If you’re planning a trip to District Detroit for a Tigers game, and need help picking out a Comerica Park parking spot, I’m here to help. There is ample parking in the area for baseball games, including official parking areas, off-site garages, and even street parking, but you should have a plan.

So then, as your unofficial Comerica Park parking guide, I’m offering five useful suggestions for parking at Detroit Tigers games. But first, a quick bit of advice from our sponsor…if you’d like to look further beyond my suggestions here, see below to order a parking pass with SpotHero!

Never drive to Comerica Park without a plan…

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Comerica Park Parking Lots + Garages – 5 Suggestions:

It’s not the D Garage as in a letter grade. It’s actually a good spot.

Comerica Park Parking, Tip #1) Tigers Garage (250 Fisher Road). The Tigers garages are located north of the ballpark, and are among the most expensive parking facilities. These lots fill up quickly on game days, with folks who are uncomfortable leaving their car in downtown Detroit or don’t want to walk much. There is a pedestrian bridge to the suite entrances here.

The team has built the five-story McLaren Garage (90 E. Fisher Service Drive) next the Tiger Garage, replacing Lot 3; it has 900 parking spaces on several levels, with indoor stairways and an elevator. There are also outdoor lots both on Montcalm and right in front of the main entrance with a few spaces; the Tigers charge the same for these lots.

The nice thing about the Tigers / Olympia Development lots is that if you need your car jump started after the game or you locked your keys in it, the attendant will either help you or contact AAA. No tailgating though.

Even indoors, the Lions still play in any weather.

Comerica Park Parking, Tip #2) Ford Field. There is premium parking in Lots 4 and 5 on the I-75 side of Ford Field, with tailgating allowed even, which isn’t found in many local lots. These lots are the same high price as the Tigers Garage next door and offers an easy out back onto I-75.

But there is also the cheaper and lesser known Ford Field parking deck (1902 St. Antoine) located on the west side of the stadium—that for some reason the Tigers do not point out on their parking page. This isn’t a bad deal at all; it’s cheaper than prime lots that are just as close to the ballpark.

Another nice thing about it is that you can actually walk through the impressive football stadium on the inside to get to the ballpark, and there are even some food stands there. You can’t walk through the stadium to get back, but you’ll pass by some cool bucket drummers after the game.

Lions with Wings…get it?

Comerica Park Parking, Tip #3) Fox Theatre Garage (50 W. Montcalm Street). The garage next door to the Fox Theatre is a short walk to the main entrance. It is slightly less than the Tigers lots, but there are better deals just west of (behind) it—the Tigers run lots for half the price are only a couple of blocks away. The Fox garage can be slow to exit; you may want to have a bite at nearby Hockeytown Café first.

Years ago I parked in the Fox garage before 3:00 PM on a game night and paid just $2 for the whole day; in my last visit the early bird price was $5 and the nice lady said yes, you can leave your car there through the game. Love that trick: you can park early in the morning or afternoon, jump on the People Mover or the QLine along Woodward Avenue, and visit some Detroit attractions during the day (like Z’s Villa for pizza).

If there’s something happening at the Fox, they will occasionally hold the spots only for Fox customers, which I assume means you have to show your ticket to the event. Probably a good idea to check beforehand.

One more cool thing about the Fox…it’s close to the right field entrance of Comerica, which is the main gate and features all of the cool tigers statues.

My friends at TickPick have Tigers 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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A hidden gem for Tigers game day parking. Just don’t stand there!

Comerica Park Parking, Tip #4) Gem Theater Garage (1910 Brush Street). The Gem garage is located off of Brush Street southeast of the ballpark, next to the Elwood Bar & Grill. It’s a hidden gem, pardon the pun. This is kind of tucked into the area, so if you’re using it, get here well before the first pitch.

The price for this lot varies, but it’s usually less than the Tigers lots or Fox lot and is a pretty good deal for its proximity to the park (Elwood brags that they are 56 steps away from Comerica, and the Gem is right next door). Great if you like a post-game party at Elwood’s, which a lot of Tigers fans do, and that’s a good idea since with its location it can take longer to exit.

You can’t miss the sign with it being all neon-y and all.

Comerica Park Parking, Tip #5) Greektown Casino Garage (1001 Brush Street). Greektown is accessible from the E. Lafayette St. exit off of I-375. The Greektown Casino used to offer free parking if you had your ticket validated; from there you could walk about three blocks to the ballpark or use the People Mover to and from Grand Circus Park station. If you exit on Brush Street, you can see the ballpark from the street.

The official policy for Tigers parking is that it’s free if you get your card validated and accumulate a certain number of points (which means losing some money in the casino), but if you get there early enough you might slide for free as I did twice in my last visit, especially on a weekday. At worst you’ll pay a small fee to park in an attended garage. If you’re concerned, you can book this on SpotHero ahead of time.

Greektown has some great restaurants and the casino itself, so it’s not short on entertainment before or after the game. There are also a couple of nearby taverns that will shuttle you to the game. I recommend having a plan for passing some time if there’s a big crowd at the game though, there have been numerous complaints about the wait getting out.

I have heard stories that Greektown isn’t the safest place at night, and it is a bit of a walk that might make you uncomfortable. But for day games, I think this may be the best deal.

There’s five suggestions for choosing a parking spot at your next Detroit Tigers game…but there are plenty more official parking lots, where you can reserve parking with SpotHero.

These are parking options I’ve used or seen in my past trips to Detroit, but again, my best advice is this: book your spot in advance, and have a backup plan. (Or try one of the numerous Comerica Park shuttles!)

Interested in finding out more about visiting the beautiful home of the Detroit Tigers? Check out my Comerica Park page here! (And thanks for supporting Ballpark E-Guides sponsors!)

Planning a trip to Detroit? 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!)

Click here to start booking your trip to Detroit and Comerica Park today!
 

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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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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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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:

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.

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.

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:

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.

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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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!

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!)

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.

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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If you’ve read my ballpark tips for a while, you know that I will always recommend whether to use your car or public transit to a game. But if you’re driving and parking at or near the ballpark, you should always have a plan. Booking your parking spot ahead of time with SpotHero makes the process simple, and even fun if you do it right!

Sitting in ungodly slow moving traffic with a full bladder in the streets of Baltimore or Washington can make for a memorable ballgame experience for the wrong reasons. You could also, of course, seriously overpay for parking if you go without a plan (see: Fenway Park).

So while I offer a lot of advice here, it does boil down to booking your spot in advance. This is especially the case if the ballpark is in the heart of the city, as many of the newer ones are. If most fans going to the game use public transit because of traffic and costs, SpotHero is your best bet for parking.

You can do better than this. Stick with me.

What I love about using SpotHero is that I can choose well ahead of time where I’d like to park, and I choose my spot based on a number of factors.

In Baltimore, for example, I find a garage near the Inner Harbor for a nice waterfront walk before or after the game. In Pittsburgh, I find a spot near the other side of the Clemente Bridge, for a beautiful approach to the ballpark. In Boston, I get a spot near the Prudential Center…it’s a long walk, but I can also use Commuter Rail (or a Boston Pedicab!) and get off a fly ball away from the ballpark…at a lot where people paid five times as much as I did to park. In Atlanta, I just want to be able to find my car after the game.

And of course, you get the added bonus of parking your own car. No one likes to park someone else’s at the game.

You can choose your spot based on the easiest out, be near other city attractions or eateries, or simply go cheap. If you’re making a day of visiting the city with your baseball, you can land a spot near a public transit station that will take you to the game and back (or the other way around). I’ve done this numerous times and saved a bundle.

SpotHero provides other details about the spot too, including whether your car will be under elevated train tracks and may get oil spilled on it. Each spot description shows a star based review, whether you have in/out privileges, and even a photo of the lot or garage entrance so you know what it looks like, helpful in a big city.

This is a pretty nice evening rate for baseball parking. Even in Canadian dollars.

Order the spot, get the address, put it in your Google Maps, and go. Show your barcode at the entrance and you’re in. Easy peezy.

As some of you know, I used to be a fan of ParkWhiz. They aren’t bad, but I’ve definitely found that SpotHero offers a larger selection and is better for baseball game parking. When I found myself using SpotHero instead of ParkWhiz based on that, I switched my affiliation, and now SpotHero is the Official Prepaid Parking of Ballpark E-Guides.

(Again, that’s not really a thing, but it sounds good.)

So many choices. Who wants to think about it on game day?

In a downtown city ballpark especially, try SpotHero for your ballgame parking. Or any prepaid parking, for that matter.

And please use this link to tell ‘em Ballpark E-Guides sent you!

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As you probably know if you’ve visited this website, I’m a fan not just of TickPick, but also finding cheap MLB baseball tickets! One of my goals with this blog is to help baseball fans save money on tickets, since that’s often the biggest expense of going to a ballgame.

First I’m going to tell you why shopping around on third party sites is well worth it, and then I’ll tell you why TickPick is my favorite.

Don’t be fooled by the friendly looking building. They still charge fees.

But first, here is my helpful affiliate link, and thanks in advance for supporting our sponsors:

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

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

If you’re like I was for years before I started doing head-slapping research, you probably bought your baseball tickets one of two ways…either online through the team’s website, or at the box office.

And while both methods have their merits at times, I threw away a lot of money doing that.

Even though teams offer “dynamic pricing” these days, where the price of tickets goes up or down depending on a variety of factors like the opponent, starting pitchers, approaching milestones for players or teams, etc., it’s still well worth it to search online with third parties and compare prices.

Try my method, and you won’t have to wait in line.

I’ll share just one example with you. I once saved close to $120 on face value for two Red Sox tickets…for pretty good seats…just by shopping around. It was a weekday game against Oakland, so that had something to do with it…but think about how much I saved just by checking! That’s plenty left over for a Fenway Frank or seven and some postgame partying.

There are a lot of factors that can drive baseball ticket prices down, especially on third party sites…an excessively hot or cold day, a low value opponent, a home team that is underperforming, or lots of tickets still available close to game time.

That’s when you look at third party sites, where you can save a bunch.

Very important tip, though…when you’re comparing prices, be sure to go all the way to the checkout screen and find out what you’re really paying. (That actually especially applies to buying from the team website.) Those fees are a significant part of the cost of tickets.

“Back in my day, you could get tickets just by calling the team!”

Why I Love TickPick For Cheap Baseball Tickets

So this brings me to why I love TickPick for cheap baseball tickets, and why they are the Official Ticket Resale Partner of Ballpark E-Guides. (That’s not really a thing, but it sounds good.)

