NBC 7’s Steven Luke talks to the San Diego Padres CEO Erik Greupner about everything fans can expect this season, ahead of Thursday’s home opener.
The 2024 San Diego Padres
- All Petco Park gates will open at 11 a.m. for Opening Day as the first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. as they play against the San Francisco Giants
- Sheel Seidler, wife of the Padres’ beloved former Chairman and Owner, Peter Seidler, will throw the game’s Ceremonial First Pitch
- A block party is slated for 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s baseball season.
Opening Day is set for Thursday and before the first pitch at Petco Park, the Padres are already tied for the best record in baseball.
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So, what do you need to know before the first pitch of the season? We break everything down below.
When is Opening Day?
All Petco Park gates will open at 11 a.m. for Opening Day as the first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. as they play against the San Francisco Giants.
Local
Right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish will take the mound.
The pregame ceremony will include Jon Freman, lead singer of the band Switchfoot, singing the National Anthem followed by a flyover by two Navy EA18-G Growler jets.
Sheel Seidler, wife of the Padres’ beloved former Chairman and Owner, Peter Seidler, will throw the game’s Ceremonial First Pitch.
How to watch the Padres at home
Similar to last season, games will be available on a variety of local channels.
- AT&T U-verse: Channel 781 or 1781
- COX: Channel 83
- Spectrum: Channel 305 or 443
- DirecTV: Channel 694-3
The Padres.TV streaming package is available for $19.99/month or $99.99 for the entire season. Fans can also access games through a separate streaming option available on FUBO.
More information, here.
Opening Day Giveaway
These branded items will be handed out to the first 40,000 Padres fans during select home games when gates open at Petco Park, according to a press release. One giveaway item can be redeemed with each ticket scanned while supplies last.
- Friday, March 29, 2024
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Petco Park and celebrate the start of the 2024 season, the first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive an Opening Series Hat, presented by Sycuan Casino Resort.
Here are more details on the scheduled giveaways:
Opening Day Block Party
A block party is slated for 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, on J Street between 7th-10th avenues. The 12th Annual Opening Weekend Block Party party is free and will feature lots of locals vendors, live music and more.
How to get to Petco Park
The Padres and MTS are expecting sellout crowds for most home games this season, so the best bet for most fans headed to those 81+ games should plan on jumping on the Trolley, if possible. The Green Line from Old Town, which will set you back $2.50 each way, is a great way to go. You'll need to transfer to the Blue or Orange Line to get to the stop at 12th and Imperial, then walk over. Just follow all the folks in brown and yellow, er, gold?
The MTS says the red rail cars will arrive every 15 minutes during Opening Weekend, with additional trains added after the games. You'll want to add the Pronto app on your phone and buy fares before you go.
Tickets still available for Padres Opening Day
Believe it or not, there are still seats — or, at least, tickets available for the so-called Gallagher Square area familiarly known as the Park in the Park, for $55, plus fees.
Parking for Opening Day
Spots in Tailgate Park at Imperial and 12th Avenues are sold out but it looks like valet on Imperial Avenue is still available for $75.
More details, here.
What to eat at Petco Park for the 2024 Baseball Season
It's not just the lineup that fans look forward to on Opening Day at Petco Park, but also the food, and this year there are a lot of tasty additions.
From Mexican street corn, and fish tacos to hot links here is what is available:
Taste of San Diego:
- Barrio Dogg
- Blue Water Seafood at .394 by Alesmith
- Carnitas Snack Shack
- Cravory Cookies
- Din Tai Fung
- Gaglione Brothers
- Grand Ole BBQ
- Holy Paleta
- Hodad's
- Jack in the Box
- Negihama Sushi
- Pizza Port
- Puesto
- Ranch 45 and Brandt Beef (available in the Lexus Club)
- Sambazon
- Seaside Market
Unique Flavors of Petco Park:
- Budweiser Ballpark Eats
- Cucina Stella
- Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee
- Elote
- Kona Patio
- Lane Field Lemonade
- Mister Softee
- Randy Jones Grill
- San Diego’s Finest Hot Chicken
What you can bring to Petco Park
This one's kinda complicated. We scanned the Padres FAQ and grabbed the following directly from their site. Head on over there for more information:
Banners and Signs: The San Diego Padres welcome and encourage fan support including homemade signs and banners. To ensure that these articles do not distract others, we ask that guests adhere to the following guidelines: The San Diego Padres request that banners not be placed in the direct sight line of the batter and/or hung in any area of the playing field or over seat backs, protective railings, infringe on the sight lines of other guests, obstruct any advertising signage or video ribbon boards, be larger than four (4) feet by eight (8) feet in size, or be commercial, political, or obscene in nature.
Beverages: Factory-sealed plastic bottled water that is still, clear and unflavored and that is one (1) liter (32 ounces) or less, and soft-sided single juice or milk containers or ADA required liquids in a sealed container are permitted into Petco Park. Guests with disabilities may bring factory-sealed plastic or paper containers that contain liquids required for medical reasons into the ballpark.
Cameras: Guests are welcome to bring non-professional still cameras and video cameras into Petco Park for their personal use provided the lenses are no longer than 6" long and no extra detachable lenses.
Credit/ATM Cards: Petco Park is a cashless venue. Credit cards, Padres Pay and other forms of digital payment will be accepted at all concession and retail locations.
Food: The San Diego Padres permit guests to bring food into Petco Park intended for individual consumption (not for groups of individuals) and should be consumed in one’s seat. Outside food cannot be brought into any ballpark restaurant, club lounge, or suite. Guests must also adhere to the following:
- All food items should be wrapped, bagged or left inside a container to avoid spillage
- Food that might be thrown as a projectile must be sliced or sectioned (i.e., oranges, apples and other fruits)
- Food containers must be soft-sided and comply with Petco Park bag policies
- Guests are allowed to bring one factory-sealed plastic bottled water that is still, clear and unflavored, and that is one (1) liter (32 ounces) or less, and soft-sided single juice or milk containers or ADA required liquids in a sealed container
- One (1) liter reusable water bottles (no glass) are permitted and must be empty upon entry into the ballpark
Kids: Petco Park offers complimentary admission to children under 36 inches in height, provided they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. These children must sit in the lap of the accompanying adult and not occupy an additional seat.
Service Animals: Service animals are welcomed at Petco Park. In keeping with U.S. ADA regulations, disabled guests may use either a dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the guest
Stollers, Wheelchairs and Walkers: Petco Park welcomes guests with strollers, wheelchairs and walkers. However, their use must not limit guest movement or block aisles.
Umbrellas: Small, collapsible umbrellas are allowed in Petco Park. Any umbrella that blocks sightlines or becomes a nuisance for any reason to other guests is not permitted.
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