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At Petco Park, Watch A Baseball Game Like Never Before

Petco Park is home of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres, who have competed in the National League’s West Division since their establishment in 1969. Though they’ve never won the World Series, the Padres are still a beloved part of the San Diego community, and their home, Petco Park, is a treasure of the sports world. Widely rated one of the best ballparks out there, it’s a wonderful place to take in a baseball game, go for a guided tour, or enjoy a live music concert.

Save on your visit to the Tour of Petco Park! Tour of Petco Park is included on the Go San Diego Pass . Save an additional 5% on the Go City Pass with Coupon Code: GO5CMANTIS The discount stacks on top the current sale prices! Promo expires on May 31st.

Petco Park History

When the San Diego Padres became an MLB franchise in 1969, they played their home games in Jack Murphy Stadium, and they would continue to do so (even as the stadium underwent a series of name changes due to shifting sponsorship rights) until 2003. In 2004, the Padres would move into shiny new Petco Park, which took over three years to build and cost just under $500 million to construct. Petco Park was designed by the architectural firm Populous (who were at that time known as HOK Sport), the company responsible for such legendary sports arenas as Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the new Wembley Stadium, and Fiserv Forum, just to name a few of their many acclaimed projects.

Petco Park is one of those special stadiums where the cliché is true: there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. An intimate arena, Petco Park was designed so that many seats have not only terrific views of the field, but also the surrounding skyline, cityscape, and ocean.

What’s at Petco Park

Perhaps the most indelible feature of Petco Park’s design is the iconic Western Metal Supply Building standing along the stadium’s left-field foul line. This four-story building was the site of an actual local metal business that got its start in the late 19 th  Century, eventually opening this 50,000-square-foot headquarters during the first decade of the twentieth century. Instead of demolishing the elegant brick structure, which had been named a historic landmark in 1978, the architects incorporated the building into Petco Park’s floorplan. Now, when baseball fans the world over picture the Padres’ home stadium, this is often the first thing they think of.

Formerly known as Park at the Park, Gallagher Square is a nearly three-acre green space that’s an essential part of the Petco Park experience. Located just beyond the outfield wall, Gallagher Square contains a little league-size infield and plenty of spots to spread out on a blanket and enjoy a beautiful San Diego afternoon. It’s also where you’ll find Tony Gwynn Plaza, the centerpiece of which is a statue of Mr. Padre himself. You’ll definitely want to snap a selfie or two on this hallowed ground.

If the Padres are out of town when you’re visiting San Diego—or your trip falls in the middle of baseball’s five-month-long offseason—consider going on a tour of Petco Park. In fact, even though nothing compares to experiencing a live sporting event in person, a tour of Petco Park will grant you numerous unforgettable opportunities that you wouldn’t otherwise have. These include the chance to see behind the scenes, walk on the outfield warning track, stroll through the press box, check out a luxury suite, and more.

Tips for Visiting Petco Park

• If you are seeing other sights while in San Diego you can save some money if by getting a Go San Diego Pass . The Tour of Petco Park is included as are many other great San Diego Attractions .
• For the record, tours are available on days when the Padres have a home game, too, you’ll just find that certain parts of the stadium are off-limits due to the nature of it being a game day. This will cut down on the number of behind-the-scenes areas you can access.
• Gallagher Square is free and open to the public when the Padres are not playing a home game. When the Padres are in town, Gallagher Square is transformed into a general admission seating area. Sightlines of the field aren’t the greatest from here, but the vibe is amazing, the ticket prices aren’t bad compared to more conventional seats, and there’s a big-screen television showing the game.
• There are three major parking areas just southeast of Petco Park that are affiliated with the Padres, where parking will cost you anywhere between $30 and $50 per vehicle. There are also a number of garages and lots within a several-block radius of the stadium. However, given that this is a densely populated area of the city, those options won’t be cheap either. If you’re staying in the area, consider walking to the game or riding public transportation. It’ll save you money and be less of a hassle. If you must for any reason drive to the stadium on a game day, it’s recommended you purchase your parking pass ahead of time online.
• If you’re interested in biking to Petco Park, be advised that there are bike stands available around the stadium at the following Gates: Home Plate, Park Boulevard, Gaslamp, Downtown, and Balboa.