TickPick offers a selection of resale tickets for all MLB teams and games. You can choose a game, and sort out the available tickets by the best deal, the lowest price, and the number of tickets you need, and other filters.

But what separates TickPick is a few extras they offer. First, they have a lowest price guarantee…that’s right, this is directly from their website: If you can find the same seats on a competitor’s site for lower prices than TickPick within 30 minutes of placing your order, we’ll add 110% of the difference in price to your account in the form of TickPick credit.

Buying online spares you the search for signs like this. And the trust factor of people you meet.

They also, in case you’re understandably concerned about trusting third party sellers, offer a Buyer’s Trust guarantee, where they ensure that you’ll have legitimate tickets to enter the event. You can read more about the guarantee here. Incidentally, TickPick also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Thought I would add that bit.

But best of all, TickPick doesn’t add hidden fees. Call me old-fashioned, but I like knowing that I’m not going to have an additional $20 added to the price of a ticket when I’ve already started the process of buying it.

Finally, one more bonus. TickPick right now is offering $10 off your first purchase when you sign up for their newsletter. And with the newsletter, you’ll get notified about deals on other MLB tickets. Aren’t you glad you read this?

Remember, you didn’t pay fees either!

So while I’m happy to offer plenty of other advice on saving on baseball tickets, like in Boston where it’s an art form, I will tell you that TickPick is my favorite third party MLB ticket reseller. Be sure to check them out first.

(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!)

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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“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.

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.

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.

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!)

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).

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!

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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…

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).

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!

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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.

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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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.

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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“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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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).

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.

Thanks for reading, and please support our great sponsors!

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

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“Where are the best seats in PNC Park?” I get asked this by many fans planning a trip to Pittsburgh to see a Pirates game in one of the most beautiful ballparks in baseball. I’m happy to help…this complete PNC Park seating guide will tell you everything you need to know about every seating area!

Everyone’s taste is different, and everyone has different budget levels, so there isn’t one right answer to where the best seats are in PNC Park are. I’ll help you find the best option for your budget, from the most expensive to the cheap seats, including standing room spots and ideal places for shade.

Yes, they’re all good. But I’ll help you find the one with your name on it!

PNC Park Seating Guide – Table of Contents

Here is the breakdown, from premium to cheap seats at PNC Park:

PNC Park Layout
Luxury Suites
Club Seats, Part 1: The Home Plate Club
Club Seats, Part 2: Club Cambria
Club Seats, Part 3: Pittsburgh Baseball Club Level
Field Level Seating
Upper Level Seating
All You Can Eat Seats
Outfield Seats
Bleacher Sections
PNC Park Standing Room
A Few More PNC Park Seating Tips

OK, lots of useful information here…so we’ll get right to it after this message! (Thanks for supporting our sponsors!)

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I took this picture so I know how to find seats near food.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #1: Ballpark Layout. PNC Park abuts the Allegheny River in the outfield, with home plate in the northwest corner, which in turn causes the setting sun to blind people in the left field stands and the third base side rather than in right field like most ballparks.

There are technically two tiers and those extend generally from foul pole to foul pole; the luxury suites are neatly tucked underneath the upper tier. You need to use a stairway, elevator or rotunda to get to the main level concourse, which is elevated above the bleachers level in the outfield.

Easy to navigate ramps to get to another level with great views.

There are two rotunda ramps that fans can use to get to the main and upper levels; one is plainly visible in left field, the other is behind home plate at the main entrance.

The concourses are open on the lower level, enabling fans to see the action. There is a River Walk behind the outfield seats, where people can take in the Allegheny and a stunning view of the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and try the fancier concessions like Manny’s.

Here is the Pirates’ useful PNC Park seating chart with views from each section; the total seating capacity is 38,362 as of 2023. Rows are lettered rather than numbered, and there is no Row I. Facing the field, seat numbers start with 1 on the right.

Here’s the score on all of the seating areas, from most to least expensive:

Add a bed and you could make this a seriously lucrative hotel room.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #2: Luxury Suites. The suites at PNC Park come in two forms, Luxury and World Series Suites. The luxury suites hold about 15 people and are built for indoor and outdoor game watching, with a full-service bar, leather couch, TVs, and catering options (costs extra) from a diverse menu. And a private restroom of course.

The World Series suites are for larger groups of up to 100 and are located down the left field line (beyond Club Cambria) of the suite level, making for a better view of the skyline. They are named for championship years in Pirates history, 1960, 1971, 1979, etc. Suites closer to home plate are more expensive than those in the outfield.

Bill Mazeroski earned his place in the Hall the moment he swung.

Both types of suites include VIP parking passes, Wi-Fi and access to the PBC Clubs. Again, premium suites cost less than at most ballparks; for a World Series suite you could pay less than $100 a person with parking passes to boot, although you need to chip in for the food. Probably still better for corporate types, but they’re within range of middle class groups.

You work hard. At least be as comfortable at the game as you would on an airplane.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #3: Home Plate Club Seats. The six sections of Home Plate Club seats are the finest and most expensive seats at PNC Park. They are located behind home plate (making them aptly named), with seats closer to the batter than the pitcher who worked much harder to get there.

The seats are wide and comfortably padded. The front row is the most expensive, Rows B through J are slightly less; Rows K through M are for cheapskates.

Home Plate Club seats include a private entrance, access to a complimentary chef-prepared high end buffet through the third inning and in seat service, and entry into the luxurious Home Plate Club and any exclusive club on the Club level.

(Cool fan experience tidbit: The Home Plate Club has a “candy wall” with candies from each World Series winning year for the Bucs, like Bit-O-Honey from 1925.)

Heck yes. This is how baseball should be watched.

Home Plate Club seats are sold on a season package basis, or as individual games for season ticket holders of other seats in the ballpark. Keep this in mind if you know a season ticket holder.

As these types of seats go, ticket prices here are more affordable than at most ballparks. You can sometimes find these on third party sites for $150 or less.

A fine view of the city, but you’ll really appreciate the air conditioning.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #4: Club Cambria. In response to lackluster suite sales in lean years, the Pirates knocked out a few walls on the third base side and created Club Cambria. It’s on the second deck with the rest of the private club areas.

Club Cambria is for those who aren’t interested enough in the game to spring for Home Plate Club seats but still want to appear well-off at Pirates games. Tickets are sold in season packages or as individual games to season ticket holders.

Oh and being out of the rain too.

Again, you have access to a fine upscale climate-controlled club to entertain clients with a nice write-off, padded and comfortable seating, a full bar and high end buffet (alcoholic drinks cost extra), a private street-level entrance, and best of all a fine view of the Pittsburgh skyline.

As with the Home Plate Club, Rows A and B costs more than Row C, etc. For Row C, the price isn’t bad at all for everything that is included.

Club membership is all about having a place to rest your drink.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #5: Pittsburgh Baseball Club Seats. The wide and padded Club seats, though possibly short on the view of the game and the comfort that Home Plate Club seats offer or the view of the skyline in Club Cambria, may be the best bang for the buck if you’re willing to spring a bit for premium seats.

The Pittsburgh Baseball Club, or PBC, sections are in the 200 lower section of the upper level, out to just past the bases.

With the suites placed under the upper level, the PBC seats are much closer to being on top of the action than at most ballparks. There are about ten rows in most sections; the first three rows are slightly more expensive.

They’ll turn the lights on when you get there. At least I’m pretty sure they will.

PBC tickets include access to three climate controlled clubs on the private concourse: Club 3000 (named for a hit milestone passed by three Pirates), Gunner’s, and the Keystone Corner.

These clubs have pool tables, arcade games, full service bars and outdoor patios to see the game, and Gunner’s has a porch behind home plate for the best view on the Club Level. All of the clubs have lounge areas and TVs to watch the game; they’re a great place to wait out a rain delay.

You can buy PBC Club tickets for individual games. The food isn’t included in the ticket, unfortunately, and neither is in-seat service. But the price is very good for all that is included, and you can save a bundle bringing a group.

Again, try TickPick on a low demand night and you might find a great deal.

Even with so many amazing seats available, some folks prefer to stand. But hey, your preference.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #6: Field Level. The lower level seating at PNC Park is broken down into seven pricing levels now. Seats drop in price past the bases and at the foul lines, and the back rows cost less than the front rows.

Baseline Box (lowest level in the corners) is cheaper than Lower Infield Box (behind the Home Plate Club seats), so you can figure that in if you like being closer to the field. Seats are angled towards second base as you get past the bases.

With the best lower level seats, you’re usually better off buying through the Pirates in advance than through a third party.

Most of these seats aren’t backbreakers as far as your wallet, and honestly, none of the seats are bad, although you should avoid seating down the right field corner or outfield if you want a nice view of the city or fireworks (third base side sells out first on fireworks nights).

There isn’t a lot of foul territory, so you don’t have to spring for the most expensive seats.

Not AS padded, but more comfortable than most.

The Dugout Box seats on either side of the Home Plate Club seats are also padded, but they are nowhere near as large and don’t include the amenities (or the additional $100 in price).

If you’re in a section directly behind the dugout, the first seven rows or so are skipped, so if you have Row H you’re right on top of everything and can lean on the dugout.

Behind the Dugout Box seats are the Infield Box seats; these are priced the same all the way out to the bases, so the ones behind home plate are in high demand.

PNC is one of the best ballparks when it comes to overhang problems; even if you’re in Row JJ (which is row 35 or so, and the last in most sections), you’ll still be able to see pretty much everything, which is not often the case at ballparks.

As long as someone over seven feet tall doesn’t stand in front of you, you should be fine.

One caveat to be aware of is that there is a walkway in between the first ten rows or so and the seats behind them; the seats are raised but there may still be a foot traffic view problem in the first couple of rows.

The only other issue is that the concourse does get crowded about an hour from game time; if you would like to get your grub then you may be waiting in line a bit. The food court with the best selection is in the left field corner, if a short walk to cool food items matters to you when choosing your seat.

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Some Pirates fans like to sit where they can be reminded of years when ownership put a good team on the field.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #7: Upper Level. Behind the Club seating on the upper level are the Grandstand and Upper Grandstand sections.

There is no Upper grandstand behind home plate, this being the location of the press box, behind the grandstand (another thing the PNC designers got right). Just about all upper deck seats have a sweet view of the city.

The upper level is close to the action here (the Pirates brag that the highest seat is just 88 feet from the field), and there’s nothing wrong with the panoramic view of the whole ballpark from just about anywhere.

These seats are a relative bargain; Upper Outfield Grandstand seats are especially a great deal. You can’t see the Clemente Bridge as well from left field, although there is still a great view of the Pittsburgh city skyline.

“Oh come on ump, he swung at that!”

