all beef patty with guacamole, pico de gallo, nacho cheese sauce, and chipotle crema on a brioche bun…new in 2023 is the Pimento Cheese and Bacon Burger, a 1/3 pound patty topped with pimento cheese, bacon, and shredded lettuce on a brioche bun. I presume you can add toppings to these as well.

Unfortunately I am told Dynomite Burger is no longer in the Prog…(sniff)

Never drive to Progressive Field without a plan…

Book your parking spot now with my friends at SpotHero!

 
 
 
 
Cleveland guardians food menu dante's inferno pizza

Sorry for not getting a picture of the spaghetti and meatball pizza. But I doubt anyone who ordered it would have let me.

Progressive Field Food, Tip #6) Dante’s Inferno (Infield District). Dante’s Inferno is the pizza shop of Cleveland chef Dante Boccuzzi, the owner of several top-rated Cleveland restaurants.

No typical ballpark pizza, this…Dante’s actually has a spaghetti and meatball pizza, and yes, it does have noodles on it (not a lot though, so don’t worry about the carbs). Dante’s also has a spicy Inferno pizza with sausage, pepperoni, olives and hot peppers, and an above-average veggie pizza with zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms and basil walnut pesto. Or just plain or pepperoni.

Dante’s sells pizza by the pie, and it’s a good-sized pie for one.

 

I should probably rank these next selections higher, because they’re all great…just saying that the Prog is a super place to get your Mexican fix on:

 

progressive field food nachos barrio

That’s what nachos need, folks…lots of ingredients.

Progressive Field Food, Tip #7) Barrio (Right Field District). Barrio is a Tremont-based eatery with build-your-own tacos; you can get chicken or chorizo tacos and they have a veggie “street corn” version too.

But I must add that Barrio does a very impressive plate of nachos; they feature melted and shredded cheese (yes, both), and several different salsas with chicken or chorizo for a small extra fee.

The chips are salty in my opinion, but it’s definitely an above average plate of nachos for a ballpark, and it can easily feed two.

 

cleveland guardians food nachos momocho

Not just sour cream…cilantro-lime cream. This is a ballpark, remember?

Progressive Field Food, Tip #8) Momocho (Infield District). Momocho is an Ohio City joint owned by Eric Williams, another “Best Chef” award winner, this time by Scene readers. Momocho is all about nachos and quesadillas. The chips are made to order and heated in a giant rotisserie oven and served with homemade guac and salsa.

Your choices of toppings include chicken, Barbacoa pulled pork or chorizo sausage; they come with pickled jalapenos, green salsa and cilantro-lime cream. You can add extra queso, beans or salsa for a fee that is worth it.

I thought the Barrio nachos were slightly superior, and a couple of nice Indians fans whose opinion I asked at the train station agreed, but I will say the Momocho chips were less salty. And they’re definitely still a great plate of loaded nachos.

 

progressive field food ohio city burrito

Note the complete absence of brown-ness on the guacamole!

Progressive Field Food, Tip #9) Ohio City Burrito (Infield District). I read once that the burrito is an ideal ballpark food, that you can use your non-beer holding hand to hold it; I couldn’t agree more.

Ohio City Burrito is, as the name strongly implies, a burrito joint based in the Ohio City neighborhood; they take pride in the burrito rolling technique that is especially important for eating in a ballpark seat.

At the Prog outpost burrito types include chicken, pork carnitas, Barbacoa beef and a veggie (which is just minus the chicken or beef); burritos include rice, black beans, onions, peppers, cheese, lettuce, and a choice of salsa, guac and/or sour cream. They are all available in a bowl without that calorie-laden flour tortilla. OCB is also known for sweet homemade salsa.

 

Finally, even with the basics, the Guardians clearly care about your needs:

 

progressive field food hot dogs bertman's mustard

See what I mean when I say the Guardians care about their fans?

Progressive Field Food, Tip #10) Big Hot Dogs With Bertman’s Mustard (Everywhere). At Sausages & Dogs or Ballpark Classics stands, whatever…if you look around, most of the generic stands have those really hefty half pound (yes, half pound) hot dogs. These are like the footlongs you find at a lot of ballparks, only thicker…and with peppers, onions, and Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard piled on, it can be a great value by ballpark standards.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the Prog, but they used to have a Charred Dogs stand behind home plate. If you like the skin burnt on your dogs, it might be worth a look.

Read more about Bertman’s Mustard here…you’ll like this tale.

 

progressive field charred hot dogs

This should be the only legal way to cook a ballpark hot dog.

There you have it folks…ten great selections of menu items for your next game at Progressive Field. One word of caution…as of 2023, half of the stands are cashless, so you’ll need your credit card (or Apple Pay or Google Pay device). I’m guessing there will be more of that in the future.

Ballpark E-Guides is happy to be your helpful resource for going to your next Cleveland Indians…sorry, Cleveland Guardians home game. If you’d like more great advice, check out my complete guide to Progressive Field here! Thanks for reading, and please support our sponsors!

 

Planning a trip to Cleveland? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

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3 Cheap Spots for Great American Ball Park Parking

Posted by Kurt Smith

There isn’t any shortage of close and convenient Great American Ball Park parking for Reds games (and other events); the home of the Reds is among the easiest to reach by automobile or other means. I’ve looked into this quite a bit, and I have my three favorite spots, each very affordable and with its own advantages.

But first, a valuable and applicable bit of advice from our friends at SpotHero

Never drive to a Great American Ball Park without a plan…

Book your parking spot now with my friends at SpotHero!

 
 
 
findlay market Cincinnati great american ball park parking

Reachable by streetcar, and features outstanding Belgian waffles.

Great American Ball Park Parking, Tip #1: Park early at the ballpark and make a day of Cincinnati. The Broadway and a couple of other lots are literally right there at the ballpark, but they don’t start charging the game rate until later in the day, so if you’re early enough you can park there for the day for a fraction of the event cost.

And now with the new and inexpensive Cincinnati streetcar, you can very cheaply visit some great local attractions like Findlay Market. (Belgian waffles!)

 

great american ball park parking newport

Baseball and sea otters…without having to move your car!

Great American Ball Park Parking, Tip #2: Park in Newport, KY. The Newport-On-The-Levee garage is cheap, and it’s near a full-blown entertainment center with everything from a movie theater and an aquarium and lots of great eateries.

And multiple ways to get to the ballpark…you can take a lengthy but scenic stroll across the Purple People Bridge, or use the inexpensive Southbank Shuttle to GABP’s front door…or even take a boat from the waterfront restaurants. Great if you’re bringing the kids or impressing a date.

 

Southbank Shuttle Covington Reds games

A cheap if rickety ride from a free parking spot.

Great American Ball Park Parking Tip #3: Park in Covington, KY. Covington is nowhere near the entertainment destination that Newport is, but this can be a good thing…it’s more than simple enough to find a free spot, either near the Roebling Bridge for another scenic walk (and not as lengthy as the walk from Newport) or a Southbank Shuttle station for a cheap ride.

There are some nice watering holes with outdoor dining here, like the Keystone Bar & Grill…which will give you shuttle tokens with their outstanding mac and cheese.

 

There’s three great and inexpensive options for different tastes for parking at Great American Ball Park, and I hope you find them useful. But there are lots of great ways to get to the home of the Reds…here’s more about that Southbank Shuttle.

Like seeing these helpful tips? Learn some more great advice for your next Reds game here, and be sure to Follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook for lots of money-saving and valuable hacks at your favorite ballpark!

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5 American Family Field Tailgating Tips – Milwaukee Brewers

Posted by Kurt Smith

There is no pre-game party in baseball like the American Family Field tailgating. It’s not even close.

There’s a decent amount of grilling in the parking lot of Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, and things seem to be growing at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia a bit. But nowhere is the tailgating every bit a baseball institution as natural grass the way it is at a Brewers game.

So after this quick word from our sponsor, we’ll get started!

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visiting american family field shuttle

Clearly this guy is a VIP.

If you’re headed to Milwaukee to see the Brewers, you should take part in it, because walking through the huge parking lots, the smell of coal and brats is going to make you ravenous.

So as a public service, I’m offering five important tips for tailgaters at American Family Field. If I miss an important one, by all means contact me and let me know, but these five should at least help you avoid a tailgating fail.

american family field tailgating bratwursts

I hope it’s enough…

American Family Field Tailgating, Tip #1: Boil Your Brats Beforehand. The American Family Field lots open three hours before game time, which is a good amount of time for tailgating, but not a lot if you’re cooking raw meat on the grill that took you a few minutes to fire up.

So get your Usinger’s or Johnsonville brats beforehand, and boil them in beer and water the night before—a beer for every two brats, with maybe some onion and red pepper for extra taste. It takes a while—I’ve read an hour, but I’ve cooked sausages in 20 minutes, so decide for yourself.

Once you’ve boiled the brats to a gray color, all that will be needed is to brown them on the grill at the ballpark, which takes significantly less time in an environment where people will be finding bricks appetizing.

In fact, prepare everything you can the night before, like slicing cheese and putting food into containers or footballs in the car. Hey, I told you Brewers fans take this seriously. Being prepared for a Brewers tailgate takes some work.

 

secret stadium sauce polish

It’s like a zingy BBQ sauce. But different.

American Family Field Tailgating, Tip #2: Bring Secret Stadium Sauce. OK, not everyone loves the most popular condiment in Milwaukee. It’s not even necessarily for you. You can bring sauerkraut, Kopp’s deli mustard, even ketchup, but a nearby tailgater might have forgotten the Secret Stadium Sauce, or you may come across a first-time visitor to American Family Field who wants to know what the fuss is about with the Sauce.

Secret Stadium Sauce is usually available in most supermarkets in the Milwaukee area; it’s also available in the Team Shop, which opens when the parking lots do in case of an emergency. You can also order it on Amazon.

Don’t know what the Secret Stadium Sauce is? Check it out here.

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American Family Field tailgating tailgate town sign

It’s all about cheaper beer.

American Family Field Tailgating, Tip #3: Arrive EARLY. I’ve already said that Brewers fans take their tailgating seriously, and that the lots open three hours before game time. Add the two together and the sum is a long line of cars in line at most of the gates, especially for the cheaper lots. These are people itching to get their tent and grill set up and will arrive an hour before the lots open to be the first ones in.

Most people don’t pre-pay to get in to the lots, so attendants are making change for most of them. Bring a book to read if you must while you’re waiting, but try to get to American Family at least a half an hour before the lots open.

 

American Family Field tailgating leinies

Yes, it’s a Miller product…now.

American Family Field Tailgating, Tip #4: Drink Miller Products, But Don’t Imbibe Too Much After The First Hour. Many Brewers fans insist on Miller products vs. the Budweiser Empire that has helped fund 11 World Series titles for the division rival Cardinals. I at least would recommend taking a step up to Leinenkugel’s, a Chippewa Falls brewery that is now distributed by Miller. Needless to say, have plenty of ice.

But whatever your preference, make sure that you get the majority of beer consumption out of the way early. The parking lots at American Family Field have an ample amount of port-a-potties to accommodate tailgaters’ needs, but once that parking lot is filled with beer drinkers an hour before the game, lines will form.

And waiting in line for relief after four beers can make a minute seem like an hour. We’ve all been there. Don’t be at Level Ten with three other people just as full in front of you.

 

American Family Field tailgating lot

And this is just the preferred lot!

American Family Field Tailgating, Tip #5: Put A Window Flag On Your Car. This is a common tradition at Brewers games. Not only will it help you find your car (which, if you need help with, maybe you shouldn’t be driving), but you can also let people know that you’re a proud fan of the Timbler-Rattlers, Harley-Davidson, or Matt Kenseth. (I know that last one is obscure. Matt Kenseth is a NASCAR driver from Wisconsin. Yes, NASCAR’s still around.)

Needless to say, it should be unique…it’s okay to have a Brewers flag, of course, but that won’t necessarily make you stand out in the American Family Field parking lot.

Those are the five American Family Field tailgating tips that I consider most important, although obviously there’s other things to know…like that the Brewers will provide a taxicab ride home if you’ve had too much to drink, or that AAA of Wisconsin will give you a free tow if you can’t get your car started, or that you need to be careful leaving because people leave disposable grills everywhere.

Join the party in the parking lot; in Milwaukee, a ballgame is an all-day celebration.

Need more American Family Field tips? Check out this guide to Brewers game parking, some tips for newbies, and this complete list of Brewers game shuttles! And many more Brewers game tips here

Planning a trip to Milwaukee? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

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Click here to start booking your trip to Milwaukee and American Family Field today!

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3 Tips For Using SEPTA to Citizens Bank Park (Phillies)

Posted by Kurt Smith

While most people drive to Phillies games, a fair amount of people do take SEPTA to Citizens Bank Park, with the Sports Complex station located just a few steps away.

There are times when the Broad Street Line is preferable to driving…say, when another event is happening in one of the Philly sports venues, you’re arriving via Amtrak or Regional Rail, or if you’re staying in the city without a car.

So here’s a few things you should know about taking the SEPTA Broad Street Line to a Phillies game, after a quick word from our sponsor:

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septa to citizens bank park phillies

“Gangway! Philly sports fans coming!”

SEPTA to Citizens Bank Park, Tip #1) Use The Express. The SEPTA Broad Street Line stops at the Sports Complex at the southern end (currently called the NRG Station, but it changes a lot), making it easy to know which train to use and which direction to go. But you will definitely prefer the Sports Express trains, both before and after games.

The Sports Express skips a number of stops, but most importantly it bypasses everything from Walnut-Locust to the Sports Complex, and coming back especially this is much nicer. If you’re using PATCO from New Jersey to get to the Broad Street Line, the Express means a straight ride with no stops to and from Walnut-Locust.

If you have a choice, definitely use the Express. You’ll thank me.

 

patco septa to citizens bank park phillies

Snackstalgia indeed. They ain’t lyin’.

SEPTA to Citizens Bank Park, Tip #2) Bring Your Own. If you’re using the train to save money, or even if you’re visiting without a car and staying in Center City (that’s downtown for you non-Philadelphians), take advantage of the street grub shops and get peanuts and stuff to bring in. The Phillies allow this, you just can’t bring in alcohol or projectiles. It’s a great money-saver.

My favorite pro tip for using the PATCO-SEPTA combination from South Jersey (where I live) is to stop at Nuts To You on Walnut Street, which is in the path from PATCO to SEPTA on street level. They have outstanding still-warm bags of roasted peanuts and any other snack you can imagine. I love sesame sticks, and Nuts To You has them in multiple flavors. The place is a true gem.

 

regional rail to phillies games

You have a lot of starting points when you add in Regional Rail.

SEPTA to Citizens Bank Park, Tip #3) Consider Regional Rail. The Regional Rail lines spread a web over southeastern Pennsylvania (hence the SEP in SEPTA), and they’re comfortable and smooth commuter trains.

The Regional Rail is a nice alternative on summer weekends. Traffic on I-76 can be hellish on Friday nights especially, as what seems the entire region’s population heads to the Jersey Shore. Park somewhere along the Regional Rail line cheaply and ride the train to Suburban Station instead…it’s a two block walk transfer to the Broad Street Line, but that beats sitting in shore traffic in my opinion. Be sure to check the schedule and know that you can get a ride back though.

If you’re bringing the family on a weekend, check out SEPTA’s Independence Pass. For a price that is likely cheaper than gas and parking, the whole family can ride on the train to the ballpark and back. That one’s good for Sunday games.

 

septa key card citizens bank park broad street line

Public transit is the key to reducing congestion!

SEPTA can be a decent money saver over parking and bridge tolls coming from NJ especially and it’s an alternative to city traffic if you’re staying in Center City (downtown for you non-Philadelphians).

Speaking of, if you need parking in the city, be sure to book ahead of time with my friends at SpotHero!

And if you’d prefer to drive to the game, here’s my ultimate guide to Citizens Bank Park parking…including cheap spots, free spots, even parking near the Chickie’s and Pete’s Taxi Crab!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, this website earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

Citizens Bank Park Food 2023 | Best & New Phillies Eats

Posted by Kurt Smith

Deciding what to eat at a Phillies game can be frustrating…there is a large variety of food items, and many are very good and offer a great sampling of Philly. I’m here to help…here is your complete and hugely helpful guide to the Citizens Bank Park food menu – including new items for 2023!

This post goes into detail about the best food offerings at Citizens Bank Park, and to help you decide on something for your taste. There’s lots of good stuff, and lots of iconic Philly food stuff, so know what’s out there before you go.

I’ve spoken a bit in my also very helpful Citizens Bank Park seating page about the eats in the Diamond and Hall of Fame Clubs, so I’ll skip over that to cover the rest of the items. (And if you want parking and ticket advice, you can check this out).

 

citizens bank park food tony lukes

Whiz wit.

Like I said, there’s a lot, so I’ve broken this down into parts:

Citizens Bank Park Restaurants
Philly Cheesesteaks
Ashburn Alley – Pizza, Crab Fries, Chicken Sandwiches + Wings
Left Field Plaza – Hot Dogs, Sausages, BBQ + Donuts
Generic Stuff – Cheesesteaks, Dogs + Fries, Etc.
Vegetarian, Vegan + Gluten-Free
Dessert – Ice Cream + Water Ice
Bring Your Own Food + More Tightwad Tips
New Citizens Bank Park Food For 2023!

So after this quick word from our sponsor, we’ll talk some Citizens Bank Park food!

My friends at TickPick have Phillies tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

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Click here to order your Phillies tickets on TickPick!

 

 
harry the ks restaurant

With numbered tables in case you have your wedding reception here.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 1) Restaurants

There are three sit down restaurants for the non-suite and non-club types at the Phillies ballpark:

Harry The K’s is named for the Phillies’ late broadcasting legend Harry Kalas. Harry’s has an outdoor but covered seating area behind the left field seats and serves better than adequate tavern fare, at reasonable prices for a ballpark.

Along the wall are murals of Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium, and Citizens Bank Park. Imagine a full bar tavern with a great view, and still covered from the rain and sun. The menu is basic fun grub like hot dogs, sandwiches and sides like “disco fries”; but they have some unusual items on occasion, like a vegan cheesesteak (which I’ve tried and isn’t bad).

There is a miniature Harry’s with a standing area on the upper level below the scoreboard, with a very basic ballgame menu.

 

citizens bank park food harry the ks

If Canadian cheddar cheese soup doesn’t make you want to buy a ballgame ticket, I don’t know what to tell you.

Each season the Phillies introduce new food items to Harry’s menu; they might have unusual hot dogs or different kinds of club sandwiches. Pastrami sandwiches, quinoa salads, that kind of stuff. Every night there are specials that are posted on a chalkboard outside of the restaurant. They have desserts which also vary every season.

Harry The K’s fills up quickly and has long lines, so get to the ballpark early if you’d like to try it. The quarters are also kind of tight at Harry’s, so you may want to take care of nature’s call before sitting down, lest you knock over someone’s chicken grinder. If you’ve got a standing room ticket for the game, later in the game they may let you sit for the duration.

 

pass and stow pizza phillies

Wood-fired oven? Check. Pepperoni? Check. It’s a good night.

Pass And Stow is an eatery with indoor and outdoor dining that replaced the somewhat shaky McFadden’s Pub. It’s a good pre- and post-game spot for your night out…there’s no view of the game from Pass and Stow, but there are 44 TVs to watch the action if you want a break.

Pass and Stow has a beer garden, and wood-fired brick oven pizza from Foundry Pizza made with pepperoni or margherita-style. The menu is somewhat limited, but they have decent pub fare like skillet nachos and sandwiches, which all gets good reviews from what I’ve read.

 

citizens bank park food restaurants pass and stow

Wouldn’t it be great if you actually could grow beer?

The nice thing about Pass and Stow is that there’s plenty of space and seating, which can’t be said for Harry’s on a crowded evening, and it’s not a bad place to duck out of the elements with lots of shades, fire pits, and indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a considerably more pleasant atmosphere than McFadden’s, I can testify. In case you never saw National Treasure, Pass and Stow is named for the foundry workers who cast the original Liberty Bell. Philadelphia thing, you see.

 

philies shake shack

A Shackburger. Take it in.

The Shake Shack first became known for ballpark burgers at Philly’s rival ballpark Citi Field, but the Phillies took it a step further, giving the Shack…whose burgers are well known for attracting long lines…its own sit down spot, occupying the rest of the former McFadden’s space. It’s not anything fancy…think fast food joint…but it’s ideal for grubbing tough on the world-famous Shackburgers, crinkle-cut fries and hand-spun shakes.

I don’t know if the situation is similar to Citi Field, but people really love the Shake Shack, and if you’re looking for a quality burger at Citizens Bank Park, this is the spot…especially since other than Boardwalk Eats and the generic joints I can’t think of any other stands here that sell burgers.

I am especially a big fan of Shake Shack’s fries, and truthfully it’s better to have a sit down spot to enjoy it. Shake Shack is open along with the rest of the concessions, but not after the game like Pass and Stow is.

 

 
citizens bank park food cheesesteaks

Does this picture not create a sense of good things coming your way?

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 2) Cheesesteaks

Cheesesteaks are, of course, why you come to Philly, and Citizens Bank Park has several to choose from, including from two Philadelphia icons. You can even have a serious argument comparing them. If you want to try one of the big name cheesesteaks at Citizens Bank Park, again, get to Ashburn Alley early.

 

phillies ballpark tony lukes

Six each of the broccoli rabe and hot peppers, please.

Tony Luke’s is the mainstay of Citizens Bank Park, and they are as famous with the locals for their roast pork sandwiches with provolone as for their ribeye beef cheesesteaks with Cheez Whiz. It’s that garlicky broccoli rabe, probably…don’t forget to ask for it.

The selection is limited compared to their actual restaurants; there aren’t any cheesesteak hoagies here, but they do sometimes have additional items like panzarottis.

Tony Luke’s is well known in the area (he did beat Bobby Flay after all), and the stand here grows long lines that don’t diminish from about a half hour before the game starts to about the 7th inning. If you’re early enough, you can jump on that roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe from Tony’s before the line gets long; on high attendance nights I wouldn’t wait.

 

citizens bank park food campos heater

And in this corner, the Heater with the Works!

Campo’s may not quite have the name recognition that Tony Luke’s does, but they are more than well-known enough among Philadelphians. The original deli on Market Street has been ranked the city’s best by AOL Insider and Philadelphia Magazine among others, so they can easily hold their own. The lines here can get about as long as for Tony Luke’s; the two stands are a short fly ball apart.

Campo’s has beef and chicken cheesesteaks, pizza steaks, even veggie steak sandwiches, which is a bit of an oxymoron. Their most popular sandwich is the “Heater”, with Buffalo hot sauce and jalapeno cheddar cheese. (It’s very hot, trust me, especially with jalapenos piled on it.) They also now have an award-winning meatball sandwich to go with the cheesesteaks.

 

tony lukes vs. campos

The real winner in the battle of Citizens Bank Park cheesesteaks? The fans!

If you’re trying to choose between Campo’s and Tony Luke’s (gutless cop-out coming!), they both make a good sandwich. The difference is more the variety than anything…the Tony Luke’s roast pork sandwich and the Campo’s Heater are both great but very different.

Sorry if that doesn’t help; I’ll just say I’ve tried both and I’m in the Campo’s camp. I usually get a Heater with the Works included…which they’ll do for you if you ask. Campo’s was once voted the 2nd best ballpark food by USA Today, but my opinion is worth more than theirs.

 

citizens bank park food chicken cheesesteaks

The generic Buffalo chicken cheesesteak at Citizens Bank Park, finally emerging from the shadows.

Around the rest of the ballpark you can find stands like City Steak and Cobblestone Grill that serve the generic cheesesteaks. These aren’t terrible by any means, but you might prefer the authentic edition. I believe you can still get a Buffalo chicken cheesesteak, though, which is a favorite of mine.

I don’t know who makes the meat for the sandwiches; in the past it’s been Original Philly and Delco’s Original but the Phillies aren’t saying at the moment. I was a big Delco’s fan, so I wouldn’t mind running with that, especially at a smaller price than the Ashburn Alley sandwiches.

 

 
chickies and petes crab fries phillies

Philly sports food begins and ends with crab fries.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 3) Ashburn Alley – Pizza, Crab Fries, Sandwiches + Wings

I’ve already mentioned the iconic cheesesteak choices, but there is a plethora of excellent and Philadelphia-based food choices in Ashburn Alley beyond center field. If you want the true Citizens Bank Park food experience, get to the ballpark when the gates open and enjoy the shorter lines.

 

citizens bank park food pizza

When you work with your evil twin to make pizza, the result is pizza genius.

When I saw that Manco & Manco’s Pizza had been added to the Citizens Bank Park food menu, I literally pumped my fist…a South Philly ballpark needs to represent on pizza. In case you didn’t know, Manco & Manco’s has been a staple of the Ocean City NJ boardwalk for longer than I’ve been alive (which is a long time), and a Jersey Shore boardwalk is not an easy place to thrive for a long time with a pizza shop.

Anyway, to explain, Manco & Manco’s pizza is a thin crust boardwalk style pizza, with sauce that has the right amount of zing and cheese that I think is a mixture of mozzarella and sharp cheddar. It’s a quality pizza worthy of South Philly, and you’ll probably see lines here similar to the outpost in Ocean City. They have plain, pepperoni, and a rotating series special pizza.

 

citizens bank park food pj whelihans

Now you know where to find a good Buffalo chicken wrap at the ballpark.

Long ago when I first started writing for the first class publication JerseyMan Magazine, they had me write a piece stacking up P.J. Whelihan’s against Chickie’s and Pete’s. I gave the nod to Chickie’s and Pete’s, but it was VERY close. P.J. Whelihan’s outpost at Citizens Bank Park has tasty and not overly hot wings and chicken wraps, along with several craft beer selections.

In 2022 P.J.’s introduced an alternative to typical ballpark nachos…the Wicked Chicken Nachos. Shredded cheddar and jack cheese, cheese sauce, scallions, sliced chicken, and any of their famous sauces. I’ve never had a bad meal at a P.J.’s anywhere, I think you can trust these.

 

colbies phillies game

And you thought Ryan Howard was a superstar as a player!
(photo courtesy of Colbie’s)

Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken is also new and a win-win for Phillies ballpark food. Colbie’s is partially owned by former Phillies star Ryan Howard, and the recipes for their “Southern-kissed” fried chicken sandwiches were inspired by chef Fabio Viviani of “Top Chef” fame. They have three other locations, including one in Kissimmee, FL, presumably for spring training fans.

Anyway, this is your spot for an amazing fried chicken sandwich Southern-style, including one called The Big Piece (bacon, lettuce, tomato and pickles and a Hawaiian bun). They also offer a Nashville Hot (Nashville hot sauce, spicy aioli, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and pepper Jack cheese), and for dessert get your Peach Spoon Pie or fried chocolate sandwich cookies (which I presume means “fried Oreos”, but I expect they can’t legally say that).

 

citizens bank park food crab fries

The fries don’t actually have crab meat in them, even though that would be cool.

You probably won’t be inside Citizens Bank Park for more than five minutes before you see someone carrying a bucket of Chickie’s and Pete’s Crab Fries. For the uninitiated, these are crinkle-cut fries jiggled in Old Bay-style seasoning, and with a cheese sauce that is a mixture of melted American cheese and ranch dressing.

Philadelphians swear by the crab fries (I remember their not lasting long in my first try…they are definitely addictive), and again, lines get long. But the lines move quickly, and there’s a neat mural of Phillies history to look at while you’re waiting.

 

citizens bank park food taxi crab

Cheaper crab fries and a ride to the ballpark. Bryce doesn’t even get that deal!

If you’re bent on trying the crab fries and want to save a few bucks, try using the Taxi Crab to the actual Chickie’s and Pete’s and have a basket there. (More about the advantages of the Taxi Crab here.) It’s cheaper, and you get two cups of cheese sauce (as opposed to paying a couple dollars extra for one at the ballpark), you don’t have to stand in line, and you can get a much less expensive beer when the seasoning catches up.

 

 
Greg Luzinski Bull's BBQ

Because when word gets out about the Bull Dogs, you need to make a lot.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 4) Left Field Plaza – Hot Dogs, Sausages, BBQ + Donuts

Older Phils fans remember Greg “The Bull” Luzinski and his titanic home run shots from the great late 1970s teams. As he did as a player, he’s giving fans their money’s worth at Bull’s BBQ, with smoked food cooked on a monstrous grill along with the opportunity to pose with and get the autograph of a Phillies great.

 

citizens bank park food bulls BBQ

If he never hit a home run in his career, I’d still shake Luzinski’s hand for this.

Bull’s BBQ is, obviously, something of a homage to Boog’s in Baltimore, but it’s every bit as good as Boog’s in my humble opinion (and that is no knock on Boog). The Bull serves first-class pulled pork, big turkey legs, addictive mac and cheese, and the “Bull Dog”, a huge glazed kielbasa, with baked beans and slaw for sides. All get rave reviews.

There are kiddie plates here for a decent value meal, homestand specials, and sampler plates if you’d like to try all of it. If you like the BBQ sauce, you can buy a bottle of that, too.

 

phillies federal donuts

When your donuts are this good, you call them Federal.

There was a big buzz about Federal Donuts being added to Citizens Bank Park some years ago, with a stand out in left field by the escalator, and with good reason.

Federal Donuts at the ballpark is known for just two things; fried chicken sandwiches and donuts, but it’s enough. Actually just the donuts are enough. The chicken is made in flavors like buttermilk ranch or chili garlic, and the crispy donuts are made with a “doughnut robot” and come in various flavors which change from time to time.

The cost of two donuts is reasonable for a ballpark, and the donuts come out warm and crispy if you like your donuts that way. Take my word for it, they’re superb donuts…whenever someone I know is going to a game, I always have them bring me back a couple. The fried chicken is no slouch either.

 

phillies boardwalk eats

There’s no boardwalk, but there’s no pesky seagulls either.

The Boardwalk Eats stand doesn’t feature local eatery items like Chickie’s and Pete’s or Shake Shack, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the food. They have Hatfield hot dogs and Italian sausages, along with fresh made burgers and fries…in other words, it’s like eating at one of the Jersey Shore boardwalk eateries on a good day. They have turkey burgers if you’re watching your waistline, along with veggie burgers and dogs.

In 2022 they introduced a peanut butter and jalapeno jelly burger…with bacon and cheese. Let me know what you think if you try that, since I doubt I could handle it.

Boardwalk Eats, like Bull’s BBQ, is next to a picnic area, making it easy to sit down with your grub.

 

 
phillies franks hatfield

The underrated part? No lines!

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 5) Generic Hot Dogs, Sausages, Pizza, Etc.

As you get away from Ashburn Alley the food choices become significantly more generic, with the focus on Hatfield hot dogs and sausages, generic cheesesteaks (I can’t believe I just put those two words together), and pizza that last I checked is from Seasons.

Hatfield Quality Meats is a longtime staple in the region; they’ve been selling pork products in the region for over 125 years (although I think their hot dogs are made with beef). They make the point that their pork is “raised with no added hormones or steroids to enhance growth”. I thought that was illegal in baseball anyway, but whatever. You can buy Phillies franks on their website.

 

citizens bank park food hot dogs

With rolls even!

The dogs and sausages are more than adequate, with some calling the sausage and peppers the best value for food in the ballpark. If you search a bit you might find a fancy hot dog; in the past the Phillies had one with broccoli rabe, roasted peppers and aged provolone called the South Philly Dog.

 

seasons pizza phillies ballpark

Sauce, cheese, and crust. It counts.

 

The Seasons Pizza at the generic pizza stands is no Manco & Manco’s, but they aren’t terrible if you’re not expecting gourmet quality pizza. Plain or pepperoni most of the time, and I believe they cost the same, so pile the pepperoni on. If you’re late to the Manco & Manco’s party, the generic pizza without the long lines works fine.

 

citizens bank park food buffalo chicken tenders

And now, for your viewing pleasure, Buffalo chicken tenders.

Similarly the Fairmount Fries aren’t Shake Shack or Chickie’s and Pete’s quality but again aren’t bad…they even leave the skin on…and a bit cheaper. You can get garlic fries last I checked, and I quite like the Buffalo chicken tenders at the Fries stands.

 

phillies ballpark bbq nachos

You can see why I’m including this, just in case.

In the past there was a Bull’s BBQ Express stand on the mezzanine level. It became just the BBQ Express later, and I don’t know if it’s still there, but it was a place to get BBQ pork or chicken nachos. Otherwise just the orange whiz glop and jalapenos, but a filling nacho meal at least. Again, don’t hold me to that still being there. I don’t see it on the team website.

 

 
citizens bank park food vegetarian

Black bean burgers in case a Mets fan is sitting next to you.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 6) Vegetarian, Vegan + Gluten-Free

Citizens Bank Park has been voted multiple times by PETA as the most vegetarian friendly ballpark in baseball; Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries might have something to do with that. All the same, you have a lot of vegan and vegetarian options here, even from the bigger names.

There’s a Vegetarian Grill stand behind Section 125, with cheesesteaks and sausages made from plants for people who insist they don’t miss meat. This stand carries an Impossible Foods® cheesesteak…with their brand of faux meat, Gouda cheese sauce, tomato jam and crispy onions.

 

citizens bank park food vegan cheesesteak

When you think about it, it takes a bit of effort to pull off a vegan cheesesteak.

I mentioned trying and liking the vegan cheesesteak at Harry The K’s, but that was some years ago and I don’t know if they still offer it. That said, Harry’s is a good spot for healthier items, and you can usually find low calorie, vegan and vegetarian items there.

Chickie’s and Pete’s fries, Manco & Manco’s plain pizza, the veggie burgers and dogs at Boardwalk Eats, and the veggie steak from Campo’s are all vegetarian. Campo’s can make you a vegan cheesesteak with Impossible® non-meat too.

 

Citizens Bank Park food gluten free

The MENU is there. You have to look harder for the food.

The Phils are kinder to the celiac-afflicted among us than some ballparks. They’ve dedicated a stand just for celiacs; it is located at Section 122 and features all of the classic ballpark options in gluten-free format: hot dogs, cheesesteaks, Bull’s BBQ sandwiches and pizza. The Phillies also occasionally host a Celiac Awareness Night.

Manco & Manco’s has a gluten-free pizza, but they state on their website that they can’t guarantee the safety of it, so I expect that’s probably the case at the ballpark too. Campo’s can make a gluten-free cheesesteak, but be sure to ask about the rolls. And if all else fails, Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries are gluten-free. (Hooray!)

I’ll soon be discussing that you can get away with bringing in your own food to Citizens Bank Park, so if you need to bring in some Udi’s rolls or something and ask for your Bull Dog to be put on that roll, you can probably do it.

 

 
phillies ice cream helmet

With a helpful picture of “ice cream”.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 7) And For Dessert…

When I researched this piece I noticed Turkey Hill and their “Graham Slam” ice cream is no longer at Citizens Bank Park. OK, I didn’t weep about it, but it did cause a tinge of sadness.

Anyway, Richman’s is the brand of ice cream at Phillies games now, and the soft serve in the miniature Phillies helmet with toppings is available at Boardwalk Eats, the Old City Creamery stands, and at other generic stands throughout the ballpark.

Richman’s claims on their website that their ice cream “tastes the same it did over a hundred years ago”. Props for their preservative technique! They’ve been around for over 100 years, so maybe there’s something to that South Jersey cows thing.

 

citizens bank park food water ice

Colorful and tasty on a hot day, and there are plenty of those in Philly.

It turns out that Richman’s is owned by Philadelphia Water Ice, which explains the presence of both here. In addition to Richman’s ice cream, there’s the locally famous water ice kiosks on the mezzanine and third level, and usually in Ashburn Alley as well. I don’t know what flavors they have, but I expect orange, lemon, cherry and blueberry are prominent.

The water ice kiosks are very popular on hot days, so you might be waiting in line for it. On cold nights you might find hot chocolate and homemade soup here.

I don’t know if they still have the Pennsylvania Dutch funnel cakes, but cotton candy and Dippin’ Dots are easy to find just about anywhere at the Bank.

 

 
citizens bank park food bring your own

You can fit a few sandwiches in a 16*16*8 bag. Good ones.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 8) Bring Your Own + Other Tightwad Tips

Yes, you can bring your own food into Citizens Bank Park, sort of. You can carry a 16*16*8 bag into the place, so long as it does not contain alcohol, bottles or cans. That’s certainly large enough to hold your peanuts and crackerjack.

I mentioned the Taxi Crab from Chickie’s and Pete’s; you can get takeout crab fries there and get your cheese sauce included as opposed to paying extra for it. Saves a few bucks. In the Chickie’s and Pete’s plaza is also an excellent pasta shop and deli called Pastaficio’s; people rave online about their sandwiches and talk about including them in a trip to the game. (I’ve done that myself and not regretted it.)

 

nuts to you philadelphia

A heaven-sent store for thrifty South Jersey Phillies fans.

If you’re a South Jersey native, here’s one of my favorite tricks: If you’re using the PATCO-SEPTA train combo from NJ, there is an excellent nuts and candy shop called “Nuts 2 You” on 13th and Walnut Streets…whenever I use the PATCO I stop there and fill up with their warm and fresh peanuts and sesame sticks.