Welcome to Petco Park

Top-selling padres gear, visitors guides, what's new at petco park, def leppard and journey san diego concert 2024, —  concerts.

Monsters of rock are coming to Petco Park this summer with special guest Steve Miller Band

Padres Harry Potter Night 2024

—  promotions & events.

Harry Potter Night returns in September. The Padres will face House Detroit.

Padres Playoff Tickets & Postseason History

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The Padres have a 5-5 record in the postseason in home games at Petco Park.

View From My Seat + Interactive Section Viewer

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See what you’ll see from each row and section at Petco Park

Becky G San Diego Concert: November 2024

Becky G is coming to Gallagher Square in San Diego’s Petco Park on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

Pink San Diego 2024 Concert - Tickets On Sale

P!nk, with Sheryl Crow, this summer at Petco Park!

Petco Park Events 2024

Calendar of upcoming events, sports and concerts at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

New: Snapdragon Stadium Visitors Guide

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Drive into downtown if you dare. But you will pay. With our parking guide, you won’t strike out but you may draw a walk!

Padres Promotions - September 2024

A winning team is the best incentive to get fans to the ballpark, and hopefully the Padres will do their part. To sweeten the deal, here is the schedule of upcoming promotions and special events at Padres games.

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About the San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres joined the MLB in 1969 as an expansion team, but the Padres’ history reaches much farther back than that. In some form or another, the Padres have been at home in San Diego since 1936 when baseball’s Pacific Coast League came to town.

The minor league Padres have some serious claims to fame – San Diego native and Hall-of-Famer Ted Williams got his start playing minor league ball for the Padres. Williams helped the team clinch the PCL title in 1937 before eventually being drafted to the Boston Red Sox, where he’d make his mark on MLB history.

Joining the MLB

The Padres stepped up to the big leagues during the 1969 expansion, joining the ranks of other teams like the Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Pilots, and the Montreal Expos. While the Expos and the Pilots would eventually relocate as the Washington Nationals and the Milwaukee Brewers, the Padres stayed right where they were, remaining loyal to their city and to the state of California.  

In fact, the Padres are one of only two MLB teams that are 100% California born and bred. The Oakland Athletics, the San Francisco Giants, and the Los Angeles Dodgers all moved in from out-of-town; only the Padres and the Angels are native teams. Coincidentally, the Angels also take their name from an old PCL minor league team, just like the Padres.

Successes Proved Fleeting

Since joining the MLB, the Padres haven’t exactly met with as much success as they would have liked. The team has yet to throw a no-hitter, for example, making the Padres the only MLB team without this accolade. But San Diego has made it to the playoffs a few times, winning five National League West titles and reaching the World Series both in 1984 and in 1998. Still, they’ve yet to crack that nut and come home with a championship win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do the padres play.

The Padres play in downtown San Diego at Petco Park , which opened in 2004 to replace the aging Qualcomm Stadium. This 42,000-plus capacity stadium stands right on Tony Gwynn Drive, a fitting tribute to the Padres right fielder who won eight batting titles across his 20-year career playing for San Diego.

When do Padres tickets go on sale?

Padres tickets go on sale before the MLB begins its regular season so there is no rush to check the Padres’ schedule and pick out which games you’d like to see.

Is it better to buy Padres tickets in advance?

With Padres tickets being available so far ahead of opening day, it’s easy to buy Padres tickets in advance. Believe it or not, though, you may not even need to plan so far ahead. In fact, you can often get great and cheap last-minute tickets to Padres games by waiting until the very last moment, as sellers will almost always drop their ticket prices as game day gets closer.

What’s the best way to buy cheap Padres tickets?

The best way to buy cheap Padres tickets, or any cheap last-minute sports tickets for that matter, is always going to be from marketplaces that connect fans and resellers. These platforms have some of the most attractive prices and are often the easiest way to shop for Padres tickets. Can you buy Padres tickets at the stadium? Sure — if you don’t mind paying through the nose for seats at Petco Park.

Why should I Choose Gametime Over Other Ticket Marketplaces?