Beware, though. Some of the seats on this level may have a bit of an obstructed view, with glass stairway landings placed between Club and Grandstand seating. The problem is nowhere near as bad as it is at Citi Field in New York, but in sections with landings like 313, 315, etc. (you can see them on the Pirates’ 3-D seating map), it can be annoying.

Just avoid low numbered seats in Rows H-K on the third base side, and high numbered seats in those rows on the first base side.

The Pirates made the most of their limited space for seats.

Behind home plate there are support poles holding up the press box, which can (but won’t likely) cause you a problem in Sections 315-317. Avoid the highest row (R, usually) if you can. Also, down the left field line, some sections miss the scoreboard to the rotunda ramp in left.

With helpful lamps in case you’d like to read.

There is a roof covering the highest rows; Rows Q and higher are under the roof if you’re interested in shade.

Finally, the upper concourse at PNC is also fairly tight, and on big attendance nights it can get congested. Best to get your dog and beer before the game.

Imagine working at a job where you make hungry people happy.

All You Can Eat Seats at PNC Park: The club level sections of seats down the left field line used to be called the Cove; the Pirates now just all them All You Can Eat seats to avoid confusion.

For a decent price you get a wristband and can grub on all of the hot dogs, burgers, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, and non-alcoholic beverages you can handle in seven innings. There is a separate North Shore stand set up for this.

Unlimited hot dogs + this view = a pretty good life.

The view of the game is just okay here, but the view of the river, bridge and Riverwalk area is still terrific. If the game isn’t keeping you interested you can watch boats go by on the Allegheny.

It’s just my opinion but I’m not big on all you can eat at a ballgame; lines get long and food sometimes doesn’t get fully cooked, or the dogs are kid-sized portions, and from what I’ve read PNC is no exception.

But it’s a good deal if you’re hungry and don’t need anything fancy like a sandwich with French fries and slaw stuffed into it. One fan suggested wearing cargo shorts to put extra bags of peanuts in your pockets. I love the way baseball fans think.

You can’t see the skyline or what other teams are doing. This section is for people who came to see Bucs baseball!

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #8: Outfield Seats. The Outfield Reserved seating in right and center field costs a bit less than the sections down the right field line; however, if you would like a good view of the game these might actually be better, at least in terms of not requiring a neck twist to watch the game.

Lesser view of Pittsburgh from here though, and it gets more direct sun than the right field line seating in foul territory.

The right field seats are raised over the out-of-town scoreboard in the right field wall, and the wall is 21 feet high in honor of Roberto Clemente’s number 21. So these seats could miss some of the action on balls hit to right field, which isn’t a big deal.

Hyundai, Xfinity, and the Pittsburgh Pirates…two beloved institutions in Pittsburgh.

The sections in center field are lower; they are a bit further out but are closer to the field for the same price. Section 139 could miss some of left field if you’re close to the fence, so avoid low-numbered seats there if possible which are closest.

On a hot sunny day you will definitely bake sitting in the outfield seats (I speak from experience); I would be sure to bring water, a hat and sunscreen.

Because nothing is more baseball than rubbing cheeks with your fellow fan.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #9: Bleachers. Yep, most of the hard metal benches in left field in front of the scoreboard are reserved seating. But they are cheap, costing about the same as the Grandstand seating and less than the reserved seating in right field. And they have backs, so it’s not all bad.

Behind the Bleachers is the General Admission bleachers section. The Pirates sell more tickets for this than there are seats, so you should get there early or be a large person if you have a GA ticket. This isn’t the best area to be, but the Bucs did add a drink rail for standing patrons, so it’s not awful if it gets you into the ballpark.

Not to worry if you can’t see the scoreboard…you won’t be allowed to forget who sponsored this nice ballpark.

Keep in mind these seats are in front of the Big Board, so you’d need to crane your neck to see the pre-game cartoon (I kid; the PNC Park scoreboard is actually quite impressive). There are two tiers, and the lower tier is probably your best chance to catch home runs (it’s a good spot during batting practice).

The Pirates won’t let you throw an opposing team’s home run ball back on the field, but if you catch one hit by a Pirate, they’ll have him autograph it for you.

One nice thing about the bleachers is the proximity to the new bar under the rotunda and the Left Field Lounge, so you have a place to get a craft brew or duck out of the elements. Which you may need to with the sun bearing down.

Not the best heckling spot, unless you want to heckle the groundskeeper. Which can be fun.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #10: Standing Room. The Pirates have millennial-friendly standing room space now; the Left Field Terrace behind the bleachers is a nice spot to stand, lean and rest your drink, and it’s close to the Left Field Lounge for shelter if needed.

There is an outdoor bar at the entrance to the lounge on the center field side, if it gets too hot for you.

Remember when you ordered baseball tickets with your phone? Ah, the good old days.

The Pirates offer a standing room Ballpark Pass for just $29.99 a month (you can upgrade it for actual seats). This can be great if you’re in town to see a few high demand games (i.e. weekends against the Yankees). Well worth it with just 3-4 visits.

At the bottom of the rotunda is a full bar with craft beers. The Pirates sell it as a gathering spot to watch the game, but most of the area, including the bar and tables and drink rail, doesn’t have a view of the action on the field. It’s in an odd spot, truthfully, so it’s really more of a place to get a brew or wait out a rain delay watching something on the ginormous TV.

“Hey, lean over and tell me if the Mets are winning, will ya?”

You may have noticed the people watching from a covered area below the outfield seats in right field; this is standing room and handicapped space and you can hang out there if you want.

If you’re there, check out “Baseball Joe” Vogel, the world’s #1 Pirates fan, who’s been to over 2,500 games. I find Baseball Joe and hang out with him whenever I visit Pittsburgh…he’s great.

Offering shade and cover from the rain as well.

You can also watch from anywhere in the left field rotunda, which is a popular spot for standing room fans; they know they may get on TV there.

If you want a standing spot in the lower level, especially in the infield, you should stake it out early; the arrangement of concessions and handicapped seating makes the space for standing small in the main concourse. I had an usher kick me off of the handicapped platform in one visit. (He was polite though.)

This picture has been brought to you by Coppertone!

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #11: A Few More Tips. Because of the orientation of home plate, the setting sun affects those on the third base side and in the left field bleachers. The seats on the third base side have better views of the downtown Pittsburgh skyline, but that’s the trade-off. You’d do well to have sunglasses and sunscreen on the third base side in the early evening.

PNC has some seats on the end of certain rows with no armrests for handicapped or oversized among us. You can order these by phone or at the box office.

It’s a great place to be.

The best entrance to use will be marked on your ticket, and this can come in handy in a quirky ballpark with a lot of nooks in it. Besides, it’s pretty neat to look at on the outside too.

Even with all of the details I shared here, the good news if you don’t remember it all is that PNC Park has very, very few bad seats. Some are better than others, but as you can see that depends on your taste. You’ll probably be happy wherever you sit, but hopefully this helps!

Love models like this. It makes me want to be a tiny person.

Thanks for reading this complete guide to PNC Park seating! I hope you enjoyed it and that it helps you make the most of your next visit to this superb ballpark. Happy to share more PNC Park tips here, and please support this website’s sponsors!

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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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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.

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…

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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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.

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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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

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“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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

“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.)

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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!)

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!

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!)

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!

Click here to order your Guardians tickets on TickPick!

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.

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!)

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.

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.

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!)

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!)

Click here to start booking your trip to Cleveland and Progressive Field today!

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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!

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!

Click here to order your Mets tickets on TickPick!

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.

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):

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.

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”?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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:

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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):

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Here it is baseball and Mets fans, your astoundingly detailed, enticingly illustrated, and incredibly helpful guide to the Citi Field food menu! Don’t miss out on the Amazin’ eats at one of the best ballparks for food in baseball. This post will help you find the best food at Citi Field for your own taste, at a Mets game or any event, for that matter…and partake of some inimitable NYC baseball cuisine.

Now this is what baseball is all about.

I’m going to cover a lot here, so I’m breaking this down for you; but don’t skip anything!

Citi Field Restaurants
Classic Tastes of NYC
Tastes Like Chicken
Big And Fancy Sides
NYC Pizza – Plus!
Underrated Stuff – Hot Dogs, Burgers, Sausages + Pastrami on Rye
Cookies, Waffles + Other Desserts
Keep It Healthy – Kosher, Vegetarian, Vegan + Gluten Free
Bring Your Own + Other Tips

Yep, we’ve got a lot to review here, so let’s get started…after this quick word from our sponsor:

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I’m glad they didn’t put the rest of the tables on the other side.

Citi Field Food, Part 1: Restaurants

I’m not going to go into the really fancy high end clubs; much of what is there is available around the ballpark anyway, but I will talk a bit about the more accessible restaurants at Citi Field.

The Caesars Sportsbook at the Metropolitan Grille restaurant (jeez, that’s a mouthful), in the left field corner on the mezzanine (Excelsior) level, is available to everyone except Promenade less than-Gold and Coca-Cola Corner non-season ticket holders. Your ticket will say if you have access. Here’s a pro tip while I’m thinking about it: if you’re searching for tickets from a third party like TickPick, try to get them from a season ticket holder…you’ll have access to all of the reasonably nice clubs.

Pizza should always be well-lit.

By most accounts, the food here—salads, soups, wood-fired pizzas, hardwood smoked pork ribs, etc. from a chef-prepared buffet—and the views of the field, marina, and city are all extraordinary.

It will cost a little bit, and more so if you want a table with a view of the field and/or order some unusual mixed drinks from the full bar. Even with a prime ticket, you will likely need a reservation for a spot with a view.

The Mets have a game day lunch menu, where you can fill your plate with a nice variety of food–there’s even an omelet bar for brunches–for a reasonable price by ballpark standards. The dinner menu is a few bucks more. Both are slightly cheaper for kids.

Sometimes it’s fun just to hold the stuff in your hand.
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

The Piazza 31 Club lounge, on the Excelsior (mezzanine) level behind home plate and is named for one of the all-time great Mets. Like the Grille, is open to Promenade Gold ticket holders and anyone else that paid more for their tickets. It is on top of the front entrance rotunda, and offers fine views of Flushing landmarks like the Unisphere and the Citi Field parking lot, but there’s no view of the game.

Inside the Club are two food options that, to my knowledge, you can’t get anywhere else in the ballpark: the Whole Hog BBQ, with 16-hour smoked pork butt sandwiches slathered with Carolina BBQ sauce and braised pork belly burnt ends with pickled jalapenos. Easily worth the extra bucks for access. Whole Hog also has Cuban sandwiches and sausages with caramelized peppers and onions.