There’s also Xfinity Live! across the street from the ballpark, of course; you can order takeout from a number of joints here, including Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries and Geno’s cheesesteaks, but there’s a definite markup and I don’t know that there’s enough of a cost savings to make it worth the trouble.

If you’re taking using Regional Rail to get to the ballpark, at Suburban Station (where you transfer to the Board Street Line) there are several fast food joints and even sushi bars to load up your bag. Bring as much to drink in plastic bottles as you can; you will likely be thirsty.

 

citizens bank park food soft pretzels

Note the concentration of salt in the center of the soft pretzels. That’s actually authentic.

Before and after games there are vendors on Pattison Avenue, selling soft pretzels and bottled water much cheaper than inside. If you’re interested in a soft pretzel (the other food staple of Philly), you should get one outside, and get a water or two because they’re salty. If you think of it, have a couple of mustard packets on hand to put mustard on your pretzel so it isn’t so dry. You financial wizard you.

 

Here’s a few more tightwad tips to help you save money on food at Citizens Bank Park:

The Phillies sell souvenir cups of soda; they cost a bit extra but you get a free refill, making it well worth the extra couple of bucks. You can get a bottomless popcorn too, and you won’t get arrested if you share it.

 

phillies designated driver

Be a good sport and encourage your friends to have a few.

If you don’t plan to drink alcohol, you can get a coupon for a free soda at the Designated Driver Signup, in exchange for a pledge to drive your partners home. If you drink the soda fast enough you can fill your cup of ice with water at the fountains. Last I checked, the booth was near the kids play area.

If you have kids with you, or if you don’t mind smaller portions, there are Phanatic Kids Corner stands selling smaller dogs and PB&J sandwiches at reduced prices for kids. Smaller portions, but the kids won’t care.

 

phillies dollar dog nights

The savings increase exponentially with every hot dog you eat!

The Phillies have about a half dozen Dollar Dog Nights each season, which is great deal of course, but remember that lines can be long. The best thing about Dollar Dog Nights, actually, is the shorter lines everywhere else, but a ballgame dog for a buck is pretty cool. And vegan dogs are now included.

 
citizens bank park food 2023 greens and grains

The chicken parm panini. Making Philly baseball better.
(photo courtesy of Greens and Grains)

New Citizens Bank Park Food For 2023!

The Phillies have a great selection of food going on, particularly offering a taste of Philadelphia, and there isn’t a need to change much. But they did add a few nice items in 2023, including some healthy eats and a nod to the last World Series winning manager in Philly:

Greens and Grains is a vegan and vegetarian food joint with locations mostly in South Jersey, where I live. They’re offering up their Chk’n Parm Pesto Panini sandwich, the Gyro Pita sandwich (with what they call Homemade Seitan Gyro “Meat”), and a Moving Mountains plant-based vegan hot dog. I love gyros and they’re an underrated ballpark food, and I’m eating healthier these days, so I’m happy about this.

Uncle Charlie’s Steaks is named for Charlie Manuel, the even-keeled manager who led the Fightin’ Phils to their glorious championship of 2008. It’s fresh cheesesteaks on Liscio’s seeded rolls with Herr’s kettle chips.

I’m not sure if it’s Uncle Charlie’s recipe or not, but you now have another choice…this makes four types of cheesesteaks at Citizens Bank Park, not including the ones you can get at Geno’s at Xfinity Live! or at Oregon Steaks close to some of the satellite lots. Love that.

Some of the existing eateries are also offering some new items…Federal Donuts now has crispy chicken tenders with their “Everything Rooster” dipping sauce. Should be a bit neater than the fried chicken pieces they used to serve.

The Pass and Stow eatery how has South Philly Disco Fries, and listen to this lineup: fries topped with roast pork, melted sharp provolone cheese, broccoli rabe, and roasted red peppers. Think of the classic Tony Luke’s roast pork sandwich but with fries instead of bread. Ding!

They’ll also have Mexican street popcorn, with a Tajin chile spice blend, lime juice, and cotija cheese. A cool variation of Mexican street corn, and I’m surprised no one else thought of that to my knowledge.

 

citizens bank park food campos

Here’s one more pic of a Citizens Bank Park cheesesteak for you.

There you have it my friends…your complete guide to the Citizens Bank Park food menu. Philly sports fans have it pretty good, yes? You are now armed with the knowledge you need to make an informed selection at the game, and help your friends (or date) with the challenging selection too.

If you’d like to know how to choose a great seat at Citizens Bank Park, check out this highly detailed seating guide…and if you’d like to know how to score cheap Phillies tickets, the best way to get to there, and what to do with the kids, check out this highly informative and useful guide to Citizens Bank Park.

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Click here to start booking your trip to Philadelphia and Citizens Bank Park today!

 

The Best Way To Get To PNC Park (Without A Car)

Posted by Kurt Smith

One very cool thing about PNC Park in Pittsburgh is that because of its location, you have a choice of not just the free downtown buses and light rail (I talk a little bit about that here), but also some fun, romantic and greener ways to arrive at a Pirates game. For the best way to get to PNC Park without a car, check out one of these choices (but first a quick word from our sponsor)…

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best way to get to pnc park gateway clipper

“And folks, if you look to your left, you’ll see…oh wait, here we are!”

Best way to get to PNC Park, #1) The Gateway Clipper. The Gateway Clipper folks have a fleet of inland riverboats that run folks from Station Square to the outfield entrance of PNC Park. The fee is reasonable and free for kids under six. You can usually park in the West Lot at Station Square cheaply, so long as there isn’t a special event going on.

Clippers begin carrying passengers over two hours before the game starts, and begin return trips in the 7th inning until a half hour after the game (or a half hour after postgame fireworks or kids running bases). The lines for the return trip can get long afterwards, so be prepared.

The Clipper is a fun and novel way to get to or from a ballgame; it’s also a cool romantic thing if you’re so inclined. Station Square is a happening spot, with stores, restaurants and hotels and a railroad car that can take you up the Monongahela Incline for a spectacular view of Pittsburgh.

Just try to get on the earliest boat, because they’ll sometimes wait until a boat is full before sending it, and this has made people late for games in the past.

My friends at TickPick have Pirates tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

pirates tickets tickpick

Get $10 off your first purchase with email sign-up!

 

best way to get to pnc park bicycle

Featuring a solar-powered station, for further carbon footprint reduction with your baseball!

Best way to get to PNC Park, #2) Ride your bicycle (or rent one). PNC Park isn’t a bad ballpark to two-wheel it; there are bicycle paths near the park, including a sweet scenic route along the waterfront. Cyclists can use any of the many bridges that connect the North Shore to Everywhere Else in Pittsburgh except for the I-579 Veterans Bridge. There are ample bicycle racks on Federal Street on the east side of the ballpark.

An organization called Bike Pittsburgh features a map of trails and dedicated bicycle lanes in the city on their website. If you’re using a car/bicycle combination, Bike Pittsburgh suggests parking for free at Washington’s Landing north in the Allegheny and using the North Shore Trail straight to the park.

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You also have bicycle rental options in Pittsburgh; for a small fee, Pogoh members can take a bike from various stations throughout the city and return it to another station.

Pogoh has a station close to PNC; it’s at the foot of the Fort Duquesne Bridge a block east of the ballpark. You could also use the Allegheny station, and hop on the T for a free ride to the North Side station. The North Side Station is right at the front door of PNC Park.

From what I’ve read in reviews of Pogoh (generally positive), it’s definitely a good idea to get everything set up as far as accounts and such before trying this.

 

best way to get to pnc park pedicab

Nothing like having the right of way in downtown.

Best way to get to PNC Park, #3) Take a rickshaw. For a novel way to avoid traffic, save gas, and be eco-friendly, Green Gears Pedicabs will pedal you in a bicycle rickshaw to PNC Park and back from most downtown locations. Just call them and tell them where you are, and they’ll send one.

You can even bring a reasonable amount of cargo, and the nice part is that you don’t have to wait for the driver on the phone in front of you to get moving.

Up to three can ride in a Pedicab, and the price is fairly reasonable for the experience (parking would be cheaper, but just saying), although they would probably like you to tip.

 

Baseball fans talk glowingly about the view in PNC Park, and rightly so, but I consider the multiple ways to arrive at the place a great plus too. For your next visit to PNC, try an unusual way to get there, and experience more of a great city!

(Need more PNC Park help? Check out my completely detailed PNC Park seating guide, some great food options at the home of the Pirates, and some killer parking spots!)

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Fenway Park Food Menu 2023 – Best Food, Fenway Franks + More

Posted by Kurt Smith

Here it is, Red Sox fans and Fenway visitors: your complete guide to the Fenway Park food menu!

The culinary highlights at Fenway Park aren’t as fancy schmancy as at most ballparks, but it’s greatly improved from years past. Honestly though, their food guide doesn’t offer up much info about it.

So someone needed to step up and address this, and I’m just the guy for the job.

I’ve talked about Fenway Park food elsewhere, including the Fenway Frank, and the outside sausages, but this is your complete, all-inclusive, full Monty, whole shebang…(GET ON WITH IT!!)

 

fenway park food monster dog

Notice how the mustard spells “Mmmmmm”.

Here’s your table of contents in case you want to skip anything. (But don’t, there’s great photos!)

The Fenway Park Food Main Street
A Big Concourse With A Big Food Court
A Night Out At The Sam Deck
Behold The Fenway Frank + Monster Dogs
In Massachusetts, We Eat Lobstah.
Burgers + Other Sandwiches
Do Red Sox Fans Eat Pizza?
Healthy, Kosher, and Gluten-Free Fenway Eats
Fenway Park Desserts
Bring Your Own Grub
Lansdowne Sausages – A Baseball Tradition
Some Fenway Park Food Tightwad Tips
Fenway Park Food Updates For 2023

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jersey street fenway park

Get your lobstah heah!

The Fenway Park Food Main Street

Jersey Street, formerly Yawkey Way, is a street that runs east of Fenway; the Red Sox close it off on game days so that fans can enjoy an experience similar to Eutaw Street in Baltimore.

It’s definitely where you want to enter the ballpark to try the better Fenway Park grub, such as…

 

El Tiante Fenway Park

For the record, no, that’s not Luis Tiant.

El Tiante serves up Cuban sandwiches (ham, pork, pickles, cheese and mustard) and the possible excitement of meeting Luis Tiant, the star pitcher from the 1970s Sox teams. Tiant is sometimes there to sign autographs, but I’ve not yet seen him, so I wouldn’t buy a Red Sox ticket just for that.

El Tiante also carries Italian and spicy sausages. I’ve seen Al Fresco sweet apple chicken sausages and jerk chicken sandwiches on the menu too.

 

fenway park fish

Anytime fries and slaw are included, a sandwich isn’t a big risk.

The Fish Shack is the spot for fried seafood appetizers, like clams calamari (with jalapenos), fish and chips with a side of tartar sauce that Homer Simpson would approve of, and a fish sandwich (flounder I believe). They have surf and turf kabobs here, clam chowdah, and an impressive and expensive lobster roll that you can order hot or cold. (More about the Lobster Roll in a bit.)

Yankee Lobster (!) is the purveyor of the seafood items; I’m not sure who thought it was a good idea to have anything “Yankee” at Fenway Park. But anyway, with their addition comes rotating items on the menu, so you could see things like lobster mac and cheese here as well. If you want seafood at a Red Sox game, check out the Fish Shack first.

 

fenway park food taste of boston

Authentic Dominican food, appropriate for the “Taste of Boston”.

Taste of Boston is a pretty cool idea. Each month of the season, two local favorites from Boston set up shop here. Taste of Boston has featured Mei Mei (bacon fried rice and cheesy nachos), Roxy’s Grilled Cheese (Green Muenster Melts) and Jake’s Boss BBQ (ribs and pulled pork sandwiches).

If you’re visiting Boston for a game at Fenway and want to try something popular and local, definitely check out Taste of Boston. Sometimes they will feature something related to the visiting team; in one of my recent visits the Blue Jays were in town, and the Blue Frog Bakery was there with Canadian bacon sandwiches.

 

 
fenway sausages

An example of how clearly the Red Sox communicate food choices.

The Big Concourse – The Fenway Park Food Court

The Big Concourse (the Red Sox call it the Right Field Concourse, the Kids Concourse and the Bleacher Concourse, but it’s all basically the same spot) is a picnic area in right field large enough to feature picnic tables, with umbrellas even.

There aren’t many unique names for stands in the Big Concourse (unless you consider “Chicken Tenders & Fries” to be unique, which I guess it is). For the most part the stands in the Big Concourse are self-explanatory; Burgers & Fries and Sausages stands sell what they say they sell. Most all stands here sell Fenway Franks and Monster Dogs.

That aside, if you’re looking for the more unusual Fenway Park food items, like Grillo’s Pickles or the Franken Bean Hot Dog, the Big Concourse is where to find them.

 

nachos big concourse Red Sox

Put them in a container and shake it.

The aptly named Nachos stands make very impressive plates of nachos…they pile on chicken, beef, cheese, salsa and sour cream. Best to get a fork and napkins for this one.

There are Corn & Co. stands here with varying flavors of gourmet popcorn. You can get souvenir refillable popcorn, but unless you really, really love popcorn or are sharing with hungry kids, I doubt you’ll be refilling that large thing more than once.

 

red sox food cavendish farms fries

I love when you have to carefully protect the bonus fries.

Cavendish Farms is the provider of French fries at Fenway; their fries are coated and seasoned and  nice and crispy, and the typical size and shape you’d expect from French fries. (Incidentally, they are serious about their offerings for sporting events. Check this out.)

The Big Concourse even has vending machines with sandwiches and snacks so people don’t have to wait in line. No microwaves, so I’m presuming the machines are keeping stuff warm somehow.

 

 
fenway park food lobster roll

So good you’ll want to protect the plate!

A Night Out At The Sam Deck

The Sam Deck is the revamped tavern in the Right Field Roof Deck and was formerly the Budweiser Brew House, before the Red Sox improved their tastes and made Samuel Adams the beer of choice.

This was once just a bar with better drink selection, but the Red Sox have turned it into a restaurant with a nice view and a high end menu.

Food choices include lobster rolls, mozzarella sticks, Bavarian pretzels, Buffalo chicken pizza rolls, apple fries; in other words, fancy stuff that you won’t find anywhere else in the park. There’s also craft brews, since that’s a big thing in baseball now.

I’ll talk more about the Fenway eateries like the Sam Deck, Game On!, and the Bleacher Bar in a future post, but for now you know that if you’re sitting in the upper right field seats, you can visit the Sam Deck for good eats.

 

 
fenway park food monster dog

The Monster-sized Fenway Frank, still unequaled.

Behold The Fenway Frank + Monster Dogs

Honestly, the Fenway Frank deserves its own post. Here’s my ode to it.

But just for basics…the Fenway Frank is still the go-to food item at Fenway. It’s made by Kayem Foods, who spiced up the Fenway Frank with more garlic and smoke when they took it over in 2009.

The inimitable Fenway Frank is served in a white bread bun for that mushy texture, which is unusual for a ballpark dog but shouldn’t be. If you’re too hungry for just one, there are Monster Dogs sold in several places, including on Jersey Street. They are indeed Monster-sized at ten inches long.

You can also get Fenway Franks in local supermarkets, of course.

 

Fenway park guide lobster roll

A lobster roll is like revenge…it’s a dish best served cold.

In Massachusetts, We Eat Lobstah.

The Lobster Roll is a fan favorite at Fenway, and with good reason. A hunk of New England lobster on that same toasted white bread roll used to house the Fenway Frank. It’s still available most everywhere in Fenway, so it’s a popular item here.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge the Red Sox no longer serve the impressive Lobster Poutine Stak, but if I hear differently I’ll let you know.
 

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tasty burgers fenway

I just like how the grill looks like a car.

Fenway Burgers, BBQ, + Deli Sandwiches

Savenor’s is a highly regarded purveyor of beef in the region, and they are the Official Beef Provider of the Red Sox or something like that.

There are several types of burgers at Fenway, depending on where you are in the ballpark. There’s a basic burger/cheeseburger you can get pretty much anywhere. Then there’s the Bloody Mary burger in the Big Concourse, made with (ready for this?) Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, lemon juice, vodka, and Bloody Mary mix. Don’t ask me where they put the vodka.

Finally, the new Truly Terrace has a Truly Awesome Burger, which is Savenor’s butter smash burger, topped with melted Vermont cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and Thousand Island dressing on a brioche roll.

Incidentally, if you’ve got a hankering for a burger at Fenway, there is a Tasty Burger on the corner of Jersey and Boylston just a block from the ballpark. The burgers there are cheaper and you have a much bigger selection of toppings. Just throwing that one out there.

 

fenway park pulled pork sandwich

Nothing makes a pulled pork sandwich like sloppy slaw!

Oh, and check out the King’s Hawaiian sliders.

Savenor’s is the provider of beef and turkey for other sandwiches, like steak tips sandwiches…something like a Philly cheesesteak, but with thicker slabs of meat. Or try an Italian beef sandwich if you can find one (look around Jersey Street or the Big Concourse).

Savenor’s is known for “using the whole animal for prime cuts”, and was voted Best of Boston by Boston Magazine. So they’re safe, as beef goes.

 

fenway park food deli

Yes, you can eat a fruit cup at a baseball game. Or two.

Finally, for deli sandwiches, check out the Fenway Farms Deli on the third base side and in the Big Concourse…build yourself a hand carved sandwich with Boar’s Head meats. Choose from hot pastrami, beef or turkey. Wraps and salads can be had here too as you can see.

There’s quite an impressive selection of condiments here: honey mustard, horseradish, savory remoulade, and deli mustard to name a few. The Fenway Farm items are actually grown on the roof of Fenway (they don’t, however, pass on the shipping savings to fans), and many of the ingredients in the sandwiches come from the farm, which is as fresh as it gets.

The name of this joint changes from time to time, so it might have a different moniker when you go, but the location has been the same.

 

 
fenway park food pizza

Ah, they do have real pizza here! (wipes brow)
(photo courtesy of Sal’s Pizza)

Do Red Sox Fans Eat Pizza?

Believe it or not, yes. Pizza stands are just about everywhere in Fenway, serving Sal’s Pizza, the Official Pizza of the Boston Red Sox. They have about a dozen locations in the region, including one on Brookline Avenue very close to Fenway if you’d like to have a better selection. They even have food trucks going around.

Sal’s is good stuff, especially by ballpark pizza standards. They use 100% mozzarella and locally grown vegetables, but get their tomatoes off the vine from Northern California, so they’ll go great distances if needed for taste. If you’d like to try it outside of Fenway, you can get their frozen pizza at Boston area markets.

You can get a whole pie for a reasonable price (for a ballpark, anyway), but since it takes a while, you can order that first, get your Sam Adams and come back for it.

 

 
fenway park gluten free

The food is gluten free too, not just the umbrella.

Healthy, Kosher, and Gluten-Free Fenway Eats

The Red Sox did a nice thing for celiacs and put a Gluten Free stand near the Gate D entrance. They have a Fenway Frank on a gluten-free roll, brownies and cookies, and the healthy stuff that’s never in danger of being contaminated: fruit cups, nuts, sushi, hummus, etc. My wife is allergic, so now I have something to sell to her for another trip.

At the salad bar in the Big Concourse, you can customize your own healthy salad, with items from the Fenway garden. The salad bar is another spot for deli sandwiches, with Buffalo chicken, turkey or roast beef.

 

If you’re interested in trying something truly different, try the Mings Bings, introduced to Fenway by chef Ming Tsai. Ming’s Bings are handheld pockets with plant-based cheeseburger or sausage filling. They’re wheat-free, gluten-free, and vegan, and they’re an ideal ballpark snack.

There are stands in the Big Concourse and the Third Base Deck dedicated to vegetarian and healthy choices, like wraps, Panini sandwiches, veggie dogs and burgers, hummus and Caesar or fruit salads. The veggie burgers and dogs don’t look all that appetizing under heat lamps, but I’m guessing they’ll give you a fresh one.

Fenway doesn’t have a large Kosher selection…there’s a kosher hot dog vending machine in the Big Concourse, and as of this writing I believe it’s the only way to get a kosher dog here. Feel free to correct me on that…

 

 
red sox ice cream

I’ll take the vanilla half.

Fenway Park Food – For Sweet Teeth

As of this writing, the Fenway Park dessert menu includes a “banana splitter”, with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream between banana ends with hot fudge and sprinkles. The Red Sox have also added Jane Dough’s edible cookie dough, with soft serve ice cream and other toppings.

You can also get: Crackerjacks, cotton candy, fried dough, Hood ice cream, kettle corn, milk shakes and slushies. Try not to have them all at once. Most of them are available on all of the concourses; the ones that aren’t are usually in the Big Concourse.

They’re easy to find; for ice cream for example, look for a stand called “Ice Cream”. If you like Dippin’ Dots, there are “Ittibitz” available, which are the same thing.

There was a “build your own sundae” stand in the center field corner of the Big Concourse last I checked–soft ice cream in a souvenir helmet with your choice of Oreos, bananas, cherries, sprinkles, etc. Oreos complete ice cream, IMHO, so it’s worth a look.

 

 
bring your own food fenway

I feel slick when I sneak one of these in.

Bring Your Own Food Into Fenway – Yes, You Can! No You Can’t Anymore…

Unfortunately the Red Sox no longer allow food to be brought into Fenway. See my 2023 update below

If you look at the prohibited items list at Fenway here, you’ll see there’s no restrictions against bringing in a soft-sided bag smaller than 5*9*2, so long as you don’t have alcohol or potential projectiles in it. I’ve done this in almost every trip I’ve made to Fenway and have never had a problem.

This gives you some options to bring in just about any kind of cuisine, at least what you can fit, even from the numerous sausage vendors surrounding the ballpark (more about them in a second). There is also every type of takeout joint you can think of a short walk away, from Chipotle to the aforementioned Tasty Burger to the new Wahlburgers, if you want to grab a couple of less expensive sandwiches or burritos or whatever to take in.

If you’re parking near the Pru Center, there’s plenty of options in their Food Court, and there’s now a Timeout Market near the Fenway T station with tons of selections. Both of these are a bit of a walk to the ballpark though, so plan ahead on keeping the stuff warm.

 

fenway park food peanuts

“Two bags of peanuts were walking down the street, and one was a-salted!”

Should you have forgotten to buy your peanuts from a less expensive vendor (or the nearby Shaw’s market), you have two choices: buy them from the roasted peanuts kiosk on Jersey Street, or order them from a peanut vendor in the stands and have them fired at you with uncanny accuracy, which is sometimes worth the price.

Remember to be wary of just how big a bag you bring.

 

 
sausage connection fenway park

This is the one with the Inner Beauty hot sauce. Think yellow!

Lansdowne Street Sausages – A Boston Baseball Tradition

Few things are more quintessential Fenway Park food than the purveyors of outside sausages…you see and smell them as soon as you arrive from the Kenmore station.

The Sausage Guy and The Sausage Connection are two of my favorites and I gave them a separate post…but here’s a bit about some of the others:

Sausage King is probably the first visible stand on Lansdowne coming from the T; it has a red sign with a pig’s face on top. Sausage King has dogs, sausages, chicken teriyaki and steak tips; they serve them with an optional wicked red hot sauce that is close to Louisiana style.

The Original Che-Chi’s has the same sausages, dogs and chicken and steak as the rest; they’re further down Lansdowne a bit, and they’re another stand with a red sign. Che-Chi’s has a secret hot sauce, which is more of a smoky BBQ style sauce. They can be a mite cheaper than the rest, if you’re thrifty.

 

best sausage co

Yes, it’s a Cajun chicken sandwich, but we do make the best sausage too.

The Best Sausage Co. has a stand on the corner of Jersey and Lansdowne. The stand sells sausages and other sandwiches—they’re the only ones I saw with a Cajun chicken sandwich. Look for the blue stand…the vendors here seem to be having a better time than most hawkers; maybe it’s a requirement being on Jersey Street.

Fenway’s Best & Original I’ve read that this is “Artie’s” famous stand, but you won’t find Artie’s name anywhere. This one is near Gate D on the other end of Jersey Street, so it’s a bit further from the T station. They offer up “Bianco’s World Famous BBQ” (not famous enough for me to have heard of it, but just saying) and it gets nice reviews from Yelpers.

There’s a lot more sausage stands than I’ve covered here, and you can find cheaper ones if you look hard enough, but these are the prominent vendors on Lansdowne Street.

 

 
red sox mastercard popcorn

If this isn’t worth giving them your social security number and mother’s maiden name, I don’t know what is.

Some Fenway Park Food Tightwad Tips

I love that you’ve stuck with me this long about the culinary specialties in America’s oldest ballpark, so here’s a few helpful tips to save money on food at Fenway:

$ – You can sign up to be a designated driver at a booth in the lower concourse, and get a coupon for a free soda. They’ll put a strap on you though, so no fooling.

$ – The Red Sox have kids meals, where the little fan can get a grilled cheese or PB&J, a snack like animal crackers and a Capri Sun. All for just a fin as of this writing.

$Baseball loves MasterCard…using it to buy things can sometimes get sometimes score you a small bonus, like a free souvenir bucket for your popcorn.

$ – If you buy a souvenir soda cup, you get free refills for the rest of the game. It’s a lotta lotta sugar, but at least you’re getting your money’s worth.

 

 
fenway park food 2023 boston red sox

They still have tasty burgers, just not with a capital T.

New Fenway Park Food Update for 2023 …

So like most teams, the Boston Red Sox have updated the menu slightly at Fenway Park for 2023. I don’t know what, if anything, has been removed…but if I find out I will update this post. Meanwhile, here’s some new Red Sox food knowledge for 2023…the most notable is the new restriction on bringing in food:

At the relatively new Truly Terrace stand, you can now get a New England maple bacon burger…that’s a tasty name even. It features a fresh (one would hope) beef patty with maple bacon (W!), caramelized onions, and Vermont cheddar cheese on a brioche bun. You can also get this behind home plate.

I’m not sure if it’s anything new, but I’m told that you can get grande nachos in a baseball helmet and steak and cheese sandwiches, so I’m just adding that here. You can usually find stuff like this in the Big Concourse in right field. Wash the helmet before wearing it…

The Red Sox have also added 2020s technology to their 1910s ballpark…with grab and go stands now in multiple areas of the ballpark. Don’t want to deal with those surly Red Sox cashiers (I’m kidding, they’re usually nice)? Try the self-checkout grab and go and get beverages, popcorn etc. easily. Well, easily if you’re under 50 anyway.

 

fenway park food 2023

Darn, do I have to actually eat this now?

And unfortunately the Red Sox have changed their policy regarding bringing food into Fenway Park…it’s no longer allowed. (Big boooos on that.) Bags have to be 12*12*6 or smaller, and can’t have more than one compartment. You are allowed to bring in one 16 oz. bottle of water, so take advantage of that.

Ultimately this means you’ll just have to enjoy your Sausage Connection sandwich before you enter the gate, which most people do anyway, but it’s a bummer that I can’t bring in my own peanuts.

 

There you have it fans, a long overdue, completely complete guide to the Fenway Park food menu. If you enjoyed it, please support my sponsors! And of course, be sure to read this complete Fenway Park guide for your next trip to the home of the Red Sox!

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Can You Bring Food Into Fenway Park?

Posted by Kurt Smith

Can you bring food into Fenway Park? The short answer is yes, you can. The Red Sox allow you to bring in a 5*9*2 soft-sided bag, so long as it doesn’t contain alcohol or potential projectiles. Small, but still potentially useful. Nothing wrong with the Fenway Park food menu, but it’s nice to save a few bucks, especially in Boston.

(Note: As of 2023, I’m told you can no longer bring food into Fenway Park…I’m not sure how much the Red Sox are enforcing that, but I suppose you should be aware. I’m sharing these choices anyway. You’ll just have to eat your sausage sandwich when you buy it. Dang.)

But now that you know that you can bring food into Fenway Park, the new question is what to bring in…and Ballpark E-Guides, always willing to take the extra base, has a few suggestions:

Some Food Items You Can Bring Into Fenway Park…

 

can yuo bring food into fenway park sausage connection

That is more than enough Inner Beauty.

The Sausage Connection. Of all of the vendors selling sausages on Lansdowne Street before the game, the Sausage Connection is my personal favorite. It’s a yellow kiosk near the Game Day tickets line.

Not only are the prices for sausages and chicken teriyaki sandwiches better than inside the ballpark, they offer that “Inner Beauty” hot sauce, a thick mustard-style sauce that will blow out the back of your brain (go easy with it at first, seriously).

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can you bring food into fenway park sausage guy

Bigger than the roll, and foil included. Check.

The Sausage Guy. David Littlefield sells hefty and reasonably priced (for Fenway) sweet Italian sausages, and he loads them up with a nice amount of peppers and onions. Good and messy as it should be. Look for the small blue kiosk in front of Cask -N- Flagon.

And he’s open well into the evening, just in case you’re hungry after the game and have a few bucks left.

 

can you bring food into fenway tasty burger

You need only dodge traffic to get there.

Tasty Burger. The chain of burger and beer joints has a location on the corner of Jersey Street and Boylston Street, just a block from the ballpark (it’s close enough that they can charge $50 to park there). The restaurant itself is cheaper…and the selection of burgers is much, much better.

That’s just three great choices if you want to bring food into Fenway Park and save a few bucks. If you’d like to know more about Fenway Park for your next visit, check out this amazing (and free) guide!

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Click here to start booking your trip to Boston and Fenway Park today!

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Wrigley Field Food Menu 2023 – Smokies, Italian Beef + More

Posted by Kurt Smith

Here it is my friend: the complete, ultimate fan’s guide to the Wrigley Field food menu.

Read it well and read it often, because this is important! If a trip to the Friendly Confines is in your future plans, you’re going to want to sample Chicago-style dogs, local pizza and (not or, and) Italian beef. Or find cool nearby places and bring your own.

And of course, you’re going to want to tell your friends about the food in Chicago’s North Side ballpark.

 

chicago dogs

Yes, I’m gonna talk about hot dogs. No worries.

Don’t skip anything, but if time is a factor, here’s your table of contents:

The Sheffield Counter Wrigley Field Restaurant
Yes, You’re In Chicago, Part 1: Chicago Dogs + Other Encased Meat
Yes, You’re In Chicago, Part 2: Local Pizza
Yes, You’re In Chicago, Part 3: Italian Beef
Chicken, Brisket, and Other Sandwiches
What About Burgers?
Fries, Nachos + Other Munchie Food at Wrigley Field
For Big Ass Cub Fan Appetites
Dessert At The Friendly Confines
Healthy Wrigley Field Food: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, + Kosher
Want To Save Money On Wrigley Field Food? Check Out This Tip!
And Yes, You Can Bring Your Own

New Wrigley Field Food For 2023

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The Attached Wrigley Field Restaurant

Because Wrigley has changed so much since my last visit, and time is a factor putting this out, I’m leaving an analysis of the new fancy clubs for a future post. You can read about them here on the Cubs website.

sheffield counter

The Cubs seem to like the word “Corner” better these days, but the food doesn’t taste any different.

The Sheffield Corner restaurant is located at the end of the right field concourse, along Sheffield Avenue, and is open to anyone with a ticket. It’s a small sit down area with tables and window counters, so you can watch construction while you eat.

You can also order somewhat fancy chicken sandwiches, including the new Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich in 2022, cheeseburgers and dogs, Big Slugger nachos, and a healthier items like a vegan Sloppy Jane sandwich. The Big W Burger and Cuban Burger were available here in my last visit.

The Corner is open two hours before game time, but it does get packed, and you’ll be tight with your neighbor if you don’t arrive fairly early.

 

Yes, You’re In Chicago, Part 1: Chicago Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are Chicago, and Chicago is hot dogs. The Wrigley Field food menu includes them in all of the necessary forms:

 

chicago dogs

Poppy seeds, grilled onions…this can really soften the blow of a Cubs defeat.

Chicago Dog kiosks are found in most all of the concourses, on both levels and on the Bleacher Patio. Chicago Dog has Vienna Beef franks or Polish sausages on poppy-seed buns, on which you can add a big pile of raw or grilled onions, chopped tomatoes, sport peppers, mustard, sauerkraut, celery salt and that bright green relish that make it a dog “dragged through the garden” as Chicago visitors call it.

Lines get long at Chicago Dog stands, and people scarf up the toppings, so you should hit one early. They might still be cash-only, so have some on hand. Chicago Dog used to carry bison dogs; there is a separate cart for that now (read on).

 

wrigley field hot doug's

With a logo like this, you know it’s a great dog. (image courtesy of Hot Doug’s)

Hot Doug’s: “Hot Doug” Sohn was the owner of the most popular hot dog stand in Chicago–as in lines around the block popular. He became successful enough to retire, but the Cubs liked his unusual dogs enough to give him a stand in the bleacher section, behind the center field scoreboard. There you go; another reason to get a bleacher ticket at Wrigley, which is the only place you can order Hot Doug’s sausages. Lines get very long at this stand too, so jump on it early if you can.

Hot Doug’s famous dogs are sold in various forms named after Cubs’ greats, which they rotate for each homestand. For example, you might see the Tinker to Evers to Chance double play combination (Trivia question answer: Harry Steinfeldt.):

Joe Tinker: A veal saltimbocca sausage with crispy onions, sage mustard and Swiss cheese.

Johnny Evers: A jalapeño and Jack cheese pork sausage with caramelized onions, sweet and spicy mustard and more Jack cheese.

Frank Chance: A spicy Polish sausage topped with cilantro aioli, pico de gallo and Chihuahua cheese.

 

wrigley field food high plains bison

The logo features a three-legged bison…which is presumably easier to catch.

The High Plains Bison people are the Official Lean Meat of the Chicago Cubs, and they have separate carts at Wrigley that sell hot dogs, Italian sausages and brats made from lean bison meat. On your sausage you can get peppers, sweet onions and/or marinara.

The High Plains bison dog itself doesn’t taste very different from a classic dog except for a smokier flavor, and the meat is leaner and healthier, as they clearly state on this kiosk. I had one in my last trip and it was very good.

So why choose a bison dog? According to the High Plains website, bison offers 45% fewer calories than beef, 87% less fat, and 100% more iron. And of course, you have the option of getting one at Wrigley Field.

 

wrigley field smokies

Nothing says smoked beef like a hand-operated scoreboard look.

Wrigley Field Smokies: I didn’t know this, but smoked sausages were a popular thing at Wrigley, so the Cubs brought them back. The Smokies cart sells hickory-smoked beef sausages with a secret blend of seasonings, and no artificial colors or flavorings. I don’t know how to describe a smoky flavor, but that is the selling point. Smokies are also made by Vienna Beef, and they’ve informed me that they offer them on their website for limited times.

The Smokies are slightly larger than the Wrigley dog and cost a bit more; you can get one with grilled onions and stuff. I don’t see them on the current Cubs menu, so if you can’t find the cart, you can probably order them at Chicago Dogs or another stand.

 

wrigley field food decade dogs

Well, the picture was cool.

Apparently, the Decade Dogs stand is unfortunately no more; it was another spot for unusual hot dogs that were named after the decades when such items were popular, like a 1970s “TV Dinner” dog. The Cubs fetched $1,000 for charity selling the sign. If you want unusual dogs, go for Hot Doug’s or the Sheffield Counter.

 

wrigley field Chicago hot dog

Here, I proudly display my own handiwork of dressing a dog Chicago-style. I get stingy with that neon green relish.

One last note about Wrigley Field hot dogs. If you buy a dog from a vendor as opposed to the concessions kiosks, the dog will be steamed coming from the vendor as opposed to grilled. Not that one is better than the other; the religion of Chicago dogs isn’t clear on the matter.

The vendor steamed hot dog is wrapped up and the roll can get good and mushy, which some folks (including myself) like. Still, you’re missing out on the whole dressing up of the hot dog this way—with a vendor you’re limited to mustard packets.

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Yes, You’re In Chicago, Part 2: Home Run Inn Pizza

The local favorite Home Run Inn Pizza is now the pizza of the Cubs; you can find it pretty much anywhere around the ballpark. In case you don’t know who Home Run Inn is, they’re a Chicago-based local chain with nine locations in the area, and they sell frozen pizzas as well.

They’re not deep dish, unfortunately, for reasons unknown the Cubs went with a thin crust purveyor. But Home Run Inn has been around since 1923, and in Chicago, you must be doing something right to stick around that long.

 

wrigley field food giordanos pizza

True, I don’t want to watch someone else eat this.

As a big fan of Giordano’s deep dish pies, I’m sorry to see they’re not featured at Wrigley anymore…but while the convenience of trying a deep dish pie at Wrigley was great, Giordano’s has an actual location just a few blocks away, with better selection of pizzas and toppings anyway. It’s just a 12 minute walk from Wrigley, and just steps from the Belmont Red Line Station.

I know it’s not on the Wrigley menu, but I liked the picture.