Gametime is the best place to find any sports tickets, in particular cheap Padres tickets. Seats bought on Gametime are affordable because we charge some of the lowest service fees anywhere. On top of that, you’ll see the view from the seats you’re shopping for thanks to our panoramic seat view photos. This means that you’ll never be buying blind with Gametime. In fact, you’ll know what your view of the field at Petco Park will be before you buy those cheap Padres tickets.  

So the next time you’re in the market for cheap Padres tickets, turn to Gametime.

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San diego padres travel packages - tickets, hotels and flights.

Visit a new ballpark for a San Diego Padres game. Elite Sports Tours has San Diego Padres vacation packages including guaranteed tickets to the game for your group.

Search for hotel accommodations with one of our preferred hotel partners close to the ballpark for your baseball travel package.

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Our staff at Elite Sports Tours are here to help you plan your San Diego Padres travel package for your group. Planning a baseball trip to a city you aren’t familiar with just got easier with Elite Sports Tours. You can search our online booking engine yourself or work directly with an experienced sports travel expert to plan your San Diego Padres travel package. Our online booking engine allows you to package San Diego Padres tickets, hotel accommodations and flights in any combination.

You can search a wide range of tickets to San Diego Padres games so you can travel to see your team in every ballpark. Our team can help assist in booking a hotel in close proximity to the ballpark that is in an area that is close to all the attractions the city has to offer. Find a flight that works for your schedule and budget leaving from a city near you.

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Planning a group trip can be difficult to organize. The easiest way to plan your group San Diego Padres travel package is to work with our team of experienced sports travel experts. We have experience working directly with hotels close to the venues to ensure your travel experience isn’t spent in cabs or outside of the city you are visiting.

Our team of sports travel experts can help you organize your next group outing no matter how large or small your group is. Let our team know all the details of your trip and they will help you plan the best San Diego Padres travel package to see your team. We make it easy for your group to book your trip to a San Diego Padres game in an unfamiliar city by packaging your entire experience into one simple price!

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Finding San Diego Padres Tickets to the big game for your group can be difficult with so many different tickets to choose from. Our team can help you find the best seats based on your requirements. Our goal is to find you the best value San Diego Padres Baseball Tickets for your group without compromising the experience at the game. We work with trusted ticket partners to ensure our clients get the seats they want for any San Diego Padres baseball game. Never worry about finding tickets to an event even if it’s sold out. Find tickets to the game in any ballpark in any city with our large ticket inventory.

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Ballparks are located in a variety of areas in each city and finding a good hotel location for your trip is important. Our San Diego Padres Hotel Packages provide you with options close to the ballpark and local attractions in each city. Hotel packages located walking distance to restaurants, attractions and the game. Picking the right hotel location can make all the difference when planning your San Diego Padres Travel Package.

Let our team provide the best recommendations for hotel properties and find the best deals for your trip. Never worry about planning a San Diego Padres trip to a new city, our team works with hotel partners close to the ballparks to ensure our clients have the best experience possible when booking their trip.

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All of our San Diego Padres travel packages are fully customizable to include flights with your trip if needed. No matter what city you are looking to fly in from, you can search our online booking engine for air transportation that works best for your trip.

Search your local airport code and travel dates that work for your trip directly on our online booking engine. Find multi-stop or direct flights leaving from an airport near you. Now you can travel to see your team play in every city with the option to fully customize your San Diego Padres travel package to include flights.

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• Must Sees At Petco Park

Must-Sees at Petco Park - Home of the San Diego Padres

A one-of-a-kind ballpark with an undeniable san diego vibe.

Here’s a list of the can’t-miss things to see, do and sample when you visit Petco Park.

You could spend a day enjoying Petco Park without even watching a ballgame. It's a one-of-a-kind ballpark with an undeniable San Diego vibe. Here's a list of the can't-miss things to see, do and eat when you visit Petco Park.

Tony Gwynn Statue and Tunnel

The late Tony Gwynn, one of the greatest hitters who ever lived, was a beloved San Diego treasure — playing for the Pads for his entire 20-year career. "Mr. Padre" has been immortalized in Petco Park with a 9.5-foot bronze statue commemorating his life, achievements and contributions to San Diego, both on and off the field. The statue is the centerpiece of Tony Gwynn Terrace, which includes picnic tables and a Tony Gwynn Deck Tower with food and beverage spaces and a video board. And beneath the terrace is the Tony Gwynn Tunnel, where visitors can learn all about the amazing life and career of this San Diego and sporting-world icon. 

