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Wed, Mar 31, Time TBA local on MLB.TV

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Pittsburgh Piratesat Cincinnati Reds

Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati. Fly into CVG.

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What we know about Great American Ball Park

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source
  • The Banks. 3 min by walk. Hotels and apartments on the riverfront right next to the ballpark, with bars along Joe Nuxhall Way and Freedom Way.
  • Downtown and Fountain Square. 15 min by walk. Most of the city's hotels sit a short walk north of the ballpark. The free Connector streetcar also runs down to The Banks.
  • Over-the-Rhine. 20 min by transit. Historic brick blocks full of breweries and restaurants, near Findlay Market. The free Connector streetcar loops between Over-the-Rhine and The Banks.
  • Covington and Newport, Kentucky. 20 min by walk. Hotels across the Ohio River, often cheaper than downtown. Walk over the river on a bridge, or take TANK's new frequent bus line from Covington and Newport into downtown Cincinnati.

Around the stadium

Checked at the source
The Banks, the riverfront district between the ballpark and the football stadium, has bars and restaurants along Joe Nuxhall Way and Freedom Way, including Holy Grail across the street and Cincinnati Lager House next to Smale Riverfront Park. Downtown hotels and Fountain Square are a 10 to 15 minute walk north.

Getting in from the airport

Checked at the source
CVG (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International) is in Kentucky, across the Ohio River from downtown. The TANK 2X Airporter bus runs between the airport and downtown Cincinnati and leaves from the baggage claim level. Follow the signs for Ground Transport East.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
Walk from downtown, about 15 min. Crosley Terrace, the main entrance at Second Street and Joe Nuxhall Way. Connector streetcar, about 20 min. Station 1 at The Banks, steps from the ballpark. Runs Monday to Friday 7:30am to 11:30pm, Saturday 8:30am to 11:30pm and Sunday 9:30am to 9:30pm. TANK 2X Airporter bus, about 30 min. Downtown Cincinnati, then walk about 15 minutes south to the ballpark or ride the free Connector to Station 1 at The Banks. Drive and park at the ballpark, about 15 min. Central Riverfront Garage under the ballpark, the East Garage, the Broadway Ave Lot or Lot E. Lots open 5 hours before game time.

Tailgating

Checked at the source
The ballpark parking is mostly garages, so Reds fans gather at the bars and plazas of The Banks before the game rather than tailgating in lots. The Banks is a DORA district from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Buy a drink at a Banks bar in the official DORA cup and walk the plazas with it on the way to the gates.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Bags up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches are allowed. Backpacks (multi-pocket bags worn on the back) are not, unless they are for medical or infant care. Small purses, food bags and soft-sided coolers are fine. Bags cannot be left unattended.
  • Cashless: All concession stands are cashless. Cash-to-card machines on the Terrace Level near section 119 and the View Level near section 427 load cash onto a Mastercard gift card.
  • Re-entry: Limited re-entry is allowed through the designated gate at Gapper's Alley (Gate B), with a new metal detector check and no carry-in items. The designated smoking area is outside that gate behind section 119.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
Adults $30 Monday to Friday and $35 on weekends, kids 5 to 12 and military $20, kids 4 and under free. The 75 to 90 minute walking tour covers about three quarters of a mile, with stops on Crosley Terrace, the warning track and both dugouts. Check in at the lobby of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. All sales are final. Adults $15, seniors and students $13, kids 12 and under free, and active military and veterans free with ID. Allow 45 to 60 minutes. It sits on Joe Nuxhall Way on the west side of the ballpark.

After the final whistle

From a specialist guide
Most fans walk out to The Banks or back to downtown hotels, 10 to 15 minutes north. The free Connector streetcar leaves from Station 1 at The Banks and runs until 11:30pm Monday to Saturday but only until 9:30pm on Sunday. To skip the garage lines, stay for a drink on The Banks.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Bringing a backpack. Backpacks are not allowed unless they are for medical or infant care, though bags and soft-sided coolers up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches are fine. Also, gates open only 60 minutes before first pitch Monday to Thursday, so arrive later than you would elsewhere.

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • Holy Grail

    161 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

    A sports bar about 100 yards from home plate with 31 TVs and patios on both sides of its corner spot. Three big garage doors open up so the bar feels like part of the ballpark across the street.

    Away fans: a packed Reds crowd before and after games. Visitors in away colors get ribbing, not trouble.