 

Yes, You’re In Chicago, Part 3: Italian Beef

wrigley field italian beef

Is it me, or does the sun shine brighter on Italian beef?
(photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs)

For you non-Chicago natives, the Italian Beef is roast beef that is sliced thinly, slow cooked in au jus gravy and seasonings, and then dumped on a roll with hot pepper giardiniera if you like. It’s a little bit like a Philly cheesesteak, but different enough to make it a Chicago thing. You’ll need napkins for this one.

One thing, BTW, don’t call it an “Italian beef sandwich” in front of a native. Just Italian Beef.

Buona Beef is the official Italian Beef of the Cubs. Buona is a popular chain of about 17 restaurants, with an excellent diagram on their site about how to make an Italian beef sandwich. I trust them.

You can find the Italian beef at Bleacher Platform 14, and also at the Chicago Dogs and Marquee Grill stands.

 

wrigley field als italian beef

A nearby and equally authentic authentic Italian beef. (photo courtesy of Al’s Italian Beef.)

Nothing against Buona, but if you’d like to try a true classic Italian beef, no need to go far… Al’s restaurant is just a short walk south on Clark Street. Lots more choices of toppings, and Al’s is a true vintage classic in Chicago. And I’m not just saying that because they let me use this photo.

Don’t wait till you get to the ballpark to get your Chicago Cubs gear…
Order your caps, jerseys, and more now at MLBShop.com and save!

Click here to order your Cubs gear today!

 

Other Sandwiches: BBQ Chicken + Others

wrigley field chick-ago sandwich

Nothing like leaving your teammate a Chick-Ago sandwich in the on-deck circle!
(photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs)

Here’s a fun one…the Chick-Ago Sandwich. It’s pickle brined and seasoned chicken thighs with tempura sport peppers, vine ripe tomato chunks, and dill aioli on an onion roll with celery salt. Kind of like a Chicago Dog, but with chicken. I don’t know if the Cubs still offer this, but it might be in the Sheffield Corner if you look.

New in 2022 was a smoked brisket sandwich courtesy of Lillie’s Q; Lillie’s Q is another very popular chain of restaurants in Chicago and Florida, from chef Charlie McKenna. They’re known for zero sugar BBQ sauces, which sounds great, so I presume that’s available at a Cubs game too.

The Wrigley Field food menu also mentions an Italian seasoned grilled chicken sandwich with pesto aioli, and a crispy pork sandwich with breaded pork strips and toppings on a pretzel bun. A chance to go beyond a simple burger.

 

Speaking of Burgers…What About Burgers?

Wrigley Field Cheeseburger

Chef Tony Mantuano designed this masterpiece. This is why the Chef Series was necessary.
(photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs)

The fancy burgers recently available at Wrigley are no more…sorry to get your hopes up with this photo.

Various stands throughout Wrigley sell the aptly named Big W burger. It’s basic, simple, and American: a fresh beef patty with American and cheddar cheese, the classic burger topping triad of lettuce, tomato and onion, with secret sauce (something like Thousand Island dressing if I’m not mistaken, since Big Macs still sell). Get crinkle cut fries with it for the ideal American meal.

More on the Impossible Veggie Burger and gluten-free burgers in the Healthy Section…

 

Even More Wrigley Field Food: Fries, Nachos + Other Munch Foods

disco fries wrigley field food

I remember when going disco was a bad thing. This rocks, pun intended.
(photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs)

They don’t offer “Disco” fries anymore as far as I can tell, but the Cubs still have something on their menu called “Loaded Garlic Fries”. What they’re loaded with, the Cubs haven’t told me, but I’m guessing it’s similar to what’s in the photo. You can find them at a few stands including the Clark Street Grill.

 

wrigley field food walking taco

There was more chili in it when I purchased it. Honest.

Here’s a picture of a Walking Taco from a Chicago ballpark. Well, okay, I took this one at a White Sox game. But it’s the same deal, a bag of Fritos with chili con carne, nacho cheese, pico de gallo and pickled jalapenos. Not the healthiest thing, but a cheaper and easy snack.

You can find ordinary nachos at Wrigley, including the soon-to-be-discussed Big Slugger Nachos, but if you like your nachos with different stuff piled on them, try the Italian beef nachos at Bleacher Bums. Of course, you need a bleacher ticket for that one…

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Click here to start booking your trip to Chicago and Wrigley Field today!

 

Wrigley Field Garrett Popcorn

Popcorn so good, you’ll buy a seat for it! (photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs)

Finally, Nuts on Clark has unfortunately departed, but Garrett’s gourmet popcorn is a more than adequate replacement. Garrett’s is the famous popcorn maker in Chicago…and you have to be pretty good to be famous for food in Chicago…and at Wrigley you have the choice of their Cheese Corn or Caramel Crisp. Or mix the two and put it in a souvenir Cubs tin!

 

Wrigley Field Eats For Big Ass Cub Fan Appetites

wrigley field food north side twist

The dipping sauces alone could put strain on a marriage.

If you look around the Wrigley Field food stands, especially in the bleachers, you may come across the North Side Twist, Wrigley’s version of the 2-pound soft pretzel. This monster, served in a pizza box, comes with three different dipping sauces chipotle honey mustard, beer cheddar cheese and cinnamon cream. All of which work very well.

They’re not cheap, but it’s easily enough for two people. You should get here early if you want one, these do sell out on occasion.

 

chicago cubs game nachos

Only if you have them in a batting helmet!

If you’ve got a nacho jones and/or are sharing, try a helmet of Big Slugger nachos…two pounds of nachos served in a helmet with a ridiculous amount of toppings, including ample salsa and jalapenos.

Two pounds is a lot of nachos, so be sure you can handle this for the cost.

In the past at the Italian Hot Spot stands I’ve seen a Big Cheese Rip-N-Dip, a large amount of focaccia bread covered with cheese and served with dipping sauces. I don’t know if it’s still around, but if you like dipping bread sticks this could be for you.

 

Dessert At A Cubs Game

prairie city cookies cubs

“Don’t get any cookie crumbs on my scoreshee… Oh, Prairie City? Never mind.”

Prairie City Cookies are the Official Cookie of the Chicago Cubs, just in case you were wondering. They’ve also been the “Snack of The Day” on the Rachael Ray Show, an equally impressive achievement. You can get a couple of tasty cookies fairly cheaply for a ballpark.

Food stands everywhere offer dessert varieties; they have Oatly’s ice cream and several other sweet treats like lemon chills, licorice ropes and giant cookies. And on cold days you can get a hot chocolate. There’s also a frosty malt cup that has been a Wrigley staple for many years. It even inspired this blogger to make her own.

 

oatlys ice cream wrigley field

Do your part for the cows while you’re at Wrigley!
(photo courtesy of Oatly’s)

Speaking of Oatly’s, in case you haven’t heard of them and/or think it’s an odd name for ice cream, allow me to briefly explain…Oatly’s ice cream is made from oat milk, see, which makes it vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and a whole other lot of things healthier types like. I’ve tried it and it’s in fact very good…you won’t miss the dairyness, take it from me, and the Oatly’s people are good folks.

Wrigley Field not only has different styles of wine coolers and frozen drinks that lady Cub fans like (mai-tais, vodka lemonades, etc.), they also have ice cream in the souvenir helmet for you collectors. The helmet is not actual head-size, though, unless you have an extremely small head.

 

Healthy Wrigley Field Food: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, + Kosher

wrigley field vegetarian food

Impossible Veggie Burgers, best enjoyed from the Bartman Seat.
(photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs)

The aforementioned Impossible Burger is a vegetarian burger with a plant-based vegan burger patty, topped with chipotle lime aioli, American cheese, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun. Remove the cheese and it’s a vegan burger. It can be found in Left Field Classics, Right Field Classics, and at the Red Line Grill in the bleachers. Apparently they don’t want you near home plate with it. You can also get a Beyond Sausage at Wrigley too.

Would definitely assist in digesting the also-vegetarian Home Run Inn pizza or Garrett’s popcorn. You can also find that chopped salad in most fancier stands.

My celiac-afflicted then-girlfriend did not like Wrigley Field when I took her for a visit (astonishingly, I married her anyway). Maybe this will get her to go again: the Cubs have gluten-free dogs and burgers. Go to the Marquee Grill stand behind home plate and ask for one…according to this blogger, you should tell them to use gloves.

Celiacs can also go for veggie chopped salads, pistachios and gummy bears. You may also have some GF options at the Sheffield Corner. Redbridge gluten-free beer is sold at Wrigley.

The Cubs had sold kosher dogs at several stands, but in 2017 they installed a spot devoted exclusively to the art of kosher food. DanZtand is run by Danziger Kosher Midwest, a caterer based in Chicago. At their Wrigley outpost, you can get Romanian hot dogs, Romanian Polish (?) sausages, and pretzels, and presumably they would be available for Friday night or Saturday games.

 

Want To Save Money on Wrigley Field Food? #KillerTip

save money at wrigley field

I felt truly empowered when I learned this.

Because you’ve stuck with me this long, I’m sharing a killer tip with you…

For the first hour that the gates are open at Wrigley, food and non-alcoholic drinks are 25% off their regular price at all of the non-kiosk stands. This includes the Sheffield Corner if you’re looking for something there, but it doesn’t include the fancier items, unfortunately. Still, 25% off anything is great at a ballpark.

The discount comes up automatically, no need to ask for it. Get your Home Run Inn pizza early, and then when the price returns to normal, get your fancy chicken sandwich on.

Speaking of saving money…

 

Yes, You Can Bring Your Own Grub

wrigley field subway

Subway subtly gives away the secret for thrifty fans…

It’s becoming more common knowledge now that you can bring your own food into ballparks, within reason. Here is the Cubs official policy: you can bring in a bag that is smaller than 16*16*8, which should be large enough to carry anything you need. Your bag will be searched, and anything that could contain alcohol or be used as a projectile will be removed.

So take advantage of that loophole and save a few bucks…I’ve offered up three places to fill up your goody bag here, but Wrigleyville has tons of other takeout joints, including McDonald’s, Subway, and vendors selling peanuts and water around the ballpark but especially at the Addison Red Line station.

 

Byron's Hot dogs wrigley field

I left the delivery phone number in the photo for you!

Coming from the north, you can get off the Red Line at the Sheridan station just a few blocks away from Wrigley and stop at Byron’s hot dogs, another classic Chicago dog joint. Get that Dogzilla half pound skinless beef hot dog with the Chicago fixin’s.

So thanks for hanging in there with me…oh, and since there’s some new stuff…

 

Wrigley Field Food Updates 2023 | New Chicago Cubs Eats

wrigley field food 2023 chicago cubs

They would have added “crispy”, but then there wouldn’t be any space for “good to eat”, which is still the main selling point.

So the Cubs have updated the menu with some new items for 2023…thankfully the team doesn’t change the basics of the Wrigley Field food menu very often. Here’s what’s new to eat at Wrigley (unfortunately the Ballpark App doesn’t tell me where this stuff is, if I find out I’ll update this post):

Small Cheval Burgers. Another reason to sit in the bleachers in addition to Hot Doug’s…there is now a Small Cheval Burgers stand! Small Cheval is a retro burger joint with about a half dozen locations in Chicago, and they’re very basic with burgers and fries…which means, especially in Chicago, that they do it right.

The Crispy Chicken Bao Bun. This is a crispy chicken thigh covered with Thai chili sauce, baby arugula, cucumber and carrot on a bao bun. Good for healthier sorts, which we’re seeing more of these days.

Greek Loaded Fries. I’m all in on this at my next Cubs game: steak fries covered with gyro stuff, including meat, feta, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, red onions, pepperoncini, and feta cream sauce. Get your gyro and fries mixed together as nature intended!

The Burger Brat. This is a split bratwurst sausage on a brioche bun, loaded with brat-seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, yellow mustard and sauerkraut. Goes well with beer I’m certain.

Crispy Chicken Torta. What’s with the Cubs and crispy chicken? Anyway, the Crispy Chicken Torta is a torta roll (surprise!) with Homestyle (as opposed to Awaystyle…snort) crispy chicken, mayo ancho cabbage and cotija cheese.

Quesabirria. I don’t know what this is, I’m just proud of being able to spell “Quesabirria”. Seriously, this is barbacoa, Spanish onions, and chihuahua cheese on a crispy flour tortilla, covered with ancho chili sauce.

One other note for 2023: in case you weren’t aware, Wrigley Field is cashless now (so much for the Chicago Dogs guys keeping the change)…so credit or debit cards or mobile apps are the only form of payment you can use. Personally I’m fine with this, so long as they don’t insist on my using my own credit card.

 

Hungry yet? Is that it? Wow, seems like I was just getting started!

There you have it my friends, your full Wrigley Field food menu analysis. Feel free to let me know if anything changes. If you’d like to know where to find any of these items, the Cubs have a listing here that you might be able to use for a while…

Be sure to check back for any changes, and share this with anyone planning a trip to Wrigley!

Interested in finding out more about the Friendly Confines? Click here to read my complete Wrigley Field Guide…and become an expert on finding deals on tickets, choosing a great seat, landing a parking spot and more!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

Save On Ballpark Team Store Prices…Use MLBShop.com!

Posted by Kurt Smith

If you’re like me, you love checking out a team store every time you visit a ballpark, especially a new one. There’s always cool stuff to buy. But for me anyway, it’s hard to part with my hard earned cash there. No matter what I look at…team jerseys, caps, pencils, golf balls, jigsaw puzzles, it’s impossible to think I can’t find it cheaper someplace else.

That’s why I love MLBShop, for several reasons…

Don’t wait till you get to the ballpark to get your team gear…
Order your caps, jerseys, and more now at MLBShop.com and save!

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Click here to order your official MLB gear today!

gary carter jersey

This is why they lure you into the team store.

For one, I can get my gear ahead of time. I don’t have to waste valuable time in the team store trying to decide on the Adley Rutschman or Gunnar Henderson jersey. That time is better spent enjoying a Boog’s BBQ sandwich!

It’s also, in almost all cases, cheaper to order at MLBShop.com than it is to buy your gear at the ballpark, especially if you take advantage of specials. As I write this sentence, for example (just before Black Friday), MLBShop is offering up to 50% off on items using a discount code.

Yes, I’m aware that “up to” is a flexible phrase. But that said, you VERY rarely see deals like this at the actual team store. (And I did score a nice deal on a gift for my son just now.)

 

racing presidents tee shirt nationals park

There’s no better way to show you’ve been to D.C. than with a Racing Presidents tee shirt!

It can work the other way too. Did you like the Space City jerseys you saw in the Minute Maid Park team store, but balked at paying $159.99 for one? Again, as I write this, with the aforementioned discount code, MLBShop is offering that jersey for $108.79. Even with shipping, you’re coming out ahead.

That’s not just jerseys, of course. MLBShop features bags (see why I recommend having a tote bag or something similar here, here, and here), car accessories, flags, pajamas, in other words, most of the cool items you can find in a ballpark team store. You can search for items featuring your favorite player (hmmm…Adley? Gunnar? Adley? Gunnar? You see the problem.), by brands, even holiday collections.

It’s also official team sanctioned stuff, which is usually higher quality. Shopping for cheaper bootleg items from vendors outside the ballpark is fun in its own way, but you’re limited by their selection…and possibly their level of quality control.

Besides, if you’re worried that the cool thing you’re checking out won’t be available online, you can always just pull out your phone and check. (And compare prices.)

 

cubs stuffed animal team store

Okay, if you have a three-year-old daughter at home, sometimes it can’t wait.

So here’s a piece of money and time saving advice for you. If you’d like to rep your team before going to the game, by all means find your ideal jersey, cap, hoodie or shorts at MLBShop.

If you’re not sure what you’d like to get, by all means roam that team store…because so many of them have awesome stuff.

But then take pics with your phone of things you like, and order them online. You’ll not only save money on that adjustable cap, new pillow and set of team pens (remember to add the shipping cost though), you won’t have to lug them around the ballpark and back to your car!

There’s lots of reasons for any baseball fan to love MLBShop, and that’s why they’re the Official MLB Gear Store of Ballpark E-Guides! (That’s not really a thing, but it could be.)

MLBShop ballpark e-Guides

And if I’ve helped you out, using this link to get your gear at MLBShop will help keep this site rolling at no extra cost to you…and I really appreciate your support!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

Citizens Bank Park Parking Guide | Philadelphia Phillies

Posted by Kurt Smith

If you’re planning to see a Philadelphia Phillies home game, there’s actually a lot to know about how to get to Citizens Bank Park. This complete Citizens Bank Park parking guide will tell you everything you need to know, plan ahead and choose a parking spot that works best for you.

It’s a good idea to just drive and park at a Phillies game in most cases, since there’s ample parking. Public transit to the game isn’t terrible, but it’s not ideal. But don’t just choose the first available lot; I’ll help you have an easier time of it.

 

citizens bank park parking guide

Lots of Phillies parking, especially on non-game days!

You have a lot of options to choose from, so I’m breaking this down for you, including alternate routes you can use to find prime parking spots at a Phillies game.

Getting to Citizens Bank Park (+ Alternate Routes)
Official Philadelphia Phillies Parking
Satellite Phillies Parking Lots + Tailgating
Cheap Parking (With A Bit of A Walk)
Free Street Parking Spaces
The Chickie’s and Pete’s Taxi Crab
Parking For The Day in Philadelphia

Something for everyone! We’ll get started after this quick word from our sponsor:

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best route to phillies parking lots

“Found it! OK where do we park?”

Citizens Bank Park Parking, Part 1: Driving To Citizens Bank Park (+ Best Route)

The Citizens Bank Park parking lots are easily accessible from several exits of I-76 (aka the Schuylkill Expressway) going east-west and I-95 going north-south. From New Jersey, the ballpark is close to the Walt Whitman Bridge, which is part of I-76.

There are several interchanges to use that are marked “Stadium Complex”, so you can take the less obvious and less backed up exits before and after the marked ones (the park is visible from the elevated highways).

Traffic does get backed up, although the delays aren’t usually enough to make you miss anything if you arrive an hour before first pitch. You should check to see if there is another event going on in the sports complex, though, and arrive extra early if there is.

This is the best way to get there for me (I come from South Jersey): try using exit 348 from I-76 or exit 13-14 from I-95, onto Penrose Avenue. (This can be done going east as well.) Penrose is a good route to approach the park, since most people are coming from the roads at the frequently used exits and there’s plenty of parking from this direction. It’s easier getting out after the game for the same reason.

My only exception is when another event is going on. All of the city’s sports teams (and concerts etc.) use the South Philadelphia sports complex, so it can be a problem when more than one event is happening. Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles) and the Wells Fargo Center (Flyers/76ers) are south of the ballpark, so your best bet in this case is to approach the ballpark from Packer Avenue if you can, away from the other arenas.

I-76 traffic eastbound can be bad anytime, which you can avoid by taking I-476 south (called the “Blue Route” by locals) to I-95 north and using the I-95 exits. I-95 from the north also has its rough moments; Delaware Avenue runs parallel to it and becomes Pattison Avenue south of I-76 if you need to escape it.

If you find yourself with tickets for a Friday night game during the summer months, don’t even try to use I-76 eastbound. The traffic headed to the Jersey shore could well make you miss several innings. Try using a SEPTA Regional Rail train if you can and just make sure you can get back.

Coming from well north of the ballpark, I-295 in New Jersey is almost always better than I-95, and you can use the Walt Whitman Bridge and be right there. But as I write this, the I-295/I-76 interchange is in construction mode (as a Jersey native I can tell you it always seems that way); you might see some delays near game time especially.

 

 
Citizens bank park parking map philadelphia phillies

Am I the only one that thinks this map would be more useful before you park?

Citizens Bank Park Parking, Part 2: Official Philadelphia Phillies Parking

The Phillies have a helpful parking map on their Parking Information page for your viewing pleasure…but here’s a bit more to know.

Most of the lots owned by the Phillies are north of Pattison Avenue and mostly west of the ballpark along Citizens Bank Way; the preferred parking lots for season ticket holders are close to the ballpark but don’t offer any kind of easier out.

The lots for pay as you go folks are large, but there are lots south of Pattison and east of the ballpark that are actually closer. The cost of car parking is about the same in all the surrounding lots, so no need to search for deals at the last minute. You shouldn’t have a problem actually finding a spot for most games.

If you’re planning to enjoy all of the attractions in Ashburn Alley (and you should), try to get a spot near the left field entrance (Lots T, U, and V) and be early.

Tailgating is not permitted in the lots next to the ballpark; for pre-game partying you can use the lots south of Pattison Avenue. The tailgating scene is somewhat respectable as baseball tailgating goes. (Milwaukee it’s not, but it’s a good time.)

You can purchase a pre-paid parking pass on the Phillies website; but there’s a small service fee for it and most times you won’t need it. The Phillies have a useful page on their site that shows the easiest way to get to your seats; if you want to minimize your walking, you can plan ahead and use the best parking lot closest to the best gate.

The Phillies lots are also, for the most part, annoyingly last-in-first-out…if you need a quick exit consider some of the satellite lot choices below.

Free bonus tip for baseball history buffs! If you’re looking for the home plate location from Veterans Stadium (previous home of the Phillies), it’s in Lot U.

 

 
phillies tailgating eagles lincoln financial field parking lot

Nothing like being able to tailgate in the rain. Philly sports teams truly care.

Citizens Bank Park Parking, Part 3: Satellite Parking Lots

Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles) has sizable lots that are used for Phillies games; this is the most popular tailgating spot for a couple of reasons; there are ample port-a-potties to help you reset the clock before getting in line, and there are also large solar panels covering rows of parking spots that provide cover or shade from the weather.

The closest Lincoln and Jetro Warehouse lots are right across Pattison Avenue from the ballpark and are closer than some of the Phillies lots, although they don’t offer a quicker exit. (My lot of choice is usually Lot G, on the other side of Xfinity Live! It’s not cheaper, but it’s very convenient both to the ballpark and a westward exit on Pattison.)

If you are tailgating, it’s advised not to park your car in a dark remote corner because (I kid you not, someone online said this) someone may urinate on it.

The Xfinity Live! complex west of the Linc lot offers valet parking for about the same price as other parking; there’s no tailgating obviously but you can use a credit or debit card here if you’ve forgotten to bring cash. You’d probably want to tip the guy, so that’s an extra couple of bucks. This is very convenient to the ballpark, and good if you want to hang out here for the party afterward, but Xfinity Live! ain’t cheap. Bring your gold card.

Across the street from the FDR Club on Pattison Avenue (west of the NRG train station) is the NovaCare complex. Just west of the complex is a large parking lot with plenty of space for fans. It isn’t any cheaper and it’s a 20-minute walk, but this is a very easy and quick in and out.

Leaving this lot, make a right away from the ballpark instead of toward it onto Pattison, drive a few blocks and then turn left or right onto Penrose Avenue, which can get you to both I-95 and I-76 respectively. You’ll sail out of there in a hurry, and the walk helps you burn off your Federal Donuts.

The Live! Casino just north of the ballpark replaced a fairly unpopular Holiday Inn; unfortunately that also removed a favorite parking location of mine. They do offer free (or reimbursed) Phillies game day parking for Live! Rewards® members, but that probably costs more than it’s worth. Otherwise parking here is more expensive than Phillies lots; it’s a convenient location but you can do better for the price.

As I said earlier, Lincoln Financial Field’s lots are the best of the tailgating spots. East of Lincoln Financial is the Jetro warehouse (Lot M), which is also a popular tailgate destination. Jetro doesn’t offer the “car ports” that the Linc lot does though, and it isn’t any cheaper except from a good distance away, so if tailgating is your thing and you’re early, try the Linc lot first.

 

 
citizens bank park best tailgating parking spots

They don’t remove the bicycle racks until you promise you won’t tailgate.

Citizens Bank Park Parking, Part 4: Cheaper (But Farther) Phillies Parking

The Phillies and the sports complex offer ample enough parking that there aren’t a lot of options farther away, but there are a few decent options to save a few bucks.

There is a church on 10th Avenue (Stella Maris Catholic Convent) north of the ballpark with parking that is cheaper than the Phillies lots, and it’s an easier out if you know where you’re going. Not too long of a walk and a nice view coming towards the ballpark. Incidentally, this spot is a short walk from Oregon Steaks if you’re interested in a classic Philly cheesesteak, but it’s in the opposite direction from the ballpark. Plenty of walking with that, but it burns off the calories.

The lots south of Lincoln Financial Field (as in the football stadium itself) aren’t any cheaper and are a long walk, but there is a lot behind the Jetro building that offers a lower rate. This one is a hike and dark at night games, however, and they claim to prohibit tailgating (although I saw some going on).

Similarly, east of the ballpark on Pattison you can find a lot or two that charges a few bucks less; it’s definitely a longer walk from here and some of them are gravel, but if you don’t mind this it’s also an easier out eastward after the game (partly because it’s cleared out by the time you get there).

 

 
free street parking at phillies games

Note the presence of a car owned by the Phillies…that’s a clue!

Citizens Bank Park Parking, Part 5: Free Street Parking For Phillies Games

My favorite spot for free street parking at Phillies games is on the western side of 7th Street north of Packer Avenue. I say this because I saw cars parked there and employees of the team coming from that direction, and they usually know how to park for free. I’ve done this without a problem, but you need to be early, and again it’s a walk.

Parking on South Lawrence Street in front of Samuels & Son for free was once common, but of late people have been getting ticketed for this. If you aren’t comfortable on South Lawrence, you can maybe try 3rd Street one block east, or some of the streets north and west of the ballpark, like Bigler Street (I believe the only time you can’t park on Bigler is when the street cleaners are out).

I’ve also seen people park on Hartranft Street west of the ballpark, which is almost as close as an official lot. I can’t speak to whether anyone’s ever been ticketed or towed, but they didn’t seem worried.

The Marconi Plaza park on the corner of Bigler and Broad has some angled parking spaces that I believe are free (I’ve never tried it). This is a good hike to the ballpark, but it’s not far from Chickie’s and Pete’s and their Taxi Crab shuttle (more on that in a minute). South of the plaza on Carlisle Street there is one hour parking on the east side until 6:00 PM, presumably after that you can park there and use the Taxi Crab.

There used to be free parking at the nearby FDR Park and Golf Club on Pattison west of the ballpark, but no longer. The Park charges a flat rate that applies all day on game day unless you’re a member of the club. I’ve read news stories of people being ticketed parking there for games.

All street parking is at your own risk of course; the Philly parking authority to my understanding isn’t very lenient whether there’s a clear sign on the street or not. The only spot I’m confident using is 7th Street.

 

 
chickie's and pete's taxi crab philadelphia phillies games

Someone at Chickie’s and Pete’s realized that “cab” is very close to “crab”. And that, my friends, is genius.

Citizens Bank Park Parking, Part 6: Chickie’s and Pete’s Taxi Crab – Phillies Shuttle

If you want a meal and/or less expensive brew near Citizens Bank Park, the Taxi Crab from Chickie’s and Pete’s offers the best of both worlds.

At Chickie’s and Pete’s on Packer Avenue, you can order their famous crab fries and a beer to go with it, cheaper than in the ballpark and in a climate-controlled eatery. And they’ll give you a ride to the game in the colorful Taxi Crab, a free shuttle (tip the driver a couple bucks) with a cool paint job.

The shuttle is free but unfortunately you have to pay to park at Chickie’s and Pete’s. It costs a bit less than parking at the ballpark though, and your car is valet parked. And you can enjoy a meal at a popular local institution. It’s especially great for visitors who want that Philly experience.

FYI, Chickie’s and Pete’s has a stand in the ballpark for their famous crab fries, but the crab fries are much more expensive at the game (they even charge extra for the necessary cheese sauce). Instead, park at the restaurant itself, order crab fries to go, and get a ride to Citizens Bank Park’s front door.

Besides the iconic fries, Chickie’s and Pete’s has good grub at fairly reasonable prices. You won’t save too much money eating here over eating at the game, but there’s a decent selection of food and a long list of quality beers. It’s a big place, so you can probably land a seat.

So there are several benefits to the Taxi Crab: cheaper crab fries, less post-game traffic hassles, and a less expensive place for a drink before or after the game. It’s a great deal if you’re including a meal or a couple of drinks with your baseball.

 

 
citizens bank park downtown parking septa phillies

Once you get out to where all those tall buildings are, you’re not gonna want to walk it.

Citizens Bank Park Parking, Part 7: Pre-Paid Parking in Center City Philadelphia

As I’ve said, you can buy pre-paid parking on the Phillies’ website, but you also have the option of parking in Center City (downtown for you non-Philadelphians) and using the SEPTA Broad Street Line to the ballpark. The Sports Express train is worth the extra effort if you can get on that one, trust me.

Some people do this move, but I only recommend this option if you’re making a day of it in Philly and including some sightseeing with your baseball (like the actual Liberty Bell); if you’re staying in a hotel downtown you’ll probably have a parking spot anyway, but if not, this is a viable option.

But if it does sound like a plan to book a space in the city and use the subway, definitely book it beforehand with my friends at SpotHero. They offer tons of great selections and you can choose the best deals near the train and favorite local attractions (if you’re a foodie who’s never been to Philly, definitely make the Reading Terminal Market one of your stops).

 

citizens bank park parking guide exit

And thank you for that useful parking map!

So to sum up all of this, the parking at Citizens Bank Park is ample and nearly always sufficient; you shouldn’t even need to buy in advance in most cases. The best strategy is to choose your spot beforehand, and plan your route accordingly, based on whether you want to save money, have a short walk, tailgate, eat beforehand or all of these things.

 

Need More Phillies Game Tips at Citizens Bank Park?

I’ve got plenty of other advice for your next Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park, including what to choose from the amazing food selection, how to land a great seat at a Phillies game, and much more…or you can simply read my complete guide to the Phillies’ ballpark here.

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5 Great American Ball Park Food Items | Cincinnati Reds

Posted by Kurt Smith

The Great American Ball Park food menu isn’t overly complicated. The Reds don’t have the ridiculous amount of options that, say, the Mets do. I didn’t see a sushi or lobster roll stand there. But there is a decent variety, and you should be able to find something that fits your taste, especially if you’re an American and like hot dogs at the game.

There’s also several stands that celebrate the local chains, and each one has something that makes for great ballpark food.

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Great American Ball Park food skyline coney

In case you’d like a hot dog with your cheese.

Great American Ball Park Food Tip #1: The Skyline Chili Cheese Coney. If there’s a go-to item at Great American, at least judging by the number of them I saw being purchased, it’s probably the Skyline cheese and chili dog.

Skyline chili is a very popular chain that can be found all over Cincinnati, known for the local style of chili—which is probably different from the way most people outside of Cincinnati know it, with both cocoa and cinnamon as ingredients(!). There are several Skyline stands at Great American.

The Skyline Chili Cheese Coney is a small hot dog with a generous amount of Cincinnati-style chili and a nice helping of shredded cheddar piled on top. They’re not very long, only about four inches or so…and they’re economically priced so most people get two of them.

Definitely get a fork and some napkins for this one, but it’s good eats.

 

great american ball park food fry box

Buffalo chicken fries with bleu cheese. My day is complete.

Great American Ball Park Food Tip #2: Fry Box Buffalo Chicken Fries. The Fry Box stand at Great American ranks near the top of fry stands I’ve seen at ballparks, and remember I live in the home of Chickie’s and Pete’s in Philly.

Put Buffalo-style chicken on cheesecake and it would probably taste good. But put it on hand cut fried potatoes…which is pretty much nature’s perfect food…and add a generous helping of ranch dressing and blue cheese, and you’ve got a classic why-have-I-been-settling-so-much-in-my-life ballpark dish. When you need a fork to eat your loaded fries, they’ve been done right.

OK, so maybe it isn’t the healthiest thing, so walk it off along the riverfront…

 

great american ball park food larosas pizza

Most pizza chains would need a plastic pizza replica to make their pizza look this good.

Great American Ball Park Food Tip #3: LaRosa’s Pizza. I would be giving LaRosa’s a shoutout anyway, since I visited one while I was in town and the folks there couldn’t have been nicer to me. But it’s pretty good pizza in its own right, and I’m a South Jersey pizza snob. I live in an area with several chains: Domino’s, Papa John’s, Little Caesar’s, Pizza Hut. LaRosa’s is easily better than all of them, and I hope they open a few in New Jersey.

At Great American LaRosa’s is represented with a few stands in the upper and lower concourses; you can get a plain slice, a slice with pepperoni, and a Montgomery Inn BBQ sandwich for some reason. According to the Reds website, they sell a calzone too, but I didn’t see it. Don’t be put off by the congealing slices that have been sitting on display for a while; your slice should be a little fresher.

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great american ball park food options frisch burger

I like this guy. He looks a bit like Johnny Bench.

Great American Ball Park Food Tip #4) Frisch’s Big Boy Burgers. Frisch’s is another chain that started in Cincinnati; they were added to the long list of local chains featured in Great American once they figured out how to install their topsider grills. The stand in the main concourse actually has a statue of the big Frisch’s mascot in a Reds uniform. Very cool.

Frisch’s stands have the famous Big Boy burger, the double decker with two 1/8 pound patties, lettuce, cheese, pickles and Frisch’s famous tartar sauce (heavy on mayo and pickle relish). If you like that tartar sauce, you can get some extra for your burger.

 

Cincinnati reds game food Graeters ice cream

It’s pretty tough to stand out with ice cream, but Graeter’s makes it happen with their black cherry. No lie.

Great American Ball Park Food Tip #5) Graeter’s (Black Cherry) Ice Cream. Cincinnatians know who Graeter’s is; heck, I’m from New Jersey and I know who they are. I once spent an hour searching through town for one; thankfully I can just go to a Reds game now.

Even though they’ve been in Cincinnati for almost 150 years. Graeter’s is probably the only brand of ice cream you need to know in town; they have a kiosk near Gapper’s Alley. I don’t know if they’ll have every Graeter’s flavor, but try the black cherry or the raspberry chocolate chip if they’re there.

That’s just a few of the great food items at Reds games; here’s the Reds menu if you’re looking for more. (Honestly though, these five are all I need.)

 

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Camden Yards Seating Tips – Best Seats, Cheap Seats + Standing Room

Posted by Kurt Smith

Planning a visit to Oriole Park this summer? I’m here to help my friend! This complete Oriole Park at Camden Yards seating guide offers a bunch of valuable tips and advice you need to know about every seating section in the Baltimore Orioles ballpark. I’ll help you get the best seats at Camden Yards, both for your taste and your budget.

I’m covering it all here…including the cheap seats at Camden Yards, your standing room options, and how to best find shade. Whether you’re a first timer at the Yard or a regular, there’s info here that you can use.

If you need more Camden Yards help, be sure to check out my complete guide to the Baltimore Orioles’ ballpark here, and I’ve also added some tips about my favorite way to get there and a few things to know about your food options. (More coming, stay tuned!)

I’ve broken all of this down for easy access:

Camden Yards Layout
Luxury Suites
Camden Club Level
Field Level Seating
Upper Level Seating
Eutaw Street Bleachers
Oriole Park Standing Room
A Few More Camden Yards Seating Tips

 

camden yards seating guide tips

Plenty of seats left, so choose one now!

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oriole park at camden yards seating chart

It’s not as complicated as it looks, I promise.

Camden Yards Seating, Part 1: Ballpark Seating Chart + Basic Layout

There are three levels of seating at Oriole Park. The lower level includes Field and Terrace seating (the Bleachers are also field level); the Club Level circles the entire seating bowl on the mezzanine; and the upper level includes Upper Box and Reserve seating. Here is the Orioles’ map of the seating.

There are two separate levels of seating in the lower and upper levels. Field and Box seating is in front of Terrace and Reserved on the lower level; Upper Box is in front of Upper Reserved in the upper level. In the lower level, a walkway divides the front and rear sections. Facing the field, Seat 1 is always on your right.

There aren’t a lot of bad seats in Camden Yards, but some are definitely better than others, and there are a few you should avoid, so read on.

 

 
baltimore orioles game suites

I think the stool here is free, but there isn’t much of a view.

Camden Yards Seating, Part 2: Luxury Suites

Believe it or not, some of the suites at Camden Yards might be even within my price range

The suites are on the Club Level (mezzanine), and have glass doors, refrigerators, a bar and hi-def TVs, and they open out to some very comfortable and mobile black leather chairs to view the game in. The suites are climate controlled, which can be very nice in Baltimore in August.

From the seats you can watch replays on TVs placed above you. People who book a suite for a group get extras like parking passes and opportunities to buy seats in the first two rows.

 

Camden yards seating premium suites

Padded seats in the shade? Sweet!

There are also party suites that can accommodate up to 75 people in left field, where sliding glass doors lead out onto a two-tiered porch; the Orioles website lists them and their capacities. Several are named for Orioles greats like Brooks Robinson and decorated accordingly; the O’s redesigned suites for use as party facilities, giving them apt names like the Hot Corner at third base, or the Legacy at Suite 54 (1954 being the current team’s first year in Baltimore).

The O’s offer a five game suite package; you can rent a suite for five games including two games against the Yankees or Red Sox. The price works out to about $200+ per person per game, but hey, you can’t take it with you.

 

camden yards seating club lounge

No free drinks, but there’s a nice lounge.

If you want to get a single game suite, it can actually be fairly affordable for low demand games, but you’d have to pay extra for food and booze, so I don’t know if all that is worth it just to have heat in April. You can’t bring your own food or drink into the suites.