Gallagher Square

The grassy expanses of Petco Park's Gallagher Square, which sits behind center field, serve as the ideal place for families to gather. Not only is the square home to the Tony Gwynn Terrace, but it includes an expanded kids’ play area whose centerpiece is a soaring, 35-foot-tall baseball bat made of steel and wood. The bat is even climbable! Gallagher Square also boasts a fenced, off-leash dog park (in partnership with Petco, the ballpark’s namesake); Play Ball Field, the ballpark's mini-baseball field for kids; and spaces that are open for public use on non-game days.

Padres Hall of Fame

Located behind the left-field stands, the Padres Hall of Fame is a great place to explore team history. It honors dozens of Padres players and other key figures, including MLB Hall of Fame inductees Trevor Hoffman, Dave Winfield and Tony Gwynn.

Western Metal Supply Building

A signature sight for anyone who has been to Petco Park or watched a Padres game on TV, this historic red-brick building now forms part of Petco Park's left-field boundary. Designed in 1909, the former industrial warehouse now contains seating areas, a bar and event spaces. It also hosts the Breitbard Hall of Fame, a tribute to San Diego athletes from across the sporting spectrum.

Petco Park Concerts and more

When the Padres are away, Petco Park is still hopping! You can find many concerts and events happening at the ballpark, both at Gallagher Square's Sycuan Stage and (for the biggest acts) the entirety of the venue. The Padres also host loads of promotional events at the ballpark, including Party in the Park every Friday, with live music and a pregame happy hour, and KidsFest (presented by SDG&E) before Sunday home games, with inflatables, games and more for kids.

Toyota Terrace

Watch the game in comfort in the Toyota Terrace, located on the second level at Petco Park. You'll have shade on hot days and will be close to some of the best amenities at the ballpark . While there are no bad seats at Petco (really…it's crazy), these are some of the coolest.

San Diegans love baseball. They also love craft beer. This is why Petco Park offers the best craft beer experience found at a ballpark, meaning you no longer have to settle for the fizzy yellow swill most stadiums offer. Check out Craft Row, a row of beer stands located behind home plate, and each featuring suds from some of the many breweries around town. It's like walking through a beer festival on the way to your seat.

Petco Park Tours

The best way to experience the ballpark is by going behind the scenes. Petco Park offers daily tours that allow fans to experience the ballpark like a Padres player. You don’t want to miss these!

Baseball on the Boardwalk

SoCal beach life meets Padres baseball vibes with Petco Park’s Craft Pier, a deck area behind center field in Gallagher Square. The boardwalk-inspired zone offers a selection of Ballast Point Craft Beer, available to anyone with a game ticket.

The Other View

The upper deck offers a fun view of the game below (bring binoculars!) and a breathtaking vista of the cityscape beyond. The secret, however, is to turn around. Climb to the top of the upper deck and look behind the stadium. You'll get a unique view of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, and if the day is clear enough you can see Mexico and a couple of its islands in the distance.

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As the home of San Diego State University football, San Diego Wave soccer, San Diego Legion rugby and much more, the beautiful Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley is San Diego's newest hotspot for great sports and entertainment. And along with the venue's championship lineup of teams and events comes a winning variety of dining and drinking options — all with deep ties to San Diego. From stadium standards to local gourmet favorites, Snapdragon has the bites and beverages to make you stand up and cheer. Here's a roundup of top options.

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Your one-stop guide to the many ways you can enjoy sports & entertainment at Snapdragon Stadium.

When It Comes to Sports, San Diego’s Got Game

San Diego's not just about the beaches (as beautiful as they are): We've got big-time sports, too! Check out what makes the city such a prime-time player in baseball, soccer, hoops and a whole lot more.

Petco Park is the place for great baseball — and so much more

"It's really difficult to imagine any stadium topping Petco Park — it's simply the best."

Those could well be the words of any fan who's had the pleasure of taking in a Padres game — or a pop concert, or a fireworks show, or college football's Holiday Bowl — at San Diego's beautiful downtown ballpark. But the quote happens to be from a sportswriter with USA Today, which has named Petco Park the nation's best MLB ballpark more times than any other stadium.

