citizens bank park guide
Citizens Bank Park is a ballpark that provides opportunity for great value. We are going to look at places to park for free, best value tickets for a Phillies game, and some options to save on food at the game. Going to watch the 2008 World Champs doesn’t have to break the bank.
parking
There are places to park for free near Citizens Bank Park. Probably your best opportunity for free parking at a Phillies game is on Lawrence St. You will find this street about 2 blocks east of the stadium, and there is a decent amount of on the street parking available. The general rule for finding free parking at any ballpark is to arrive early. If I were to equate this to the age old adage, the “worm” represents free parking in this case. See the image below for where you want to look.
There are places to park for free near Citizens Bank Park. Probably your best opportunity for free parking at a Phillies game is on Lawrence St. You will find this street about 2 blocks east of the stadium, and there is a decent amount of on the street parking available. The general rule for finding free parking at any ballpark is to arrive early. If I were to equate this to the age old adage, the “worm” represents free parking in this case. See the image below for where you want to look.
fan reviews
Parking and Bar Recommendation
- Kurt Smith
- Kurt Smith
You can also take a free shuttle to a Phillies game aboard the “Taxi Crab” which is provided by a popular local sports bar named Chickies & Pete’s. This place is now a chain, but it was once voted the 3rd best sports bar in America by ESPN. The South Philly location that linked to above will give you free parking and a free ride to and from the game aboard their bus. I like deals like this because it offers you a great opportunity to save on food and parking at the same time. Generally speaking it’s cheaper to feed people at a sports bar type restaurant than to feed those same people at a Major League ballpark. Cheap Fan ContestIf you do have to pay for parking, there are plenty of lots with approximately 21,000 spaces around the Citizens Bank Ballpark. You should expect to pay about $10 - $12, which really isn’t bad compared to other big cities. I would at least try to find free parking first, but if not – paying won’t kill you here and you can get pretty close to the stadium.
tickets
Phillies tickets have become increasingly in demand, but nothing like tickets to Fenway, which are impossible. You may run into some sellouts, and as always you should plan ahead if you are going to get good value tickets at Citizens Bank Park.
Many teams have gone to a tiered pricing model where prices fluctuate based on the opponent or the date. The Phillies have adopted this as well, but I give them credit because it is clearer than most. Basically the first and last months of the stadium cost a couple of bucks less per seat, and the rest of the season is more expensive.
Many stadiums boast “great sight lines” but I think the Phillies actually have it. Even the cheapest seats, which are about $16 in the outfield upper deck sections, have a pretty nice view of the action. I would not be afraid to buy the cheap seats and stick with them here. This can not be said at every ballpark.
Another thing I noticed about Citizens Bank Park is the lack of variance in ticket prices. What I mean is, the cheap seats are $16, but there are 9 other sections with ticket prices at $30 or less. This is a good thing if you want to improve your view a little bit without killing your wallet.
I said before that I think the $16 seats provide a decent angle and view of the action, but if you want to step it up a little you could look at seats in sections 419 – 422. These are just under $25 a piece, and if you can get seats in a low row you will really have an exceptional view. This article that I wrote can provide some decent tips on where to position yourself in upper deck sections so you can enjoy the game.
If you want to sit in the outfield, I would avoid right field in the summer time. The way the sunsets, you will have the sun in your face for the first half of the game which leads to 2 things; sweating and sneezing. At least that is the case for me.
Left Field seats at Citizens Bank Park have the disadvantage of being right in front of the scoreboard and big screen. I personally like to be able to see the screen for stats and mid inning entertainment, which really adds to the game. If it were me, I would try to sit somewhere besides the outfield sections for the above mentioned reasons.
Tickets are always available on eBay as well. Here is my advice for ticket buying on eBay; wait until the last minute. I know that sounds crazy, and you would think that closer to the event the prices would shoot up; but that is not the case. I have bought and sold plenty of tickets on eBay and I have found that when I sell them early I get top dollar because there is less competition. As the event gets closer, everybody in America who is selling tickets begins to list them at auction. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that when the market is flooded with supply the price is driven down. I don't know if there are any published numbers to back me up, but I have seen it time and time again. So if buying on eBay, buy late. Here are a couple of auctions ending soon with a current bid under $50.
tickets
Phillies tickets have become increasingly in demand, but nothing like tickets to Fenway, which are impossible. You may run into some sellouts, and as always you should plan ahead if you are going to get good value tickets at Citizens Bank Park.