There’s also Twist homemade soft pretzels that you can get with pepperoni and cheddar or cinnamon sugar. Much better than your typical ballpark soft pretzel, even if that’s a low bar.

I promise I’ll update this when I get an Ebbs pic. Other than Mikkeller’s though the sign is accurate.

Ebbs Brewing Co. is technically a part the ballpark, but it’s got a separate entrance from being inside, replacing what was Mikkeller’s craft brew restaurant. Mikkeller’s was popular, but Ebbs isn’t very different. They offer some fine brew selections, including lagers, stouts, IPAs, double IPAs, and several hard seltzers. It’s a place to have a sit down meal before or after the game in an area where there isn’t much of that; the menu includes fancy items like everything bagel soft pretzels, handmade dumplings, and multiple types of sausages.

The prices for beer especially are lower than inside the ballpark, so it’s a place to have one or two better than Budweiser beers before the game. If you can wait until after the game to eat, it’s a good spot to wait out the often bad Citi Field exit traffic.

Geez, it looks like they’re even out of vaccines.

I’m not sure what the story is with the McFadden’s once attached to the ballpark; currently I’m reading that it’s a spot to get vaccinated, which wouldn’t make it much of a fun place to have a brew. Their website is inactive which probably isn’t a good sign. I’ll update this if I hear any news.

When in doubt, Shake Shack.

Citi Field Food, Part 2: A Taste of New York City

If you want to really see the amazing culinary offerings that Citi Field has to offer…and there’s quite a bit…start at the Taste of The City food court in center field.

The Shake Shack has a Madison Square Park tradition dating back to 2004. The Shack serves up the hugely popular fresh beef Shackburger, and the new Smoke Shack with applewood-smoked bacon, cheese and cherry peppers, both on potato buns. They also have a very good veggie ‘shroom burger. Very thick milkshakes and frozen custard for dessert.

It’s the wax paper. Chicks dig the wax paper.

The Shackburger is adorned with lettuce, cheese, tomato and Shack Sauce, and an extra patty is available for a few extra bucks (it’s worth it). Incidentally, the fries here with or without cheese are excellent, crinkle cut and crispy if not as thick as Nathan’s.

The Shake Shack is by far the most popular stand at Citi Field, so the lines get very long and the wait can be as long as a half an hour. I read that there were fans waiting for two hours during the 2015 World Series. The stand has been expanded and took over what was Blue Smoke BBQ, so hopefully that works better.

If you don’t want to wait long, try going as soon as the gates open or well after the game starts. If you’re gonna wait, go all out and get a concrete too; or a Strike Cone with vanilla custard blended with cookie dough. You can walk it off.

If I could make one of these, I’d never leave the house.

The glowing Pat LaFrieda’s cart with the grassy sign in the center field area is home to the gourmet NYC meat provider’s beef sandwich. LaFrieda’s sandwich is strips of filet mignon with Jack cheese and caramelized onions browned in balsamic vinegar, served on a baguette with au jus. I’ve never tried it, but I’m told the onions make the sandwich.

There is an additional stand on the Promenade level, so people there may be paying more for a sandwich than for their ticket. You can also get Steak Frites…waffle fries with steak, caramelized onions and Jack cheese sauce.

LaFrieda’s sandwiches command a hefty price tag even for a ballpark, but that doesn’t stop anyone, and the lines can get long here. (If you want to save a couple of bucks, check my Tightwad Tips at the end of this.)

Giving your sandwich centodieci percento!
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

A lot of fans, myself included, were sad to hear of Mama’s of Corona’s departure (Leo’s Latticini does still exist in NYC, though), but Cento Percento (Italian for “100 percent”, as in the quality of the experience) fills the bill quite nicely. Cento Percento accurately calls itself “Italian street food”; you can find their food trucks in various locations in NYC. It’s long past time for some food truck items to be in a ballpark.

Cento Percento is in the World’s Fare Market, in the right field corner. Their offerings include Tuscan-style paninis on fluffy ciabatta rolls, with porchetta and pesto, or a vegetarian mozzarella sandwich called the Classico. There’s also meatball or fried eggplant cups with arrabbiata sauce here.

I was going to cheat a bit here and include a picture of the Mama’s cannoli out of respect, but Cento Percento has cannolis as well.

Don’t let the pickles distract you from that biscuit!
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

Jacob’s Pickles is an Upper West Side eatery that has planted its flag at Citi Field, in the Jim Beam Highball Club on the Promenade Level (get to know the Highball Club, trust me). Their specialty is Southern-accented comfort food, and pickles, obviously, which they place prominently on their popular fried chicken and biscuit sandwich. You can get your fried pickles here as well, a vegetarian option.

The chicken and biscuit sandwich gets great reviews, even if it’s on the messy side (that might be an understatement), so it’s probably a good idea to grab some napkins and sit down for it. Southern comfort food is actually pretty rare in ballparks in my experience.

Like with Mama’s, the Mets seemed to anticipate fan unhappiness with the departure of a food stand, so when the revered “Catch of The Day” parted ways with Citi Field, they replaced it with the Lobster Shack (it’s not in the same spot, but it’s close). Lobster Shack is the Mets’ food guys’ handiwork, but they get it done with their delightfully photogenic fresh Maine lobster roll served with bayside chips. Try the East Shore edition with lobster dipped in melted butter as nature intended.

They also offer loaded chips, covered with lobster, lobster fondue, cilantro dressing and chives, and a creamy lobster bisque.

I hear lines can be pretty long at Lobster Shack, so try getting there when the gates open if you want to try it.

Where’s the beach?

There’s Pig Beach BBQ outposts in both Brooklyn and Queens, two population centers known for producing Mets fans. Now the chef-inspired BBQ is doing their part to improve the grub at the Highball Club (see?). Pig Beach describes their approach to que as “an alchemy of multiple cooking disciplines, with a strong focus on live wood fire.”

I love when they choose bold words. Anyway, at Citi you can get a People’s Champion Burger, made with a beef brisket and short rib blend, “bacon onion magic”, American cheese, sweet and tangy pickles, and secret sauce on a Martin’s potato roll. If that isn’t championing the people, I don’t know what is.

But wait, there’s more…Bases Loaded Fries! Seasoned crispy fries with pulled pork, cheese sauce, pickled jalapenos and Pig Beach’s own vinegar BBQ sauce. Quite a bit for sharing, and all the major food groups represented except for candy corn.

People don’t say much about Tacocina in the Taste of The City food court…even the Mets just  list their taco options and casually mention that they serve “food inspired by Mexican flavors”. They can do better than that, especially since the Tacocina joint in Brooklyn is a product of the Union Square Hospitality Group, founded by Danny Meyer of Shake Shack fame.

So now that I’ve given you more confidence in the Mets’ taco stand…get your chicken, pork and pineapple, or vegetarian tacos here…it’s among the healthier available foods in the food court, and don’t forget about the condiment sauces! Chips with salsa or guacamole are available here too, and they’re better quality than typical ballpark nacho chips.

I’m still going with the fancy items, but I separated some of these for chicken lovers.

It’s the kind of sandwich you want a close up photo of.

Citi Field Food, Part 3: Tastes Like Chicken

Fuku’s spicy chicken sandwich in the right field corner is the creation of chef David Chang. The Fuku sandwich is simple but genius. It’s a chicken sandwich with something called “Ssam Korean chili sauce”–which has a hint of habanero – and is cooked just right to be crispy and juicy at the same time. It’s served on a roll with “Fuku butter”, which is something like mayo.

You used to be able to get “loaded fries” too, with spicy cheese sauce, ranch, bacon and scallions. I’ve read that the fries are amazeballs, but I don’t see them on the current Citi Field dining guide so I imagine you’ll have to look.

For families looking for a spicy meal, get a Mets helmet with two sandwiches, chicken fingers, potato wedges and sauce for a ballpark price. There’s also a “milk bar” that includes several different types of cookies, including a “compost” that includes ingredients like pretzels and coffee oats.

Fuku is popular in NYC and its addition to Citi was applauded a lot. It’s a very spicy sandwich, so be prepared with a drink if need be.

The “fun size” tater keg.
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

The Amazin’ Chicken Co. isn’t a NYC chicken specialty shop…this one comes from the Mets own food preparing folks, who are actually up to the task. This is the spot for chicken tenders, chicken Caesar wraps, and “cheesy tater kegs”…a deep fried potato filled with a three cheese blend. There’s also General Tso’s chicken tenders, free range chicken with Tso’s sauce, sesame seeds and scallions.

They also offer a good family meal deal, if your kids are into chicken tenders (which has been a given since the invention of the McNugget); a big bucket of tenders covered with the tater kegs. The chicken pieces are very large, and you’ll have at least enough for two here.

Check out the condiment and sauce station near Amazin’ Chicken; garlic aioli, house ranch, chipotle BBQ, and Buffalo sauce, great additions to already amazin’ poultry offerings.

You’re starting to get hungry for some baseball, aren’t you?
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

Sweet Chick, behind the right field seats on the field level, is a chicken and waffles/comfort food joint with several locations in NYC and LA; it’s partly owned by Nas, if you’re interested in supporting your local hip-hop community.

Sweet Chick offers up chicken and waffles with boneless chicken, honey butter and maple syrup; they also have a spicy Buffalo chicken sandwich with bread and butter pickles, or a simple fried chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato and herb mayo. They’ve added loaded waffle fries that are a big hit at the ballpark. Sweet Chick is popular around the city, especially for their chicken, so there must be something right about the formula.

There’s also the aforementioned Jacob’s Pickles chicken sandwich…lots of well-done poultry here. Now for some stand-alone sides…after this quick word from our sponsor.

The fries are important. The Mets get that.

Citi Field Food, Part 4: Big And Fancy Sides

The Arancini Bros. aren’t actually named “Arancini”; it was two music techs who met on tour and created their own version of deep fried risotto balls. They’re sold at the Essex Street Market, Whole Foods, and of course, Citi Field.

Yes, they cut an egg carton in half. That’s actually pretty genius.

At the ballpark you can get any of six types of risotto balls stuffed with either meat sauce, basil pesto and mozzarella, taco meat with salsa, sour cream and cheddar, or a dessert edition with Nutella and rolled in cinnamon sugar. You can get the full experience and mix and match any of them.

Arancini Bros. is on the upper and lower level; you no longer need club access for this.

This is big. Big mozz.

If you’ve got an itch for local grass fed dairy farm fresh oversized mozzarella sticks…and we all get that from time to time…the Brooklyn catering crew at Big Mozz has a Vendy Award-winning version and you can find it on the upper and lower levels.