It's easy to see why: With stunning skyline views, proximity to the city's sparkling waterfront, awesome food and beverage options, inviting event spaces and much more, Petco is (as USA Today describes it) "the perfect ballpark."

Whether you've made the pilgrimage to the home of the Padres many times or are looking forward to your first visit, here's your complete guide to the Petco Park experience.

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San Diego Padres Rookie Ties Baseball Hall of Famer in Hugely Clutch History

Brady farkas | aug 26, 2024.

• San Diego Padres

With a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon, San Diego Padres rookie Jackson Merrill is now doing things we haven't seen in nearly 70 years of baseball history.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Jackson Merrill has 6 game-tying or go-ahead HR in the 8th inning or later this season, tied for most in a season at age 21 or younger since 1900, with: 1956 Frank Robinson !!! h/t @EliasSports

Jackson Merrill has 6 game-tying or go-ahead HR in the 8th inning or later this season, tied for most in a season at age 21 or younger since 1900, with: 1956 Frank Robinson !!! h/t @EliasSports — Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 25, 2024

It's been an incredible rookie year for Merrill, who made his debut at the beginning of this season. The 21-year-old has helped carry the lineup in the wake of Juan Soto getting traded this past offseason and Fernando Tatis Jr. spending significant time on the injured list. He'll be in strong contention for the National League Rookie of the Year award with Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs).

Merrill is hitting .288 this year with 19 homers, 72 RBI and 13 stolen bases. He's got an OPS of .807. Once the Padres traded Soto and saw Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Josh Hader and Nick Martinez leave in free agency, the prevailing thought was that they'd struggle, but the opposite has been the case.

Entering play on Monday, the Padres are 74-58 on the year. They are currently in the second wild card spot in the National League, 3.0 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the third spot and 5.5 ahead of the New York Mets, who are the first team out.

The Padres will be back in action on Monday night when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:45 p.m. ET. Randy Vasquez gets the ball on the mound for San Diego against veteran Kyle Gibson.

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

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BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Shoulder injury sidelines Lake Elsinore's De Vries

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SAN DIEGO -- Leodalis De Vries' breakout first professional season may be coming to an early end. The Padres' 17-year-old shortstop prospect -- MLB Pipeline's top-ranked international signing in the current class -- suffered a strained right shoulder while diving for a ball on Sunday. Per team sources, De Vries'

SAN DIEGO -- Leodalis De Vries ' breakout first professional season may be coming to an early end.

The Padres' 17-year-old shortstop prospect -- MLB Pipeline's top-ranked international signing in the current class -- suffered a strained right shoulder while diving for a ball on Sunday.

Per team sources, De Vries' shoulder strain will likely keep him sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. Without much season left for Single-A Lake Elsinore, a return seems unlikely, though the club has not ruled it out.

The Padres undoubtedly will be cautious with De Vries, their No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline's No. 47 overall . De Vries signed with the Padres in January -- then took the first flight of his life in early March to report to Spring Training in Peoria, Ariz. A day later, he was on a back field playing in intrasquad games chock full of big leaguers.

And he fit. That's been the key takeaway from Padres evaluators in Year 1: that De Vries -- a switch-hitter from Azua, Dominican Republic -- has the poise and maturity of a potential big leaguer.

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Early in the season, De Vries dealt with an injury to his other shoulder and struggled as a result. But once he got healthy, he turned in an outstanding summer, posting a .284/.407/.589 slash line in July and August.

De Vries’ name was mentioned in rumors around the Trade Deadline, but the Padres were staunch in their desire to hold on to him.

“You’re talking about a switch-hitting shortstop that’s opened a ton of eyes in the Minor Leagues right now,” general manager A.J. Preller said in his post-Deadline press conference.

De Vries would finish with a .237 average, an .802 OPS and 11 home runs, all while manning a solid shortstop. Not bad for a 17-year-old in his first professional season. Though, with a return still possible, it’s worth noting the Lake Elsinore Storm have clinched a spot in the California League playoffs.

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Music and Concerts | Def Leppard, Journey, Steve Miller Band: 15…

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Music and concerts | def leppard, journey, steve miller band: 15 things to know if you are going to friday’s petco park concert, the three bands, all rock & roll hall of fame inductees, will provide hits aplenty when they perform on the home field of the san diego padres.