  • Cincinnati Lager House

    115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

    The working brewery on Smale Riverfront Park that was called Moerlein Lager House until March 2026. It brews Moerlein beers and serves food inspired by the city's 19th century beer gardens, with river views from the second floor.

    Away fans: a sit-down brewpub with a mixed crowd. Away colors draw no attention.

  • Red Leprechaun

    20 W Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

    A traditional Irish pub built around a 1957 bar brought over from Malahide, north of Dublin. It has bands and acoustic sets and draws sports fans on game nights.

    Away fans: an Irish pub with sports on and a friendly mixed crowd.

  • Budweiser Garden Bar

    100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

    A garden-style bar at Crosley Terrace, the main entrance plaza, for fans with a game ticket. It is a good meeting point as the gates open.

    Away fans: a ticketed home crowd, but relaxed. Away colors draw friendly talk.

Sidequests in Cincinnati

Listed in the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Landmark75 points

    Visit the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum

    The museum on the west side of the ballpark tells more than 150 years of Reds history, starting with the 1869 Red Stockings, the first all-professional team. On game days it stays open into the evening.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  2. Drink50 points

    Drink at Arnold's, Cincinnati's oldest tavern

    Arnold's has poured drinks since 1861 and has live music in its courtyard. Stop in for a pregame meal before you walk 12 minutes down to the river.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  3. Drink50 points

    Pregame at Holy Grail with a DORA cup

    Holy Grail sits about 100 yards from home plate, with garage doors that open toward the ballpark. Get your drink in an official DORA cup and you can carry it across The Banks plazas until you reach the gates.

    $$. 1 hour 30 minutes before kickoff

  4. Ritual50 points

    Swing in the Hall of Fame batting cages

    Cages next to the Hall of Fame and the 1869 Red Stockings Pavilion let you take swings for a small donation. They are open during most home games until the seventh inning.

    $. 45 minutes before kickoff

  5. Photo40 points

    Look through the Gap

    A 35-foot-wide break in the stands between home plate and third base lines up with Sycamore Street and frames the downtown skyline. Walk the concourse there for the photo.

    Free. 40 minutes before kickoff

  6. Eat50 points

    Montgomery Inn barbecue at Mr. Red's Smokehouse

    Montgomery Inn is a Cincinnati rib house, and its barbecue is served at Mr. Red's Smokehouse near section 138 and other stands. Try the brisket street corn bowl, new in 2026.

    $$. 30 minutes before kickoff

  7. Eat65 points

    Skyline Chili at the ballpark

    Cincinnati-style chili is the city's signature dish, and Skyline is the best-known name. The ballpark serves it at sections 103, 116, 130, 518 and 535.

    $. 20 minutes before kickoff

  8. Tour75 points

    Take the ballpark tour

    The 75 to 90 minute tour stops on Crosley Terrace, the warning track and both dugouts. Night game days have tours at 11am, noon and 1pm, so you can do it the same day.

    $$

  9. Outing50 points

    Findlay Market

    Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market has more than 50 merchants selling local meat, cheese, produce and baked goods in Over-the-Rhine. Go on a weekend morning, when the farmers market is on.

    $

  10. Outing65 points

    National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

    This museum on The Banks, a short walk west of the ballpark, tells the story of the Underground Railroad and the fight for freedom. Plan 3 to 4 hours; it is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

    $$

  11. Eat65 points

    Goetta, lettuce and tomato

    Goetta is a Cincinnati favorite you will not find in most other cities. New in 2026, the G.L.T. puts a crispy Glier's goetta patty on slider buns at the Food Bars near sections 129 and 416.

    $$. 30 minutes after kickoff

  12. Ritual50 points

    Watch the smokestacks fire

    Two smokestacks in right center field, built to look like old Ohio River steamboats, shoot fireworks after every Reds home run and win and blow flames after Reds strikeouts. Keep an eye on them all game.

    Free. 1 hour after kickoff

  13. Eat50 points

    Graeter's black raspberry chip

    Graeter's is Cincinnati's hometown ice cream, and the ballpark scoops black raspberry chip, chocolate and vanilla. Find it at sections 119 and 534.

    $. 1 hour 30 minutes after kickoff

  14. Ritual50 points

    Stay for Friday fireworks

    The Reds put on post-game fireworks on most Fridays and on July 4. If you sit in outfield sections 140 to 146, move to the concourse or the Fan Zone for a better view.

    Free. 3 hours 5 minutes after kickoff

Seats and views

Where each part of Great American Ball Park sits, and what you see from it.

Fans post the view from their seats, section by section. See the views at Great American Ball Park