The Orioles have joined many other teams in providing a suite for fans allergic to peanuts for some games; it’s the cheapest you’ll ever see a suite seat (and honestly, if you’re allergic to peanuts, you deserve a suite at a baseball game). Parents have to sign a release form.

 

miller lite flite deck orioles

The umpire won’t hear you from the barstool tables, but it’s a good leaning spot.

Then there’s the Miller Lite Flite Deck, a triple-decked party area recently added to the Club Level down the right field line. The Flite Deck has drink rails and bar-style tables and seating. Groups can reserve the area and get a food voucher for the game, and there are three 30-person spaces that can be combined into one big Orioles party.

The Flite Deck is about as far away as foul territory seats get, but they’re not expensive at all as party areas at ballparks go. You’ll need to get there early for the best seating. And you can do some great people-watching with a killer view from above Eutaw Street.

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camden yards seating tips club seats

How many ballparks let you heckle the camera guy for just a few extra bucks?

Camden Yards Seating, Part 3: The Camden Club Level

The club level at Oriole Park has climate controlled concourses (again, that’s a very nice perk in Baltimore) with glass windows to watch the game from, some outdoor concourse areas with a sweet view of the city, six bar/lounges that serve fancy drinks that chicks dig and local microbrews like Flying Dog. You even get waiter service with club level seats, and can order food on a touch pad from your seat.

A special escalator takes you to the club area, with ushers showing the way and blocking everyone else.

 

oriole park at camden yards seating tips guide club

Closer to the field than the suites, at half the price!

Some fans complain about the legroom (I’m tall and have had worse), but otherwise the club level gets rave reviews. Anyone with a club seat ticket has access to all of the lounges. It’s a sweet place to duck out of the elements.

Club level seats at Camden Yards are relatively inexpensive compared to most ballparks; if you can swing it, give them a try, especially in hot Baltimore summer months. If nothing else, the food and bathroom lines are shorter. You can very often find a good deal on TickPick for a low demand game.

 

all you can eat seats orioles camden yards

I’ll take this view if you throw in some hot dogs and club access.

The club seats in straightaway left field are called the “Pepsi All-Inclusive Picnic Perch” and are “all you can eat” seats; where for a slightly inflated ticket price you can get your hand stamped and gorge on all the hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, ice cream and soda (no free alcohol) you can handle until the seventh inning. Lines can get long at food stations.

The ticket also includes club level access, which again is great on sweltering Baltimore summer days, but these aren’t the best seats in Camden Yards view-wise…they’re fairly far away from the action. Still, it’s a fun time and complimentary food at a ballgame is a nice plus.

 

camden yards seating tips drink rail club

These fans decided to make “under the WGL Energy sign” their meeting spot, since no one could pronounce “Nyquist”.

The O’s added two party areas to the Club Level in a recent renovation (I’ve already talked about the Flite Deck)…

On the left field side of the Club Level is the Drink Rail area; the Orioles added stools with backs to the left field club area, adding to the festive atmosphere, and there are now “Bistro Tables” in straightaway left field. If you can get a ticket early enough you can land a swivel chair with a counter next to you making you feel right at home with a beer.

 

baltimore orioles drink rail seats

It’s time for a serious baseball discussion about whether a counter is better than being close to the field.

For the Bistro Tables, you must buy all four seats, but it’s not terribly expensive.

With only a few sections in front of you and no crowd behind you, it might be a little quieter than usual here…not with people cheering but with people talking. With a rail in front of you to rest your scorecard, the Drink Rail section is a nice spot to stay into the action on the field, although like the Picnic Perch it’s fairly far away from it.

More about the seats for the rest of us, when we come back after this:

 

 
oriole park at camden yards premium seating

Just feel those cushions. You have arrived.

Camden Yards Seating, Part 4: Field Level Seating

The premium seating at Camden Yards…lower level seats between the bases…have comfortable padding added; they aren’t the huge airplane seats you find at many premium seats in ballparks, but they aren’t nearly as expensive either. These are, in my opinion, the best seats at Camden Yards even for the price. If you want to splurge on great seats for your ballpark trip, this is the place to do it.

Should you cough up the cash for lower level seats, in most cases the lower box seats are better on the third base side than the first base side. You have a better view of the scoreboard and warehouse (a key feature of the Oriole Park backdrop) for one, and the right field seats also miss a portion of the foul line.

 

baltimore orioles game best seats

Note the angled section in the left field corner. That’s a good thing.

In the lower level as you get down the third base line, seats are angled towards the infield. It’s not quite perfect, though. On the lower level, the worst sections for seat angles are past the bases just before the angling, i.e. Sections 60-71 past third base and Sections 9-11 past first base. Better to take Section 1-8 over 9-13, or 72-75 over 67-71 if you don’t want to crane your neck all night. (Have a look at the seating chart again to see what I mean here.)

In the lower level, remember that the first three rows are AAA-CCC, and then the next row is AA, so if you’re in Row A you’re not quite near the field. Kind of a rip, but that’s baseball.

There are a couple of Field Box sections beyond the bases that cost a few bucks less than Field Box; beyond these are Lower Box sections that are a few bucks less than that. Section 14 is a better deal than Section 16, and Section 66 is a better deal than Section 64.

 

oriole park at camden yards seating tips terrace

There’s a lot of people sitting in the back here for a good reason…

The Terrace Box seats past the bases, particularly in Sections 17 at first base and 55 at third, may be the best seats at Camden Yards for tightwadsIF you get a low enough row. These are near field level seats that are slightly more expensive than upper box, and most rows shouldn’t have an overhang problem. It’s also a good spot for shade in most cases.

These sections are raised so that there is no walkway traffic obstruction in front of them. If you can land these in a low enough row (like Row 5 or lower), score.

 

oriole park at camden yards obstructed view

It’s just not as fun.

The drawback of the Terrace seats is the upper level overhang. If your row is high enough, you will be covered by the upper tier, good on rainy or hot days but not if you want to see the scoreboard and skyline. There are TVs to catch anything you missed and to see the score, but not being able to view the nice scoreboard (or the city and warehouse) is a bummer.

The Orioles charge significantly less for the upper rows of Terrace sections just past the bases,  here the overhang blocks the view, so you should be okay if you get a Terrace Box seat. You could still have an overhang problem in the Lower Reserved seats in the infield, but it’s not likely to be as pronounced there.

 

oriole park at camden yards seating guide tips left field

You would expect people who wear blue shirts to an Orioles game to not choose the best section.

The seats ranging from well past third base out to the bullpens are okay if you don’t mind sitting at or near the outfield. I personally like left field corner seats here for the angle reasons I’ve just explained. These seats cost significantly less than those in the infield, but they’re still about twice as much as seats in the upper deck.

The Orioles recently moved the left field fence back to avoid paying more for pitchers who don’t give up dingers, and the rows behind the fence is elevated more, which I think is a better for views.

 

Baltimore orioles game bullpen seats

Your chance to chat with a real-life Orioles pitcher!

Section 86 is next to the bullpens, and if you’re close enough you can watch pitchers warm up, which is actually pretty neat if you’ve never been so close to a 95 MPH fastball. (The placement of the bullpens is an underrated feature of Oriole Park, in my opinion.) You can even  talk to the pitchers, if they’re friendly enough.

 

oriole park at camden yards seating shade

“Maybe I don’t WANT to know how the Yankees and Red Sox are doing tonight!”

In the right field corner, again, seats are better angled towards the field, but right field corner seats are elevated and fairly far away. This spot is close to Eutaw Street, but there’s the drawback of not seeing the pretty cool out of town scoreboard. These seats also get the most sun; bring a hat and sunglasses.
 

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cheap seats oriole park at camden yards

Looks like a Tuesday night.

Camden Yards Seating, Part 5: Upper Level Seating

Most fans (including me) will tell you that there is nothing wrong at all with an upper deck seat at Camden Yards. Not only are the seats steep (but not terribly high) and thus closer to the field, but there is a fine view of the Baltimore skyline (and the Hilton that blocks the view of the Bromo-Seltzer tower, much to locals’ chagrin), except for seats that are past third base and into left field.

If you can get a low row Upper Reserved seat, don’t shell out twice as much for an Upper Box seat that won’t be that much better. Similarly, since most games don’t sell out (although that could change as the Orioles improve), you might as well buy an Upper Reserved ticket at the box office when you arrive, which will be cheaper than buying from the team website. Or shop around with third party sites like TickPick.

 

highest row for Baltimore Orioles game

Get Row 25 for that nice breeze action!

Because the concourses aren’t open like at most new ballparks (and this was deliberate), the view from these seats is better than most, placing you almost on top of the action for a nice price. There are about 25 rows in most of the upper level sections, and even from the top the view is acceptable, with a roof for the rain.

It’s easier to get to the upper deck here than in most parks; there is a convenient escalator in the concourse, right off the south end of Eutaw Street. The stairwells offer fine views of downtown Baltimore on each landing, and the view of the city from the concourse is pretty nice too.

 

baltimore orioles game worst seats

You do get to sit near retired numbers. That probably counts for something.

No seat here is totally horrible, but upper deck seats in left field are probably the worst seats in Oriole Park (the Orioles sell standing room at a similar price). Seats in the corners on the upper level are the biggest problem; they’re angled such that you will have to turn your head to watch the game, and someone getting up in your section may block your view. The right field corner is better for its views of Eutaw, but neither side is much better for viewing the game.

 

worst seats at camden yards upper level

Plus it’s dark up here.

The worst sections for this are sections that end in 64-72 in left field and 04-12 in right. The problem is at its worst in Section 372 down the left field line; just get outfield seats if you have a choice.

Again, remember that Row A is not in the front; the first row is AA. Rows from about D and up are underneath the roof overhang at the top of the park and have the advantage of more shade. There is also a nice breeze up here at times, good on a hot day.

 

 
oriole park at camden yards seating eutaw street bleachers

They’re not true bleachers unless you can’t see the scoreboard!

Camden Yards Seating, Part 6: Eutaw Street Bleachers

The center field bleacher seats at Camden Yards are among the cheapest in the park and known for loud, boisterous fans of both teams that are playing. The bleachers are underneath the scoreboard, so you cannot see the Jumbotron unless you sit in Section 98 and crane your neck. You won’t see the out-of-town scoreboard from here either.

Another slight issue is that if you’re about halfway up or higher in Section 98, you may lose some of right field to the out-of-town scoreboard. Not a big deal, but it can be somewhat irritating.

 

baltimore orioles game cheap seats bleachers

You look just as far away to them, and you can see what time it is.

The bleachers are close to Eutaw and its food selection and entertainments, but deep in center field, you’re pretty far from the action on the field. It can get very hot here in the summertime and this is the last section of seats to be in the shade for night games, so you’d do well to bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. You also won’t enjoy the splendid view of downtown Baltimore here.

One nice thing is that these are actual seats as opposed to the hard benches in Wrigley Field or Yankee Stadium, so you’re less likely to want a cushion. The bleachers are also a staircase away from the soon-to-be-discussed Roof Deck, a popular spot for ballgame socializing.

 

Eutaw Street baltimore

I’d rather be able to see Eutaw Street than be close to it!

I’ve sat in the bleachers at Oriole Park and it’s my least favorite spot; a big part of the charm here is the view of the Baltimore skyline and B&O warehouse, and feeling how the ballpark blends in with its surroundings. It’s fine if you just want to see a ballgame and grab a bite at Boog’s whenever you want, but if you’re going cheap, go for the upper level.

 

 
oriole park at camden yards standing room

Be smart and stand in front of the poles!

Camden Yards Seating, Part 7: Standing Room

The Orioles sell standing room tickets on sold out game days, which aren’t all that common, but you can also just buy a cheap ticket and find a better view than from your seat. If you don’t mind standing and love Orioles baseball, check and see if the O’s are offering an unlimited ballpark pass…it’s a fantastic deal if you go to enough games.

Standing room at Camden Yards is decent; the left field area is behind the bullpens (which offers a nice view of pitchers warming up in the bullpens and a picnic area) and right field is the flag court behind the out-of-town scoreboard that occasionally sees home run balls and is right there at Boog’s when you get hungry.

 

Baltimore orioles game standing room

Don’t lean too far to see the out of town scores. We have phones for that now.

The high wall in right field has been replaced with a railing, which has greatly improved the view, but left field is still an adequate option if there’s a large crowd on the patio in right. The MASN pregame show is held in the left field area.

Remember that there aren’t open concourses at Oriole Park, so you won’t be able to watch from behind home plate.

 

can I poach a better seat at camden yards

These people standing are missing a perfectly good opportunity to sit just steps away.

By most accounts, the Orioles are not hard on seat poaching, and for the low attendance games there are probably quite a few better seats available than where you are. Your best bet is to wait until after the third inning and stay outside the baselines, where the ushers aren’t quite as strict.

In addition to the club seating party areas, you can rent out the picnic areas beyond center field or on the upper level, and enjoy a pre-game party with unlimited food and beer for a group price that is reasonable by ballpark standards.

 

roof deck orioles

Even the cameraman doesn’t get a counter for his drink!

The latest cool standing room hangout spot in the recent upgrade of Oriole Park is the Roof Deck, a new covered full bar with craft beers and a seating section raised above the batter’s eye in center field. There are two rows of barstool seating with counters in the front with a terrific view of the field, at least for a seat with a place to rest a drink. You can also sit at the bar or in comfortable lounge seats, although neither have a view of the game.

The Roof Deck originally was open to everyone with a ticket and seats were first come first serve, but with its instant popularity the Orioles began selling the seats in the front rows, so you’ll need to get them in advance. For the moment you can get tickets at the box office on game day. Tickets aren’t as cheap as you might think they should be, but the price isn’t awful and it’s a fun spot.

 

 
camden yards seating tips

Lots of premium seats still available!

Camden Yards Seating, Part 8: A Few More Tips

If you’re bringing the kids to an O’s game, go for the first base/right field side. The bouncy houses, play stuff and photo ops for the kids are almost all in the concourse in the right field corner. The play areas are mostly shaded, but the first base side does get less shade, so you should still have sunscreen and hats for the little ones, and try for seats in a higher row under the overhang if you’re concerned about it.

 

oriole park at camden yards best place for shade

Here’s where the shade is. You’ll thank me.

The sun sets on the third base side at Oriole Park, so the first base and right field side sees shade last, including the bleachers. In the upper level, the roof offers significant shade, and you may decide to move up a few rows to get under it on a Baltimore July afternoon. Most games don’t sell out, so this isn’t difficult, but you may want to consider getting seats in a higher row (D or higher) if you’re seeing the O’s play the Yankees on a weekend.

 

B&O warehouse camden yards

“Dang it! I forgot to get my Old Bay egg roll!”

Eutaw Street is where many of the best food items and attractions are, including Dempsey’s craft brews and Boog’s Barbecue, and the seats on the third base side are farthest from it. If you’re in the upper level especially, it’s a lot of walking to Eutaw and the escalator only goes up until the end of the game. I highly recommend partaking of any grub and souvenirs before going to your seat.

 

oriole park orioles dugout

Featuring the helpful classic Orioles logo for those who recognize it…

The Orioles dugout is on the third base side, if such things matter to you.

Finally, as I’ve said earlier, Oriole Park at Camden Yards offers among the best deals in baseball, especially for premium seating. If you’re on a baseball trip that includes, say, Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia, Baltimore is the place to try for the best seats.

 

oriole park at camden yards seating tips guide thank you

Wow…what a deliberate snub to all the visiting team fans!

Get all that? I hope that you’ve found some useful Oriole Park at Camden Yards seating info here, and can better plan your next trip…or ten trips!…to Camden Yards for Orioles games. Be sure to check out more Camden Yards tips here.

If this has been helpful to you, please support this site’s sponsors! This article contains affiliate links, and when you use the link to make a purchase, we earn a commission—at no extra cost to you.

Thanks for your support, and I’ll see you at the Yard!

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5 PNC Park Tips For Newbies | Pittsburgh Pirates

Posted by Kurt Smith

If you’re visiting PNC Park for the first time, there are, as with every ballpark, some things you need to know. PNC Park is one of the best ballparks in America and a popular ballpark chaser destination, so here are some ways to save yourself time, money and aggravation when you go.

First a quick word from our sponsor

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visiting pnc park box office

Lady, no need to use the phone, the ticket window is right next to you.

Visiting PNC Park, Tip #1: Consider the demand for tickets. The Pirates draw pretty well when they have a decent team on the field. And PNC can be a pretty decent draw even when the Pirates aren’t that great.

For midsummer weekend games, you’ll probably be better off buying through the team (sign up for the Pirates’ ticket alert newsletter and keep an eye out for no-fee days, the Pirates do have them), but during the week against a team other than the Cubs, you should be able to find a deal on TickPick.

There is a “scalp-free zone” at PNC Park, but I’ve never seen anyone selling tickets there, so you would probably have to patronize the legitimate scalpers (joke) if you are out of luck at the box office.

 

best ballpark in baseball pnc view

The people sitting in the outfield miss this.

Visiting PNC Park, Tip #2: Stay in the infield. The outfield seats are OK at PNC; there’s a nice view of the river and bridges if you turn your head, and it’s close to Manny’s and other cool eats.

But you’ll definitely want to be in the infield here, between the bases if at all possible, because of the stellar view of the Clemente Bridge and downtown Pittsburgh. I know you’re not at a ballgame to see a nice view, but it’s worth it, trust me. Pictures do not do the scene justice. Lower or upper level doesn’t really matter, the view from the infield is stellar.

 

visiting pnc park parking downtown

Well worth the extra walk.

Visiting PNC Park, Tip #3: Park your car downtown. If you don’t mind a short walk, the parking lots in the “Point” section of Pittsburgh are cheaper than the lots on the North Shore closer to the ballpark.

The lot at Fort Duquesne and Sixth is right at the foot of the Clemente Bridge, and usually has spots if you’re early enough. Again, it’s a bit of a walk, but the view of the inside of PNC Park from the bridge is utterly spectacular, the best ballpark approach I can think of.

It’s equally stunning at night, with the blue “PNC Park” letters reflecting on the water. Extra bonus: there are cheap vendors of peanuts, water and T-shirts at the foot of the bridge as well.

Of course, snag your spot in advance…be sure to use my friends at SpotHero to book your parking!

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pnc park food pittsburgh pirates

The iconic “no rules” Pittsburgh sandwich.

Visiting PNC Park, Tip #4: Try a taste of Pittsburgh. Like most ballparks, PNC features several eateries that are based in town and are favorites with the locals. You’ll pay the “atmosphere fee”, of course, but you’ll want to try something uniquely Pittsburgh.

The essential Pittsburgh foodie item is the Primanti Bros. sandwich…it’s your choice of steak, capicola or roast beef, covered with cheese and on airy Italian bread. Best of all, they stuff fries and slaw into the sandwich for you. Pittsburghers don’t have any rules when it comes to sandwiches.

There’s also Caliente Pizza, Smallman Street Deli dogs, Papa Duke’s gyros and other items that you can only get in Pittsburgh. You can also sample Manny’s BBQ…it’s not anything unique, but you might meet Pirates great Manny Sanguillen and the food is very good.

Here’s some more tips about PNC Park food items.

I’ve got nothing against Chickie’s and Pete’s fries, but that’s a Philly thing…save that for your Citizens Bank Park trip.

 

visiting pnc park baseball joe

The biggest baseball fan you’ll ever meet.

Visiting PNC Park, Tip #5: Go meet Baseball Joe. I promise you, you’ve never met a bigger Pirates or even baseball fan than “Baseball Joe” Vogel. Despite being rendered deaf and mute from three strokes, he still manages to attend every Pirates home game, as he has since he was a young boy.

Baseball Joe sits in the covered section just above the out-of-town scoreboard in right field, and communicates with fans through a small keyboard he carries around. He is the biggest baseball fan anywhere…don’t even mention other sports to him. Joe loves to meet other baseball fans…you can tell him I sent you. Read more about Baseball Joe here.

 

There you go, five tips for newbies visiting PNC Park in Pittsburgh. If you’d like some more details, by all means check out my detailed guide to PNC Park seating, some cool ways to get there without a car, and some tips for scoring cheap tickets!

One thing you probably do know is that PNC is one of the best ballparks in America…you probably won’t argue the point when you go.

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

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Rogers Centre Seating Tips – Best Seats, Shade, + Cheap Seats

Posted by Kurt Smith

Here you go baseball fans – your complete Rogers Centre seating guide, full of tips to help you find the best seats at the Blue Jays ballpark for your taste and budget. Whether you’re visiting Rogers Centre for the first time, or you’re a regular, there’s plenty of info here to help you get the most bang for your buck.

There’s a lot of good seats in Rogers Centre, there are some really bad seats, and there’s things to know about the cheap seats and standing room. I recommend you stay with me here, it’s all valuable and I hope you enjoy it. (I even put the links in Blue Jays blue for you.)

This is long, so I’ve broken down my best Rogers Centre seating tips:

Rogers Centre Seating Chart + Layout
Luxury + Party Suites
In The Action Seats
TD Comfort Clubhouse
Lower (100) Level
Mezzanine (200) Level
Upper (500) Level
Outfield Seats + The Worst Seats at Rogers Centre
Standing Room
WestJet Flight Deck
Restaurants + Hotel
A Few More Rogers Centre Seating Tips

So after this short word, we’ll get started…thanks so much for supporting my sponsors!

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rogers centre seating tips

“But they’re all blue! How am I supposed to pick one?”

Rogers Centre Seating Tips, #1) Seating Chart + Ballpark Layout.

The Blue Jays kindly provide a virtual venue seating map on their website, and it does offer views from each section. I’m not being critical of it, it’s definitely helpful, but there are some extra things to know.

Rogers Centre has five levels of seating, each with its own concourse that circles the ballpark. The 300 and 400 levels are luxury suite levels and the 100, 200, and 500 levels are for the rest of us. The 100 level is the field level seating; the 200 level is the mezzanine and is further back from the 100 seats. The 500 level is the upper deck – or the “SkyDeck” as it was once aptly called.

 

Blue Jays seat sections aisles

Hmmm…my Spidey sense tells me that Section 235 could be on either side!

Unlike most ballparks, Rogers numbers aisles rather than sections, and an L or R is added to the aisle number on the ticket to denote which side of the aisle the seat is. Lower numbered aisles are on the first base/right field side.

Facing home plate, seats in each row start with seat 1 on the left side, and seat 101 on the right side, so any seat that ends with a 1 is an aisle seat. Seats 10 and 110 could be next to each other.

 

WestJet Flight Deck Blue Jays standing room

Juuuust so you know where it is, they’ve helpfully labeled the WestJet Flight Deck for you.

The WestJet Flight Deck patio is on the 200 level underneath the big scoreboard; the Marriott Hotel rooms are on the 300, 400, and 500 levels.

Here is the lowdown on the different seating areas of Rogers Centre, starting with the most expensive and working down to cheap seats the rest of us riffraff can afford:

 

 
toronto blue jays premium seating suites

Rolling chairs and a counter with outlets, for that “watch a ballgame while at work” feel!

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #2) Luxury Suites.

There are 95 luxury suites at Rogers Centre on the 300 and 400 levels; they are available for a season, a multi-game plan, or for a single game; they have a considerably lower rate for season tickets, so you might be able to swing a deal on a third party site like TickPick.

The suites include interior leather seats and two rows of cushioned exterior seating, with counters, barstools and drink rails behind the glass inside, private bathrooms, customized catering from a menu with a wide selection (costs extra), and of course TVs both inside and outside to watch the game you’re paying hundreds of dollars to see in person.

 

Summit Suite Toronto Blue Jays

Plenty of space for a game of pool with your baseball!

For the big groups there is the Summit Suite, along the third base line in the 400 level. These include TVs and pool tables for the full baseball experience. The Summit has north and south sides that can be combined for one big and expensive party.

If you want to throw a party for folks who don’t mind paying a nice chunk of change, there are party rooms on the 400 level in the outfield that include food in the cost. The price isn’t too awful for this, but the view of the game isn’t great.

 

jays care community clubhouse

Baseball loves sick kids.

When the late Roy Halladay was a Blue Jay he offered the Jays Care Community Clubhouse suite to disadvantaged children for games; the Jays continued this policy, so if you are running an organization for kids you can have a look at giving them the suite treatment for a game.

 

 
Rogers Centre seating in the action seats

“Ooh…I think I see Geddy!”

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #3) In The Action Seats.

The “In The Action” seats are comfortable, padded and large, and the Jays mean it; these seats are literally on the field of play, with two rows behind home plate and one each past the dugouts, separated from the other seating. Definitely watch out for foul balls (and fielders going for them, for that matter) in the dugout seats—it’s almost like you’re another infielder. Don’t do a Bartman.

The best seats in Rogers Centre, of course, include an in-seat waitress along with food and non-alcoholic beverages, and there’s an outside chance you could be sitting near a Toronto celebrity like Geddy Lee. (I hear Geddy signs autographs before the game, but he requests being left alone once it starts, in case you’re wondering.)

 

in the action section blue jays premium seating

For an extra couple of bucks, they’ll even move the ladder for you.

In The Action seats are sold on a season ticket basis for over $200 a game (which truthfully isn’t bad compared to similar seats in some parks). You can sometimes score a deal for these on TickPick, so have a look a few hours before the game.

Ticket holders are allowed access to the TD Comfort Clubhouse and its gourmet buffet. Speaking of that…

 

 
Rogers Centre seating guide td comfort clubhouse

It’s not the cushions you pay more for, it’s the considerably larger than ballpark size armrests!

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #4) The TD Comfort Clubhouse.

The TD Comfort Clubhouse area is in the 200 level mezzanine behind home plate. This lounge features several booths and tables to enable folks to sit with a meal and watch the game, and there are also barstools with counters and leather sofas with a nice view of the action.

There are several TVs in the area to help you see what’s going on in front of you. If you are having dinner in one of the booths, they recommend reservations.

 

td comfort clubhouse seats blue jays

Please don’t spill your drink on the person in front of you with a smaller salary.

The padded seats in front of the Clubhouse are also for season ticket holders only, but the per game price surprisingly isn’t too bad, especially when a gourmet buffet, full bar, private bathroom and in-seat wait service is thrown in with access to the club. There’s even a wine list and a sommelier (someday I hope to have a need for a “sommelier”) to help you choose the best wine.

You can sometimes score these for a low demand game on TickPick for under $100 CAD, a great price.

 

 
rogers centre seating lower level

The seats come in different colors, but they all work equally well.

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #5) The Lower (100) Level.

Between the foul poles on the lower level are three pricing levels. Premium Dugout is the first 20 rows of sections between the dugouts; Field Level Infield is behind the Premium Dugout and one extra section on either side, and Field Level Bases extend from the bases to the foul poles. There are about 40 rows in most sections.

Field Level Bases are significantly cheaper than Infield, so you can save some bucks by moving one section over.

The slightly padded Premium Dugout seats cost only a couple of bucks more than the Field Level seats behind them, so if you’re handing out that much money you might as well fork over a little extra for a closer, padded seat with a cup holder if you can.

If you’re having a hard time finding something close to the field behind home plate, start looking further down at the Bases seats, because the price for Row 1 in these sections is the same as the last row.

 

best seats at a blue jays game

Note the increased level of caution while finding a seat.

The angle of seating is steep enough in the lower level that you shouldn’t have a problem seeing over anyone, but the steps are a little higher too, so smaller people especially should be a bit careful. Thankfully, even the last rows don’t lose the scoreboard to the overhang, so no need to worry about that in Row 40.

 

best seats at a toronto blue jays game

Wide open for seat poaching!

In the corners near the foul pole, the seating is lowered and you need to use a walkway behind the seats to get to them. This is apparently is too much of a hassle for many fans, because these sections can be fairly empty on low attendance nights…and are a good place to improve your view if you have lesser seats.

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Rogers Centre Seating guide 200 level

Good for shade too, which might be a good thing. Or not.

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #6) The Mezzanine (200) Level.

The 200 level seats in the infield are no longer cushioned unfortunately, but the view is fairly nice even though your seats are further back from the field level seating. They cost about the same as 100 level seats, so your choice is between a closer seat or a slightly wider one with a cup holder (cup holders to me are worth about $8—or the cost of a soda and the peanuts whose shells will end up in the cup).

 

12 bar blue jays

And the star second baseman was kind enough to autograph the wall.

The 200 level has its own concourse and concession areas, including the 12 Bar named for Roberto Alomar’s number. You can enjoy a drink at a table with a view at the 12 Bar, if you get tired of your seat. Unfortunately, the concession lines aren’t shorter on this level like you would think…long lines are unfortunately a part of life here.

Like with the 100 level, sections are divided into “Infield” and “Bases”, and again, the difference in price is significant, so it might be worth moving a section over.

For day games most of the upper rows of the 200 sections are usually covered in shade.

 

 
Rogers Centre seating guide outfield seats

They may not have the best view of the game, but they’re happy.

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #7) Outfield Seating (and the worst seats).

Outfield seats are cheaper than most here, but know that once you get about eight rows up you’re under the mezzanine overhang, and unless you’re in the front of the outer sections, you’ll lose sight of the big scoreboard, although there are TVs there to see any missed action.

The outfield sections are behind both bullpens, so you have a neat view of pitchers warming up, but your chances of catching a home run ball are slim, even during batting practice. If you want to do your part for the Jays and heckle the opposing team’s pitchers, the visitors’ bullpen is in right field.

There are about 12 rows in the outfield sections; the last couple of rows on both levels feel more like part of the concourse than the game.

 

Toronto blue jays seats leg room

This is just me. Your mileage may vary.

In the 100 level outfield seats, for some reason, there is a shortage of leg room. I don’t know why this is the case, but I would avoid it if you’re over six feet long like me.

In the 200 level in the outfield, the higher rows are next to pillars, and if you’re in the wrong spot you could lose a good portion of the field. Some seats are single seats with a wall on one side and the aisle on the other; avoid these at all costs.

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worst seats at rogers centre

In championship years, fans were actually willing to sit in the concourse.

You should also stay away from higher rows; if you must have a higher row than 6, try to get something in the middle of a section, e.g. something that doesn’t end in 1-3.

There aren’t a lot of concession stands on either of the outfield areas of the concourse, although the patio in the outfield has a couple of bars with snacks. There is a stairway to get there from the lower level.

As you can see I’m not a big fan of outfield seats in Rogers Centre. Given the choice I might just get standing room and maybe poach a seat somewhere.

 

 
Rogers Centre Seating guide 500 level seats cheap

Yes, they’re high up, but clearly many fans don’t mind.

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #7) Upper (500) Level – Cheap Seats!

The upper 500 level was called the SkyDeck in the SkyDome years, and you’ll see why when you’re up there. The SkyDeck seats take a long walk on dark, boring ramps to get to if you’re not using an elevator, the seats are very high and the angle is one of the steepest I’ve experienced.

If you don’t mind all of this, the panoramic view of everything is definitely better behind home plate than in the outfield, and these are easily the cheapest seats; the best part is that ticket prices are nearly the same throughout the entire level. If you get a lower row (which is a bit tougher to do), the view of the action isn’t bad at all.

 

rogers centre obstructed views

The good news is, there’s no one standing in front of you.

There are a couple of obstructed view problems: the first is that seats ending in 1 could lose some of the field to the stairway railing, which usually isn’t a big deal (the Blue Jays will alert you to this if you are selecting seats from their site); the other is with the scary high seats down the right field line behind light fixtures, where there are often more birds than fans anyway.

 

blue jays game scary seats

It’s the trip down those steps that’s nerve wracking. You should really want to be here for these seats.

There are 25-27 rows in most of the 500 level sections, and the right field sections can have as many as 37. To put it mildly, yikes. If you do end up with seats this high, prepare for a nerve-wracking trip down the steps…I found that to be the scariest part of it.

The only other problem with the upper level seating, other than the acrophobia, is that the food selection isn’t quite as great, and for low attendance games some stands will be closed. If you’re up here and looking for something beyond hot dogs or pizza, you’re better off getting something downstairs first.

 

worst seats at rogers centre

Yes, it may take two seconds to actually hear the crack of the bat. But there is shade.

Upper level sections in the outfield obviously have a poor view, but for most games you won’t likely be relegated out there. If it’s a high demand game and you have a choice, though, these are better than 200 level outfield seats, IMHO.

 

 
rogers centre seating guide standing room

Nice open place to stand, with TVs yet!

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #8) Standing Room.

For most games you should be able to find some place to sit, but should no seat be adequate, the 100 level has an open concourse (the 200 and 500 levels do not), so you can stand most anywhere and be able to see the game, although the overhang blocks the view of the Big Board. There are TVs on the concourses as well.

You might find folding chairs in the handicapped areas behind sections, but the Blue Jays usually lock them up.

 

blue jays tickets standing room

Yes, they once designated standing room spots here.

Other than the 12 Bar and the Bacardi Bar, which have some seats to sit in if you’re early enough, there is other standing room space in the 200 level in the outfield behind the seats, which is even marked as such, humorously reminding you that people would have done anything to get in during the World Series years. This is a lousy standing spot; just stay on the 100 concourse.

 

 
westjet flight deck rogers centre

Truly, you do not have to stand behind the Budweiser sign.

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #9) The WestJet Flight Deck.

The Blue Jays knocked out the Windows restaurant in center field, and replaced it with a standing room party area. Anyone with a ticket can hang out on the WestJet Flight Deck.

The outfield bar has three levels. There is a drink rail to lean on and bar tables to sit drinks on behind them. It gets crowded quickly, so stake a good spot and have someone large with you to guard it for bathroom trips. There are bars serving drinks and snacks on either side in the concourse area and a souvenir shop. There’s also a kids play area behind the standing area.

 

westjet flight deck rogers centre seating

Your date will be duly impressed with having your own table at the Blue Jays game!

In my own humble opinion, the view is slightly better higher up for some reason. People can meet under the Rogers or Budweiser signs in the outfield patio, but the view behind the signs is not good for obvious reasons.

 

 
Rogers Centre hotel marriott

Someone paid the very high price for a room with a view of a ballgame, and closed their shades.

Rogers Centre Seating, Tip #10) The Restaurants + Hotel.

If you’re looking for a unique experience at a Blue Jays game and have the means, you can order a room with a field view in the attached Marriott Hotel, or reserve a table next to the window at the Sportsnet Grill restaurant in the outfield and hear the radio broadcast. (Unfortunately the Sightlines restaurant is no more.)

I could talk a lot more about this, but or seating perspective purposes, it is a neat experience but you will be high up and in the outfield…and far away. So while the view is spectacular in general it isn’t the best from the fan’s perspective, and none of these options enable you to access the rest of the ballpark.

 

 
rogers centre seating tips shade

Note that even the light fixtures can provide some shade here.

Rogers Centre Seating – A Few More Tips.

The sun goes down on the third base side at Rogers, so if you want to be in the sun the first base side is better, and if you want to be out of the sun third is best. In Toronto, both options can be preferable given the Ontario climate. Because of the roof, all of the outfield seats are in the shade. The 200 level seats are far more likely to be in the shade than 100 level.

 

rogers centre toronto apartments

It’s not THAT much further than the hotel rooms…

On the third base side you will have a splendid view of the CN Tower, the 1,800 foot “world’s tallest tower” next door, which is extra cool when it’s illuminated at night. But the view from the first base side isn’t bad either, with high rise buildings overlooking the field, and sometimes people do watch from there like a very wealthy person’s version of the Wrigley rooftops. Obviously you need the dome open for this view.

 

alcohol free blue jays tickets

Not only can you bring the kids, you’ll have the whole alcohol-free section to yourself!

There are alcohol-free sections at Blue Jays games; they are Sections 141-142 on the lower level, 237-238 on the mezzanine, and the first 14 rows of 520-521. (Anyone who makes it to the 15th row of the 500 level deserves a beer.) These sections tend to be empty on low demand nights, so if you go alcohol-free you can have them almost to yourself.

 

rogers centre seat poaching

I don’t know why Blue Jays fans won’t use this walkway, but maybe it’s eerily lonesome.

When the Blue Jays aren’t having a playoff-bound season, you can usually move to a better seat with little trouble, so long as you don’t try to get into the lower sections behind home plate. The upper level and the outermost sections of the lower level often have plenty of empty seats, so you can usually grab one. I’ve never read any stories of people being ejected for poaching seats, so it’s not a big risk.

 

best seats at rogers centre guide

Now you know what to do!

Get all that? Sorry if I went a little long, but I wanted to cover all of the details. Rogers Centre was built in an era where teams wanted to maximize the number of seats, and as a result there’s quite a few to avoid.

Hope I was able to help and you enjoyed the read. If you need more Rogers Centre help, check out my posts about the best ways to get there, parking at the Green P spots, bringing food into Rogers Centre, and some things to know if you’re visiting Canada.

Thanks for reading; please support my sponsors and this website!

Planning a trip to Toronto? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

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Click here to start booking your trip to Toronto and Rogers Centre today!

Note: This article contains affiliate links. If you use the included links to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks as always for your support!