The slightly larger-than-usual mozz sticks come with four seasonings and a choice of pesto, chipotle, or marinara dipping sauce. I’ve tried these with the pesto sauce and they’re definitely a high quality mozzarella stick, so I’m happy to see them back in Citi. An extra cup of sauce costs extra.

The popular Box Frites stand has also been replaced; but if you like fancy French fries, you’ll be fine with the Metropolitan Fry Factory, also in center field. Again, these are the Mets’ guys, making hand-cut (I always picture people using karate chops to cut potatoes in half) fries with four house made sauces: chipotle BBQ, classic Buffalo, house ranch and garlic aioli. One of those has got to work for you.

Even more popular than the fried potatoes though, are the deep fried foot long hot dogs; MFF has four offerings including the Steakhouse Ripper with short rib & bacon chili, beer cheese and chives. Man, what are you talking about! Or the Tex Mex Ripper, with pickled jalapeno guacamole, chipotle aioli and chili dusted corn tortilla chips.

This is about the point where I think a Yankees fan might make a conversion.

Suddenly, an empty ballpark doesn’t seem so depressing! (photo courtesy of Murray’s Cheese)

If there’s anything that could only be in New York, it’s a guy named Murray making phenomenal mac and cheese. Murray’s Cheese got its start with a cheese shop in Greenwich Village, and today they’re featured in the Jim Beam Highball Club. It’s curly radiatore pasta with a three cheese blend…and it’s thick stuff, so you might want to hold off if you’re running a marathon afterward.

They have two types of mac and cheese, Classic or Buffalo, both with crispy breadcrumbs on the top. The Buffalo edition uses their signature blue cheese, with chicken, ranch, and Buffalo sauce. Comfort food at its best.

Good things clearly are ahead.
(photo courtesy of Pizza Cupcake)

Citi Field Food, Part 5: NYC Pizza – Plus!

On pizza alone, Citi Field has been wiping up the floor with its NYC counterpart in the Bronx for years (Yankee Stadium actually featured Papa John’s…WTH), and they’ve got NYC pizza covered.

Patsy’s Pizzeria, in center field, the Piazza 31 Club, and the Promenade level, has existed since its beginnings in Harlem in 1933, so they’re arguably right to call themselves “New York’s Original and Preeminent Pizza Dynasty”. Even if I’m not sure exactly what that means, it has my respect, and it sounds like a step above your typical ballpark pizza. I presume it’s coal-fired here as well.

At the ballpark you have a choice of regular, Margherita, or pepperoni slices, nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe that is on purpose, so that fans save room for a pizza cupcake.

A vendor will get my attention with this costume.
(photo courtesy of Pizza Cupcake)

Did someone say Pizza Cupcakes? Yes, and the Pizza Cupcake is a New York delicacy in its own right; it’s a creation of chef Andrea Meggiato. The pizza cupcake is available in multiple places on all of the levels.

If you like pepperoni rolls, you’ll like the pizza cupcake…it’s just shaped differently when you think about it. Or you can get the Margherita version, another vegetarian option. This being a chef inspired thing, the sauce has the right zest, and the crust is properly flaky. The best part? It’s easier to carry around and eat than a slice of pizza. No offense Patsy.

The Pizza Cupcake was actually featured on Shark Tank, where Mark Cuban told them, “I hate you because I wanna eat these.” That’s a weird reason to hate someone unless you’re allergic.

Here’s one of my favorite things about the Citi Field food options…even the no frills ballpark fare is still pretty good.

It doesn’t sound exciting, but hear me out.

Citi Field Food, Part 6: The Underrated Stuff – Hot Dogs, Burgers, Sausages + Pastrami on Rye

If you like burgers, Citi Field has multiple offerings for you, beyond the aforementioned Shake Shack. I have to give a mention to Alonso’s Arctic Grill (yes, named for that Pete Alonso) and their amazing and popular Polar Burger – a Pat LaFrieda beef burger with maple spiced caramelized onions, smoked gouda cheese, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun.

Yeah, Pete’s alright with me.
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

In 2022 Alonso’s added the Polar Burger 2.0 – with special sauce, American cheese, cherry pepper bacon jam, and duck fat (!) on a toasted sesame brioche bun. Can’t wait for 2023! This is a caloric bomb, so Alonso’s also offers a Beyond Burger version.

As far as I know, this is the only stop at Citi where you can get onion rings, but I could be wrong about that.

Sauerkraut and NYC red onion relish. For that food cart feel.

Burgers & Fries In keeping with Pat LaFrieda’s plan to take over the Mets world, his burgers are the Official Burger of the Mets, much to the delight of fans (which may help explain the lines at the Shake Shack). LaFrieda’s burgers are now sold at any stand that sells burgers. The aptly named Burgers & Fries stands sell LaFrieda burgers, Nathan’s dogs, and veggie dogs, plus chicken tenders if you aren’t yet impressed.

Here’s a pro tip for you…there is no shame in eschewing the Shake Shack line for this generic burger stand. Not only is it high-quality beef, but the Mets have some of the best condiment stands I’ve seen in a ballpark, and you can load up your burger with mushrooms, sauerkraut and/or NYC red onion relish. Works just fine for a great burger.

Believe it or not, I actually had to do some digging to find hot dog pictures.

There are enough Nathan’s hot dog stands in the rest of the ballpark that you are never far from one. In addition to their famous all-beef regular, footlong dogs, corn dogs and burgers, most Nathan’s stands have Carvel ice cream and most of them (but not all) serve crinkle-cut fries or Buffalo wings as well. I probably don’t need to tell you that Nathan’s fries are great.

The stands have packets of BBQ sauce or honey mustard, something a bit different. Take a dozen of them. (Citi Field has one of the most expensive hot dogs in baseball.) Again, remember the condiment stands…I’m a big fan of the NYC onion relish.

Well, which is it?

A good sausage at a ballgame should never be considered underrated…and there are Premio sausage stands throughout the concourse, and for all of the other options out there, some Mets fans will tell you that this simple sausage and pepper sandwich is the best deal for the money at Citi Field. Especially when you can pile on a nice variety of stuff from the condiment stands. (I promise that’s the last time I gush about the condiment stands, but just saying.)

I’m not sure whether the key word is “classic”, “deli”, or “pastrami”.

The cryptically named Hot Pastrami on Rye stand in the left field corner has nice and hefty pastrami sandwiches and a pastrami dog (a hot dog covered in pastrami and Gold’s deli mustard). The pastrami sandwich is kind of an underrated item here; the stand isn’t in a big food court or anything, but it’s a popular New York thing and the sandwiches aren’t too high on the calories meter.

They didn’t have them in my last visit, but in the past the star at this stand was pastrachos: chips covered with pastrami sandwich stuff like sauerkraut. If I hear of their return I’ll let you know.

OK maybe it’s not Pat LaFrieda’s, but you won’t compete without anyone behind the counter.

The Mets get really excited about CitySteak, enthusiastically pointing out on their website that you can get…wait for it…a “classic cheesesteak sandwich” here. Not just a cheesesteak sandwich, but a classic one! Incidentally, they don’t look too bad and the lines are probably shorter than most, and I’m presuming the meat is from Pat LaFrieda’s, so this might be a quiet little steal.

Any Cubs fan who gets a shirt like this is not going to halfway on his ballpark nachos.

The Mets don’t have a crazy variation of one of baseball’s greatest foods, but the aptly named Nachos kiosks take care of supply; get a large plate of chicken or beef nachos, in a souvenir helmet if you like.

No fancy cheese, just the Whiz glop, but it works. It’s a big enough (and calorie-laden enough) pile of chips with junk for two. But looking at the prices it looks like the helmet is something like $6 extra; if you get that, keep the helmet. (Are there any videos of a fan wearing one after finishing the nachos? Please let me know if you find one.)

The Nachos stands also have burritos and burrito bowls…and just saying, I consider the burrito to be one of the ideal ballpark foods. Portability!

With blue and orange sprinkles, for the Dodgers and Giants.

Citi Field Food, Part 7: Cookies, Waffles + Other Desserts

What, you thought just the main courses were fancy? Keep your fork!

Wowfulls was a staple of food festivals in the area for several years before opening up a store in Manhattan; it’s known for Hong Kong egg waffles, shaped into a cone and filled with ice cream and toppings.

Oh, the possibilities!

Choose from multiple choices of fancy ice cream…vanilla rainbow, chocolate brownie batter, or salted caramel cheesecake…toppings include fruity pebbles, cookie dough bites or Oreo crumbles. All of the desserts something called “pocky sticks” on them…chocolate coated biscuit sticks. Well worth two hours on the treadmill.

Is this a great country or what?

The super popular Greenwich Village Cookie DO dessert shop’s cookie dough was added to the Citi Field food menu in 2017; shop owner Kristen Tomlan came up with a recipe that heat treats the flour and uses pasteurized egg product; in other words, you won’t get salmonella eating this cookie dough.

At the ballpark you can get chocolate chip cookie dough; with blue and orange sprinkles for Mets fans. I’ve read that Cookie DO makes a gluten free dough; no word on whether that is in the ballpark. It’s also not too high on the calorie meter as sugary desserts go.

Cookie DO is all over the ballpark these days, so no need to wait in line.

When Citi Field first opened, people complained that there weren’t enough tributes to the Mets. We can now officially put that to bed.
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

Cookie Crumz, also in the Highball Club (another reason to befriend a season ticket holder), comes from two locations in Astoria and Long Island City. The idea for their cookies, according to their website, was “a simple craving one day for a super indulgent, mind blowing cookie”. Must have been some craving given the result.

Their offerings at Citi include the Fun-Met-I (sounds like confetti, see). It’s got white chocolate chips and Mets-colored sprinkles. Or try their Chunky Dunk – packed with milk and dark chocolate chips. Subtle but profound differences in the classic dessert, and they’re thicker than you’re probably used to.

Nothing keeps it real like an ice cream helmet.

Mister Softee is the “Official Soft Serve Ice Cream of the Mets”. Mr. Softee cones and milkshakes are found in the concourse areas, and now you can get it in a Home Run Apple bowl…just when you thought simple ice cream at a ballgame wasn’t anything special!

But if you’d like a healthier sweet snack, try the Dole Whip (here’s the recipe!)…you can find these on the upper and lower level and in the Piazza 31 Club. For the uninitiated, a Dole Whip is something like softy serve ice cream, but it’s fruity and dairy free…at least the half that isn’t mixed with vanilla custard.

Choose from pineapple or strawberry, again with vanilla custard swirl if you’re okay with some dairy in your dessert. This, I think, is only available in the Piazza 31 Club.