All three bands have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Miller in 2016, Journey in 2017 and Def Leppard in 2019). Between them, they will perform nearly 50 songs (12 by Miller and his band, 16 by Journey, and 18 by Def Leppard, which headlines).

Miller will perform for an hour, while Journey and Def Leppard will each do 90-minute sets. How many of the songs that will be performed were Top 40, Top 10 or chart-topping hits? You may want to use the calculator on your phone to tally up the total.

At last count, the combined number of guitars owned by Miller, Journey’s Neal Schon and Def Leppard’s Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell exceeds 1,000. Schon currently owns 750, give or take, including the 150 he bought during the pandemic shutdown. At last count, Miller owned more than 400.

Of course, a majority of these guitars stay in high-security storage when their owners are embarked on concert tours, but attendees at Friday night’s concert will likely still see enough different guitars played on stage to stock the wing of a museum.

Until then, here’s what you’ll need to know if you are going to the show.

15 Things to Know

1. The concert’s scheduled starting time is 6 p.m. Friday. The Steve Miller Band will open, followed by Journey. Def Leppard will headline.

2. All gates at Petco Park will open at 4:30 p.m. Friday and early arrival is encouraged. No re-entry will be allowed.

3. Padres parking lots will open at noon Friday for concertgoers with pre-purchased passes. Limited day-of parking will be subject to availability. Its name to the contrary, no tailgating will be permitted in Tailgate Park for this concert.

4. Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.

Prior to the concert there will be regular San Diego Trolley service on the Green and Blue Lines every 15 minutes, or sooner, to the 12th Street & Imperial Avenue Transit Center. The center is located just  steps away from Petco Park. Green Line riders can de-board at the nearby Gaslamp Quarter Station.

Post-concert trolleys from the 12th Street & Imperial Avenue Transit Center will continue every 15 minutes until at least 45 minutes after the concert’s scheduled 10 p.m. conclusion, then every 30 minutes until the last scheduled trips of the night. Additional trips will be provided as needed, according to a Metropolitan Transit Service representative.

• The last Green Line trolley to SDSU and Santee leaves at 11:36 p.m.

• The last Blue Line trolley to UTC leaves at 11:38 p.m.

• The last Blue Line trolley to San Ysidro leaves at 12:07 a.m. Saturday.

• The last Coaster ride from the Santa Fe depot in downtown San Diego to Oceanside departs Friday at 11:40 p.m.

5. All tickets for the concert are digital and can be found in either the MLB Ballpark app or the Ticketmaster app. Details on how to access or transfer your tickets are available online at mlb.com/padres/tickets/mobile/guide

6. Concertgoers with non-field level “seating bowl” tickets may enter at the following gates:

• The Gaslamp Gate, located at the intersection of K Street. and 7th Avenue.

• The East Village Gate, located at the intersection of K Street and 10th Avenue.

• The Park Blvd. Gate, located at the intersection of Park Boulevard and 10th Avenue.

• The Home Plate Gate, located at the corner of Park Boulevard and Tony Gwynn Drive.

7. Concertgoers with tickets for seats on the field — designated as sections A1-A7 and B2-B6 — must enter at the Gaslamp Breezeway, located at the intersection of 7th Avenue and K Street for field access. Those ticket-holders must obtain a specific field-access wristband before they can gain entry to the field level. Field wristbands are available at the Gaslamp Breezeway. Each ticket must be scanned in order for you to receive a wristband for floor access.

Concertgoers with general admission pit tickets — designated as PITSR or PITSL — must enter at the Park Boulevard Gate located on Park Boulevard and 10th Avenue for pit access. Guests with general admission pit tickets will need a specific pit access wristband before entry. Pit wristbands are available upon entry at the Park Boulevard Gate entrance.  Each ticket must be scanned in order to receive a pit wristband.

8. Concertgoers who purchased a suite can enter, starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday, through any of the non-field level “seating bowl” entrances.

9. No outside food or beverages are permitted, including factory-sealed water bottles and reusable water bottles.

10. Petco Park prohibits backpacks and bags, with the exception of single-compartment clear plastic bags not exceeding 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches, infant and medical bags, and clutches and purses no larger than 5 inches by 7 inches.