Hotwire: Great Deals on Hotels, Flights + Rental Cars

Posted by Kurt Smith

I first discovered Hotwire when booking hotel rooms on a ballpark trip way back in 2003, and I have been using them almost exclusively ever since. Anytime I go on a research expedition for my fellow baseball fans, I’m using Hotwire…for my hotels especially, but also flights and rental cars.

The deals are definitely amazing…

Planning a baseball trip? Get FANTASTIC deals on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

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I’m sure you’ve noticed how expensive hotel stays are these days. If you book directly through a hotel website, you’re looking at triple digits to stay anyplace decent, and that’s not even counting the additional markup to stay in an expensive city like Boston. Years ago, before I became independently middle class, I would often stay in a Motel 6 or whatever place accepted AAA coupons.

Have you ever stayed in a Motel 6? If you have I don’t need to elaborate. I’ll be kind and say they’re “basic”. But there’s a reason Motel 6 and Super 8 and Days Inn are so popular. Price.

Now, I don’t mind paying more for a nice room. I’ve stayed in Doubletrees and Hiltons at times, and thought they were well worth the few extra bucks. But if I can get that room for $80 instead of $140, I’m going for it.

Hotwire makes that possible.

Hotwire lists rooms that hotels have trouble occupying and are willing to offer for a discounted price. You can sort hotels in your search by star rating, by a high level of positive reviews, by geographical area and by amenities. If you want a three star place with free breakfast and a pool near the O’Hare airport, and at least 80% of the people who review it liked it, Hotwire can find it for you.

There’s one small catch: Hotwire won’t give you the name or address of the hotel until you book it, and there’s no canceling unless you pay a few extra bucks for a cancellation policy (it’s not a large amount).

I have no problem with this. How many times are we familiar with the area we’re staying in anyway? I don’t have an affinity for any brand; I’ve had less than stellar experiences staying in popular name brand hotels. There can be a world of difference between two Best Westerns (and I like Best Western, just using them as an example). If 90% of the customers liked the place, I figure I’ll be fine, and I’m almost always satisfied.

I have scored some absolute steals on hotel rooms through Hotwire, and it’s still my favorite site for lodging.

By the way, you can also get inexpensive rental cars and flights (and packages including all three), and I’ve done very well using Hotwire for that too.

Full disclosure: Hotwire is an affiliate of Ballpark E-Guides. Even if they weren’t I’d happily recommend them anyway. So tell them I sent you, and use this link to try it on your next baseball trip!

(Hotwire ad courtesy of Hotwire.)

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

Progressive Field Seating – Best Seats, Cheap Seats + Standing Room

Posted by Kurt Smith

Here it is Guardians fans and Progressive Field visitors…your complete and handy Progressive Field seating guide! I’ve included all the tips I could find for choosing the best seats at Progressive Field for your budget and taste…including cheap seats, great standing room spots, shaded sections and more.

(If you’d like to know about getting tickets, parking and food at the Cleveland Guardians ballpark, be sure to check out my complete Progressive Field guide here!)

 

progressive field seating guide tips best seats

Yes, there are many thousands. I’m here to help.

I’ve broken this down into parts so you can skip stuff if need be (but don’t, it’s all good…):

Your Key Progressive Field Seating Tips

Progressive Field Layout
The Dugout Suites
Lexus Home Plate Boxes
Kaulig Companies Club
Drug Mart Club Seats
Lower Level Seating
Field and Lower Box Seats
Lower Reserved
Family Deck
Upper Level
Bleachers
Standing Room
The Corner

As you can see, there’s a lot to cover here to help you find the best seats in the Cleveland Guardians’ ballpark…so after this quick word from our sponsor, we’ll get started. (Please use the links, and thanks for your support!)

My friends at TickPick have Guardians tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

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Click here to order your Guardians tickets on TickPick!

 

 
cleveland guardians seating chart

Featuring color-coded sections to show you just how well off you really are!

Progressive Field Seating, Part 1: Ballpark Layout

Progressive Field has three tiers; all three levels extend from the left field foul pole around to about right center field and Gate C; the bleachers in left field are somewhat elevated above the high left field fence.

The second tier is mostly club level and several levels of suites; this is where the Terrace Club, Club Lounge, kids play area and mezzanine are. The upper tier is upper box and reserved seating; this level is pretty high up, something to be wary of if you’re acrophobic.

Like most ballparks, the right field corner is the last to see shade; this can make it a desirable spot on those Cleveland April days.

Rows are lettered and start with A, so Row AA is Row 27. Facing the field, Seat 1 is always on the right. The home team dugout is on the third base side.

Progressive Field has a lot of premium seating, so we’ll start there.

 

 
progressive field premium seating

I’m sure they’ll move the wagon and the hose before the game starts.

Progressive Field Seating, Part 2: Dugout Suites

Yes, those really are fans that you see on TV sitting inside what is normally the fence behind home plate, not scouts with radar guns. Those seats are the Dugout Suites, which are among the most popular premium seats in the ballpark.

These seats are in high demand and expensive, and presently only available for groups. If you have to ask the price you probably can’t afford it. But they do include all of the suite amenities, and the literally field level view is pretty amazing. You’ll be closer to home plate than the pitcher, and can see facial expressions on the players and everything. And you’re covered from the rain, although these seats are in the shade.

 

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 3: Lexus Home Plate Boxes

The Guardians decided to greatly improve the box seats they had behind the lower sections at home plate and turn them into exclusive box seats behind home plate. I’m presuming you still have a view of the scoreboard back there.

The package for these seats includes eight tickets, two parking passes, and an all-inclusive menu that includes beer and wine (you pay for cocktails). Better yet, there are balcony heaters here, and access to the Home Plate Club, two very welcome amenities in Cleveland. You also get a team store discount, so you can more cheaply replace all of your Indians gear.

Again, these are sold on a season ticket basis, but if I find anything cheaper on TickPick I’ll let you know. (Feel free to have a look!)

 

 
Progressive field seating tips kaulig companies club

It used to be the Infiniti Club. They apparently liked companies that sponsor racecars more.

Progressive Field Seating, Part 4: Kaulig Companies Club

The then-Indians tore out a bunch of suites in 2013, and installed a huge high-end lounge next to the press box on the first base side, for a straight ahead view of the most impressive Prog scoreboard.

The Kaulig Companies Club features an all-inclusive menu with top shelf drinks, extra wide leather high-backed seating with drink rails, 20 hi-def TVs, and live access to the pre- and post-game shows, if any of that tickles your fancy. The Club also has indoor seating with a view of the game, something that the Club Lounge seats lack.

Seats are sold on a season ticket basis only and this spot is popular; the Guardians usually sell almost all of the 100 or so available seats for each event. Thus far I haven’t seen anything available on third party sites.

 

 
progressive field seating club seats

It’s almost like it’s sticking its tongue out.

Progressive Field Seating, Part 5: Club Seats

You see that big mezzanine section on the first base line, covering a good portion of the lower section? Those are the Club Seats, placed in front of the climate controlled and very large Club Lounge on the suite level. They are padded and comfortable, and you can escape the Cleveland weather in the huge Club Lounge.

Inside the Lounge are comfortable leather chairs, full bars and TVs to watch the game. If you’d rather stay in your seat, you get in-seat wait service as well.

 

club lounge guardians cleveland

Plenty of seats in the Lounge too.

Included with Club tickets are access to the impressive Lounge menu, from which you can gorge on plates from a pasta bar, a meat carving station, salads, nachos, pizza and whatever the chef’s special that day might be. They’ll even prepare the stuff right in front of you. Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages are also included in the price.

Seats at this level aren’t high up at all; they almost seem like field level, and being on the first base side there’s a great view of the Big Board and Cleveland skyline. In cold weather especially these seats may be worth the extra price for the perks.

The Guardians separated the Club seats into three sections, with the most expensive seats being closest to home plate. You can find some seats for a real bargain on non-prime nights. Remember that would include April games, and you’ll have access to the heated lounge. (Don’t let weather stop you from enjoying Guardians baseball!)

 

 
progressive field seating field box

And the best part is, you don’t have to clean up!

Progressive Field Seating, Part 6: Lower Level Seating

The seats between the bases on the lower level are the Field Box seats, and this includes the first few rows of sections past the dugout. The first few rows of infield sections are premium Diamond seats and generally go to season ticket holders; if you’re looking for one of these, try TickPick sometime in April and you may get a great deal. For certain opponents, they’re not expensive at all.

The nice thing about lower seats is that there aren’t too many seats to a row, so you’ll have less of a problem with people getting up and walking by to get their Barrio nachos.

 

 
progressive field seating lower level

Low incline + small number of seats in a row = worth a few extra bucks.

Progressive Field Seating, Part 7: Field/Lower Box Seats

Field and Lower Box rows start with A-Z and then AA, BB, etc. and generally extend to Row HH. Just past the bases there are two sections where the Field Box seats are closest to the field. The Guardians charge different prices for front, middle and back seating in Field Box sections, but the difference is slight.

The sections past the dugouts are the Lower Box sections—these are significantly lower in price, and in most sections the seats are angled towards home plate. Well, towards second base would be more accurate. If you can land a low row in Section 138, you’re not doing badly.

 

cleveland guardians best seats

Well, there’s plenty of shade, anyway.

The only problem with some of the Field and Lower Box seats is on the first base side, where that big Club section of seating juts out over everything, providing some nice cool shade for those scorching April days in Cleveland (the Guardians are one of the few teams that don’t hide obstructions on their interactive seating map).

From about row AA up in the lower level, which isn’t far, your view of the Big Board may be blocked. If you’re getting anything in Sections 129-150 on the first base side (“Field Box Back”), try to get a lower row if you can.

 

cleveland guardians home plate club

Swanky! (And warm.)

Field and Diamond Box season ticket holders also have access to the swanky Home Plate Club; the Guardians inserted an indoor club with a full bar, some of the better food items, and a glass enclosure to view the game. Great in cold months but nice anytime.

I’m not sure yet if you can get Home Plate Club access buying a third party stub from a season ticket holder, but if you can it’s a sweet deal. You can even hang out there after the game for a while to let the traffic clear out.

Never drive to Progressive Field without a plan…

Book your parking spot now with my friends at SpotHero!

 
 

 

 
progressive field seating tips outfield seats

If you decide to sit in the outfield, Cleveland fans will stand behind you. (snort)

Progressive Field Seating, Part 8: Lower Reserved

In the corners and the lower level seats in right field are the Lower Reserved sections. They’re even less in price yet, about half the price of Field Box. Most of the upper seats in these sections have been replaced by drink rail and patio areas, so you don’t need to worry about upper rows having a blocked view anymore, and you can land a good spot close to the field fairly cheaply.

Sections 125 and 175 are tucked into the corner and may require you to crane your neck a bit; better to move a section over to the outfield if you can.

 

cleveland guardians bullpen seats

Just steps away from honest-to-goodness relief pitcher heckling!

Section 103 is next to the newly relocated bullpens, and it’s a prime spot to watch pitchers from both teams warm up. It’s extra cool to watch on the stairs behind the catcher. This section misses a bit of left field if you’re close to the bullpens, but it’s not a big deal.

 

 
progressive field seating family deck

It’s the section in the middle with surprisingly few occupants.

Progressive Field Seating, Part 9: Family Deck

The mezzanine in right field is laid out over the lower seats in the same manner as the Club seats in the infield, but there’s no club here and the seats are much cheaper. The view isn’t great, but it’s better than the upper right field boxes and doesn’t cost too much. There are about 20 rows in most sections.

These seats have been renamed the Family Deck to remind people of their proximity to the Kids Clubhouse on the mezzanine level, making it a prime spot if you’re bringing the kids. There are also interactive games in the concourse behind these sections.

 

cleveland guardians concourse escalator

Not so secret after all now!

Progressive Field Seating Pro Tip! The outfield mezzanine section has its own secret and exclusive escalator to reach it; it is located in the right field concourse.

So now onward to the cheap seats at Progressive Field and their respective merits…

 

 
progressive field seating upper level

The height doesn’t stop Cleveland fans. Nor should it.

Progressive Field Seating, Part 10: Upper Level (Cheap Seats!)

The upper deck at Progressive Field is divided into three tiers around the bases; from low to high they are View Box, Upper Box and Upper Reserved. Past the bases, View Box (the first five rows in the infield) becomes Upper Box. Rows are lettered, and usually Row X is the breezy top of the ballpark. The View Box and lower Upper Box seats are the 400 level; Upper Reserved is the 500 level.

The upper level is pushed up fairly high by the three levels of suite seating and is steeper than acrophobic sorts probably like. Even View Box seats are high up. It can be considerably breezy and cooler up there, so dress warmly for colder nights.

 

cleveland guardians ballpark

“We’ve got all these buildings, let’s put the ballpark here.”

The upper level does provide an outstanding view of the Cleveland skyline and the Big Board, especially from the first base side, but in right field the very distant Upper Reserved seats were at one time the worst seats in the ballpark. The Indians recognized this, and they have replaced the seats in the entire upper deck around the foul pole (all sections numbered lower than 528), and turned it into the Right Field Terraces, closed off with tables and bar stools.

 

cleveland guardians party areas

Looks cool at sunset, although I don’t know if I’d stand up there.

The tributes to team greats look cool, but it looks like an odd way to watch a ballgame. Thus far I haven’t seen anyone there, but I’ve read that it can be a popular spot for people who want to get away from the standing room crowds and long bathroom lines. The view isn’t great in my opinion, and it would be the last place to see shade on a hot summer evening, but suit yourself.

With the deals to be had on tickets, you’re probably better off seeking View Box or Upper Box than Upper Reserved. Between Upper Box and Upper Reserved isn’t much of a price difference, although View Box can cost a chunk more (and it’s worth it for the ease of getting to the concourse). You may find a better deal on TickPick for View Box depending on demand.

 

 
progressive field seating bleachers

NO, the Big Board won’t fall on you, but it’s nice to have a view of it. Just saying.

Progressive Field Seating, Part 11: Bleachers

There is a large amount of bleacher seats at Progressive Field; they are the green benches in front of the Big Board in left field. These seats are among the dirt cheapest in the Cleveland ballpark, and they’re fairly popular, drawing those dedicated Guardians fan crowds, and are a prime spot to catch home run balls in batting practice. You’ll have to move for fireworks nights though.

The bleacher sections are divided into three price levels now, with the lower bleachers sections considerably more expensive than the upper sections, especially for premium games. Row L is probably the best bang for the buck here.

 

cleveland guardians bleachers

Just bring a cushion is all I’m saying.

The benches have backs and aren’t too uncomfortable, and the view isn’t bad save for missing a portion of left field. You are facing away from the Big Board, though, and that’s one of the ballpark’s more striking visual features, especially nowadays with its improved resolution. There are about 25 rows in the bleachers, which are designated by letter.

The Guardians even sell some season tickets to this spot. But I’d say if you’re going to sit on these benches 81 nights a year, you should probably bring a cushion.

 

john adams cleveland indians drummer

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a prominent blogger, but he did let me hold his drumstick!

I don’t currently know the status of John Adams, who attended thousands of Indians games at the top of the bleachers where he pounded on his drum. He hasn’t been there since 2019 as he’s struggled with health problems, and he’s definitely missed. I met him once and he’s a super nice fellow. We wish him Godspeed and a safe return to his bleachers spot.

 

 
progressive field seating standing room

Drink rails for standing room patrons. Someone is thinking in this team’s front office.

Progressive Field Seating, Part 12: Standing Room

There is more demand for standing room these days, with the new Right Field District and Corner Bar added for 2015; the Guardians are even selling very affordable standing room District Tickets that include a free drink. Nowadays there is much more space to rest your drink or Momocho nachos, and there is standing room space directly behind the visitors’ bullpen. Great for heckling if you’re into that kind of thing.

If you’re interested in such a view, the Guardians now let people sit behind the right field fence for an inning; if no one’s waiting they’ll let you stick around. It’s a bullpen pitchers’ perspective, and you’ll realize that you usually have better seats than relief pitchers do. But it’s a neat thing to check out.

 

guardians game standing room

Lots of space to grab a batting practice shot.

The Home Run Porch in left field has been improved for the standing room ticket holders, and many fans just buy a cheap seat and stand there, even on top of the sign itself. A bunch of left field corner seats have been pulled out…not a bad idea in a spot where the foul pole can get in the view…and replaced with drink rails, making it similar to the Corner in right field. There isn’t an indoor bar there, which makes it less crowded, but you’re closer to the impressive food options on the third base side.

The area can still get crowded, but home run balls do land there, and as one observer put it “it gets like Waveland Avenue at Wrigley” at batting practice with people scrambling for a souvenir.

By most accounts ushers are very tough on seat poaching in the lower level, so if you decide you want to sit, take the escalator to the upper deck. There will likely be plenty of available seats there, and the ushers are nowhere near as strict.

 

 
progressive field seating corner bar

Who needs a seat when there’s craft beer behind you?

Progressive Field Seating, Part 13: The Corner

The right field corner features the aforementioned and millennial-friendly Corner Bar, named for Tom Hamilton’s radio broadcast introduction: “We’re underway at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario!” The two-story bar is pretty cool; its walls are made from remnants of the Columbus Road Bridge, and the furniture is from an old Cleveland foundry. There are also sofas and a fire pit on the upper level, no small thing on those September nights.

The Corner has plenty of standing room space in front of it, with an abundance of drink rails, and you can go inside the bar if it gets too hot or cold. The glass doors are floor-to-ceiling, and the upper level has a fine view of the field. At dusk, though, the sun is going to be directly in your eyes; you’ll definitely want shades for that.

 

cleveland guardians standing room

Ah, that pesky sun. Forgot about that.

It undoubtedly is a great standing room spot whatever the weather forecast, and the Guardians feed into that with the aforementioned District Ticket. It’s also popular, so stake a spot early.

If partying in the outfield isn’t your thing for standing room, there are open concourses throughout most of the lower level, but in most spots you won’t be able to see the Big Board with the overhang. You can also find some picnic areas with a view in the outfield. There are no open concourses on the upper level, except in right field, which is pretty far.

As stated, remember that the third base side is the last to see shade for night games. Something to consider on a hot day. Or a cold one, for that matter.

 

progressive field cleveland guardians seating tips

Now, unlike these mystified people, you know where to go!

Get all that? You’re now educated on how to choose a great seat at Progressive Field for your taste and budget. I’ve written plenty more helpful money-saving tips for Progressive Field if you need more help, whether you’re a first time visitor or a regular…have a look at my complete Progressive Field guide here!

Thanks for reading, and please support Ballpark E-Guides sponsors using the links in this article. Your support is greatly appreciated!!

 

Planning a trip to Cleveland? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

new york hotwire

Click here to start booking your trip to Cleveland and Progressive Field today!

 

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

Citizens Bank Park Seating – Best Seats, Cheap Seats + Standing Room

Posted by Kurt Smith

Here it is Phillies fans and visiting ballpark roadtrippers…your complete Citizens Bank Park seating guide! This post is full of great tips for helping find the best seats at Citizens Bank Park, no matter what your budget is…and to help you get the most bang for your buck at the ballpark.

If you’re interested in where to park, what to eat, and how to save money at the Phillies ballpark, be sure to check out my complete Citizens Bank Park Guide, and this more detailed list of great food at the Bank…but this here is to help you truly choose a great seat at every Phillies game.

 

citizens bank park seating guide

I know, there are so many! But I’m here to help.

There’s stuff to know about every type of seat, so I’ve broken this down for you:

Citizens Bank Park Seating Chart + Layout
Diamond + Hall of Fame Clubs
Field Level Seats
Upper Level Seats
Outfield Seats + Scoreboard Porch
Rooftop Bleachers + Standing Room

So after this quick word from our sponsor, we’ll get started…

My friends at TickPick have Phillies tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

phillies tickets tickpick

Click here to order your Phillies tickets on TickPick!

 

 
citizens bank park seating chart

It would be nice if the “brokers’ hung out here, but they probably know better.

Citizens Bank Park Seating, Part 1) Seating Chart + Ballpark Layout

There are essentially three levels of seating on the Citizens Bank Park seating chart (here’s the Phillies’ map); the lower field level is slightly sloped and has about 40 rows in each section, but from there the angle is almost straight up.

The Hall of Fame Club Level is the mezzanine and is above the suites; and the upper deck consists of two tiers, the Terrace (300) level and the Terrace Deck (400) level. In right field there is a gap in the upper level, past the gap the Terrace/Pavilion is lowered to bring outfield seating closer to the field.

Facing the field, Seat 1 is always on the right.

 

phillies game cheap seats

Phillies fans surveying the outfield seating.

It is a near-universal sentiment of visitors to Citizens Bank Park that “there isn’t a bad seat in the house”. And while no one can possibly know that, at least not without a great deal of effort, I would agree that most all of the seating at the Bank offers an acceptable view of the action. Even in the outer reaches of the upper level, you still have a decent view with the angle of the seating.

In most all cases, seats are angled towards home plate, and very little of the field is obstructed even in the furthest seats. They even have cup holders!

In right field, fans do have to contend with a bright and hot sun for the longest amount of time, with the sun setting on the third base side. You should bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water sitting anywhere in right field and on the first base side during the hot summer months, especially in the upper levels.

 

 
citizens bank park premium seating

Nothing says “we get you” like cup holders and a food tray.

Citizens Bank Park Seating, Part 2) The Diamond + Hall of Fame Clubs

If cost is not an issue, the wide and cushioned (although the padding isn’t all that) Diamond Club seats behind home plate especially offer the optimal all-around Phillies game experience. The front row is just 50 feet from home plate. The in-seat wait service in the Diamond Club section brings you unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages in the first three rows; and up to $30 of concessions in rows 5-9. In row 10 and above it’s on you.

There are 18 rows in most sections, and it’s easy to get to them from the walkway between the Diamond and lower level seating. There are tables and barstools behind the Diamond Club section, for chowing on Club grub with a view.

 

phillies premium seats diamond club lounge

Enjoy some Phillies baseball with your gourmet meal.

Most importantly, Diamond Club members have access to the Diamond Clubhouse Lounge. You are given a wristband that permits access (with access to the Hall of Fame Club as well). There is sit-down fancy dining prepared by a chef, and a full service bar there (which is not free). Enjoy a pre-game high end buffet with several stations and views of the Phillies batting cages.

The food is excellent…try the burgers…and there is complimentary pasta salads and such, so you shouldn’t be hungry afterward.

 

citizens bank park seating diamond club lounge

These kids were unfortunately born too late to witness Lefty’s curveball.

Inside the Diamond Club is a very cool mural depicting a clubhouse full of Phillies greats; in the picture are Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and of course, Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn. And the Phanatic. Pete Rose isn’t in the picture…he’s represented by fallen rose petals. (You learn some cool stuff touring ballparks.)

Check third party sites for Diamond Club tickets, especially on a hot day. Tickets go for upwards of three digits for season ticket holders, but you might land a much-better-than-face deal for a low demand game.

 

phillies hall of fame club seats

No writer who gets paid to be at the ballpark should have a better seat than you. Just saying.

The padded and slightly wider Hall of Fame Club seats with extra leg room are on the 200 press level, just above the suites for a bird’s eye view. It feels good to be in front of the press box and sportswriters, even if it’s fairly high up by premium seating standards. Like the Diamond Club, the best advantage is being able to access a climate-controlled lounge.

Again, you can sometimes find good deals on third party sites; I’ve seen tickets for less than half the face value on low demand nights. With the Hall of Fame Club being climate-controlled, it’s great for ducking out of Philadelphia weather that reaches both temperature extremes.

 

citizens bank park seating hall of fame club

It looks like you had to really jack one to get one out of Connie Mack at center field.

The spacious Hall of Fame Club Lounge is behind the Hall of Fame seats and takes up almost the entire level. From here you can see the Cooperstown Gallery and its memorabilia, like the Connie Mack Stadium replica and a wall full of baseballs. The food isn’t included in the ticket.

In the Club are food and bar stations with old Philadelphia ballpark names like the “Baker Bowl Bistro”. They have a healthy food stand with turkey burgers and chicken wraps. This privilege allows folks to wait in short(er) lines for exclusive food (including Chickie’s and Pete’s fries), which can come in handy in a rain delay. You might even find a dollar dog station here.

 

phillies game best seats

Cushion your Phillies fan rear end!

As premium seats go, the Diamond and Hall of Fame Club seats are fairly reasonable by MLB standards. A full season package in the Hall of Fame Club works out to about $65 a game, a great price for the ability to escape the sometimes oppressive Philly weather, but if you pick the right contest you should be able to get a better deal on TickPick. Try a midweek game against a weak West Coast opponent or the Marlins.

The Phillies include menus on their website for the Club areas; the Diamond Club has a much more impressive selection, at least of the high end stuff. The team also throws in a few extras for the kids of folks that shell out for the premium tickets, like meet-and-greets with former Phillies and the Phanatic, and invitations to special nights like the “Picnic in the Park”.

 

 
citizens bank park seating infield

Enjoying a beautiful if probably hot day at the Yard.

Citizens Bank Park Seating, Part 3) Field Level – Infield/Baseline Seats

The field level seats at the Bank are not cheap, but there isn’t much of an incline and the view is great from just about anywhere. There are about 40 rows in each infield section that doesn’t include Diamond Club seats. Seats in Section 123 about 20 rows behind home plate cost the same as seats in the first six rows of Section 109 near the right field foul pole, so keep that in mind if you have a choice.

The difference in price between Infield and Baseline seats is fairly sizable, so you’ll spring for a few extra bucks for better seats. Section 115 is significantly cheaper than Section 114, for example. All lower level seats are terrific, though, and the Bank is a place where I recommend staying low if you can.

 

citizens bak park seating obstructed view

An ideal spot for an umpire to make a fair or foul call.

The Phillies now list the sections behind the foul pole separately, although the price is the same, in order to help people avoid an obstructed view, which is nice of them.

If you’re interested in partying after the game at Pass and Stow, sections ending in the high 20s or low 30s, down the third base line, are closest to the place. It gets crowded especially after a Phillies victory, so this will better your chances of getting a seat there. Proximity to Pass and Stow is also useful for a quick departure from the game with its separate exit.

 

phillies kids play area

The closer you’re sitting, the more swings your little slugger can get on the wiffle ball field.

If you’re bringing the kids, the first base side (Sections 108-114) is closer to the Phanatic Phun Zone and the Yard, and also for a better view of the Phanatic dancing on the Phillies dugout. But remember what I said about the sun; be prepared on hot days or nights.

From about Row 33 up in most infield sections, seats are covered by an overhang, and the high rows on the third base side can have a blocked view of the left field scoreboard.

 

 
citizens bank park upper level seating

At least one usher is willing to endure the climb for the view.

Citizens Bank Park Seating, Part 4) Upper Level Seats – Terrace/Terrace Deck

The Phillies call the lower 300 level of the upper deck the Terrace; the higher 400 level is the Terrace Deck. The outer sections in right field past the gap are called the Pavilion (200 level) and the Pavilion Deck (300 level).

Pavilion seating is the club level beyond the Hall of Fame seats; they are called “Arcade” down the left field line for some reason but there isn’t any difference in price. In right field fair territory, the seats drop in price a bit. It’s a whole lot cheaper than the club seats, but you’ll be out there.

 

citizens bank park seating cheap seats

Well, there’s a nice view of the foul pole.

The Pavilion Deck is the 300 level seating past the “gap” down the right field line where the 400 (Terrace) seating section ends. Like with the Pavilion seating, the price drops a bit past the foul pole into fair territory. Pavilion Deck seating in right field is cheaper than the Terrace seating in left; for some reason the Phillies value left field seating more. (Possibly because of the sun.)

Because there’s an open concourse on the upper level as well, there is some space between the 300 and 400 sections. It takes a dozen-plus steps to get to the 400 seats, so if you have trouble with that go for something in the 300 level. The highest 4-5 rows in the upper level are covered by the roof.

 

citizens bank park seating behind home plate

Takes about 300 steps to get here, but it’s worth it for the view.

The upper seats behind home plate especially provide the best panoramic view of the entire ballpark and the skyline beyond, which is boffo at sunset on a clear day. There’s also a sweet view of the city and the Walt Whitman Bridge on the upper concourse, which is worth a walk around.

While the upper level seats have their merits like nice sunset views, I mentioned before staying low if you can at Citizens Bank Park. With the suites, club level, and open concourses pushing everything up, the height and incline of the 400 level seats especially are not for the acrophobic. The slope was designed to bring folks closer to the field, and it works, but just be mindful of this. If you’re fine with it, they’re not bad at all as upper level ballpark seating goes.

 

 
citizens bank park seating scoreboard porch

No worries…there’s a scoreboard in right field too.

Citizens Bank Park Seating, Part 5) Outfield Seats + Scoreboard Porch

The lower outfield bleachers have the advantage of being close to Ashburn Alley and its amazing food selection, with the right field seats being closer to the kids’ areas in right field and first base. The left field seats are directly in front of the scoreboard (and Harry The K’s restaurant), but there’s a smaller scoreboard in right field to keep you posted. From the outfield seats there can be a slightly limited view of the action, such as when a ball is hit to the wall near where one is sitting.

 

phillies seating visitors bullpen

Knowing Philadelphia, this was probably done on purpose.

Sections 201 and 301 in right field are very close to the opposing team’s bullpen. You can psych out the other team’s relief staff with some South Philly-style heckling. Just keep it reasonably clean, the Phillies are tougher on out-of-bounds behavior than they used to be.

 

phillies game scoreboard seats

At least you don’t have to go far to get a hot dog.

The Scoreboard Porch is located directly below the Big Board in left field; it’s a tier above the lower level outfield and just out over Harry The K’s restaurant. These seats are pretty far from home plate, and it’s unlikely that even a batting practice homer will land here. You could lose some of left field in the upper seats.

That said, this makes a dinner at Harry The K’s below these seats quite convenient, and there is a small concessions stand with a minimal selection of food and mixed drinks behind it. If you’re interested in the Ashburn Alley eats, I would do that beforehand, because it’s a bunch of steps to get to these seats.

These seats require a 180-degree turn of the neck to see the scoreboard (making the name of the section ironic), but as I said there is now a mini-version of the Big Board in right field. The Porch is popular for less expensive group outings and can be reserved in advance.

 

 
citizens bank park seating rooftop bleachers

“He missed the tag! He missed the tag!”

Citizens Bank Park Seating, Part 6) Cheap Seats – Rooftop Bleachers + Standing Room

The bench-style and backless Rooftop Bleachers are pretty far away, as were the rooftops on 20th Street outside of Connie Mack Stadium, but they are also the cheapest seats in the ballpark, and there can be a raucous atmosphere here if you like that sort of thing. It literally looks like someone set up a stand on top of their roof a la the Wrigley Rooftops, which I believe was the intention.

These seats are directly below the neon Liberty Bell, which you can see swinging back and forth from close up after a Phillies homer, and if the game bores you there’s decent people-watching in Ashburn Alley.

The Bleachers are near (actually on) the Bud Rooftop, the standing area above Ashburn Alley. Dogs, nachos, and beer are available on the Rooftop, and this is now the place that the Phillies have designated for “millennials”, with a phone charging station and all that.

 

citizens bank park standing room

“Hey, good crowd, good crowd!”

Standing room isn’t as cheap as it should be here, but it’s not a bad deal. The concourse area is designed so that people can view the action anywhere in the park, with countertops to rest your chicken sandwich and donuts on behind most of the seating sections.

Standing room fans are permitted to watch the game anywhere, just be aware that Ashburn Alley and areas behind the plate can get crowded. If you’re early enough, you can stake out table or barstool seating either at Harry The K’s, on the Bud Rooftop, or even in Ashburn Alley if you’re lucky. Try visiting Harry’s in the later innings if you’re tired.

 

phillies ballpark pass

A ready made standing room spot – with counter space for your crab fries, and right at the visiting team’s bullpen.

If you’re a local, the Phillies offer a monthly “Ballpark Pass” that puts a barcode on your phone and enables you to attend as many home games you want in a month. It’s a great price even if you only attend three or four games, and it’s a cheap way to get into the ballpark for high demand games like Mets or Yankees games. You can even ask for an upgrade, but that’ll cost extra of course.

 

citizens bank park seating tips

Now you know what to do, just like all of these people!

So to sum all of this up…after many games at Citizens Bank Park and having sat in most every level of seating, I can tell you the worst experience that I’ve had was sitting in the right field corner on a sweltering Philadelphia evening. Otherwise, all of the Citizens Bank Park seating offers decent views, even if some are better than others. Use third party sites like TickPick to find deals, especially on very hot or very cold days.

That’s a wrap…hopefully this Citizens Bank Park seating guide can help you choose a great spot that works for your taste and budget at any Phillies game. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me, and don’t forget to check out my complete guide to Citizens Bank Park, including the best parking spots, food, money saving tips and much more.

Thanks for reading, and please support Ballpark E-Guides sponsors!

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Citi Field Seating Tips – Best Seats, Cheap Seats + Standing Room

Posted by Kurt Smith

If you are planning a trip to see the home of the Mets, or even if you’re a regular who would like to improve their view of the game, we’ve got your back. Here is your complete, user-friendly Citi Field seating guide – with everything you need to know to find the best seats at Citi Field, for whatever your budget size!

Citi is a great ballpark, but there are some seats to avoid, and some seats have great advantages, like club access for a lower price than you’d think. (BTW, be sure to check out my complete guide to Citi Field, and learn about the superb Citi Field food menu before your next trip.)

So here we go, broken down for some simplicity (it’s a lot, but for good reason, I promise!):

Citi Field Seating Chart + Layout
Really Cool + Pricey Club Seats
Group + Party Areas
Field Level Seating
Excelsior (Mezzanine) Level
Cheap Seats + Coca-Cola Corner
Promenade Level (+ More Cheap Seats)
Avoiding Obstructed Views
Standing Room at Citi Field

By the way, be sure to check out my complete guide to Citi Field, full of money-saving tips, and definitely know what’s on the superb Citi Field menu before you go!

citi field seating best seats

Yes, there are lots of good ones here. Choose wisely!

There’s a lot to know here, so let’s get started after this quick word from TickPick…thank you for supporting our sponsors!

My friends at TickPick have Mets tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

mets tickets tickpick

Click here to order your Mets tickets on TickPick!

 

 
citi fieldd seating map

Helpful section numbering in case you use a scalp…I mean buy your tickets here!

Citi Field Seating, Part 1: Citi Field Seating Chart + Layout

The Citi Field seating layout is simple enough. The one- and two-digit numbered sections are the low seats behind home plate—club seats that are triple digits in price. The rest of the ballpark’s sections are numbered in three-digits. The lowest level (100) is the Field Level, the mezzanine with the Piazza 31 Club and Box seats is called the Excelsior Level (300), and the upper deck is the Promenade Level (400 and 500).

The numbering starts with 101 and 301 in right field and increases clockwise around the ballpark. The Promenade level starts in the right field corner with 401 and 501. The numbering continues until the Big Apple Reserved seats in center field at 140-142. The Coca-Cola Corner in right field is Sections 301-305.

 

Mets game big apple reserved seats

Seating so nice, they’re telling you twice!

Seat 1 in any row is closest to home plate, and in the Promenade level sections there are 17 rows to the top of the ballpark, where you can wave to pilots in the planes taking off from LaGuardia International. (Incidentally, if you want a better view of the planes, sit on the first base side of the field. It’s actually kind of cool.)

Short of the obstructed view seats (I’ll talk about that), generally most of the seats get high marks for the view of the field. If you’re just a foodie going to the game for the delicacies (and that’s definitely understandable here), you’d do well to sit down the line in right field or in the left field landing seats.

Depending on which types of seats you buy, you’ll have access to certain clubs; which ones will be listed on your ticket and the Mets have a chart on their website to help. It’s way too complicated to explain here – if this matters to you, check out the access chart.

So here is the breakdown, going from most to least expensive (I’m not bothering with the suites):

 

 
citi field seating delta 360 club

Cushioned and large seats for that “airplane” feel.

Citi Field Seating, Part 2: Really Cool But Pricey Club Seats

Delta Sky360 Club seats are nine sections of those padded, comfortable monsters directly behind home plate. They can cost as much as a half a grand and like in many sections, the first two Platinum rows of each section are costlier than the rest.

The Mets charge quite a bit for these tickets, and you can often find a better deal for them from TickPick or another third party seller. Delta Silver seats are directly behind the Delta Gold seats and cost about half the price; the markup probably isn’t worth “Lounge” access.

 

Mets Delta Club

This is worth the price of the Citi Field tour.

These seats come with access to the Delta Sky360 Club directly behind home plate. Two full service bars and chef-prepared dining, since that’s what baseball is about. The low end items like hot dogs and coffee are complimentary, gourmet items are not.

The restaurant has no view of the field, but it does have a view of the Mets batting practice cages. Like in all of the clubs, there are TVs to watch the action. In-seat service is included.

Recently the Mets have turned the first eight rows behind home plate into the Clover Home Plate Club, which they deem as “a perfect fit for companies looking to entertain their current or prospective clients in the best seats at Citi Field.” How can I become a “prospective client”?

 

citi field seating club access

Interested in some baseball with your gourmet offerings?