Colorful ice cream sundaes for grownups!
(photo courtesy of Tipsy Scoop)

Tipsy Scoop is an idea whose time has come, especially in the realm of ballpark delicacies. It’s various flavors of ice cream mixed with various flavors of mixed cocktails. Try a dark chocolate whiskey with salted caramel ice cream, or get a load of the Strawberry White Sangria Float: white Sangria sorbet with Prosecco, strawberry gummies, fresh lemon and a mini ice cream cone.

I perused Tipsy Scoop’s website a bit and on a couple of flavors of their boozy ice cream, they show it as being 5% alcohol. I don’t know how much hand-crafted, 10-proof ice cream you’d need to take the sting out of a tough Mets loss, but I’m sure it helps.

Tipsy Scoop is also in the Jim Beam Highball Club, which as you now know, is basically a one-stop destination for some of the best eats in baseball.

Pretzel rolls are one of mankind’s shining achievements.
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

Citi Field Food, Part 8: Healthier Stuff at Citi Field – Kosher, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free

Prime Kosher Sports has been around for a few years at Citi Field, and they offer the full gamut of ballpark food, kosher-style: hot dogs, burgers, fries, chicken tenders, deli sandwiches, knishes, even a pulled brisket sandwich on a pretzel roll. There are some decent snacks here too, like Bamba peanut butter puffs and fluff popcorn.

This is yet another style of French fries at Citi Field; I’m not sure what the total number of types of fries the Mets offer but I’m betting it’s close to a dozen. And that’s awesome. Prime Kosher Sports is in the center field food court with all the greats.

Since the ability to eat at the ballgame is a stumbling block to veganism for many, the Mets even covered that too…Vegan City in the right field corner makes it possible for vegans to eat Beyond Burgers, Beyond Sausage & Peppers, even vegan nachos with Jack Fruit chili, vegan cheese, roasted salsa and guacamole. You just might be able to talk me into going vegan now.

Nothing speaks to the evolution of baseball like sushi at the ballpark. But hey, I’m not complaining.

The World’s Fare Market in the right field corner has grab and go stuff, like bags of pistachios and peanuts and the like. The market houses a branch of Great Neck’s Daruma of Tokyo, where you can get the sushi, avocado rolls, and Asian salads that are offered in every ballpark these days (when I first wrote that years ago, it was sarcasm). This spot and the World’s Fare in general is also a good destination for vegetarians and healthy eaters, if a little pricey.

Making baseball safe for celiacs is a reason to be a Mets fan.

Citi Field also helps out celiac Mets fans, with a Gluten Free food stand in the World’s Fare Market area. They have gluten-free hot dogs and burgers (on gluten-free buns, obviously), turkey burgers, Nathan’s fries, and Glutenberg beer. The Mets on occasion have a Celiac Awareness Night, so keep an eye on your newsletter for that one.

Some good cheap takeout here, but not worth the train ride or walk just to save a few bucks.

Citi Field Food, Part 9: Bring Your Own + Other Money-Saving Tips

Remember that you can bring a 16*16*8 soft bag in the ballpark with you, so long as it does not contain hard bottles or alcohol. The Mets don’t list food as a prohibited item, but you’re allowed one plastic bottle of water or soda before the game.

There aren’t many takeout restaurants or drugstores a short walk away from Citi Field, but there are places near 7 train stations. Main Street in Flushing (one stop away on the 7 or LIRR station) has several great Mexican and Chinese and other ethnic takeout joints, but this is a lot of trouble just to save a few bucks. Unless you’re coming from one of these places anyway, I would just put water and maybe some peanuts in your bag.

There are four stands that offer smaller portions at smaller prices for kids. They are located behind Sections 114, 121, 408 and 421, including in the upper level food court. The Nathan’s dogs are skinny, but they won’t care. The Mr. Met Kitchen in center field has a kids meal with a dog, popcorn and a juice box with a prize included at a fair price.

Citi cards…endorsed by Mr. Met!

It seems like a small thing, but bring your Citi credit card. Several stands, like the Pat LaFrieda steak sandwich stand, will offer a couple of bucks off an item for using your Citi card. Incidentally, I’ve done pretty well saving money with my Citi MasterCard here, especially finding ticket deals, and MasterCard can help you save some green at Yankees games too.

If you’re not drinking alcohol, you can become a designated driver at one of the Budweiser pledge booths, and they’ll give you a coupon for a free soda. The booths are located behind Section 119, 310, and 418.

There’s no such thing as too many pics of Shack Burgers.

There you have it my friends…all of your food choices at the beautiful home of the New York Metropolitans. It’s fitting that a New York City ballpark stepped up its concession game; while the Yankees have their own impressive selections, they don’t come close to the offerings in Queens.

If you’re planning a visit to Citi Field, don’t just bring an empty stomach…get to know the place and save some money doing it, with my full and complete guide to Citi Field! Learn how to save money on tickets, find a great seat, and get to the ballpark easily…we’ve got your back!

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Click here to start booking your trip to New York and Citi Field today!

Note: this Citi Field food article contains affiliate links. If you click on the links and purchase a product, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

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!

Click here to order your Red Sox tickets on TickPick!

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…

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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!)

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

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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!

Click here to order your Red Sox tickets on TickPick!

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

Book Your Parking Spot NOW With My Friends at SpotHero!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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!)

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

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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

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!

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.

“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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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:

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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Driving and parking at Yankee Stadium isn’t usually the best option (read my post here about the 4 train, 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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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 bit of advice from our sponsor.

Never Drive To Yankee Stadium Without A Plan…

Book Your Parking Spot NOW With My Friends at SpotHero!

 

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 (and I highly recommend doing so).

Here are a couple of my favorites…

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.

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).

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.

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.)

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).

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.

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.

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.

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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 the related Yankee Stadium posts – and thanks for supporting my sponsors and this website!

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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.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

 

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

“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.)

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.

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.

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.

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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…

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

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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.

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.

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.

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…

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.)

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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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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.

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.
 

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.

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.

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!

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!

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Admit It, You’re The Munchies!

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.

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

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.

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:

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.

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.

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?

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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You’re right to search for info about Wrigley Field parking before you go. Being in a residential area…and being a ballpark built before the rise to prominence of the automobile…Wrigley parking can be difficult to find and expensive.

But Ballpark E-Guides never backs down from a challenge, and after doing a ridiculous amount of research, here is a page full of my best tips for getting to Wrigley by car.

Want to know everything you need to know for your next trip to the Friendly Confines? Check out this well-detailed and helpful guide to Wrigley Field!

Cardboard insert allows for quickly implemented price increases.

If you’re looking for the easiest way to get to a Cubs game, read this about the CTA. But if you’re driving, there are things you should know. Don’t be that guy that settles for a $50 spot and/or misses the first inning. Give yourself a chance to get some grub outside too.

First, I will try to briefly gloss over the traffic situation…after this quick word from our sponsor, with my most valuable bit of Wrigley Field parking advice:

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Driving to Wrigley Field? You Should Know This…

The Cubs’ website provides directions from all points, including from the airports, and in most cases they provide alternate routes. Even with these, though, you should allow a lot of time—just getting to the ballpark from I-90/94 on Addison can take almost an hour on game day.

Here are some of my own suggestions for alternate routes.

Alternate Route #1: I made a Chicago friend cringe sharing this route, so don’t tell anyone.

Coming south on I-94 before it merges with I-90, exit at Cicero (41C) and go south to Foster Avenue. Coming north on I-94, use the Foster exit (42), and then make a left onto Foster.

Go east on Foster—it becomes U.S. 41 after Lincoln Avenue. Take a right on Ashland Avenue, and then use Grace Street or a nearby cross street to get to Clark.

Four lane roads are better.

Alternate Route #2: Coming from Lake Shore Drive, the Cubs recommend using the Irving Park or Belmont Avenue exits, but these get bogged down too, so you can get off one exit early and use Fullerton Parkway coming north or Montrose going south.

From Montrose you can turn on Ashland and use it to get to Addison (you can also make a left onto Clark just before Ashland). Irving Park Road (IL-19), with four lanes, is said to not be as bad as Belmont, so it might be okay, but this is an alternative.

Named for famous Chicago native Irving Park.

Alternate Route #3 (for exiting): The city created an “offset centerline” on Irving Park Road making two lanes available westbound after the game; so this might be an easier route out than Addison if you’re returning to the interstate. (It’s a good idea to choose your parking spot accordingly for this, i.e. north of the ballpark.)

The general rule is that the streets west of the park (heading towards the Interstate) are the worst, so you’re better off trying to approach Wrigley from the north or south, and coming from the south is easier than from the north.

There are hotels near Wrigley that presumably would provide a parking space and save you the trouble of finding a spot, but you’ll pay a nice chunk of change for anything decent here. You’re better off staying downtown and using the Red Line to get to the game, or staying in Skokie and using the Yellow Line.

Finally, if you’re coming from out of town, you’ll probably have to pay some tolls; bring a lot of quarters if you don’t have a transponder, because not all of the booths have attendants.

OK, get all that? Now here are some of your Wrigley Field parking options, all of which have their merits…

Wrigley Field Parking – From The Cubs Themselves.

As I write this, the Cubs operate six official lots. The Brown Lot is a block south on Eddy Street, the Green lot is a couple of blocks north and the Irving Park lot is about four blocks north on Irving Park Road. You can buy passes online or call the Cubs to reserve a spot for most lots.

The Green Wrigley Field parking lot is only available for weekday games, demonstrating the pull that the Cubs really have in the city. It’s a couple of blocks away, but it’s been repaved recently and compared to most Cubs lots, it is a relatively easy in and out.

They always get me with those cones!

There are port-a-pots in the Cubs lots, but tailgating isn’t permitted. (So there shouldn’t be lines for them.) If you plan on partying in Wrigleyville after the game, try to find a lot that will allow you to stay longer; the Cubs require you to exit their lots two hours after the game ends.

Some people feel safer leaving their car in official team lots; I’m not knocking that, but I think you’ll be just fine using spots offered by your friendly neighborhood parking app. More on that in a bit.

(Wait…did I hear you say you want to park for free at Wrigley Field?)

Hey, you’re a bold fan. I like that! And apparently, so do the Cubs.

Notice the word “parking” is emphasized over both “express” and “bus”.

The team offers a free remote lot at 3900 N. Rockwell Street; it is just off of Irving Park Road a couple of miles west of the ballpark. Believe it or not, the Cubs provide a free shuttle service from here for night and weekend games; it starts 2.5 hours before the ballgame and runs for an hour afterwards, leaving every ten minutes or so which is nice.

