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Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
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Citizens Bank Park

What a visiting fan needs to know: where to stay, getting in from PHL, parking and tailgating, what to eat and where to sit.

  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Home of the Phillies
  • Fly into PHL
  • Stadium tours
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Games at Citizens Bank Park

Where to stay near Citizens Bank Park

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source

  • Center City around City Hall and Broad StreetVisiting fans pick this

    11 min by transit. The biggest hotel cluster in the city. City Hall and Walnut-Locust stations put you on the B to NRG Station, and you can walk to Reading Terminal Market and the bars of Midtown Village.

  • South Philadelphia Sports Complex
    Eddie S., Google Maps

    South Philadelphia Sports ComplexVisiting fans pick this

    10 min by walk. The Live! Hotel at 900 Packer Avenue has more than 200 rooms and is a short walk to the gates. It is the only hotel you can walk from, and there is little else around it besides the stadiums.

  • Old City and Society Hill
    Hardik Joshi, Google Maps

    Old City and Society Hill

    25 min by transit. Stay near the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Walk or take the L to City Hall, then the B south to the ballpark.

  • Airport hotels

    20 min by drive. A fallback when Center City is full or if you are driving. The ballpark is about 15 to 20 minutes away by car on I-95.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The ballpark sits in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, about 4 miles south of City Hall and ringed by parking lots. Chickie's & Pete's and Philadium are on Packer Avenue, and the only hotel on site is the Live! Hotel at 900 Packer Avenue.

Map of the area

Tap a pin to see the place.

Getting to Citizens Bank Park

From Philadelphia International

From a specialist guide
PHL (Philadelphia International). The ballpark is about 6 miles east by car, roughly 15 to 20 minutes without traffic. By train, take the SEPTA Airport Line (every 30 minutes) to Suburban Station, walk underground to City Hall Station, then ride the B south about 11 minutes to NRG Station, a 7 minute walk from the gates.

On game day

Checked at the source
SEPTA B (Broad Street Line), about 11 min. NRG Station at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, about a 7 minute walk to the gates. Tap a contactless card or phone at the turnstile. Kids under 12 ride free with a paying adult. SEPTA Airport Line, then the B, about 55 min. Ride the Airport Line to Suburban Station, follow the underground signs to City Hall Station, then take the B south to NRG Station. Airport trains run every 30 minutes. PATCO from New Jersey, then the B, about 40 min. Get off PATCO at 12th-13th and Locust, walk to Walnut-Locust Station and take the B south to NRG Station. Drive and park in a Sports Complex lot, about 15 min. Lots around the ballpark. Parking is cashless. Buy a prepaid pass in the MLB Ballpark app or on SpotHero, and park in the first open lot you reach.

Parking and tailgating at Citizens Bank Park

Tailgating

Checked at the source
Tailgate in the lots south of Pattison Avenue (Lots A to H and M to O). These lots open 5 hours before first pitch. Tailgating is not allowed in the lots right around the ballpark, north of Pattison Avenue and west of Darien Street. No selling, vending or advertising of any kind in the lots, including tailgates with an outside sponsor attached. Staff can remove you from the lot. Coolers of every kind, hard, soft or foam, are not allowed in the ballpark. Finish the tailgate and leave it in your vehicle.

Game day at Citizens Bank Park

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Only clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, clutches or fanny packs up to 5 x 7 inches, medical bags and diaper bags are allowed. No backpacks or drawstring bags. Lockers at the First Base Gate, Left Field Gate and West Suite and Club Entrance cost $10, cashless.
  • Mobile entry and re-entry: All tickets and parking passes are mobile in the MLB Ballpark app. Screenshots are not accepted, so update and log in to the app before you leave. There is no re-entry once you leave.
  • Cashless: Concessions, merchandise and parking are cashless. Pay with a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Reverse ATMs that turn cash into a prepaid card are in the New Era Phillies Team Store, on the main concourse behind Section 122 and in the elevator lobby behind Section 317.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
About 75 minutes, rain or shine, and about a mile of walking. Stops include the Phillies dugout, the Philadelphia Insurance Club, the Cadillac Hall of Fame Club, the broadcast booth and the media room. Buy tickets in advance online or at 215-463-1000, since walk-ups are not sold. Parking in Lot P is free during the tour, and the clear bag policy applies. $22 for adults, $15 for kids 14 and under and seniors 55 and older, free for kids 3 and under. Book at least two weeks ahead by emailing [email protected]. Private Wiffle ball on the kids field in The Yard before the public gets in, then a tour of the Cadillac Hall of Fame Club. Email [email protected] to book.

After the final whistle

Checked at the source
Walk to NRG Station at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, where northbound B trains wait after the game with local and express service to Center City. Trains run every 10 minutes or less during events. To beat the crowd, leave in the top of the ninth, or wait 20 minutes and ride once the platform clears.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Bringing a backpack or a regular purse. Only clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches and clutches or fanny packs up to 5 x 7 inches get in. Lockers at the gates cost $10, so leave the bag at the hotel.

Food and drink at Citizens Bank Park

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • Pass and Stow

    1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148

    A 24,500 square foot sports pub with 44 TVs, Foundry Pizza by Manco & Manco and the outdoor Kona Big Wave Bar. Garage doors open the indoor pub to the beer garden.

    Away fans: a family-friendly pub inside the gates, full of home fans. Away colors draw some ribbing and nothing more.