Everything from Shackburgers to gourmet pizza and non-alcoholic beverages are all included in the Clover Club and can be ordered right from your seat. No small thing given typical Shake Shack lines. You can also use your ticket to get free food anywhere in the ballpark, which is pretty cool, but probably not worth the extra several hundred dollars.

Incidentally, the last rows of Delta sections have seats in front of aisles, making for an awful obstructed views with people walking in front of you. Avoid Row 20.

 

citi field seating hyundai club

And you thought the Geek Squad cars were cool.

The Hyundai Club seats are the two lower level areas behind the Delta Club seats at first and third base. There’s a very cool-looking car decorated in Mets colors outside the club if you’re looking for it.

These seats are also usually triple digits in price, but you can get a reasonable deal on a midweek, non-Yankees game in April or May; it’s a better deal than the Deltas and worth it for the club access. Most of these go to season ticket holders, so you may find a better deal on TickPick or elsewhere, just be sure to compare the price to the Mets website.

 

citi field seating hyundai club

Floating above the Delta folks even!

This was originally called the “Ebbets Club”; it was renamed in response to Mets fans complaining about the tributes to the Dodgers at Citi, and pictures and memorabilia of the 1969 and 1986 championship teams have been added here.

The Hyundai Club includes a high end buffet with a carvery and pasta bar, and a dessert cart that is rolled out during the 7th inning. All of this, with non-alcoholic drinks and in-seat service, are included with the ticket.

 

Mets Piazza 31 club

I love sitting in front of sports reporters.

The Piazza 31 Club Infield seats are on the Excelsior (Mezzanine) level between the bases. These tickets are now “Excelsior Gold” or “Excelsior Box”, and cost about half of what the Deltas cost.

Most of these seats are padded and covered by the upper tier, and there aren’t many rows, making getting in and out of your seat easy enough.

 

citi field seating piazza club

Kids and adults enjoy the view of the 7 train.

The Piazza lounge, on the Excelsior (second) level behind home plate, is open to Promenade Gold ticket holders and anyone else that paid more for their tickets. It is on top of the rotunda, and offers fine views of Flushing landmarks like the Unisphere and the Citi Field parking lot, but there is no view of the game. There are leather sofas though.

Inside the Club are food stands with high end grub, soft pretzels and cookies (check out Whole Hog BBQ), and there are a few stands where you can avoid lines. You have to pay for the food here, unfortunately, but there’s plenty of space to sit and eat.

 

Those are the seating areas for the well-to-do New Yorkers among us; before I tackle the rest of the seating areas, let’s go into the party areas for groups, which are numerous:

 

 
mets game for groups

Wise Mets fans come to the game in groups…for the food!

Citi Field Seating, Part 3: Group + Party Areas

After moving the Citi Field fences in for 2012 to accommodate whiny sluggers, the Mets discovered they had more party space for groups. Here is a list of spots where you can reserve tickets for a group with some perks included:

 

mets game party areas group

Here, you’ll really know when a Met hits a home run.

Big Apple Reserved seats are the field level seats in straightaway center, right next to that Big Apple that pops up whenever a Mets player hits a home run. Directly behind the Big Apple seats are tables where people can stand and watch while eating a gourmet food item; these are the closest seats to the center field concourse with its fancy food and Mr. Met kids area.

These seats used to only be available for groups, but you can get a ticket for a single game these days. For some reason, they’re popular on weekend nights and priced accordingly; but for weeknights they’re among the cheapest tickets in the ballpark.

 

citi field seating party areas

I’m not sure why, but I’ve always gotten an urge to get a Citibank card when I come here.

The Citi Pavilion at Shea Bridge was formerly the “Shea Bridge Terrace”; apparently the Mets needed a more unwieldy name to help fans with its location. The sets of tables and chairs in this landing are just in front of the Shea Bridge, over the bullpens in right center field.

The Mets have updated this space, and there are now drink rails and tables with comfortable seating and phone chargers. They’ve also added a bar with “light snacks” exclusively for this section.

The Citi Pavilion is a group area and is now a drinks-inclusive ticket, at least if you don’t mind drinking Bud Light throughout the game. The seats go for triple digits in price though, so you’ll need to find a lot of enthusiastic fans.

 

mets group tickets honda clubhouse

Yes, people sit there under the Honda sign. See the field the way relief pitchers do!

The Honda Clubhouse is underneath the right field reserved seats, for a true field-level view of both the field and the bullpen. There are windows that can be closed on cold nights. The seating is table seating with padded seats in front.

There aren’t a lot of seats here, so if someone invites you, get to the game early. It has been expanded to accommodate the fences being moved in, but that just means there will be more people at your outing.

The Clubhouse is also for groups only—it includes buffet service and hi-def TVs to watch the parts of the game you miss at the odd vantage point. The Mets actually mentioned as one of the group benefits “Scoreboard Greeting (not visible from area)”. Yes, I laughed too when I read that. This spot can be reasonable for a night out with your friends, and as a group leader you get four tickets to a future game.

 

citi field seating M&M sweet seats

Shouldn’t the Ms here be blue and orange? Just saying.

M&M’s Sweet Seats. The high left field wall is still here, but there’s a new and closer to home plate fence in front of it, so the Mets dedicated the space between the two fences to the iconic candy bits. Tickets include food and drinks served to your seat (or stool); before the game fans can chow on Nathan’s dogs among other food items. Nothing high end, unless you consider Nathan’s high end, which it is I suppose. They’ll even give you a cookie late in the game.

Again, tickets to a future game are included for the group leader.

As the Mets state, this is a prime spot to catch a batting practice home run ball in the newly hitter-friendly Citi Field, and it’s exclusive so you won’t have to push those pesky kids out of the way.

 

OK then, now on to seats for the rest of us, or some of us…again, from most to least expensive:

 

 
citi field seating field level

Work harder to get those closer seats at Mets games!

Citi Field Seating, Part 4: Field Level

The Metropolitan Box seats are on the lower level to the outside of the Delta Club seats. They come in four flavors, Gold, Silver, Bronze and good old Metropolitan Box, and the better ones have better club access that probably isn’t worth the markup of sometimes double the price.

If you’re looking at back row Field Level tickets (31 is the last row in most sections) and have a choice, try the Excelsior Box seats instead. The view is just as good, better even than top rows of field level seats that are covered and lose the scoreboards, club access is the same, and Excelsior seats are cheaper.

 

Mets game field level

Almost close enough for heckling!

Field Level and Baseline Box seats are beyond the bases towards the foul pole. These seats are nicely angled towards the infield, making for less neck-twisting, and if you’re in Section 104, you’re facing directly towards home plate. Like just about everywhere else in the park, the first two rows of Field Box sections are more expensive, and not worth the significant markup in my opinion.

Lower level seats down the lines cost a bit more than even a team with the Mets’ recent success probably should, so this isn’t the place to look for bargains unless you’re using a third party seller, and look for low demand games.

 

 
citi field seating excelsior level

Sounds royal and all that, but Excelsior just means “higher”.

Citi Field Seating, Part 5: Excelsior (Mezzanine) Level

The Excelsior is the Mezzanine (second) level; I’ve already talked about the Excelsior Gold and Box seats that are near to the Piazza 31 Club, but there are specialized outfield sections as well. Like the infield sections, the outfield sections are covered by the overhang of the upper deck, great for the shade, although in the upper rows you may lose some of the big scoreboards.

The rest of the Excelsior seats belong in the “cheap seats” section (including the Coca-Cola Corner):

 

 
citi field seating coca cola corner

Clearly designated to make your seats easy to find. If you’re an American, anyway.

Citi Field Seating, Part 6: Cheap Seats + Coca-Cola Corner

The Left Field and Right Field Reserved seats in the lower level have had their pricing lowered and are now the cheaper seats. Most of the seats are covered, especially in the Right Field area that is overlapped by the Coca-Cola Corner–nice on a hot or rainy day but it offers no view of either of the impressive big scoreboards.

These seats are close to both the center field concourse area and the World’s Fare Market, so you have plenty of very good grub choices just a few steps away, but I don’t know that it’s worth the very limited view.

 

left field landing mets tickets

Well, access to the Piazza Club, anyway.

Left Field Landing seats are on the Excelsior level in left field. Like the Piazza 31 Club seats, most of them are covered and there aren’t many rows. Out in left field here, you’re pretty far from home plate, so try to get the first couple of rows if you can.

These seats, like the Coca-Cola Corner seats, include access to the Piazza Club. This is important to know not only for club access (they are the cheapest tickets that include it), but also so that you don’t have to go up or down a floor to get from one side of the Excelsior level to the other. Good to know if you use a farther entrance.

Like with the Piazza Club, the Left Field Landing and Coca-Cola Corner are now available for group packages with food and beverage included.

 

new york mets ballpark coca cola corner

Kind of cool being close to that Mets orange foul pole though.

Now about that big section under the Coca-Cola sign: The Coca-Cola Corner is that five sections of seats in the Excelsior level in right field, which hang over the Right Field Reserved seats.

These seats are sort of set aside from the rest of the park, and the Coca-Cola Corner has its own concourse area with sofas, cornhole games, a picnic area with Coke bottle top tables, and a landing to view lovely downtown Flushing. It’s a perfect view of Queens…blocks of muffler shops. Enjoy the urban renewal.

Coca-Cola Corner seats cost about the same as Left Field Landing, although they’re very different atmospheres. The Coca-Cola seats used to be about the same price as Promenade Infield, but they are more now, so apparently the Corner is becoming a popular place. Batting practice homers land here, for one. It’s also, with its extra entertainment, a decent spot for kids.

 

cheap seats at citi field

Lots of sunshine, even at dusk.

If you’re sensitive to the sun, though, this definitely isn’t the best choice, since you’ll bake during day games and it’s the last place to see shade for night games. Highly recommended to bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses here.

 

 
citi field seating promenade level

A significant difference between Box and Reserved…including with shade.

Citi Field Seating, Part 7: Promenade Level

The cheapest seats in Citi Field are in the Promenade (400-500 sections) level past the bases. The Promenade Reserved Infield seats are only slightly more expensive than the Promenade Reserved (500 sections past the bases)–nowadays the outfield sections of the Promenade Level are the cheapest seats in the ballpark (and rightly so). They are very far away, and can be downright frightening on a windy day.

The Promenade Gold and Box seats in the upper level (400 section) are considerably pricier–sometimes more than double – than those in the 500 section directly behind them. Twice as good seats? For the peace of mind of avoiding a glass landing being in front of you, maybe–but you can often find a deal with a third party.

 

jacobs pickles citi field promenade level

The Jacob’s Pickles chicken and biscuit sandwich, a reason to splurge for Highball Club access. (photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

The Jim Beam Highball Club on this level is available to just about everyone except for the Promenade Reserved ticket holders. It is behind home plate on the upper level, offers some amazing food choices and two full bars in an air-conditioned place to come in out of the rain or heat. That’s worth something. You can watch the game from there, but a lot of people do this, and the view isn’t quite optimal.

I’ve read that the ushers can be somewhat lax in checking your ticket there, in case you’re looking to crash a party.

 

 
citi field seating obstructed view

Nah, I’m cool. I’ll just watch the outfielders.

Citi Field Seating, Part 8: Avoiding Promenade Obstructed Views

In many cases, obstructed views at Citi Field are a by-product of placing seats close to the field, something the Mets weren’t willing to compromise and is common in most ballparks. You shouldn’t miss much with those. But in some instances, especially in the Promenade level, glass partitions are placed in a manner that can block as much as a quarter of the field to people sitting in the wrong spot.

The Mets have started labeling such tickets as having a limited view, but you’d do well to know what to look for beforehand.

 

mets obstructed view seating fan assistance

Anyone got any Windex?

The worst problems by far are in the Promenade Reserved seats past the bases, so pay attention buying seats there. Since Seat 1 is always closest to home plate, you should be okay with a higher-numbered seat in a low row. Otherwise, try to get a seat in Row 4 or higher.

If you do end up with an obstructed view seat, you can call Fan Assistance (646-438-5000) and nicely ask to be moved to a better seat. The Mets will probably accommodate you.

 

 
citi field standing room

Lots of standing room in the Coca-Cola Corner, but it’s hot in the summer.

Citi Field Seating, Part 9: Standing Room

The Mets occasionally make standing room tickets available for popular contests like Opening Day, and they will announce availability in your newsletter or their other social media outlets. They also offer an “Amazin’ Mets Pass”; for a very reasonable monthly fee you can attend most all of the Mets home games that month, (Yankees and Opening Day games excluded). You need the MLB Ballpark app for this to get the barcode on your phone. A chance to sample all of the killer food options at Citi.

I read a great suggestion on Reddit about this…if you go on a couple of giveaway nights, you could sell your swag on eBay and recoup a good portion of the cost.

 

shea bridge citi field seating standing room

If you can’t find a spot near the Shea Bridge, at least you’ll be close to gourmet ballpark food.

Should you have gotten into the ballpark this way (or should you be otherwise unhappy with your seat), the open concourse throughout most of the field level creates plenty of standing space, and there are rails to lean on. You can also find spots for standing and tables for food in the center field food court, which is closer to the action than upper left field seats.

Lots of space in the Coca-Cola Corner too, if you like a good hangout spot. If you’re not picky, you could probably grab a seat in the lesser Promenade level seats.

 

citi field seating tips guide

Now you know what to do!

Feeling educated? I hope this extensive Citi Field seating guide has been helpful to you; being able to land a great seat makes a big difference at this ballpark. I speak from experience.

Plenty more Citi Field info on this site for you…check out my complete guide to Citi Field, including details on the best ways to get to the ballpark and some great photo-ops…or have a look at the delicious looking photos on this very detailed Citi Field food page.

Thanks for visiting this website…if you’ve enjoyed it, please support our sponsors!

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Click here to start booking your trip to New York and Citi Field today!

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Cheap Red Sox Tickets – How To Save Money at Fenway

Posted by Kurt Smith

Cheap Red Sox tickets? Really? Yes. Believe it or not, you can find them. Especially with all the tips I’ll be sharing with you in this complete and helpful guide. I’ve used several of these tips to save money on Red Sox tickets, and you can too…and have money left over for a Fenway Frank!

If you want some help choosing a great seat at Fenway Park, check out my very detailed seating guide for Fenway here. If you’re going all in, check out my complete guide to Fenway Park here. But wherever you sit, read on to find out how to get the best deal on Red Sox tickets.

My friends at TickPick have cheap Red Sox tickets – they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

red sox tickets tickpick

Click here to order your Red Sox tickets on TickPick!

 

cheap red sox tickets sign

Ah, to be among the privileged…people with Red Sox tickets.

Believe me, it really helps to know ALL of your options, but here’s the table of contents for you, in case you want to skip some bits (but don’t):

My Best Tip For Cheap Red Sox Tickets
Buying From The Red Sox Website
StubHub, TickPick, ACE and Other Third Parties
Choose The Right Game AND Opponent
The Red Sox Box Office and Game Day Tickets
Red Sox Nation and Kid Nation (Get a FREE Red Sox ticket!)
Cheap Red Sox Tickets in The Scalp-Free Zone
The Red Sox Community
Red Sox Ticket Scalpers
Finding Cheap Red Sox Tickets on Craigslist
To Sum All This Up…

 
red sox tickets newsletter

“Get ya wicked smaht Red Sox news heah!”

If You Want Cheap Red Sox Tickets, Do This Now

Anytime you’re planning to go to a game, it’s always a smart idea to subscribe to a team’s ticket alert newsletter, and the Red Sox ticket alert is no exception.

It’s not so much that the Red Sox offer a lot of ticket deals, although there are some. But in many cases buying Red Sox tickets at face value is the cheapest way to get them, and the newsletter will help you with that…you’ll know about pre-sales, Sox Pax, Christmas at Fenway events, group tickets, fan clubs, military and student discounts and much more. Students get standing room dirt cheap at most games, for example.

The e-mail newsletter is especially useful if you want to see a game against the Yankees. You can jump on pre-sales and get tickets at face, which is usually as cheap as you’ll find, especially for weekend contests. The newsletter will also alert you to Green Monster ticket sales well ahead of time, and it’s probably the easiest way to get your hands on those too.

It doesn’t happen often, but on occasion, the Red Sox waive ticket buying fees, and that’s a considerable amount of savings. That also saves you the time and boredom of waiting in line for Game Day tickets (more on that in a bit). The newsletter will let you know about this too.

So be sure to subscribe!

 

A color-coded Fenway Park seating map, with appropriately red-colored “sunburn sections”.

Buying Tickets On The Red Sox Website

The Sox have a nifty 3-D seating map on their website, featuring a scale picture of Fenway with clickable sections, panoramic views and prices from each section…but just so you know, they don’t reveal obstructed views.

Remember there are fees for buying on the website, and they’re ridiculous. For high demand games you might be better off using the box office if you can, even on game day…for low demand games you’ll probably find a better deal with a third party.

The Sox website is best for when you don’t live close and want a high demand game. Typically the cheap Red Sox tickets sell out fast, so the Sox make lower demand games available first, such as April and May weekdays. Again, get on any pre-sales you can for Yankees games or July or August weekend games. Remember, subscribe to the Red Sox newsletter first.

You can now enter Fenway by scanning the tickets on your phone, if you have MLB’s Ballpark app (and you should). If you don’t like your seats…and at Fenway, that’s a distinct possibility…you can upgrade them through the app if something is available.

 

 
ace tickets red sox

They outsource their ticket sign holding, and pass the savings on to you!

Cheap Red Sox Tickets From 3rd Parties – StubHub, SeatGeek, Ace, Etc…

I’m a big fan of TickPick; they have a best price guarantee, there’s no fees (and no one likes the fees), and they even offer a buyer’s trust guarantee if your event gets cancelled. That’s why I’ve made them an affiliate…click here to try them out, and let me know what you think!

In the past, I went through a third party site and got a pair of Right Field Box seats for $26…and the list price for this was $87! Full disclosure, this was a weekday May game against Oakland. I’m not claiming you’ll always find cheap Red Sox tickets with TickPick or another third party. But always check, especially for low demand games, because you may find a steal like I did.

Here’s a key tip: being MLB’s official ticket reseller, StubHub usually has the biggest selection of third party tickets, and you may find a deal there. But in some cases, you may find the very same or similar seats offered through another third party. This was the case in the game I just described…and the third party I used offered me a slightly better price.

 

“Our ticket selection is huge!”

As far as Ace Ticket…they’re well known in Boston, and are actually pretty good as ticket resellers go. One great advantage of Ace is their prime location, in the path from the Kenmore station to Fenway. You can pick up tickets that you’ve ordered there at no extra charge. ACE makes a point that they don’t add a StubHub fee, which isn’t chump change. If you’re there on game day, you might be able to haggle closer to gametime.

Your best bet with third parties, usually, is to get tickets at the last minute (up to two hours before game time, last I checked). But I wouldn’t always count on this. If the game is really important for you to attend, keep checking for a deal you can live with starting about a week out.

Finally, if you have the luxury of comparing third party sites, be sure to go to the checkout screen on each one and see the full price you’ll be paying…the difference in fees can be significant.

You may need the Ballpark app on your smartphone to scan your tickets, so be sure you have that.

 

 
cheap red sox tickets schedule

In 2014, the Royals were pretty popular. Even in Boston.

Use The Red Sox Schedule: Choose The Right Game AND Opponent

If you only care about visiting Fenway Park, and you’re visiting Boston on a budget, picking the right contest makes a world of difference in your ticket price. Obviously, you shouldn’t pick a game against the Yankees on a July weekend.

Like most teams, the Red Sox offer dynamic pricing. Opening Day, all Yankees games, and Saturday games in June and July are the most expensive. Second to that are weekend games in June, July and August; then weekends in April, May and September, etc. In the bottom tier are “Sox Saver” games: weeknights in April, May and September. If you can handle the weather, you can often find a great deal. For afternoon games the weather might not be bad at all.

But again, check third parties on these too. If the Sox are having a disappointing season, you could find some steals in September.

 

red sox orioles at fenway

O’s fans don’t see this very often, so maybe it is worth the trip.

Your choice of opponent makes a difference too. If, say, the Orioles are good (OK, I’ll wait till you’re done LYAO at that one), it can drive up demand for Orioles games at Fenway. The Mets and Phillies can also draw sizable crowds, regardless of their fortunes.

Save for the Angels and East Coast hero Mike Trout, West Coast opponents usually draw the smallest crowds and offer the cheapest tickets.

But hey, you might be reading this because you want to find cheap Red Sox tickets for Yankees games, right? Even if “cheap” in this case is relative. And Ballpark E-Guides never backs down from a challenge!

To see the Yankees at Fenway (or the Cubs, when they visit), you’ll save a lot by planning ahead.

 

red sox yankees tickets at fenway

Does this really even need to be said in Boston?

If I lived in Boston, I would visit the box office the day tickets go on sale, and get tickets at face price with no fees. If you live elsewhere, visit the Red Sox website that day, and get your tickets at face value with the fee…which will still be cheaper than the third party markup in almost every case. You can also try the game day ticket option (more on that shortly), but you may be waiting in line for a very long time.

Or plan ahead even further back in time, and get Sox Pax tickets in December…maybe show up for Christmas at Fenway. Sox Pax include a Yankees game and one or more low demand games. Good if you can do the other games…or give the tickets as Christmas presents…but I wouldn’t do this one if you plan to resell the low value games, since you probably won’t get what you paid for them.

As always, pay attention to your newsletter…

 

Never Drive To Fenway Park Without A Plan…

Book Your Parking Spot NOW With My Friends at SpotHero!

 
fenway park box office

With a helpful mini-jungle gym for the kids to play on while they’re waiting.

The Red Sox Box Office and Game Day Tickets

As I’ve said, for cheap Red Sox tickets for Yankees and other high demand games, if you or someone else can go to the box office for you on the on-sale date, do it…there are no fees at the box office.

At the box office you can actually talk to a person about what seats are available, including seats in front of each other, which isn’t something you can yet find on the Sox website. It also doesn’t hurt to ask for ticket specials, especially for military members.

Then there’s that popular game day tickets option that savvy Sox fans use.

The Red Sox make a handful of tickets available a few hours before each game. These are usually tickets that the visiting team or someone else can’t use—a player may have brought his wife and can’t sit her next to his Boston girlfriend, for example.

So a few hours before each game, a line of folks forms at Gate E on Lansdowne Street to buy any extras the Sox have lying around.

 

cheap red sox tickets game day

It’s tough waiting in line just steps away from the smell of sausage vendors.

I’ve talked to a few Sox fans about this; they say it’s generally best for one person, since you can only buy one per person and must immediately enter the ballpark after buying them. Lots of folks claim to have gotten very good seats for face value this way.

The Sox allow the line to start forming five hours before game time, but people do line up sooner than that for big games. Fans camping out before playoff games is common.

I can’t guarantee that you’ll get into the park this way, but no one has yet told me they were turned away. As long as you don’t arrive an hour before a Yankees game you should be fine. Keep in mind that you’re looking at a total of maybe 11 hours at the ballpark should you choose this option. I don’t mind that myself; just saying.

The best part? You may land a great seat at face price. With no online fees. Face value with no fees = relatively cheap Red Sox tickets.

 

 

Sure, it’s great to get ticket deals. But a secret entrance is even better!

Join The Nation – A FREE Red Sox Ticket!

Red Sox Nation is the team fan club, and gives fans chances to score the hard-to-get seats like Monster seats at face price or lower. There are several levels of membership, some of which cost a nice chunk of change, but even the lesser ones still might offer you cheap Red Sox tickets for decent contests.

Nation membership also includes discounts on gear and nearby restaurants, so it should pay for itself fairly easily. The Red Sox even offer a kids’ membership that includes a free ticket (!), and they may have a free ticket-included membership for adults by the time you read this.

If you plan on going to a few Red Sox games in a season and want something resembling cheap Red Sox tickets, have a look at Nation membership. Could be well worth it for you. Again, check your newsletter and grab a membership when it’s available; these sell out too.

 
red sox tickets scalp free zone

The trick is actually finding this sign.

Cheap Red Sox Tickets – In The “Scalp-Free Zone”

A little known option to Fenway newbies is the scalp-free zone set up by the Red Sox, which is currently at Gate C on Lansdowne Street, although the location does get moved on occasion. Here fans with extra tickets are permitted to sell them at face price or less; a Red Sox official will monitor the transaction and escort you into the park so that you don’t try re-selling the seats.

There aren’t many tickets sold here—the Sox estimate it to be about 30-50 a game—but it’s definitely worth a shot before you try a scalper. It’s also a nice legal place where you can get rid of your own extras if you have them.

The Red Sox deliberately keep this option low-key, because they don’t want it to attract too many buyers. That’s why you need this blog my friend.

 

 
cheap red sox tickets green team

With the help of the Green Team!

Help Your Fellow Bostonian

Just putting this one out there.

In happier times, the Red Sox don’t offer a lot of discounts or deals on tickets. But they do have contests and events you can participate in, like Christmas at Fenway or the Picnic in The Park, that could get you entered in drawings for tickets. They’re usually in the Community or Fans sections of the Red Sox website, so it’s worth the trouble to have a look.

If you’re a conscious student and will work for baseball, there are universities that work with the Sox to keep the ballpark clean and the trash sorted out in recycling. You get entry into the park (standing room), a T-shirt and a food voucher, and you can see a game just for doing some cleanup between innings. Save the planet and see a Red Sox game for free. Win-win!

Check out the Fenway Park Green Team program here.

 

 
red sox tickets scalpers

This gentleman is holding up the universal symbol for “I didn’t read this post”.

Red Sox Ticket Scalpers

There are always plenty of scalpers at Fenway, even though scalping is illegal in Massachusetts. Like with brokers, you could be paying well above face value for tickets depending on demand—you might as well use TickPick.

If you try this, bring a seating chart to get an idea of where your seats are, and check the ticket for the correct date and opponent, and that there isn’t an “OV” stamped on the ticket. OV means Obstructed View…you definitely don’t want that.

Ticket prices plummet after the game starts, but that’s no fun unless you’re late to begin with. Brokers generally line up near the Kenmore MBTA station, and in the path from there to the ballpark. You can haggle, but these guys are tough, so you may be dealing with a few of them if you walk away. If you’re lucky, you may find someone with extras, especially for a rainout makeup game. Hold up the number of fingers to show how many you need.

 

cheap red sox tickets craigslist

“I’ll text you when I’m at the face painting station. Look for a guy with a misspelled word on his shirt.”

Finding Cheap Red Sox Tickets on Craigslist

I’m sure there are fans that can tell you stories about the deal they scored on Craigslist for any baseball tickets, and I’m sure probably 98% of those cases are legit. But you don’t want to be in that 2%.

I talk more about buying baseball tickets on Craigslist here, but basically the same rules apply that you would use buying from a scalper: meet with the seller in person in a public place, check the tickets for smudged ink, scissor marks or other anomalies, and bring someone with you for the transaction. Get as much information about the person as you can, and especially find out if they are season ticket holders if possible.

Trust your gut…just as with a scalper, if something doesn’t seem right, walk away.

 

 
red sox tickets fenway park

And congratulations on scoring Red Sox tickets!

To Sum This All Up…

…for cheap Red Sox tickets, plan ahead as much as possible. Subscribe to the Red Sox ticket alerts, and pay attention to their e-mails, choose the lowest value contest you can, and compare prices with TickPick and other third parties. You can score great deals on Red Sox tickets, but it takes a little work.

Hopefully what you’ve read helps…take advantage of all your ticket buying avenues! Bookmark this and review it next time you’ve got a Red Sox game at Fenway in mind.

Hope you enjoyed these tips. Thanks for reading, and for supporting my sponsors!

Planning a trip to Boston? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

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Click here to start booking your trip to Boston and Fenway Park today!

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Fenway Park Seating Guide – Best Seats, Cheap Seats + More Tips

Posted by Kurt Smith

Here it is, Fenway Park visitors and Red Sox fans, your complete, unobstructed and enormously useful Fenway Park seating guide. I’ve meticulously researched everything I could find about how to get the best seats at Fenway Park for your taste and budget, from Green Monster seats to standing room, and the result is what you’re about to read.

If you’re visiting Fenway Park for the first time, you should definitely read this entire post; it contains information I wish I had known. Trust me, choosing the right seat at Fenway is more important than at any other ballpark. Even if you’re a regular, you should find some useful stuff here.

(If you need more Fenway help, check out my complete Fenway Park guide, this helpful post about parking, and this post about the Red Sox’s food menu. Oh, and of course, how to save money on Red Sox tickets!)

Here is the breakdown of Fenway Park seating:

Fenway Park Seating Chart + Layout
Dugout Box Seats
Club + Pavilion Seating
Green Monster Seats
Right Field Roof Deck
Field + Loge Box Seats
Pavilion Box + Reserved Seats
Right Field Box + Upper Box
Right Field Roof Box
Fenway Park Grandstand Seats
How to Avoid Obstructed Views at Fenway
Fenway Park Bleachers
Fenway Park Standing Room Tips

Yes, it’s a lot, feel free to skip over anything, but it’s all useful.

So after this quick word from our sponsor, we’ll get started on your Fenway Park seating education!

My friends at TickPick have Red Sox tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

red sox tickets tickpick

Click here to order your Red Sox tickets on TickPick!

 

 
Fenway Park Seating Chart

With “sunburn” sections appropriately colored red.

Fenway Park Seating Chart + Layout

Fenway Park has a strange seating layout, to say the least. There are seats for wealthy and less wealthy, there are seats for corporate types and college students, there are seats that can be measured in miles from home plate and there are seats behind support poles.

The premium and party spaces are mostly on the second level of the ballpark: the Dell Technologies Club, suites, Roof Deck and Green Monster seats are more expensive than much of the lower level seating.

Your ticket will tell you the best gate to use to get to your seats. Sitting in any section, Seat 1 is always on the right. The Red Sox dugout is on the first base side.

I’m not going to bother with the amenities that come with suites and such, but we’ll gloss over the benefits of high end premium seating…

 

 
fenway park seating guide dugout box seats

Padded seats, sure, but the parking pass is the true bonus.

Fenway Park Seating: Dugout Box Seats

The Dugout Box field-level seats are the first few rows of field level seats, and cater to types who occupy them, offering valet parking (in itself almost worth the price), padded seats with warmers, in-seat wait service and private restrooms. The first row has TVs in front of it for replays.

Still probably not worth the insane price especially with food not included, but someone will pay it. Keep in mind that Dugout Box infield seats are significantly more than “Extended” Dugout Box, especially close to the Red Sox dugout.

Dugout Seat holders do have access to the climate controlled Ford Clubhouse on Brookline Avenue, with upscale dining and photos of Sox greats. You can order from the menu and have it delivered to your seat.

 

 
fenway park club premium seating

The real advantage is the ability to duck out of the elements.

Club + Pavilion Fenway Park Seating

The members-only Dell Technologies Club seating is on the mezzanine level behind home plate; members can access the climate-controlled club featuring a high end executive chef restaurant with a wine list, hi-def TVs and three full-service bars. Or order food from their seat if they don’t feel like getting up.

There’s a load of other benefits like complimentary programs and a private entrance, but nothing terribly exciting for the high cost (as if people here need a discount on souvenirs). The club recommends reservations and has a dress code.

As with most premium Fenway Park seating, if you have to ask you probably can’t afford it. But who knows, maybe you can find a decent deal on TickPick. Try to avoid Sections 1 and 6, which lose a portion of the field to luxury suites next to them.

 

fenway park seating pavilion club

Sure the seats are nice. But check out those barstools!

The padded seats of the Lansdowne Pavilion sections are located above the Dell Club seats behind home plate, and in the lower sections of the upper level. Fans at this level can walk in the upper concourse for a nifty view of the Boston skyline, not to mention shorter concession lines. Not that there’s anything wrong with the bird’s eye view of the field here, which is closer than most ballparks. There is also more leg room here than at most seats in Fenway.

Behind each section is a row of barstools with backs and a drink rail; these are well worth the price if you plan to have an adult beverage or two.

If they get tired of their cushioned seats, ticket holders at the Pavilion level can access a restaurant with a pizza counter and raw bar, and a lounge area with two full bars. (Keep in mind Boston climate.) The food here is highly rated by people who talk about such things, but for the price it should be.

Like with the EMC Club, the Pavilion club serves a brunch for afternoon games, and you can order food from your seat. Pavilion club tickets also include a parking pass (worth about $50 given the cost of Fenway parking), and they are available in “Sox Pax” like most seating areas.

 

 
fenway park green monster seats

Probably your best chance at catching a home run ball.

Green Monster Seats at Fenway Park

In the most striking change of the early 2000s renovations, the Sox replaced the net above the Green Monster in left field with a few rows of barstools. These seats go for a premium price. Monster seats have their own concession area and are separate from the rest of the ballpark.

Truth be told, this is something you only do to say you did it…the seats at this angle would be the worst at any other ballpark. They’re very high up, and unless you are in the first row, you won’t be able to see anything hit to deep left. In a day game, the sun could also be bothersome.

The only real advantage, other than the experience, is the likelihood of a home run coming your way, and even then you should watch out for the line drive shots.

 

view from green monster seats

Your view from the Green Monster. Heckling is pretty much ineffective.

The best way to land Green Monster tickets is to pay attention to the Red Sox newsletter. The Sox place Green Monster tickets on sale incrementally, so September games might not go on sale until July. Last I checked, there was a booth in the concourse where you can enter to win Monster tickets, so there’s that.

In their newsletter the Sox announce a “Monster Mash” package in October for a Yankees game the following season; the cost includes a couple of Green Monster tickets, jerseys, memorabilia and a chance to have your photo taken with World Series trophies. You even get a scoreboard message that I’m guessing you can’t see from these seats. It’s a Red Sox Foundation benefit, but whether it’s worth the hefty price tag is up to you.

If you really want to experience this and don’t mind standing, you can find SRO Green Monster tickets at a lower price, but again, the view is definitely not great.

 

 
fenway park seating roof deck

The equally prestigious and distant right field roof deck.

The Right Field (Ultimate) Roof Deck

The aptly named Ultimate Deck, previously the much more aptly named Right Field Roof Deck, is just above the retired numbers in right field. There are picnic tables with four seats each, and a full bar and concessions area, which is covered and offers a spot to duck out of the rain or sun. There’s a drink rail with stools for that baseball with expensive drinks experience.

Each ticket includes concessions cash, but this isn’t likely worth the price for arguably the worst view in the ballpark. A Loge Box seat between the bases costs only slightly more than a Roof Deck seat minus the credit, and they are MUCH better seats; that’s not even considering the sun setting in your eyes up here.

I’m not trying to be critical here; the Deck is something you do for the baseball party if you’re into that; concessions and drinks are easier to get and it’s a fun atmosphere.

 

fenway park ultimate deck

People here just like hanging out somewhere with a nice view.

Like with Green Monster seats, the Sox put Roof Deck tickets on sale at separate times; keep an eye on the newsletter if you’re interested. You can get tickets through TickPick and other third party sellers, but if you buy two you could be sitting with two other people that you don’t know, which could be a good or bad thing.

Anyone with a game ticket is welcome to hang out at the bar (there isn’t much of a view of the game there), but not in the seating area.

The small section of seats with drink rails on the far end, over the right field bleachers, is now called the “502 Perch”…there are 14 seats, one of them painted red just like the one where Williams’ epic 1946 blast (by pre-steroid era standards) landed. This is a designated party area, but these seats are as far away as the upper bleachers and cost a bunch more.

 

 
fenway park box seats

Red seats are always good at the home of the Red Sox.

Field and Loge Box Seats

Field Box seats with their cushions and proximity to the field are, of course, among the best in the park, but Loge Box seats are nearly as terrific and cost significantly less, especially considering that both are the kind of tickets that you’re going to need an alternate route to get. Field Box seats get a much more significant markup than Loge Box from third party sellers.

Both Field and Loge Box sections usually have 12 rows per section. Most all of the Loge Box seats are very good, and worth spending the money if you’re making the effort.

The only caveat, other than the minimal leg room that is a problem almost everywhere here, is that the first three rows (AA thru CC) are “walkway advisory” tickets, meaning that people will be walking in the aisle in front of you during the game. Baseball limits people returning to their seats during an at-bat, so this shouldn’t be much of a problem.

 

 
fenway park seating pavilion box

Remember, the support poles are your friend!

Pavilion Box + Reserved Seats

Pavilion Box seats are the upper sections on either side of the premium Pavilion seating on the club level, and are considerably lower in price but still cost more than Grandstand or Bleacher seating.

They’re good seats and are closer to the action than upper levels in most ballparks, and if you’re a large person like me they offer more leg room than most seats here. But if you’d prefer to sit closer, Loge Box seats cost just a few bucks more.

Pavilion Box seats do have a roof over the upper portions, which is nice if it rains but doesn’t always offer protection from the sun. In Rows C and higher, you have a good chance of being protected from the elements.

 

fenway park coca cola sign

Who wouldn’t want to sit under a Coca-Cola sign?

The Pavilion Reserved seating is three sections of upper level seating beneath the Coca-Cola sign in left field. There is a nice private concessions area with picnic tables here, but it’s fairly distant from the field. It’s next to the Green Monster and higher up, so you can people watch the lottery winners there.