So with the Cubs Express bus, and with the street parking available on weekdays (more on that in a bit), you can now park for free for pretty much any Cubs game. And this shuttle allows you easy access back on I-90/94, without having to navigate through much traffic.

One caveat though…it’s a very long line after the game, with thousands of other fans exiting the ballpark in other directions. Be ultra-mindful if you have kids with you.

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Countdown to extra income from parking!

You have other options, too, but…

…with the Cubs apparently buying the entire North Side of Chicago, I’m not sure how many of these options remain as I write this. But here’s a few non-team sanctioned lots:

Murphy’s Bleachers has a small lot across the street from the bleachers entrance; it isn’t any cheaper but you can keep your car there if you’re partying at Murphy’s afterward.

The Red Top Parking lot is close to the bleachers and is said to be an easy out; but you will pay extra to avoid being parked in.

Wrigley parking, gyros, and outdoor dining…what’s not to like?

There is a small lot at Wrigleysville Dogs on Clark (yes, with an S); it’s a good spot to grab a quick cheap bite before the game.

Finally, South on Clark and Sheffield a few blocks from the ballpark, you can find parking that is a bit cheaper than the lots closest to the park; these lots are near many of the popular taverns (and Al’s Italian Beef!) and there are cheaper souvenir stands nearby.

Whatever your plan, if you are coming to Wrigley by car, you’d be very wise to book your parking beforehand. Don’t trust someone just because they’re wearing an orange smock (that’s a popular scam).

Fortunately for you, there are quite a few enterprising folks who will help arrange things for you…

Pass holders. At Wrigley Field you want to be one of those.

Give thanks for prepaid parking!

SpotHero, for example, is like StubHub for parking spots; it’s located in several tough-to-park-in cities like Chicago. With SpotHero, people that own spots near the ballpark offer them to Cubs fans online. Select a game, choose from a selection of spots, print out your reservation and set your GPS.

One very nice thing about SpotHero is that you can read reviews of spots before booking them; they will often tell you if a spot is an easy out or if it’s near a favorite Wrigleyville establishment.

You can’t avoid trusting a logo like this.

Cub Parking. The guys at Cub Parking have made arrangements with people who have been selling spaces near Wrigley since before they were born. You can book a spot online and they will actually greet you there most times and direct you to your spot.

You’ll pay a premium price for closer spots, but you won’t be blocked in, and you can keep your keys and leave anytime. Cub Parking offers overnight parking (which can be a boon in Wrigleyville).

As owner Nick Napoli told me in an interview (click here if you’d like to read it, it’s very informative), it’s nice to park for free and get a ride from the Cubs, but with Cub Parking you won’t have to wait for a bus and pile onto it with other eager Cubs fans. He’s got a point…standing on buses isn’t fun.

NO, it’s not free just because you don’t see someone sitting there.

Did you say something about “free street parking at Wrigley”?

I knew that was going to distract you. OK, here’s what I know…and again, keep in mind that these rules can change.

Wrigleyville is a residential area, meaning that if you don’t have a permit sticker on your car and you park in the wrong place, your car will be towed.

But there are quite a few free spaces on nearby side streets, a short distance away for weekday games when everyone is at work and many games are still scheduled. You can use these and hoof it or take a train or bus to the park.

Look for the 383 zone sign:

As long as you’re not partying here after a day game, the locals are good with it.

Generally, if you look around the side streets off of Clark Street or Waveland Avenue north and west of the park, you should see plenty of these. The signs will clearly say what you cannot do; if they don’t say you can’t park there during the day, you should be fine.

For day games if you are early enough (say, 3-4 hours before first pitch) you can grab one of these and park just a couple of blocks away for free; the only drawback is that you will need to be out of there by 6:00 PM (or maybe 5:00), so you can’t party in Wrigleyville too long. It’s a good idea to remember the address where you parked.

I’ve also read that there is free street parking on Clark Street north of Irving Park Road, if you don’t mind at least a four block walk (past Wrigleysville Dogs, incidentally), and east of the Graceland cemetery on Kenmore there are street spots.

“1060 West Addison? That’s Wrigley Field!”

If you’re coming off I-90/94 at Addison Street and you’d rather not fight traffic the whole way, there are side streets along Addison with spaces available, and many of them within a mile of Wrigley have no restrictions. In some spots you can park right on Addison. Just be sure to check parking regulations carefully.

If you’re too tired after the game for the walk back, hop on the #152 Addison Street bus. But remember where you left your car.

The city of Chicago recently doubled the price of meters for Cubs games, so it really likely isn’t worth it at $4 per hour for metered spots. You might as well find a closer lot.

“I’ll see you on the Dark Side of the Red Line…” (photo courtesy of Reggies Live.)

One More Thing for You Cubs Fan Rockers…

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Reggies Rock Bus. Reggies Live is a popular music club closer to the South Side; they offer packages for Cubs (and White Sox) games that include a bleacher ticket, a pre-game buffet, and a ride to the game on their wicked cool looking Rock Bus. All at a very reasonable price.

Reggies is on State Street close to the Red Line Chinatown Station; there is metered street parking nearby. Even including the parking cost it’s a great deal, and Reggies is a happening live music joint. Great for rocker Cub fans. (And isn’t that all of us?)

You can get closer, but it’s not a bad walk.

A Short Summary of Wrigley Field Parking.

When I go to a game at Wrigley, I usually use the CTA…it’s cheaper than most parking and much easier than dealing with traffic. But there are cases when you might want to drive…and it’s often preferable to being on a packed train.

If you take away one key tip for Wrigley Field parking, it’s this: book your parking ahead of time. The free parking options are nice, but you’ll either be riding a crowded bus or risking having to leave an extra-inning or rain delayed contest early. And you paid for nine innings!

Want to know more about the Friendly Confines? Check out my complete guide to Wrigley Field!

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

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Search no more…this is your complete Wrigley Field seating guide, with all the info you need…including about avoiding obstructed views to how to truly do the bleachers. I’m here to help you find the best seats at Wrigley Field, whatever your budget size!

As much as I love Wrigley, I wish I’d read what you’re about to read before I went to my first few games there. Your choice of seat definitely matters at the Friendly Confines, for reasons like proximity to Wrigley Field food stuffs, Chicago weather, and the best unobstructed view.

Apologies for any dated photos…it’s been a little while since I’ve been to Wrigley. But to the best of my knowledge, all the info here is up to date. BTW, if you need more Wrigley help, check out my complete Wrigley Field guide!

Even this seat isn’t so bad, but I’ll help you pick out a better one.

Here it is by section:

The Cubs Seating Chart – New Section And Seat Numbering
Wrigley Field Lower Level Seating – Premium, Club, Field and Terrace Seats
Wrigley Field Upper Level Seating – Upper Box and Reserved
Avoiding Obstructed Views at Wrigley
Home Of The Bums: The Wrigley Field Bleachers
Wrigley Field Standing Room Options
Finding Shade, And Other Stuff About Wrigley Field Seating

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2015, I know. But it’s only obsolete if you squint to see the section numbers.

The Cubs Seating Chart – New Section And Seat Numbering

The Cubs website has their perfectly nice seating map, which when buying tickets shows you some nice views.

The Cubs have recently reconfigured the seat and section numbering at Wrigley, and this is a good thing.

The bleachers are now the 500 sections instead of 300, and the 400 and 500 upper levels are now the 300 and 400 levels, respectively. The Cubs’ comical reasoning for this was that people don’t fully appreciate the excellent view from the now 300 level. Certainly a lower first digit will convince the masses otherwise.

I’m joking. The 300 level seats truly are excellent, and are among the best upper level seats in baseball. But they aren’t any closer with the new section numbers.

A hundred years ago, seat numbering like this seemed like a good idea. Don’t knock them – our generation contributed the DH.

With the new seat numbering, it’s now a low number at one end of a row and a high number at the other end. As you would expect. It definitely makes the seating much less confusing, especially without having seat 15 next to seat 115 in a row. Never understood that.

Protective glass panels for the benefit of first row patrons only.

Wrigley Field Seating, Lower Level – Premium, Club, Field and Terrace

The American Airlines 1914 Club seats are the first three rows in Sections 13-22; the recently added Bullpen Box seats and Maker’s Mark Barrel Room seats are on the outer side of both teams’ dugouts. All of these go for a very premium price and include high end club access. If you have to ask the price…

These seats are so close to the action that you may hear dugout conversations (although ballplayers don’t usually say anything interesting). They are also so expensive that they are not likely to attract those who offer discouragement to opposing players; but should you be so inclined, the visiting team dugout is on the first base side.

Club seats no longer offer a sporty view of the bullpen. Nor do any other seats.

Club Box seats are the rest of the seats behind the 1914 and Bullpen Box sections. Club Box seats are more expensive between the bases, but are next to the field once you get past the Bullpen Box seats.

Club and Field Box seats heading down the foul lines begin to rise along the outfield wall; this can cause you to miss balls hit in areas close to you (which isn’t a big deal). Club Box seats are turned towards home plate as you get further out though, sparing you neck strain.

The dark, ominous Bartman Seat.

I’m hearing your question. Where’s the Steve Bartman Seat?

Wikipedia says that the “Steve Bartman seat”, with the new seating configuration, is Section 2, Row 8, Seat 108. Except that the new Wrigley section numbering doesn’t have a Section 2, and plugging in the old seat number here doesn’t work either.

So quit wasting your time on Wikipedia, since this site is far more informative. If you want to sit in the Bartman seat, just go to Section 3 and ask. Every usher can point you right to it.

Even ushers can be distracted with a view this close.

Field Box seats are behind Club Box seats. Again, infield Field Box seats are costlier, significantly so for prime games, but the difference isn’t large for value games.

Field Boxes are separated from the Club Boxes by a walkway; in the first couple of rows this means you will have foot traffic in front of you. It’s not likely to be a big problem once the game gets going, but in early innings it can be annoying. Otherwise though, Field Box sections are great seats – close enough to the action without the “Friends of the Ricketts” price tag.

Lots of empty seats…they must be playing Miami.

The Terrace is behind the Field Box seats. There is a walkway between the sections, but Terrace seats are elevated to help patrons see over pedestrians. Terrace Box seats are the first five rows; these are in front of the support poles and thusly are safe from obstructed views.

Most all Terrace Reserved sections are in the shade of the upper deck, which can be a good or bad thing here…bring a jacket. Only the seats down at the end of the foul lines are out in the open.

Terrace Reserved seats also risk being close to a support pole, causing the dreaded obstructed view. Stay tuned for how to avoid that.

The support poles are your friend!