  • Chickie's & Pete's
    T Young, Google Maps

    Chickie's & Pete's

    1526 Packer Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145

    A 24,000 square foot sports bar near the stadiums, known for its Crabfries, seafood and wall-to-wall TVs. It has been a Philadelphia name since 1977.

    Away fans: a packed home crowd on game days. Visitors are common in this part of town and get the usual Philly ribbing.

  • Philadium
    Philadium, Google Maps

    Philadium

    1631 Packer Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145

    A throwback South Philly bar with a long wooden bar and plenty of seats near the TVs. Come for cheap beers and cheesesteaks before or after the game.

    Away fans: an old neighborhood sports bar full of regulars. A visitor who is friendly is welcome.

  • East Passyunk Avenue bars (start at P.O.P.E.)District

    1501 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

    East Passyunk Avenue is a South Philly strip of bars and restaurants. Start at The Pub on Passyunk East (P.O.P.E.), a craft beer bar that hosts watch parties, and walk to Triangle Tavern at 1338 S 10th St, an old-school sports bar.

    Away fans: a neighborhood bar strip where locals outnumber game crowds. Away fans blend in.

Things to do around Citizens Bank Park

Listed in the order they happen on game day. Each one earns points.

  1. Eat75 points

    Roast pork at John's Roast Pork

    A family-run sandwich shop since 1930, a short drive from the ballpark, famous for its roast pork sandwich and its cheesesteak. Eat lunch here before a night game, and bring the extra half in a clear bag.

    $. 6 hours before first pitch

  2. Tailgate65 points

    Tailgate in the Sports Complex lots

    Lots A to H and M to O south of Pattison Avenue open 5 hours before first pitch for tailgating. Park in Lot M off Pattison, set up the grill and walk to the gates.

    $$. 4 hours before first pitch

  3. Photo40 points

    See the Veterans Stadium Liberty Bell

    The 19-foot Liberty Bell that once sat atop Veterans Stadium now stands at the Third Base Gate as you walk up. Take the photo outside, then compare it with the light-up home run bell in right-center.

    Free. 2 hours before first pitch

  4. Drink50 points

    First drink at Pass and Stow

    The sports pub by the Third Base Gate opens with the early gates and has an outdoor beer garden, the Kona Big Wave Bar and 44 TVs. Its name honors the two foundry workers who recast the Liberty Bell in 1753.

    $$. 1 hour 50 minutes before first pitch

  5. Photo40 points

    Photo with the Harry Kalas statue

    A 7.5-foot bronze of the Hall of Fame Phillies broadcaster stands on the main concourse behind Section 141. Fans rub it and pose with it before the game.

    Free. 1 hour 15 minutes before first pitch

  6. Eat65 points

    Crabfries under the Liberty Bell

    Chickie's & Pete's has served its crinkle-cut Crabfries with cheese sauce in Philadelphia since 1977. Get them at the stand behind the bullpens in Ashburn Alley, right under the home run Liberty Bell.

    $. 1 hour before first pitch

  7. Eat65 points

    Cheesesteak at Campo's in Ashburn Alley

    Campo's Deli has made cheesesteaks at 2nd and Market Streets in Old City since 1947 and has had a stand in Ashburn Alley since 2009. Order a classic cheesesteak before the first pitch.

    $$. 45 minutes before first pitch

  8. Ritual50 points

    Watch the bullpens warm up from Ashburn Alley

    Ashburn Alley, the outfield concourse, opens with the early gates and lets you look down into the two-level bullpens. Stand at the viewing spot in right-center and watch both teams' pitchers get loose.

    Free. 30 minutes before first pitch

  9. Tour50 points

    Take the Citizens Bank Park tour

    The 75-minute tour walks you through the Phillies dugout, the Cadillac Hall of Fame Club, the broadcast booth and the media room. Public tours run at 1:30pm on most weekdays from April through September.

    $$

  10. Eat75 points

    Cheesesteak showdown at 9th and Passyunk

    Pat's King of Steaks (since 1930) and Geno's Steaks (since 1966) face each other across the corner and are both open 24 hours. Order at the window with your cheese and onions ready, and pick a side.

    $

  11. Eat65 points

    Lunch at Reading Terminal Market

    The historic indoor market in Center City has dozens of food stalls under one roof, open daily 8am to 6pm. Grab a roast pork sandwich at DiNic's and walk to City Hall Station for the B to the ballpark.

    $

  12. Outing65 points

    Run the Rocky Steps

    Climb the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art like the movie boxer and take the photo at the top, where the Rocky statue now stands. It is free, and the view runs straight down the Parkway to City Hall.

    Free

  13. Ritual40 points

    Catch the Phanatic's fifth-inning show

    The Phillie Phanatic, whose costume is part of an exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame, performs on the field at the end of the fifth inning at every home game. Stay in your seat for it, then look for him on the Phillies dugout in the bottom of the seventh.

    Free. 1 hour 30 minutes after first pitch

Seats and shade at Citizens Bank Park

Where the sun lands on a day game, and which seats stay dry when it rains.

Shade and cover

From a specialist guide
  • Third base side, sections 126 to 138 and the levels above them. The third base line gets the most shade, because the afternoon sun sits behind it.
  • Behind home plate, back rows of each section. Seats behind home plate are among the shadiest, and the farther back in a section you sit, the more shade you get.
  • First base side, sections 109 to 121. The sunniest side of the ballpark at any start time. Bring sunscreen and a hat.
  • Right field, center field and first base side. The sun sets behind left field, so these seats face it early in a night game. Bring sunglasses.