Behind the Coca-Cola Corner is a designated standing room spot; the Sox have turned this into an expensive group party area called the Lansdowne Pavilion, but the additional cost doesn’t make the view any better.

 

 
right field box seats fenway

The Right Field Upper Box is on the lower level here. I don’t get it either.

Right Field Box + Upper Box

The Right Field Box and Right Field Upper Box seats are numbered in two separate sections, with the lower numbers 1-8 being closer to the field and 87 to 97 being the sections behind them. “Upper Box” is kind of misleading; these are still on the field level.

The closer you get to the right field foul pole (known as “Pesky’s Pole”), the more seats face center field rather than home plate, so you will be twisting your neck throughout the game, which is an annoyance if a minor one. In addition, people will be getting up and blocking the view frequently. Sections 5 and 93 can be particularly bad, being right behind Pesky’s Pole.

But don’t let this sway you…these seats are close to the field, and you do have a cool straight ahead view of the Green Monster. These seats can be half the price of their Field Box equivalent on the left field side. Find the right spot and this can be the best bang for the buck in Fenway Park seating.

One obstructed view note here: the support pole can sometimes be in the last row of a Right Field Box section, usually Row XX. If you’re sitting next to a pole, it might make for a lot of leaning forward at the least, and it isn’t likely to be fun. Just to be sure, avoid Row XX in Right Field Upper Box seats.

 

 
right field roof box fenway park seating

In the sun and far away, but there’s a nice deck behind it for a BBQ.

Right Field Roof Box

The upper level seats down the right field line, with the new scoreboard over them, don’t have as bad a neck injury issue being higher up, and they have their own private concessions area which is nice.

These seats are still far from the action, but they’re closer to home plate than the Roof Deck and the price is significantly less, and it’s almost as close to the Brewhouse if you want a drink. These seats are in the sun as well, but at least you’re not staring straight into it.

Because the rows are steeper here, people standing in front of you is less of a problem, so no need to get a low row here…the view isn’t much different.

Behind this section is a picnic area that can be used for very expensive private parties; there are tables and barstool seats and the floor is wooden boards and easier on the feet. The Red Sox will do a BBQ here for your party, but the price isn’t worth the two complimentary parking spots.

The Right Field Roof Terrace is also a standing room space, but tickets don’t guarantee a spot, so you may have trouble finding a space with a good view. There’s also no roof here, bad on a rainy day.

Okay, so now on to tickets that the rest of us can afford…here’s the info on the cheap seats at Fenway Park, after this quick piece of valuable advice from our sponsor…

 

Never Drive To Fenway Park Without A Plan…

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visiting fenway park grandstand seating

I’m still trying to figure out the logic of inch-wide armrests, even in 1912.

Cheap Seats at Fenway Park, Part 1: Grandstand Seats

The Grandstand seats are under the upper deck tier surrounding most of the field. Most Grandstand seats have the advantage of being out of the sun and rain for the most part, but the fan pays the price of the dreaded obstructed view.

Besides that, most of the Grandstand seats are a scant 15” wide and wooden, the armrests are tiny, and the rows offer very little legroom. This is a common complaint about Fenway, and for big and tall folks especially a Grandstand seat can be most uncomfortable over nine innings. Might want to bring a cushion.

That said, if you can handle them and know how to avoid an obstructed view (which you will shortly), the low and not too far away Grandstand seats can be a good value for a Sox game. The only sections you should avoid are in the outfield in right field; for the space and view problems you’re better off in the bleachers for less money. Avoid Sections 2 and 3 especially, the support pole is likely to be a problem there wherever you sit, and you won’t likely be able to see the big scoreboards either.

 

family Section Fenway Park

Because when you don’t drink at the ballgame, you’re less likely to need auto glass repair.

The Outfield Grandstand seats in Sections 32-33 are down the left field line, next to the Monster, and are closer to the field. The sections face the field, so unlike in right field, you won’t have to crane your neck here. These happen to be the alcohol-free family sections, so it’s not a place if you want a brew.

Try to avoid getting a seat too high; the Red Sox have put in nifty scoreboards made to resemble the hand-operated guy in left, but the overhang blocks the view of them for upper row seat holders. The Red Sox did put TVs at the top of the support poles, so at least people can see replays. If only they had that in Babe Ruth’s day.

 

 
baseball seating fenway park obstructed views Loge

At least the pitcher can’t see who is heckling them.

How To Avoid Obstructed Views at Fenway Park

Most all of the Grandstand seats have a pole obstructing a portion of the field; here are some things to know so it doesn’t ruin your night.

The Red Sox stamp certain tickets “OV” for obstructed view, but the obstruction has to be pretty egregious before the Sox will admit to it. Avoid “OV” tickets at all costs.

Support poles are usually in the first or second row of a section, and in most cases they’re at the end of a row…either at Seat 1 or the other end, maybe Seat 16 or 24, depending on the size of the section. There are also support poles in the back of Grandstand sections, and there are sometimes two or three rows behind them. The same rule applies in most (but not all) cases, avoid Seat 1 or the last seat of a row.

Incidentally, Sections 19 and 21 are pretty safe on views, and the closer you get to home plate, the less of a problem it is.

 

baseball seating fenway park obstructed views section 32

Ah, here’s the trick…just sit in FRONT of the poles!

You are most likely to have a problem in Rows 2-4 of a Grandstand section, and this is in the lower-numbered or higher-numbered seats. If you have the luxury of seeing the seat number, you should be okay in most sections with Seats 5-12. Only in the outfield do these general rules get a little wacky. In Sections 2 thru 4, seats numbered lower than 18 are usually safe.

Sometimes a support pole can be right in front of a seat in the first row, but if it is, the Sox will mark that as OV. So if you can get a first row seat numbered in the 5-10 range that doesn’t say OV, you should have a terrific view with no obstructions. For the price, that’s a great seat at Fenway.

 

fenway park seating obstructed views

Yes, I was thinking the same thing…who’s winning?

The Grandstand is also covered by the upper level, so the highest rows lose the view of the nice new Jumbotron scoreboards. If this matters to you (it does to me), avoid anything higher than about Row 14 or so. There are 17-19 rows in most Grandstand sections.

If you want to keep it simple, just follow the 5-10 rule…meaning that in most cases, rows 5-10 and/or seats 5-10 are usually the best in the Grandstand sections. The pole will still be there, but it shouldn’t be too annoying. You’ll have to deal with crawling over people to get to your seat in the middle of a row, but that’s better than sitting behind a pole.

 

 
fenway park bleachers sweet caroline

Don’t sit in the bleachers unless you know the words to “Sweet Caroline”.

Cheap Seats at Fenway Park, Part 2: The Bleachers

There is a sizable amount of bleacher seats—50 rows in most sections—in the outfield at Fenway. The nice thing about the bleacher seats as opposed to many others in the price range is that you’re not likely to have your view obstructed, you won’t have to crane your neck, and your seat may be more comfortable than some of the grandstand seats.

The upper bleachers are the cheapest of Fenway Park seating, but they can be as far as 600 feet from home plate, and you will likely be under the Jumbotron and unable to see it. Try to get lower seats if you can. Once you get to be 30 or 40 rows up in the bleachers, it’s difficult to keep track of the action on the field (the crack of the bat even takes a second to hear).

I don’t know if it’s still the case, but some time ago Red Sox introduced a system where only digital tickets for the upper bleachers are sold for the high demand games. The idea was to enable families to get these tickets and keep them out of the hands of those notorious Fenway scalpers. I suppose getting into the ballpark is better than just having a souvenir.

 

fenway park bullpens

Where’s Clemens?

The bleachers used to be a less than G-rated place for families, with obscene language and fights at times. But since the price has gone up significantly for tickets at Fenway, it’s not as bad now, and you should be fine bringing the wife and kids. If you’re close enough to the bullpens, the kids may be able to score some autographs.

You will definitely want to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for day games in the bleachers. I speak from experience.

The famous “red seat” where Ted Williams’ titanic shot landed is Section 42, Row 37, Seat 21. Good luck landing that one.

 

 
fenway park standing room

They don’t have a great view, and they’re tired, but they’re in the ballpark!

Fenway Park Standing Room Tips

I realize that it’s not technically Fenway Park seating, but…

There are seven, yes, seven different Standing Room areas at Fenway. From most to least expensive they are: Green Monster; Right Field Roof Deck; Right Field Roof Box; Right Field Roof Terrace; Coca-Cola Corner; Pavilion and General Standing Room.

There isn’t a wide disparity in price for them all, but all of them are more expensive than Upper Bleacher seats, and most of them are more expensive than outfield bleacher seats.

In 2017 the Sox added the Right Field Tavern, a full bar that takes over the space in the right field Grandstand area. It’s got drink rails, phone chargers, big TVs, and a seriously subpar view of the field. (Recall what I’ve told you about right field Grandstand seats.)

Anyone with a ticket can hang out at the Tavern, but the Sox sell drink rail spots for a cheap price. It’s a good deal if you were going basic standing room anyway, since at least you’ll have a place to sit and charge your phone. The view is bad, but it isn’t much worse than designated standing room behind the Grandstand.

 

fenway park green monster standing room

We all need something we can lean on.

Green Monster standing room is for people who can stand behind three rows of people sitting on barstools. Even more so than with the seating, this is more of an experience than a decent place to watch the game, since you’ll miss a significant portion of the outfield, even more so from behind the seats. There is a rail for your drinks, and a separate concessions and bathrooms area.

The Right Field Roof Deck is very far away from the action, but there is a bar area there with TVs even and it’s fun. On the opposite end is the Coca-Cola Corner in left field, which has a rail to lean on and place your drinks, and tables if you need to sit, but as I’ve said it’s a bit costly as places to stand go.

 

fenway park seating standing room

There’s no one sitting in the barstools, go for it!

If you’re going standing room, your best bet is the upper level Infield Pavilion, for several reasons; there aren’t as many people there, you can sit your grub on a drink rail, and since the seats in front of you are reserved for corporate types, there’s a chance you could swipe a seat if they leave to go to an emergency board meeting. It’s higher up, but the view isn’t bad at all.

Standing room on the lower levels enables fans to watch the action from behind the Grandstand, and it’s cheaper, but there are a few impediments to your enjoyment: First, you have to stand in designated areas behind the concourse, and the killjoy Red Sox ushers spend the whole game enforcing it rather than doing something more important like looking the other way while you grab a seat. Second, you won’t be able to see scoreboards and such from this vantage point.

Pavilion standing room is worth the few extra bucks; if you go this route, the third base side has a bit better view.

 

fenway home plate standing room

Well, there is a nice view of Jersey Street anyway.

Standing room is what it is, and you usually have to stake out a spot and stay there, which isn’t all that much fun. The best thing is that in most places you’ll have no problem staying out of the rain. If you try it, fork over a few extra for a prime spot, and you may be able to snatch a seat later in the game.

 

Whew! Had enough? Hopefully from this helpful Fenway Park seating guide you have a good idea of how to get the best seat for your hard-earned dollar at America’s oldest ballpark.

So now you need to get tickets…and my guide for saving money on Red Sox tickets should be a huge help. And don’t forget to check out all of my useful tips for getting there and what to eat in the game in this complete Fenway Park guide.

Thanks for reading, and please support Ballpark E-Guides sponsors!

Planning a trip to Boston? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

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Fenway Park Parking Guide – Best Boston Red Sox Parking

Posted by Kurt Smith

Even though I’m known for recommending that you take the T to Fenway, I’m still here to help if you want to drive and park. This Fenway Park parking guide will help you find an affordable spot, get to the ballpark easily and spare yourself a lot of headaches. You should definitely know what you’re doing, so read this carefully and commit it to memory.

And if you’re one of those folks that loves to beat the man and find free street parking at Fenway Park, this will help you with that too.

(Taking a trip to see the Red Sox? Check out my complete Fenway Park guide here!)

Here’s the breakdown of what you should know:

Driving to Fenway Park
Pre-Paid Red Sox Parking
Parking Close to Fenway
Cheaper Parking at Fenway
Free Street Parking
A Few More Fenway Park Parking Tips

 

fenway park parking guide

You can do better than this. Stick with me.

But first, an extremely valuable and applicable bit of advice from our sponsor:
 

Never Drive To Fenway Park Without A Plan…

Book Your Parking Spot NOW With My Friends at SpotHero!

 
driving to Fenway park

Wally sez: “Where the H do you park around here?”

Fenway Park Parking, Part 1: Driving to Fenway Park

The closest interstate to Fenway is I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) running east-west north of the park; I-93 runs north-south east of the park.

The Red Sox provide directions on their website, with warnings that not only does traffic back up an hour before game time, it tends to back up at Brookline Avenue, Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue, Storrow Drive, and at Kenmore Square where Fenway is located. All these points are north and west.

Be sure to understand the distinction between road signs that say “Fenway Park”, as opposed to “Fenway”—the latter will take you to the actual Fenway neighborhood rather than the ballpark in Kenmore Square.

 

red sox game storrow drive

“Luke, no! It’s a trap!!”

Since all of the Red Sox directions to Fenway involve Storrow Drive, try to find a way to avoid it. You can take the Prudential exit off of the Pike, use Huntington Avenue west and turn right on Massachusetts Avenue. From there a left will bring you into Kenmore Square. Or you can just use the easy-exit Prudential Center or 100 Clarendon lots.

The hard part, actually, is after the game. Leaving the ballpark, streets that you used to get in will change direction, and if you park close to Kenmore Square you will have to contend with thousands of pedestrians. This is another reason I suggest parking further away, and if you don’t want to do the walk, read on.

 

 
fenway park parking prepaid

You want to avoid this.

Fenway Park Parking, Part 2: Pre-Paid Red Sox Parking – Yes, Do This!!

There is a fair amount of parking in the area of Fenway Park, but you might not want to pay over $50 for something that isn’t as close or isn’t as easy to get out of as you might like.

Even if you don’t care how much you pay to park…an attitude local lot owners count on, believe me…I strongly recommend that you reserve a spot beforehand. It’s difficult enough trying to find an affordable lot; doing so in Kenmore Square traffic on game day will drive you insane.

With a prepaid app like SpotHero, people can reserve spots ahead of time for a Red Sox game. Anything from large outfits like Pilgrim to people’s driveways can be included.

 

car wash red sox

I don’t know if they park your car in the middle of the car wash, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

You simply enter the date of the game, select from available spots, and your prepaid app will send you a printable reservation or a bar code on your phone for a guaranteed spot. Easy peezy. There are recommendations from people on different spots and they’ll even let you know if you can tailgate (which isn’t very common in Boston, but just saying).

Even if you are okay paying more for a closer spot, with pre-paid parking you can get something close to the highway, choose something that isn’t too exorbitant, read about who double parks or stacks cars, and choose a lot that works best for you. Plug the address into your GPS, and your day at Fenway just got a million times easier.

But definitely Book. Your. Parking. Beforehand.

 

 
red sox game parking

“Yeah, that’s mine in the back there. I’ll wait.”

Fenway Park Parking, Part 3: Parking Near The Ballpark

There are about 6,000 parking spaces within a 15-minute walk from Fenway Park. Parking is so rough at Fenway that some lots advertise “no blocking”. For a weekday game, with the area full of commuters, your chances of finding a spot decrease even more dramatically (and even the Red Sox are more emphatic that you should use the T on weekdays).

If you want to be close and don’t care about the traffic leaving, you can reserve spots in the lots on Lansdowne or Ipswich Street or Brookline Avenue for a highway robbery price.

If you’ve found someone crazy enough to drive a busload of friends to the game, bus parking is available in Lot B, near PlantPub (where Boston Beer Works used to be). For handicapped parking, the Sox list Jersey Street between Van Ness Street and Boylston Street, Ipswich Street near Gate B, and Overland Street next to Brookline Avenue. Convenient, but you will be waiting a long time to leave.

The Red Sox do a nice thing by providing a list of lots and garages on their website with prices, availability and addresses of nearby lots, but most of them don’t offer parking for under $40 on game days, even in lots that are a fair distance from the ballpark.

 

fenway park parking shell station

People will pay more for something close to the Red Sox font.

Distance from the ballpark does not always equal lower prices, by the way; in my visits I’ve seen the Shell station on Boylston charge almost twice as much as a Sunoco across the street, and I’ve also seen lots almost a half mile away from the ballpark charging $60. Don’t be intimidated if you see a high-priced lot further away.

Again, I can’t stress this enough. Book your parking in advance.

In many of the small lots (think 60 spaces or less), you could be double and triple parked, which can add to the headache of leaving after the game. Grab a bite nearby…there are plenty of spots in Fenwayville…and wait for the crowd to thin out. Or you can park at the Symphony garage on Westland Avenue to avoid this…it’s more expensive, but they valet park your car for you.

 

 
cheap fenway park parking

Hopefully this lot isn’t an hour walk away. (I’m joking, it’s not.)

Fenway Park Parking, Part 4: Cheaper Parking for Fenway Park

Here are some of the less expensive parking options for parking at Fenway and why I recommend them. They are a bit farther away, but several are close to T stations.

 

baseball parking 100 clarendon street

So secret is this spot, I’m giving you the address!

100 Clarendon Street. This one is my favorite; I’ve used this garage a few times and have always been very happy with it. The Sox’s official lot is right off of I-90 on Clarendon Street and has 2,000 spaces; it’s close to the interstate but it’s a good hike from the park, over a mile.

So long as you have your ticket stub, the lot will only charge you a third of the going rate. You can book ahead on your favorite app for a very low price by Fenway Park parking standards, and have plenty left over for an extra Fenway Frank.

If you don’t mind the walk (and I never do, it’s actually a nice walk through town), this is your affordable option with a very easy out onto I-90.

 

back bay t station

This sign is visible from the 100 Clarendon lot entrance.

If you want to avoid the walk, it’s near the Back Bay T Station, and you can use Commuter Rail to get to Lansdowne Station just steps from the ballpark IF you time your arrival right. (This might be tougher on weekends with less frequent service.)

If it’s too long a wait, it’s also not far from Copley Station, for an easy if crowded Green Line train ride to Kenmore.

Even with the train ride cost for 2-3 people, you’re still way ahead

 

parking at fenway park prudential center

It might be a buck or two more when you read this…and it’s actually probably the third best deal in town.

Prudential Center. The shops at the Pru Center have a lot that charges a bit more than Pilgrim (it’s $20 as I write this) but still much less than lots closer to Fenway; you do have to have a ticket stub. They claim to be Boston’s largest parking garage, so spot availability should be less of a problem here (and your car won’t be stacked on top of another one). Plenty of good pregame eats much cheaper than ballpark prices in the food court and in the area.

The Pru Center is also a bit of a hike (it’s in the path of the walk from 100 Clarendon but not much closer), about a mile away, but it’s very convenient to I-90 after the game. If you are too tired to do it coming back, you can take a Green Line train to Copley and transfer to an E train back to Prudential (or just walk it, it’s short), or use the Commuter Rail from Lansdowne to Back Bay.

 

red sox parking prudential center

Your easy landmark after the game.

You can see the Pru Center building inside the ballpark, beyond the right field scoreboard, so you know exactly which direction to walk in when the game’s over.

Hynes Auditorium Garage. Pilgrim Parking (50 Dalton Street) across from the Prudential Center charges a third of what most lots charge on weekends (it’s available on weekends only). This along with the Pru Center is a good spot to find Boston Pedicabs…you can read about them here.

This is a great choice for an even shorter walk; Google Maps calls it at just 13 minutes.

Symphony Garage (41 Westland Avenue). The Symphony Garage at the corner of Westland and Massachusetts Avenue is about a 15-minute walk, but it’s a bit cheaper, an easier out, and they’ll valet park your car for you so you’re not stacked behind or under other cars.

 

fenway park parking deaconness garage

Is a Deaconess a female Deacon?

Beth Israel Deaconess (330 Brookline Avenue). This lot charges about half of what most lots closer to Fenway cost, and it’s an easy straight walk up Brookline Avenue.

Longwood Medical Center (375 Longwood Avenue). The garage for the local hospital is about a quarter mile away, and is one of the cheapest lots around if you don’t mind the walk, which is about as far as the Pru Center. You can take a Green Line D to or from Longwood station to skip the walk.

Boston University (766 Commonwealth Avenue). This lot is about half the price of most Fenway lots; it’s about a 20-minute walk, but it’s also close to the BU East T station on the Green Line if you’re not quite up to the hike after the game.

Museum of Fine Arts (465 Huntington Avenue). The Museum of Fine Arts is about a ten-minute walk from the ballpark, and they offer a nice deal on weekdays…$17 as of this writing if you arrive after 5:30 PM. I have read that this isn’t in the best part of Boston, however.

 

pilgrim parking fenway park

I finally found a place to P at Fenway!

As far as parking meters, the local government has passed ordinances limiting the amount of street parking that can be had for Sox games, or at least charging a lot more for it. The new meter prices on Beacon Street, for example, aren’t quite what lots charge, but they’re no longer a steal or even worth the effort.

So that should be enough to help you find a deal and a short walk to Fenway Park. When we come back, I’ll name some spots where people have found free street parking at Fenway Park.

But first, this quick word from our sponsor:

My friends at TickPick have Red Sox tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

red sox tickets tickpick

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fenway park parking getting towed

Just so you know, Lansdowne Street next to Fenway isn’t a free spot. Not even if you have a fancy car and think you’re important.

Fenway Park Parking, Part 5: Free Street Parking at Fenway Park

Yes, you can park for free at Fenway Park; there are even some spaces that aren’t much further away than lots that go for $50. But be aware of certain things…street parking is at your own risk. If you get a ticket, the city will ensure that you wish you paid for parking elsewhere. I am not guaranteeing any of these spots; they are places I’ve found in my forum searches and visits to the ballpark.

There are still some side streets that are a bargain or even free. One more disclaimer: I wrote this in 2018, and as you can imagine this stuff changes, but hopefully I’m giving you enough to have alternatives if your wallet is light.

 

red sox parking ipswich street

Is this where I can find Ipswich clams?

Ipswich Street. Near Lansdowne Street there is a back street portion of Ipswich that is a residents-only spot, but the resident parking is enforced from 6:00 PM on, so this should be a free spot for day games. I saw several cars without permits parked there for a game. This is practically right around the corner from the ballpark, and just steps away from a lot that is $50 as I write this.

Gardner Museum. About six blocks south of the park, the Isabella Gardner Museum sits across from Simmons College. Supposedly there is some Sunday street parking on Evans Way and Avenue Louis Pasteur here. This isn’t one of the better parts of Boston though, so this might be a day game choice.

 

fenway park street parking brookline avenue

A straight walk to the ballpark!

Brookline Avenue/Chapel Street. West and south of Fenway Park there are metered spots along Brookline Avenue that become free after 6:00 PM, and a bit west is Chapel Street and the metered Longwood T lot. These are a steal if you land one, costing you only about $3-4 to feed the meter until 6:00 PM or for free on Sundays and holidays. For your efforts there are lots of eateries on Brookline to grab some takeout to bring in.

Burlington Avenue. Burlington is a side street from Brookline Avenue; there is reportedly free street parking here but you’ve got to be early. It’s a great spot if you land one though, and just a 5-minute walk.

Lansdowne MBTA Station. Just in front of the Commuter Rail station at Fenway I’ve read there is space for about a dozen cars, and there’s no parking restriction…for the moment. Just don’t block the European Car Doctors garage entrance.

Boston University/Bay State Road. There are some metered spots on Bay State Road on the Storrow Drive side near the Boston U. dorms, and on Commonwealth Avenue south of it. From Bay State it’s about a quarter mile walk. BU is buying up locations with spots, so this should be a last resort.

 

red sox parking back bay

Well, I’m kind of a resident for today…

Back Bay Side Streets. On Sundays meters are inactive on the side streets of Commonwealth Avenue, east of the ballpark in the Back Bay area. Hereford and Gloucester Streets aren’t terribly far from Fenway.

There you go…some options for beating the man and parking for free at Fenway Park. Good luck and be careful.

 

 
boston pedicab fenway park

These guys are useful…tip them well!

Fenway Park Parking, Part 6: A Few More Parking Tips

There are a lot of good reasons not to park too close to the ballpark; insane parking prices, long waits to get in and out, and Kenmore Square traffic on game day. Keep in mind that with many of the lots I’ve suggested, you can use a subway or commuter rail train to get to the ballpark and still come out ahead.

Boston Pedicabs is another viable and fun option from many spots including the Pru Center area; you get a nice ride on a rickshaw through the city and an easy exit once you do get to the car. You won’t necessarily save money, but it’s still easier on the psyche.

Meters on Jersey Street become priority spaces on game nights, so you won’t save any money there.

Ultimately, it’s usually just easier to use an MBTA subway or commuter rail train to get to a Red Sox game. But if you plan ahead, driving and parking doesn’t have to be so bad. You can save a lot of money and aggravation if you’re willing to walk just a little bit. Again, reserve a spot before the game, and get there as early as you can.

 

fenway park guide parking

Lots more where this came from!

Want to know more about the famous ballpark in Boston? Check out my complete Fenway Park guide…with everything you need to know for your next Red Sox game, including getting tickets, choosing a seat, and what to eat. Fenway Park isn’t for amateurs…be prepared!

Please support Ballpark E-Guides sponsors, and help this site help baseball fans…thanks!

Planning a trip to Boston? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

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Click here to start booking your trip to Boston and Fenway Park today!

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Ultimate Yankee Stadium Parking Guide: Cheap, Pre-Paid + Free Parking.

Posted by Kurt Smith

Driving and parking at Yankee Stadium isn’t usually the best option (read my much more detailed post about that here, or my basic Stadium tips here), but I understand why you might not prefer to ride on a crowded train. So just for you, I have put together this extensive guide to Yankee Stadium parking.

 

macombs dam bridge

Don’t get to this point without having read this post.

I’ve included alternate driving routes, easy outs toward your destination, and advantages and disadvantages of each spot, including proximity to bring your own sandwich shops!

Whether you’re a first time visitor or a regular, there’s valuable information here for you to help you save money and make your life easier. Here’s a table of contents for you so you can skip anything that doesn’t apply:

Alternate Driving Routes to Yankee Stadium
Official Yankees Game Parking, You Know, From The Yankees
Yankee Stadium Satellite Parking Lots (Including Cheaper Ones)
Prepaid Yankee Stadium Parking!
Free Street Parking at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium Tailgating
Handicapped Parking at Yankee Stadium

(If you need more Yankee Stadium help, I’ve got the info on how to choose a great seat, the extensive Stadium food menu, and how to save money on Yankees tickets!)

My friends at TickPick have Yankees tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

yankees tickets tickpick

Click here to order your Yankees tickets on TickPick!

 
alternate route yankee stadium

Yes, Geo is short for George. In fact that was his little known nickname.

Alternate Driving Routes to Yankee Stadium

Most routes to Yankee Stadium use I-87, also called the Major Deegan Expressway. Needless to say, traffic gets heavy on game days. You can also approach the Stadium from I-95, aka the Cross Bronx Expressway. The Yankees have gotten lazy with directions and now they just send you to Google Maps to figure it out.

If you arrive early enough (as in at least two hours early) traffic and parking isn’t bad at all, but after the game it can be rough exiting if you don’t pick the ideal spot.

If you don’t have Google Maps handy for any reason, here’s some alternate routes:

 

macombs-dam-bridge

Note the absence of heavy ballgame traffic!

Alternate Route #1: If you’re coming via the George Washington Bridge (from NJ) and want to avoid the Deegan traffic, try using the Jerome Avenue exit from I-95, or taking the Harlem River Drive south in Manhattan and using the Macombs Dam Bridge.

Alternate Route #2: You can also try using a different entrance into Manhattan from NJ (like the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels) and using the Henry Hudson Parkway on the West Side.

Similarly, coming back you can use the Macombs Dam Bridge back into Manhattan. This route avoids much of I-87 and its congestion.

 

deegan expressway yankee stadium

Yes, it’s actually spelled “Triborough”. Do you know how much funding it takes to add “ugh” on a road sign?

Alternate Route #3: After the game, if you’re heading south on I-87, try using the Grand Concourse south and meeting up with I-87 near the Triborough Bridge. Good for getting to Queens or Brooklyn. Parking a few blocks south makes exiting very easy if you drive south away from the ballpark.

Alternate Route #4: If you’re heading north after the game, you can use the Grand Concourse rather than the Deegan to get to I-95, or use it to the Moshulu Parkway to get to I-87 north. Might be a little easier with post-game traffic.

 

 
yankee stadium parking map

Well this is really helpful AFTER you’ve parked…

Official Yankees Game Parking, You Know, From The Yankees

The Yankees do have a fairly helpful parking map, check out a bigger version here.

Most parking lots near the Stadium charge a stiff fee for parking during the regular season and even more for playoffs–and not even New Yorkers pay it, so there’s usually spaces available.

That said, you can (and should) book Yankees’ lots beforehand on the Quik Park Garages website, especially since some lots don’t accept cash, but it isn’t any cheaper that way. Even official Yankees lots can be a bit of a hike, so look at the map and choose one ahead of time.

Don’t wait till you get to the ballpark to get your New York Yankees gear…
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yankee stadium parking river avenue garage

Hmmm, tough call, but I think I’ll exit to Yankee Stadium.

If you’re using a Yankees lot, the River Avenue garage is the most expensive but also the most convenient; it’s right across the street and very close to cool souvenir shops and some eateries. It’s a couple bucks extra, but it’s worth it for the convenience especially for families.

The Gerard Avenue Lot is also nearby and may cost a tad less, but it’s not as close to the bring your own eateries on 161st.

The 164th Street Garage is also right there on the north side of the Stadium, and it’s closer to less congested gates like Gate 2 where you can get into the Stadium away from the B-D-4 crowd.

 

Ruppert Garage Yankee Stadium

Thanks for the advice about parking my own car, but I wasn’t planning on parking someone else’s anyway.

The East 161st Street Garage and Ruppert Plaza Garages are nice and convenient; they’re close to the Stadium, somewhat separated from the hustle and bustle at the train station, and allow for a quick and easy exit over the Macombs Dam Bridge or onto the Major Deegan.

The Harlem River area lots are a few bucks cheaper and an easier out onto the Deegan, and there should be plenty of people heading towards the Metro-North station nearby so you’ll feel safe. It’s a few extra minutes’ walk, but that helps traffic clear out.

 

yankee stadium parking metro north station

Yes, Babe Ruth played on that field. The lighting wasn’t as good then.

The 153rd Street Garage and Lot are both across Heritage Park field, close to the Metro-North station, so it’s an easy and safe walk (past lots of scalpers, incidentally). Once you’re this far away, though, you can probably book a cheaper garage …stay tuned.

If the 151st Street North and 151st Street South lots are all that’s available from the Yankees, look for something better. Remember Yankee Stadium is on 161st…so these lots are ten blocks away, further than you’ll likely want to walk, at least for the price.

One thing to remember though…AAA will provide free roadside service if you’re broke down in one of the Yankees’ lots. Should you have such trouble, head to Gate 6 or Gate 2 and find a Guest Services Booth.

Now, onto parking lots not operated by the Yankees…but first, a valuable and applicable bit of advice from our sponsor, SpotHero!

Never Drive To Yankee Stadium Without A Plan…

Reserve Your Parking Spot NOW With My Friends at SpotHero!

Yankees parking spothero

Click here to book your Yankees parking in advance!

 

 
yankee stadium parking lots

A makeshift sign on a vine-covered fence? What’s not to trust?

Yankee Stadium Satellite Parking Lots

There are ample and somewhat cheaper satellite parking lots at Yankee Stadium. Most satellite lots are safe and can be half the price of closer Yankees lots, but it is still the Bronx, and you may be a little uneasy walking too far at night. You can book most of these ahead of time with SpotHero (and I highly recommend doing so).

Here are a couple of my favorites…

 

yankee stadium parking bronx terminal market

A Yankees game with a day at Chuck E. Cheese just might make my life complete.

The Bronx Terminal garage is about a half mile south and about half the cost of Yankees lots; for day games you probably won’t mind the walk. Again, it could make you wary at night, but there should be plenty of people heading towards nearby lots. The Bronx Terminal Market has some cool eateries and shops, but it can be a slow exit if the market is still open.

MPG Parking operates several Yankee Stadium parking garages…there’s one at 810 River Avenue, which is nice and convenient, just a block or so away, and last I checked you could book this on a parking app for cheaper than some further official Yankees lots.

There is a lot as 86 East 158th garage next door, about which I’ve read this: “Drivers like this being one of the closest available lots but also note the inevitable congestion before and after the game.” Probably true for 810 River Avenue as well. BUT! These two garages are right there at Stan’s Sports Bar, a favorite of Yankees fans. Please don’t drink and drive, at least not in that order.

 

river avenue parking yankee stadium

They could charge more for parking if they moved the trash bags and let people drive in.

North of the Stadium a few blocks on River Avenue, parking gets cheaper, and since it’s under the 4 train tracks it’s easy to find your way to the Stadium and back.

If you’re uncomfortable walking it at night, you can choose an inexpensive spot near the 167th Street Station and take a train (B, D, and 4 all work) one stop back. The 1185 River Avenue Garage from Park Right is a good spot for this, and it’s an easy exit onto I-95 (aka the Cross Bronx Expressway, for you city slickers).

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Concourse Village Parking

You could take advantage of the half hour special, if you just took some pictures of the Stadium and left. (Photo courtesy of ParkWhiz.)

East of the ballpark past the Grand Concourse are also some cheaper lots, but I wouldn’t use these unless you’re familiar with the area and it’s an easier out for you. It’s much easier to get lost there both on foot and driving, and it’s a further walk than you would think. But if you think you can handle it, try 771 Concourse Village West…it’s cheap and not terribly far.

You could drive into Manhattan and find a cheaper place to park and get on the 4 train, which might be advantageous depending on your starting point. It will probably be cheaper and not far from a train that can get you there.

 

 
Yankees parking

Pro tip! Tell them you’re here for a “general event”!

Prepaid Yankee Stadium Parking!

If you’re driving to Yankee Stadium, your life will be a lot (pun intended) easier if you book your spot ahead of time.

In case I haven’t made it clear yet in this post, Yankee Stadium parking is best planned ahead. You definitely do not want to just grab the first spot you find, and possibly pay more for something that isn’t as close or isn’t as easy to get out of as you might like.

With a pre-paid app like SpotHero (my favorite for their selection and helpful information), you can enter the date of the game, select from plenty of available spots, and the app will send you a printable reservation for a guaranteed spot…or a bar code you can put on your phone using their excellent app. Many of the garages are covered, attended and have valet service, and they’ll even let you know if you can tailgate. (Assume probably not though.)

 

 
free parking yankee stadium

If you’re looking for free double parking at Yankee Stadium, you’re really pushing it.

Free Street Parking at Yankee Stadium

So you want to park for free on the street at Yankee Stadium? I love the way you think my friend.

The area around Yankee Stadium is residential, and there are cars parked along nearby streets in nearly every direction, so if you’re able to get there very early, (and if you’re a parallel parking machine like me), you might be able to find something, especially in more residential areas east of the ballpark.

You will see cars parked on Jerome Avenue, Gerard Avenue and Walton Avenue, and the side streets off of 161st Street and the Grand Concourse. I actually saw several spaces on the Grand Concourse and didn’t see any restrictions there, and that allows for filling up your goody bag on 161st too.

I’ve also read that east of the Major Deegan Expressway, there are free street spots near the police precinct (which would probably be as safe as any spot).

 

grand concourse bronx street parking

I found a spot for you, grab it now though.

I don’t know if anyone’s been ticketed for this (one gentleman parking on Jerome Avenue told me he does it all the time), but as always, street parking is at your own risk. Sunday would be the best day to try it…there doesn’t seem to be any restrictions according to the signs, but you’d need to get there early to snag one. They fill up fast.

 
gerard avenue lot

Wouldn’t it be easier to list what you CAN do in this lot?

Yankee Stadium Tailgating

I’ve seen tailgating in a lot northeast of the Stadium, but not anywhere else. Honestly, while some people partake, there isn’t much of a tailgating scene. Miller Park, or even Citi Field, it’s not.

The Quik Park people say tailgating is allowed, but with no alcohol or open flames, which is kind of counterintuitive. Nor are you allowed to save spots…this is NYC and parking is always at a premium.

Your best deal is to park in a lot or garage near the train station, grab a sandwich and drinks at one of the delis on 161st, and grub tough on that.

I’ve also read in some forums that the NYPD is generally lenient on drinking in plastic cups at most lots, so long as you don’t cause any trouble. But basically it’s just not a tailgating kind of place. Most people do their pre-game partying at Stan’s, The Yankee Tavern, Billy’s Sports Bar, or one of the other nearby taverns here.

 

 
Yankee Stadium Handicapped parking

Gate 8 makes an excellent dropoff point, offering a full 35 seconds before you get towed.

Handicapped Parking at Yankee Stadium

The Yankees don’t say much about handicapped parking on their website, even in their Guests with Disabilities Guide. But they do have handicapped spaces in their garages, and I would highly recommend using the River Avenue Garage for the shortest trek to the Stadium, especially with the crowds that come out of the place.

Here’s another thing you should probably know…handicapped tags from other states aren’t valid in New York City, so if you’re outside of NY, try getting in touch with the Yankees Disabled Services at (718) 579-4510 and ask what they can do for you.