Wrigley Field Seating, Upper Level – Upper Box and Reserved

Upper Box (300 level) seats are close to the field and offer a terrific bird’s eye view; many folks prefer these seats to Terrace Box seats (and they are priced nearly the same).

The press box at Wrigley is behind home plate, so there are no Upper Reserved seats there, but the eight rows of seats in front of them are a primo Wrigley Field seating choice. These are also convenient to the upper deck food court pavilion, although the Cubs have greatly improved the upper concourse situation.

Look at it this way…the 2nd baseman can’t see you either!

Upper Reserved (400 level) seats also have the problem of support poles; in this case poles hold up a roof that protects patrons from the sun and rain. Upper Reserved only has nine rows, so in Row 9 you will be all the way at the top and almost leaning against that outside fence.

The Upper Reserved sections are elevated, but there is still foot traffic in front of the first row, which can be very distracting as patrons snap photos and chat and Instagram themselves at Wrigley while you’re actually trying to watch the game. You may want to avoid Row 1 of Upper Reserved.

Almost close enough to grab a beer from rooftop patrons.

Some more notes about the upper level. Past the bases, seating is not angled towards home, so the furthest seats require a minor neck twist—although they do offer great bleachers and Rooftop people-watching.

Word of advice here…getting to the upper level requires a long trek up several ramps (which are behind the Terrace seats) and up steep steps with no railing to get to your seat. This can be tough on the elderly and less fit among us, especially after the game when everyone is leaving. There are elevators, but getting to your Upper Reserved seats can still be rough.

Clearly, the Cubs are aware that male Cubs fans can’t last eight poles to the bathroom.

There are restrooms on the upper level, despite the horror stories some might tell you about there being none. From the walkway in the stands, if you look up you’ll see directional signs for them.

The heated restrooms, by the way, are a good place to spend a few minutes warming up on a cold Chicago evening if you can handle the social awkwardness. There are also TVs hung from the rafters in the upper level, to keep you posted on anything you might miss.

Buy a Cubs ticket to see solid ballpark construction up close!

Avoiding Obstructed Views at Wrigley

You can get really scientific about how to avoid obstructed views at Wrigley Field, but here are some basic tips.

Terrace Reserved and Upper Reserved sections have support poles in front of them, which explains their lower price compared to the rest of the Wrigley Field seating bowl. The worst seats have “limited view” marked on the ticket, but the Cubs have a high standard for this, and the seat has to be really bad.

The Cubs also sell what they call “Terrace Reserved Preferred” seats, which are less likely to have a view problem, for a few extra bucks.

Ah, that’s the trick…get between the poles!

In most Terrace sections, there are 23 rows. The pole is usually at Row 6, although they are in higher numbered rows in the sections towards the outfield (where you should just shoot for a low row).

Except for down the third base line in Sections 210-215, the poles are at the end of section, so seats that are numbered between 5-12 or so should be an okay bet. In Sections 210-215, try to get low numbered seats, especially in Sections 212-213.

If all of that is too complicated, go for something between the 10th and 15th row, where the pole isn’t likely to be much of a big deal and you can still see the video boards.

No need to see planes flying overhead in baseball.

Similarly, in the upper level, the support poles are in the first row of the Upper Reserved sections, at the end of a section. Try to avoid low-numbered, low row seats…not just to avoid the pole, but also to avoid the aforementioned foot traffic.

Again, there are only nine rows in the upper reserved sections, so chances are that there will be a pole in your sight somewhere. But with the angle of the seats, it’s usually not bad unless you’re in the first few rows directly behind them. It gets worse in outer sections, however, and you may want a seat in a higher row just in case.

No, I didn’t photoshop that scoreboard into this picture. It was really there.

Aside from support poles, the highest rows in Terrace Reserved, starting at about Row 16, have the overhang blocking views of the outfield scoreboards, including the hand-operated scoreboard, which is one of the more striking visual aspects of Wrigley Field.

There is a mini scoreboard with vital info, and the Cubs have put TVs in the rafters in case you miss anything, so it’s not all bad. But given the choice, an upper level seat would likely be a better option, especially if it’s your first time at the Friendly Confines.

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Featuring the inebriated fan-catching net, to prevent broken bones and other game-delaying mishaps.

Home Of The Bums: The Wrigley Field Bleachers

The Wrigley Field Bleachers used to be the most inexpensive seats in the park and were packed with the venerable “Bleacher Bums”. Neither is the case anymore, but even at the inflated prices the Bleachers are still the only place to be for many fans.

The Bleacher experience can be a blast or an annoyance depending on your mindset, but there’s unquestionably no baseball experience like it. There’s a few things you should know:

Another reason to bring sunscreen and a cushion.

Pick Your Seat On Game Day – When I say “get here early to pick a seat”, it has a different meaning at Wrigley. For a good spot you are looking at arriving three and a half hours before gametime at the least. People get in line very early, and the first seats to be taken are the front rows of the left field seats, where folks scramble for souvenirs during batting practice.

Sneaky Pro Tip: Speaking of souvenir baseballs, if you’re looking to snag some, try looking under seats as soon as you get in to see if any have already been hit there.

Still laughing at the folks in the previous picture? Who’s laughing now!

If you can’t land these, at least stay away from the Batter’s Eye in center field, lest you lose a portion of the field to the protruding restaurant.

Aisle seats make going for a dog or a brew a little easier. For the most part, fans will gladly keep an eye on your seat during the game, provided you aren’t rooting for the other team.

Once the bleachers are full, it becomes SRO for late arrivals. The Cubs reportedly sell more tickets than there are seats for prime games, but if you get there late ask an usher if there are any seats available. You might be surprised.

Keep this in mind in October: there are heaters under the scoreboard in center field.

With numbered seats for those occasional Cubs playoff runs!

Bring A Cushion – Bleacher seats are metal and backless, meaning you could be sharing your seat with your neighbor’s cheek, and you should bring a cushion on a cold day (actually, it’s not a bad idea anytime).

I don’t have anything to add here.

Consider Your Fellow Fans – The bleachers are often full of hardcore party animals; meaning some people drink more than they should and do and say things that they shouldn’t. It may not always be the best place for kids, especially on weekends. Fans wearing opposing teams’ gear will take good-natured abuse at the least.

FORBIDDEN! Well, okay, maybe an opposing home run ball. Or an opposing team fan. But otherwise FORBIDDEN!

If you catch a home run hit by the other team, just throw it back. It’s not worth the souvenir. (Some fans keep an additional ball in their pocket to throw back just in case.)

Well, you have a nice view of the people sitting in front of you, anyway.

Wrigley Field Standing Room Options

The Cubs say that they make a limited number of standing room tickets available on game day, which doesn’t say much. Wrigley isn’t a great place to have a standing room ticket anyway; the lower concourse area is behind the high rows of Terrace Reserved seats that have overhang view problems to begin with.

The ushers will be pretty strict about keeping you in the SRO area. Your best bet, speaking from my own experience, is the pavilion space under the press box, which features as nice a view as the Upper Box, almost.

It wouldn’t be too bad if you could bring a barcalounger.

There is also some standing room space on the outer edges of the upper level that isn’t terrible (some Cubs fan friends of mine tell me they love it), but it’s far from home plate and there’s nothing to lean on. Or you could try the new party areas in the bleachers (you’ll need a Bleacher ticket for that).

Wrigley is one of the tougher ballparks to poach a seat; you won’t have an easy time getting past ushers here. Chances are good you’ll get caught unless you occupy a vacant seat after the 7th inning stretch. You likely won’t get ejected, just thrown back into the concourse. But that’s embarrassing enough.

In an early April evening, some savvy Cubs fans choose the “sun” spot.

Finding Shade And Other Stuff About Wrigley Field Seating

No Chicago native needs to be told this, but you should always be prepared for the weather at Wrigley, and take into account where you’re sitting.

The sun sets on the third base side, so that side will have shade first for afternoon and night games and will also cool down first. In the higher rows of Field Box seats you will see some shade earlier on the third base side. To stay out of the sun, avoid the lower level seats down the right field line, and stay away from the bleachers entirely.

As you can see, the roof protects patrons from the sun that might actually thaw protruding body parts.

In the upper level, the roof provides shade for Upper Reserved seats especially on the third base side, but Upper Box could still see sun.

Chicago climate being what it is, you could be at Wrigley on a windy day and see people sweating in the bleachers (which are generally protected from the Lake Michigan breeze), while people in the seating bowl are bundled up trying to stay warm.

For October night games at Wrigley, fans dress extremely warmly, and with good reason. Be prepared…on a cold night you could be sitting on a metal seat for a long time.

There you have it my friends, your complete primer on picking a seat at Wrigley Field…compiled from my own and others experiences. Hope it helps you in your next visit…see you at the Yard!

Planning a trip to Chicago? 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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More than likely, you’re going to get to Great American Ball Park by car, since public transit isn’t as prevalent in Cincinnati as it is in, say, Chicago.

This is fine, though, since there are ample parking options. And as ballparks go, it is relatively easy to get to Great American, with several interstates on either side of downtown. You have inexpensive and expensive choices, and you have places to park where you can get in easily and places where you can get out easily.

There are also lots of places to leave your car in the neighboring towns of Newport and Covington, across the Ohio River in Kentucky. They aren’t the closest or the easiest places to walk (there are closer cheap spots), but you do have the option of the Southbank Shuttle.

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Does everything in baseball have to be named for a bank?

The Southbank Shuttle is a trolley service operated by the fine people at the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). The trolley service runs from either Newport or Covington, and in most cases it passes through Cincinnati and has several stops near the ballpark. It runs frequently enough that you shouldn’t have to wait long, they offer extra service for Reds games, and as of this writing it’s just a buck-fifty per ride.

You can usually find cheap or even free parking in both towns, and the nice thing is that if you plan to take in some pre- or post-game food or entertainment, you have lots of dining options and fun things to do, especially at the Newport-On-The-Levee entertainment center.

Now, if it were every 20 minutes, I wouldn’t be recommending it.

You might have reasons to park downtown for a game, and there are some good reasons to do so in certain cases. But if you’re looking for inexpensive parking with minimal walking and less traffic after the game, you could do worse than parking in Kentucky and hopping on a trolley.

My only complaint is it’s a bit of a rickety ride. I wouldn’t recommend it for pregnant women. Then again, if your companion is carrying your offspring, you should be dropping her off at the door anyway.

That’s just one way to get to Great American; there’s also the street parking near the ballpark, the new Cincinnati streetcar, even the river shuttles. Click here to read some cool parking options.

TANK website: http://www.tankbus.org

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