For sports fans on a budget, there are few bargains better than going to a Padres game. According to the San Diego Business Journal (sdbj.com), tickets and concessions at Petco Park are the second cheapest in all of baseball.
Not bad for a team that missed the playoffs by one game just a year ago. By comparison, the cheapest price index belongs to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have finished in last place the past two years while approaching 100 losses in each season.
The Padres offer two tickets for the price of one on Thursdays for $13.50. Bleacher tickets are offered for $10 and a military ID gets you $6 off on tickets over $13.50.
According to Team Marketing Research (TMR), the Padres have cut their average ticket prices 17 per cent this season, more than any other team in the league.
“We are doing everything we can to make the ballpark affordable,” said Padres President Tom Garfinkel in an interview with signonsandiego.com.
The best deal at Petco is the park-at-the-park ticket for $5. It gives fans standing room only views behind home plate and both dugouts, as well as free reign of the picnic area.
The game is shown on a large screen behind the centerfield batter’s eye and most of the field is viewable from there. Away-at-the-park is also back this season, allowing fans to watch away games for free at the same location.
The Padres also offer a college night once a month, selling upper reserve tickets in the right field stands for $8 to students. The section is reserved for college students and includes a DJ and a dance floor.
“It’s a really, really cool atmosphere,” said Scott Baird, Account Executive for Group Sales.
Parking prices can be steep at any live event and a Padres game is no exception: prices can easily exceed that of a ticket. The San Diego Metro Transit Service offers several options to get to and from a game with a $5 day pass.
There are six bus lines that will put fans within a short walk from the park and the trolley lines run to the ballpark as well. There are thousands of parking spots available along the trolley lines as well, allowing fans to park their car and catch a trolley to Petco Park.
Concession prices are notoriously pricey at the ballpark, even if they’re slightly more affordable at a Padres game. The best option is to bring food to the game.
The Padres allow fans to bring in a cooler with food and beverages as long as it will fit under a seat. Exceptions include cans and glass bottles and plastic water bottles exceeding 20 ounces. Fruit is allowed but it must be cut into pieces.
Ticket information can be found at padres.mlb.com, bus and trolley schedules are available at sdmts.com