The Yankees also suggest dropping off guests with disabilities, so ask them about that too. It could save you a few bucks on parking.

There you are my friends…you should never have a problem finding your ideal Yankee Stadium parking spot again.

I’m here to help…so if you need more great and money-saving Yankee Stadium tips, be sure to check out this complete guide to Yankee Stadium! (And thanks for supporting my sponsors and this website!)

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, the website owner earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

 

Yankee Stadium Seating – Best Seats, Shade, and Standing Room.

Posted by Kurt Smith

Here is all you need to know about Yankee Stadium seating – at least the seats for the rest of us riffraff beyond the $2K seats. If you’re outside the moat, this post is for you…it will help you find the best seats at Yankee Stadium, for whatever your taste and budget.

If you need more Yankee Stadium help, check out my complete guide to Yankee Stadium, this helpful post about parking, and this detailed list of the amazing food options. Or read this about cheap seats. But this piece is here to help you choose a great seat at every price level.

 

yankee stadkium seating bleachers

High priced scoreboard advertising makes cheap bleacher seats possible!

I’ve even conveniently divided it up by section for you…

The Yankee Stadium Seating Chart + Layout
Field Level Seating (including the Judge’s Chambers)
Main Level Seating
Terrace Level Seating
Grandstand Level Seating
Yankee Stadium Bleachers + Bleacher Creatures
Handicapped Seating
Standing Room Spots
Finding Shade at Yankee Stadium

 

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yankee stadium seating chart

The more blue the sections in the map, the more the fans in that section care.

The Yankee Stadium Seating Chart Layout

There are essentially four tiers at Yankee Stadium. The field level extends to the outfield and behind the bullpens; other levels extend to just beyond the foul poles. The Main level is just above the field level, the mezzanine is generally the club and suite level (which I’ll cover in a future post), and the top tier is the Terrace-Grandstand level.

Bleacher seats are on either side of the 1893 Club in center field but are behind the Field Level seating in the outfield.

Price changes get pretty significant as the seating moves towards the outfield; you can often find sharp drops in price as you move from “Main Level Infield” to “Main Level Outfield”, for example. This is with good reason…the outer reaches of Yankee Stadium seating don’t offer great views, especially in the upper tiers.

Not to steer you away, but this excellent virtual seating chart from the Yankees will help you choose a seat and see the view. But don’t leave me yet!! There are some things you should know first.

 

 
Yankee Stadium seating field level

Soft seats and cup holders. That’s why you work harder.

Field Level Seating

Field Level seats in Yankee Stadium, behind the first nine rows of Legends Suite seats in the infield and closest to the field everywhere else, are quite nice, with padding and everything. And I’m talking truly comfortable padding, more so than the padded seats at many ballparks. Even the seats extending to the outfield are cushioned (and can be reasonable for some games).

That said, for the price of Field Level seats, they should be massage chairs.

The higher rows of Field Level seats, in the outfield especially, are covered by the overhang of the Main Level. In the highest rows, you’ll see little of the scoreboards. If this matters to you, I would avoid anything higher than Row 12 or so.

There is a significant difference in price between the Field Box MVP seats in the infield and the Field Box outfield seats; the latter are less than half the price as of this writing. The lower infield seats are now even more expensive “Field MVP Club” seats, and include wait service and extra amenities like access to the shiny Field Box MVP Club.

 

judge's chambers

Comfortable seats, but don’t review your briefs in these chambers.

Section 104 in right field is home to the three rows of “Judge’s Chambers”, dedicated to star slugger Aaron Judge. Fans wearing Judge jerseys are selected to sit there, given robes to wear and gavels to pound on the bench. Pretty cool. Send me a selfie if you end up in this spot.

 

 
yankee stadium seating main level

Yes, people pay an extra hundred to sit in more navy blue seats.

Main Level Seating

The second tier is called the Main Level. These aren’t much higher or further back than Field Level seats, and the price is about a third of what people pay for Field Box. The back rows of the Main Level will miss some fly balls to the overhang, but that’s not likely to be a big deal. Again, though, in the outfield you could lose the scoreboard view.

The best Main Level sections at this price level are Sections 214 and 226; behind home plate are the Delta Sky360 seats (that’s what they’re called now, anyway); these go for a premium price just for club access and popcorn. In Section 226, you could be paying half or less what people one section over paid. Lots of money left over for any Yankee Stadium food item you want to try.

Main level seats are less expensive than the Field Level obviously, but they still go for a fair chunk of change; even in the outfield they can cost more than you’d expect. Given the choice, I might pay an extra $30 or so for a nicely cushioned seat. There are three tiers of pricing for Main level seats; the difference between Section 213 and Section 209 can be $30 or more on game day.

 

all you can eat yankee stadium

Have at it.

The Main Level is one spot for the “All You Care To Eat” package; for a decent price you get a seat in Section 234 and all the hot dogs, pretzels, sausage and Pepsi products you can handle until the 5th inning. Chow down fast.

 

 
yankee stadium terrace level

This might be a $5 seat night.

Terrace Level Seating

The Terrace Level seats, on the lower tier of the upper level, cost considerably more than the Grandstand seats above them, and there aren’t too many of them in the infield, those seats being the Jim Beam suites that include club access and cost considerably more. Out past the Jim Beam sections though, these aren’t bad seats for the price.

The Terrace level is closer to the action than the Grandstand, which matters at this height. The Yankees actually offer some sweet deals on Terrace level seats for MasterCard holders, including $5 games for April weeknights. For five bucks you may be sitting in the outer reaches, but that’s a great deal just to get into the ballpark.

For the moment, Sections 305-306…the two sections all the way out in right field…are more “All You Care to Eat” sections (and these are cheaper than the ones on the Main Level). Again, it’s just dogs, sausages, pretzels and Pepsi products, but if you’re not picky it can save you a few dollars.

 

kids clubhouse yankee stadium

Featuring enough stuff to make the little ones not want to watch the game.

The upper level in right field is home to the Kids Clubhouse, a great spot for kids to work off their energy before (or during) the game. Good spot to sit if you’re going cheap with the family.

Yankee Stadium has 16 elevators to get to the top tier, eight of which are in the Great Hall, so no need to trek all the way up the lengthy ramps or stairs if you’re not up to it.

 

Never Drive To Yankee Stadium Without A Plan…

Book Your Parking Spot NOW With My Friends at SpotHero!


 

 

 
yankee stadium grandstand

Objects are closer than they appear. But not much.

Grandstand Level Seating

The Grandstand upper deck seating is as good a value as any in the park, costing about the same as the Bleacher seats but with less noise and a much better view of the amazing Jumbotron and rest of the ballpark. As of this writing, you can get $10 Grandstand seats in the outfield for most games, even if they’re the worst seats in the ballpark.

Grandstand seating isn’t as steep as it was in the old Stadium, so it’s less frightening, but the seats are slightly farther away and pretty well up there. This isn’t much of a problem in the infield, but past the bases you may need binoculars.

The nice thing about seeing the frieze at the top of the Stadium is that you know you’re covered in the rain. In the first couple of rows, sections of Plexiglas can block your view, and aisle seats can lose some of the view to railings and fans. There are 14 rows in the Grandstand sections, which should give you an idea of how close your seats are to the top.

 

yankee stadium obstructed view

“Look, I don’t need to see the guy running to first anyway.”

The Yankees’ website will mark some Grandstand tickets as “obstructed view”, meaning there could be a railing or traffic in front of you. Usually it’s not bad enough to refuse the tickets if you have no other option, but it can be annoying.

Sections 407A and 433 are the alcohol-free sections at Yankee Stadium as of this writing; they’re out there, but it’s a good place to take the kids (remember the play area in right field) and is affordable.

 

 
yankee stadium bleachers

Bald Vinny is in there somewhere.

Yankee Stadium Bleachers + Bleacher Creatures

The Yankees still have the bleacher seats from the original Stadium…hard metal, backless and all, although there are either bullpens or much more expensive field level seats in front of them now.

They can be uncomfortable over a long time, and with no backs, the seating isn’t so strictly defined, so you may be sharing your seat with your neighbor’s cheek. Vendors are not permitted in this area, so you’ll have to get up for a beer.

Bleacher seats are usually the cheapest seats in the park and tend to go fast, but the view is adequate and you are very close to the bullpens. So it’s a decent deal. This is New York, though, and the right field bleachers especially aren’t often a place for someone with rabbit ears or opposing team’s gear.

 

bleachers yankee stadium shade

Yeah, it’s hot, that’s why no one is sitting there yet.

It can get very hot during day games here. Good idea to bring a hat and sunscreen.

Bleachers in left and right field have their own distinctive atmosphere. Seats in left field tend to have more families and less noise. Seats in right field are home of the trash talkers, including the Bleacher Creatures, who nightly execute the “roll call”, chanting each player’s name after the Yankees take the field until the player acknowledges them with a wave or a tip of the hat. The Bleacher Creatures sit in Sections 202 and 203.

Here’s some good news: the Yankees have converted sections 201 and 239 into dedicated standing room areas, so you won’t lose half the field to an obstructed view.

 

batters eye restaurant New York

The glowing table costs extra, but the overall view is nice.

And since you’ve stuck with me this long, here’s a butt-kicking pro tip: if you can find a cheap Grandstand or Bleacher ticket from a season ticket holder, you’ll have access to the Audi Club and the 1893 Club in center field. The Audi Club food is expensive, but this is a relatively cheap way to enjoy a meal with a Stadium view. The 1893 is a great place to duck out of the elements and enjoy a drink with the money you’ve saved.

 

 
handicapped seating yankee stadium

“Is this the all you can eat section?”

Handicapped Seating

Yankee Stadium is pretty well designed to be accessible. The handicapped Yankee Stadium seating is a little bit far from the action, but the sections are on a raised platform so the view isn’t blocked when folks stand up and cheer. Handicapped seating is much better on the Field Level, but there are plenty of spots in the upper tiers too. If you stay near the infield, the view is still pretty good.

The Yankees have a page on their website dedicated to disabled fans, including help with wheelchair storage and numbers to call. Incidentally, all of the attractions such as the Hard Rock Café and Monument Park have elevators or accessible ramps. The elevators here have large capacities and move very quickly.

 

 
yankee stadium standing room

“Do they expect us to clean up or something?”

Standing Room in Yankee Stadium

The Yankees recently added new spaces to the assigned standing room areas that already existed in the ballpark, so the Stadium is now a much nicer place to wander around after buying a cheap ticket.
Social gathering spaces include spots on either side of what is now the 1893 Club in center field, the newly remodeled MasterCard Batter’s Eye Deck above the 1893, and the Budweiser Party Decks on the outer edges of the Terrace level. All of these spots now feature drink rails, barstool seating, phone chargers and specialty food options that include craft beers.

The outfield spaces are the former bleacher Sections 201 and 239 that featured those blasted obstructed views. These overlook the team bullpens, and the visitor’s bullpen is in left field should you want to offer friendly encouragement. You may still need to stake out a spot where the restaurant isn’t in your view.

You can get into Yankee Stadium very cheaply with the Pinstripe Pass, an inexpensive ticket with your first beer or Pepsi product included. You can hang out in any of the areas I’ve just listed. (Here’s some Yankee Stadium standing room tips.)

 

NYC baseball standing room

Maybe the thinking is that you’ll buy an actual seat next time.

In addition to the all-access, there are three levels of assigned standing room: on the Field Level (café seating), Main Level and Terrace Level. Field level seems expensive in the lower concourse areas, but table and barstool seating is included (and restricted to ticket holders).

Standing room on the Terrace level is particularly bad, though, behind the handicapped seating which is pretty much always occupied. You’ll probably dislike the view enough to move elsewhere; just get the Pinstripe Pass and take the free drink.

Like many new ballparks, Yankee Stadium has open concourses, so should your seat not be everything you dreamed of, there are plenty of places to view the game from your feet.

 

 
ballpark shade

Maybe the high seats aren’t so bad.

The Best Seats for Shade at Yankee Stadium

Yankee Stadium seating doesn’t offer great options for shade. The sun sets on the third base side, so the bleachers and the upper level seats in right field will be the last to see shade for night games. Incidentally, you’ll be staring into the sun in right field too.

For day games, the bleachers will always be out in the sun (and remember they’re metal), and most of the Main (200) and Terrace (300) level seating won’t be covered. You might have some cover in the highest six or seven rows of the Main Level.

In the Field Level, the higher rows…about 15 and up…are covered by the Main Level, but keep in mind the view problems you could have with this. The closer to the outfield, the more you lose of the scoreboards.

Rows 6 and up of the Grandstand (400) level are covered by the roof overhang and frieze and usually offer shade and cover even in day games, but they’re way up there…if you’re acrophobic, shell out a few bucks for the upper rows of the Main Level instead.

 

yankee stadium seating seats

Here’s a lot of Yankee Stadium seating.

There you have it my friend…a complete overview of the non-premium Yankee Stadium seating. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

If you enjoyed this post and found it helpful, be sure to click on the ad links in this post and support my sponsors. Thanks!

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Yankee Stadium Food: Restaurants, Burgers, Milkshakes, + Other Tips

Posted by Kurt Smith

Here it is my friends: your definitive guide to Yankee Stadium food, with far more detail than even the Yankees’ own helpful, but less detailed menu!

I’m covering everything I can in this post to help you make a truly educated decision on how to spend your considerable Yankee Stadium food dollar. So read on my friend…some of the pictures are tasty, like this one…

 

pizza in delta club yankee stadium

Quality pizza should be available for everyone.

Anyway, here’s the breakdown of Yankee Stadium food on this page, in case you want to skip some parts:

Yankee Stadium Restaurants
Yankee Stadium Burgers – Bobby’s Burgers, Johnny Rockets and Sliders
Other Sandwiches – Cheesesteaks, BBQ, Lobel’s, King’s Hawaiian and Streetbird!
Relax, There’s Hot Dogs. Good Ones.
But Is There Any Pizza? (Next.)
Cheer Up, We Have Gyros and Burritos!
Want Some Fries With Your Garlic?
Alternative Finger Foods
Yankee Stadium Milkshakes: Here’s Why This Team Has So Many Fans
Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, and Produce. True.
Yes, You Can Bring Your Own

My friends at TickPick have Yankees tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

yankees tickets tickpick

Click here to order your Yankees tickets on TickPick!

 

yankee-stadium-audi-club

Imagine how amazing it would be if they served food!

Yankee Stadium Food Means Baseball and Restaurants!

Yankee Stadium Restaurant #1: The Audi Yankees Club. The Audi Yankees Club is the restaurant in the upper level in left field. It used to be a members only place, but single tickets are available to fans at a price, discounted with a MasterCard, and on occasion you might find a deal with a third party ticket. (I’ve done this, because I’m really good at ballparking, but the food is still extra. A lot extra.)

The food buffet is chef-prepared stuff like filet mignon, lobster, sushi, salads, etc. The beef is Lobel’s, which you’ll soon learn equals very high quality. At ballpark prices, you’d have to bring quite an appetite to get your money’s worth, so I don’t know if I would do this one just for the food. Quite a few reviewers say it’s not worth it, but judge for yourself.

The Yankees do offer some deals on the Audi club, like discounted game day tickets for games against lesser opponents and group outing specials through the Yankees’ e-mail newsletter.

 

yankee-stadium-hard-rock-cafe

OK, I know it’s not a food photo, but this is probably the coolest reason to visit the Hard Rock Yankee Stadium.

Yankee Stadium Restaurant #2: The Hard Rock Café. The Hard Rock Yankee Stadium is at Gate 6, visible almost immediately after exiting the train station. It’s a typical if smaller Hard Rock with slightly higher prices, except that the stars in the photographs are wearing Yankees gear which is pretty cool.

In case you didn’t know, Hard Rock is known for their Legendary® burger (true, they registered that term), which just on its own features smoked bacon, cheddar, and an onion ring. Or get variations on it like double the meat or triple the cheese.

If burgers aren’t your thing…wait, what? Am I even asking that? Choose from sandwiches made from chicken or pulled pork, entrees like steak or ribs, and of course, milkshakes…like that cookies and cream edition with Absolut vanilla. (I’ll have more to say about milkshakes, but that one has alcohol.) It’s also a good spot for healthy eaters, with grilled chicken salads and noodle bowls and such.

Tightwad Tip! One cool thing about the Hard Rock is that they continue to serve beer and drinks after the 7th inning, at reduced prices or at least much cheaper than inside the ballpark.

 

yankee-stadium-nyy-steak

A chicken sandwich, because not even New Yorkers live by steak alone.

Yankee Stadium Restaurant #3: NYY Steak.The NYY Steakhouse, just above the Hard Rock, is a Manhattan-style upscale steakhouse, which is saying a lot. They carry high-end USDA prime steaks, seafood, and fine wines. The Steakhouse is also open all year, but you need a ticket on game days. It’s not always packed, but it’s a good idea to get reservations in advance.

You can view the menu here, but just so you know, your steak choices include a 32 oz. NYY Longbone (!), an 14 oz New York Strip, 20 oz. Delmonico Ribeye and a 8 oz. Filet Mignon. Wash it down with Yankee-themed drinks like the Bronx Bomber or the Yankeetini.

The food and service are excellent here by most accounts. The portions are large enough to help you leave satisfied (32 ounces!). It isn’t quite bargain dining, but it’s actually surprisingly reasonable for a New York steakhouse, especially inside a ballpark. You can get a sandwich here at a fairly nice price for lunch.

A NYY Steak Express is located on the Main Level near the big Food Court, and you can get a quality steak sandwich there, a bowl of wings, or the popular steak-covered fries with au jus and onions. File that one away, you may need it.

 

Bobbys Burgers Yankees

Iron Chef Battle Burger should be at Yankee Stadium!
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

Yankee Stadium Burgers: Bobby’s Burgers, Johnny Rockets, and Sliders

In case the Hard Rock burger doesn’t work for you, you’ve got other burger choices inside the Stadium…

 

yankee stadium food veggie burgers

No, I’ve never seen a veggie burger that looked this good either.
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

The Yankees recently brought in Bobby’s Burgers, from (Iron Chef connection coming!) chef Bobby Flay, who as you probably know gained fame on the Food Network in various forms. I’m negotiating with the Yankees on letting me use a photo, but so you know, the offerings include a Crunchburger with potato chips on it, the Palace Classic burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, and the Nacho Burger with queso, tomato salsa and pickled jalapeños. Most all of Bobby’s Burgers include “Bobby’s Sauce”.

Bobby’s stand also offers fries and milkshakes, which could make your milkshake decision tougher here. (More about that in a bit.)

 

johnny rockets yankee stadium

I don’t know how long it’s been sitting, but I think I’ll pass on the original hamburger.

Johnny Rockets is the popular 50s-diner-style chain, serving their famous single or double burgers, chicken tenders, Nathan’s dogs, fries, and shakes. They’re a little harder to find now with the addition of fancier burger stands, but you may find one on the Main Level somewhere. (As of 2022 I don’t see it in the Yankees dining guide, but I’m leaving this here in case ’cause teams get their own stuff wrong a lot.)

If you’re familiar with the chain, you know what you’re getting. The one difference is that burgers are not made to order, so try to get a fresh one rather than a heatlamp-radiated burger. Variations of burgers include bacon and cheddar or “smokehouse”.

For some reason, Yelpers hate this location, but don’t let that sway you.

 

yankee stadium food citi winery

Not that you’ll need it to eat an intoxicatingly good burger, but the wine is here for you.
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

The fairly new City Winery joint offers up some fine burgers to go with your wine, just in case a beer is too much for you. They have a GOAT Burger, with drunken goat cheese (I’ll let you chew on the visual of a drunken goat for a second), balsamic fig spread and arugula. Goes good with the Pinot Noir I’m told.

City Winery also has rotisserie chicken with house made pesto and rosemary garlic potatoes, which doesn’t sound like the easiest thing to eat at a ballpark.

 

yankee-stadium-food-sliders

3 for $12 sounds great until you see they’re about the size of a quarter.

Finally, there’s sliders…Yankee Dingers at the outfield terrace are smashed cheeseburger sliders with onions and mustard for some reason on a potato bun. That’s for the standing room folks hanging out there. They get hungry. And Lobel’s steak stands offer up a meatloaf burger. Speaking of Lobel’s…

 

kings hawaiian sliders yankees game

Sliders count as sandwiches too. Well, at least from King’s Hawaiian anyway.
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

Yankee Stadium Food Includes Sandwiches!

There are at least five noteworthy stands here for sandwiches. It is New York, after all. Settle back, this’ll take a bit.

 

yankee-stadium-lobels

Because life’s too short for cheap beef.

Lobel’s has been a provider of prime meats in New York City for over 150 years. You can actually watch them carve up the meat behind the glass.

The meat is cut to order in a generous portion, soaked in au jus, and served up on a soft onion roll with sides of horseradish sauce if you like (which has a nice kick). It comes at a premium price, but so far, no one I know has declared the Lobel’s steak sandwich not worth the money. Seriously. It is messy, so have napkins on hand.

 

Stand back, got some burnt ends here!

Mighty Quinn’s, the BBQ joint in Yankee Stadium got their start in NYC and are now international. The chef at Mighty Quinn’s, Hugh Mangum, put together a recipe that is a meld of several different styles of BBQ…including that “smoke it for a really long time” bit.

Here you can find beef, pulled pork, and chicken brisket sandwiches, slow-smoked chicken wings with chili lime sauce, and “dirty fries” with ample burnt ends and other nice stuff piled on them. A meal in itself.

But the real star at Mighty Quinn’s is the “Brontosaurus Rib”, a full pound of tender short rib on the bone, just like in the famous cartoon. And S’mores bread pudding, the perfect ending to a perfect day.

 

kings hawaiian yankee stadium

OK, so this is what they call an “artist’s rendering”, I think. An amazing sandwich nonetheless.

King’s Hawaiian is a bread company that started in Hilo; today they’re known for buttery-flavored and soft sweet bread for sandwiches and desserts. The bread is available in stores (and even at the Stadium, from what I’m reading); two stands in the lower concourse offer several sandwiches on that famous bread.

Choices include the Sweet and Smoky Chicken Sandwich with mango yuzu glaze, Gochujang mayo, and pickled cukes (sorry, I have no ideas what those things are), and a Kanak Attack Burger with pineapple mango salsa and (drum roll) grilled Spam (yes, I said that!).

This is in addition to the mainstays, the Big Island Lava Crispy Chicken Sandwich with fried tempura pickles, a sweet pineapple BBQ Kalua pork sandwich with slaw, and a Kona BBQ brisket sandwich with macaroni salad and pepper jack cheese.

They have some truly innovative nachos here, incidentally…with wontons instead of chips, covered with pineapple smoked pork and spicy cheese sauce.

You can get other sandwiches around the ballpark with King’s Hawaiian rolls, incidentally.

 

jersey mike's yankee stadium

Let’s see Mike Trout make one of these!
(photo courtesy of Jersey Mike’s)

In case you’re not familiar with Jersey Mike’s, they got their start in Point Pleasant, NJ in 1956 back when subs were relatively new. As I write this they have 2,300 locations, so like Waffle House, they’re doing something right. And no, they’re not named after Mike Trout, although they smartly advertise in Angel Stadium.

At the ballpark it’s just beef or chicken cheesesteaks but it’s enough; get them topped with cheese and/or peppers and onions. Thankfully, they’re still selling that two-foot “tape measure” cheesesteak for hungry folks to share.

I live in South Jersey near several Jersey Mike’s locations…I’m a fan, and it’s not easy to make a standout cheesesteak here. So use that info for your benefit.

 

yankee stadium food streetbird chicken sandwich

DAMN, look at that!
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

New as of 2022 is Streetbird, from chef Marcus Samuelsson, which originated in Harlem and has locations in Las Vegas, the Bahamas, and now Yankee Stadium (the pinnacle). Streetbird is dedicated to something there isn’t enough of in ballparks: quality spicy fried chicken!

At the Stadium outpost you can get the Hot Bird Sandwich, a boneless thigh with spicy chica shake, slaw, and pickles; and while I know it’s not really a sandwich, they have chicken and waffles here too, with waffles made from Marcus’s Aunt Mabel’s cornbread. Baseball needs more of this stuff.

 

Yankees sumo dogs

Hot dogs? Are you kidding me? Yes.
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

Um, This Is Baseball…Do They Have Hot Dogs?

Well, yes, of course Yankee Stadium has hot dogs…and they’re made by none other than Nathan’s…the only brand that any human would be willing to eat 72 of in ten minutes. Like their neighbors in Queens, the Yankees hired Nathan’s to be their main hot dog vendor.

 

yankee-stadium-food-nathans

Nathan’s – Now featuring radioactive fun meals!

They are a little harder to find than most; there’s one Nathan’s on each level and Nathan’s dogs are sold at the two Triple Play Grills and on the Kids’ Cart at Gate 2. If in doubt, there’s one in the Main Level Food Court. You can also get a kids dog at a lower price.

 

yankee stadium food hot dogs nathan's

This isn’t enough to feed the Stadium, especially during the playoffs, so grab one now.

I don’t know if this is the official policy, but the vendors in the stands already have the hot dogs made and wrapped in foil. You know that this means the bun will probably be soggy if it is warm…but you might prefer that like I do. If you don’t, run to Nathan’s and get a dog there.

The Highlanders stands just serve up typical ballpark fare but in a throwback style; vendors wear the uniforms bearing the name of the New York team before they were the Yankees, and dish out Nathan’s dogs and Premio sausages. (Premio is Italian for “prize”, and I suppose that could apply to a ballpark sausage. It’s definitely something you earn.)

Finally, the Yanks look out for their Orthodox fans too…Hebrew National kosher hot dogs are available at some NY Grills and at Highlanders, and there is a Glatt Kosher stand in the Great Hall.

 

yankee stadium food sumo dog

Hai! (photo courtesy of Sumo Dog)

If you’re one of those people that likes those crazy hot dogs that are appearing everywhere these days, the Sumo Dog stand in the bleacher section is for you. Sumo Dog actually comes from L.A. – it’s an invention of chef Jeffrey Lunak, who once toiled for (another Iron Chef connection coming!) Masaharu Morimoto.

Sumo Dog offers some large hot dogs with some seriously imaginative toppings: the Sumo Dog itself features Wasabi relish, pickled peppers, spicy mayo, teriyaki sauce, wasabi furikake, minced onion, and kizami nori. (Pause for a second and imagine what ballpark hot dogs used to be like.) There’s also the chili and cheese dog, the Godzilla (with a metric ton of Asian-style toppings), and Sumo Tots smothered with beef chili, togarashi cheese sauce and other fine stuff.

We interrupt this post for an important announcement:
Bacon On A Stick! Everyone remain calm!

yankee-stadium-food-bacon-on-a-stick

They let me go behind the counter to take this photo. They get it.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled Yankee Stadium food post.

 

 
justins pizza yankee stadium food

This fan is clearly disappointed enough to go elsewhere.

Um, This Is New York City Too, Any Pizza?

In a city with hundreds of classic pizza shops, and in a Stadium a train ride from Lombardi’s, the Yankees don’t appear to have any pizza listed on their menu. You have to go to one of the clubs for it. I’ll correct this if I hear differently.

(Dumbfounded, lengthy pause.)

Anyway, to cheer you up, I included a picture of Justin’s Pizza joint a short walk up the street. It gets okay reviews.

 

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yankee stadium food halal guys burritos

The portability factor is key, but hot sauce puts it over the top.
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

But We Do Have Gyros + Burritos at Yankee Stadium! (I feel better.)

Gyros to me are a seriously underrated ballpark food…they’re easy to carry, reasonably healthier than most menu items, and they taste pretty good most times, especially in New York City. Maybe it’s the water after all.

At any rate, the Yankees have recognized this and added The Halal Guys, an obvious choice, with offerings in the Great Hall and on the upper level. The Halal Guys have been offering up gyros and other great NYC street food since 1990, and they’re emblematic of the first class food truck culture here.

In the Stadium they serve their beef and chicken gyros, served on platters with lettuce, rice, tomatoes and pita bread.

Finally having authentic NYC gyros at the Stadium can save you the hassle of patronizing numerous food carts outside of the Stadium and hoping for the best, even if it costs a little more.

 

yankees game food benihana

Your ballgame experience is complete.
(photo courtesy of Benihana)

I love when ethnicities mix to create a new and better food item, and it’s especially appealing when it’s done in an environment as American as baseball. The Benihana stand has been serving hibachi steak, chicken and shrimp made on the grill, which you would expect. But in 2022 they took a step in the true embracing of diversity and introduced sushi burritos…and burritos are my second most underrated ballpark food after gyros.

Benihana’s now has sushi burritos in the form of tuna or salmon, mixed with (take a deep breath) avocado, cucumber, lettuce, chopped jalapenos and cilantro; topped with chili mayo and rolled into a burrito; all served with a side of chili mayo.

See, the Yankees aren’t all bad.
 

yankee stadium food steak topped fries

All you need for your meat and potatoes fix.
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

Let’s Talk About Fries.

The Yankees may not have the variety of fries as their neighbors across town, but you still have some superb choices here.

 

yankee-stadium-food-garlic-fries

Baseball just keeps getting better.

The aptly named Garlic Fries at Sections 108 and 331 are said to be so overpowering that people sitting in nearby sections can smell them. Garlic fries typically are a west coast delicacy, but here a handful of garlic, basil and oil are just dumped onto the fries. Sounds lazy, but sometimes lazy works.

They’re great, but under no circumstances should you order them if you’re trying to impress a date. Unless you’re sharing, in which case definitely order them. You can add cheese to your fries if you want.

 

yankee-stadium-food-fries

Probably a good idea to clean the helmet before you wear it.

Then there’s Nathan’s, whose fries could be easily taken for granted and never should…thick, crinkle-cut fries with the Coney Island feel.

There are Lobel’s outlets elsewhere in the park that are selling steak-topped fries, for you meat-and-potatoes guys. See what I said earlier about Lobel’s and their high quality beef!

 

sweet potato fries yankee stadium

Happy Thanksgiving!

Believe it or not, there are multiple places where you can get your sweet potato fries on at Yankee Stadium; Bobby’s Burgers offers them up with honey mustard horseradish sauce, Streetbird has their version, and there’s a couple of stands around the Field Level where you can find them. The sweet potato fries are vegan even!

Hope you’re enjoying this Yankee Stadium food post! Just a quick word from our sponsor…

 

Admit It, You’re The Munchies!

yankee-stadium-food-nachos

A double helping of cheese? Am I in the club section?

In the arena of alternative finger foods, you can get a nacho helmet with Tostitos…and I presume you’re familiar with Tostitos…cover them with cheese, salsa, beef, guacamole, and/or jalapenos. Definitely enough for two and can hold you over for the game.

Or go with the Tater Kegs…I could go with it just on the sound of it. Tater tots on a stick drizzled with sour cream, bacon bits, scallions and cheddar. Might make a nice breakfast (see: Yankee Stadium food for hangovers). You can find these at the Garlic Fries stands or at the standing room spots in center field.

Then there’s Wings of New York, which is a creation of the Nathan’s brand we all trust here. At the wings stands you can, of course, get boneless or traditional wings. This includes four choices of wing sauces: Classic Buffalo, Barbecue, Sweet Chili and Garlic. But another big draw of Wings of New York is chicken and waffles, and you can get your waffles topped with boneless wings or chicken tenders. With butter and real maple syrup. You are near Harlem after all.

 

yankee-stadium-food-big-mozz

The logo is a bit different, but Big Mozz sticks are still the shiznit.

Finally, the Mets’ recent loss is the Yankees gain…inexplicably, the Mets are no longer offering Big Mozz mozzarella sticks at Citi Field to my knowledge…so hop on the 7, transfer to the 4, and get these at Yankee Stadium.

With pesto dipping sauce. You’ll thank me.

 

 

Yankee Stadium Milkshakes: Here’s Why This Team Has So Many Fans

yankee-stadium-milkshakes

Scrumptiously delicious AND handicapped accessible milkshakes!

If you want a fancy dessert, head over to the Grand Slam Shakes stand in the food court. They have some impressive, diabetic nightmare shakes here, like the Pinstripe with vanilla ice cream, Cracker Jack, churros, caramel drizzle and cotton candy, or the Chocolate All-Star with chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, a fudge brownie and M&M’s.

Here’s the menu of Yankee Stadium milkshakes in 2022 (all but the Blue White and Gold can be made with vanilla or chocolate ice cream):

The Bronx Bomber: Caramel drizzle, Baby Ruth fun size pieces (get it?), peanut butter cups, Cracker Jack and Yankee sprinkles.
The La Dulce Vida: Dulce de leche, tres leches cupcake pieces, churro bits, and Yankee sprinkles.
The Little Italy: Chocolate drizzle, mini cannoli, and Yankee sprinkles.
The Sunny Skies: Strawberry/raspberry drizzle, rainbow layer cake, and funfetti crumbs.
The Blue, White & Gold Milkshake: Vanilla ice cream, fresh blueberries, cheesecake chunks, graham cracker crumbs, whipped cream and gold glitter.

I’m liking the Bronx Bomber, but that’s ‘cause I’m all about the Baby Ruth bar.

For some reason, they don’t list the calorie counts on these things like they do everywhere else; I’m sure they’re off the charts. Expensive too. But who cares. These are some amazeballs-looking milkshakes.

 

yankee stadium oatly ice cream

Is taste what matters to you? Then you’re good. (photo courtesy of Oatly)

The Yankees don’t say much else about their available desserts besides milkshakes; but I will point out that they’re now serving Oatly brand soft-serve ice cream. Strange name for ice cream? Well, see, Oatly is made from oat milk, making it vegan (and gluten-free, if that matters to you). I tried a package at my local Wegman’s at the encouragement of the Oatly people, it’s delicious and they’re good folks, so give the Yankees credit for embracing it.

 

 

Healthier Choices of Yankee Stadium Food? Yes, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, or Just Produce.

Having a celiac-afflicted wife, I need to be aware of these things, so here we go:

yankee-stadium-gluten-free

They look genuinely surprised that they have a potential customer.

There is a Gluten-Free NY Grill in the Great Hall, with Nathan’s dogs or Premio sausages on Udi’s gluten-free buns. Mighty Quinn also have GF choices and is a good spot for celiacs at Yankee Stadium. Redbridge Beer is sold here, and last I checked you can get Kozy Shack pudding at Highlanders.

For vegans, there’s the aforementioned Oatly soft serve, but also the Impossible Burger, also found at the Gluten-Free NY Grill.

 

yankee-stadium-food-healthy

I guess they figure anyone who would chuck an apple at an opposing player wouldn’t be seen buying produce at a ballpark.

There is a Melissa’s Produce stand at Gate 4 selling relatively inexpensive fresh fruits (apples, pears, and oranges) and salads. Melissa’s has been here since 2009 and has managed to survive in a ballpark full of tantalizing caloric bombs. Maybe because you’re not allowed to bring uncut apples inside.

 

bronx street corn yankees

And you thought corn on the cob was boring.
(photo courtesy of the New York Yankees)

New to the Stadium recently is a fun if not entirely healthy way to eat corn on the cob: Bronx Street Corn. It’s a cob from Melissa’s covered with cilantro lime crema, cotija, and taki crumbles. I’m not sure why the Yankees would allow a potential projectile to be sold in the outfield, but there’s been no problems as far as I know.

Benihana, btw, also has veggie sushi and edamame, which isn’t a bad ballpark snack for healthier sorts.

Finally, I figure this bit belongs in the healthier section: due to a New York City ordinance, food stands are required to post calorie counts for each item sold there. You’ll probably be surprised at some of them; the popcorn, pretzels, and pan-fried tofu are through the roof, while the Lobel’s sandwich and garlic fries aren’t scary at all. If you’re watching your figure to fit in the bleachers without cheek rubbing, look around a little bit.

 

 

All At Ballpark Prices Of Course. Can I Bring My Own?

yankee-stadium-food-outside

Super cheap peanuts, on the opposite street corner from the Stadium. Do the Yankees even know???

Yes you can my friend. I cover three great outside deli spots on 161st Street here, just a few steps from the Stadium.

Here’s the official policy: The Yankees allow bags 16*16*8 inches into the Stadium, which will be searched. They don’t say you can bring food in, but they don’t say you can’t either, so bring your own peanuts and deli sandwich.

The Yankees don’t even specifically prohibit alcohol, but I wouldn’t try bringing in a six-pack. Sealed bottles of water smaller than one liter are okay. If nothing else, bring a few bottles, since you will get thirsty. Fruits like apples and oranges must be sliced lest they be deemed weapons.

There are also lots of Yankee Stadium food trucks close to the train station selling hot dogs, halal food and bottled water, and you can get peanuts and drinks at the Foodtown market on 161st. There are vendors in the path from the Metro-North station too.

 

There you go baseball fans…the definitive guide to everything you need to know to make an educated decision on Yankee Stadium food. There’s plenty more info on this website by the way, especially about finding cheap Yankees tickets, choosing a seat on a budget, getting to the Stadium and bringing the kids. Or you could just read this complete guide to Yankee Stadium. (It’s what I do!)

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