11. Petco Park offers mobile lockers, located at the Premier Lot near the pedestrian bridge across from the Home Plate Gate. Locker rentals cost $12 and are cashless. The lockers area will remain open for 30 minutes after the conclusion of the concert.

12. Petco Park is a cashless venue. Credit cards, Padres Pay, Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted at all concessions locations within the ballpark.

13. No professional cameras or selfie sticks are allowed.

14. Petco Park is a smoke-free facility. Use of tobacco, vaping and e-cigarettes is not allowed inside the stadium. Designated smoking areas will be available at each main gate.

15. Bullhorns, gum, frisbees, drones, hover boards, hula hoops, bubble-making devices and Chapstick are among the numerous items that are prohibited at Petco Park concerts. A complete list is available at: mlb.com/padres/tickets/concerts/prohibited-items

Def Leppard, Journey and the Steve Miller Band

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: Petco Park, downtown

Tickets: $105.80-$316.75

Online: ticketmaster.com

Due to incorrect information from Petco Park about Friday's concert by Def Leppard, Journey and the Steve Miller Band, the location for stadium field seat tickets and stage pit tickets was incorrectly listed in the original version of this article. Field ticket sections are A1-A7 and B2-B6; pit ticket sections are PITSR and PITSL.

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Rays to offer Go-Ahead Entry program at Tropicana Field

• Marc Topkin Times staff

ST. PETERSBURG — Fans who sign up for Major League Baseball’s Go-Ahead Entry program now can walk into Tropicana Field without stopping to have their tickets scanned.

The program, which launches Friday at select gates, is based on facial authentication technology.

The Rays are the seventh team to offer what MLB says is a quicker and hands-free process. Fans 18 and older can opt-in by uploading a photo via the MLB Ballpark app.

Keep your eyes on the ball with a new way to enter @TropicanaField using MLB Go-Ahead Entry lanes! Visitors who choose to experience this fast, hands-free process during the upcoming homestand will also score two free tickets to come back for another game this season. — Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 26, 2024

The photo is converted to a unique alphanumeric code and then deleted, officials say. When a registered fan enters the stadium, a facial scan is done and converted to a numerical token, then matched to the fan’s MLB account, where tickets are checked and entry is approved.

“Go-Ahead Entry will dramatically improve the experience at Tropicana Field by reducing lines and eliminating the need to scan tickets,” Rays chief business officer Bill Walsh said in a news release. “After registering, fans simply walk in. Go-Ahead Entry is the latest example of our commitment to improve the fan experience at Tropicana Field and at our future ballpark.”

Fans who sign up during the homestand that starts Friday will get two free tickets to any remaining home game. For more information, visit raysbaseball.com/GoAheadEntry.

Hey, you look familiar

The Padres’ visit — their first to the Trop since 2016 — features the return of reliever Jason Adam, who was traded July 28 for three prospects. Adam has been dominant for San Diego, entering Friday allowing one run in 13 outings, with a 3-0 record and 0.69 ERA. Other Padres with Rays ties include infielder Jake Cronenworth and outfielder David Peralta.

Catcher Rob Brantly, who was designated for assignment Saturday, cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Triple-A Durham but not activated yet. … The Rays are planning for Shane Baz, who missed his last start due to flu-like symptoms, to pitch Saturday vs. the Padres. Taj Bradley has Friday’s opener, and Ryan Pepiot is slated for Sunday. … Olympic swimming gold medalist Bobby Finke, a Countryside High and University of Florida product, will throw out the first pitch Friday. … Friday’s game will be shown exclusively on AppleTV+ as part of the MLB national package, so there is no Bally Sports coverage. … Infielder Brandon Lowe and his wife, Madison, are holding another “mystery” sale of autographed baseballs prior to Friday’s game at Gates 1 and 3. Sales, at $50 each, benefit the BabyQuest Foundation , which provides grants for people to cover the high costs of fertility treatments. … Fred McGriff’s plaque from baseball’s Hall of Fame is being flown down from Cooperstown and will be on display for fan photos after Sunday’s pregame ceremony inducting him into the Rays’ Hall of Fame .

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Marc Topkin is a sports reporter covering the Tampa Bay Rays. Reach him at [email protected].

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