Many teams have gone to a tiered pricing model where prices fluctuate based on the opponent or the date. The Phillies have adopted this as well, but I give them credit because it is clearer than most. Basically the first and last months of the stadium cost a couple of bucks less per seat, and the rest of the season is more expensive.
Many stadiums boast “great sight lines” but I think the Phillies actually have it. Even the cheapest seats, which are about $16 in the outfield upper deck sections, have a pretty nice view of the action. I would not be afraid to buy the cheap seats and stick with them here. This can not be said at every ballpark.
Another thing I noticed about Citizens Bank Park is the lack of variance in ticket prices. What I mean is, the cheap seats are $16, but there are 9 other sections with ticket prices at $30 or less. This is a good thing if you want to improve your view a little bit without killing your wallet.
I said before that I think the $16 seats provide a decent angle and view of the action, but if you want to step it up a little you could look at seats in sections 419 – 422. These are just under $25 a piece, and if you can get seats in a low row you will really have an exceptional view. This article that I wrote can provide some decent tips on where to position yourself in upper deck sections so you can enjoy the game.
If you want to sit in the outfield, I would avoid right field in the summer time. The way the sunsets, you will have the sun in your face for the first half of the game which leads to 2 things; sweating and sneezing. At least that is the case for me.
Left Field seats at Citizens Bank Park have the disadvantage of being right in front of the scoreboard and big screen. I personally like to be able to see the screen for stats and mid inning entertainment, which really adds to the game. If it were me, I would try to sit somewhere besides the outfield sections for the above mentioned reasons.
Tickets are always available on eBay as well. Here is my advice for ticket buying on eBay; wait until the last minute. I know that sounds crazy, and you would think that closer to the event the prices would shoot up; but that is not the case. I have bought and sold plenty of tickets on eBay and I have found that when I sell them early I get top dollar because there is less competition. As the event gets closer, everybody in America who is selling tickets begins to list them at auction. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that when the market is flooded with supply the price is driven down. I don't know if there are any published numbers to back me up, but I have seen it time and time again. So if buying on eBay, buy late. Here are a couple of auctions ending soon with a current bid under $50.
food
You are allowed to take food into a Phillies game. You can take a small soft sided cooler in as well, so pack some ice or whatever. You don’t have to pay ballpark prices when you can bring stuff with you. There are however, a few things worth splurging on food-wise at Citizens Bank Park. Any non-alcoholic beverages must be brought in sealed plastic bottles as well.
Another option that I consistently recommend is Restaurant.com Here you can buy $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10. You can also do a google search for "Restaurant.com coupon codes" and almost always get an extra 60 - 80% off that. I often buy these $25 certificates for $2. That is the best way to eat a decent meal before or after the game and save a chunk of change. When you follow the link, just type in the zip code of Citizens Bank Park (19148) to see what restaurants are nearby.
Another great way to save money at Citizens Bank Park is to arrive early for food. Ashburn Alley, which is the hub for food and drink in the stadium offers certain reduced price specials for the first hour they are open. If you get to the game about 2 hours early, you can eat ballpark food at a somewhat normal price. Some of the fan favorites worth splurging on are the Schmitter Sandwich, which is locally famous; and Bull’s BBQ which is located in Ashburn Alley and delicious.
You are allowed to take food into a Phillies game. You can take a small soft sided cooler in as well, so pack some ice or whatever. You don’t have to pay ballpark prices when you can bring stuff with you. There are however, a few things worth splurging on food-wise at Citizens Bank Park. Any non-alcoholic beverages must be brought in sealed plastic bottles as well.
Another option that I consistently recommend is Restaurant.com Here you can buy $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10. You can also do a google search for "Restaurant.com coupon codes" and almost always get an extra 60 - 80% off that. I often buy these $25 certificates for $2. That is the best way to eat a decent meal before or after the game and save a chunk of change. When you follow the link, just type in the zip code of Citizens Bank Park (19148) to see what restaurants are nearby.
Another great way to save money at Citizens Bank Park is to arrive early for food. Ashburn Alley, which is the hub for food and drink in the stadium offers certain reduced price specials for the first hour they are open. If you get to the game about 2 hours early, you can eat ballpark food at a somewhat normal price. Some of the fan favorites worth splurging on are the Schmitter Sandwich, which is locally famous; and Bull’s BBQ which is located in Ashburn Alley and delicious.