Washington Nationals announce changes to ballpark protocols as Nationals Park returns to 100% capacity
In accordance with Mayor Bowser’s plans to fully reopen the District of Columbia, Nationals Park will open to 100% seating capacity starting on Thursday, June 10 against the San Francisco Giants. With the ballpark returning to full capacity, fans will notice many changes around the ballpark, including several updates to health and safety protocols and the return of many fan-favorite ballpark experiences.
Single game tickets are on sale now to the general public for the rest of the season! Tickets start at just $13 and for the first time since the 2019 season, fans will no longer have to sit in socially-distanced pods. Notable opponents visiting Nationals Park this year include the Los Angeles Dodgers (July 1-4), the Chicago Cubs (July 30 – August 1), and the Boston Red Sox (October 1-3). Fans who are interested in purchasing tickets should visit nationals.com/Tickets2021.
UPDATED MASK POLICY
· Before the team’s last homestand, the Nationals announced that fully vaccinated fans – meaning two weeks past the final shot – are able to attend Nationals home games without wearing a face covering.
o This applies to all indoor and outdoor areas within Nationals Park.
· Ticketed fans who are not fully vaccinated will be required to wear an approved face covering at all times except when actively eating or drinking within the ticketed seats.
· To see the approved list of face coverings and learn more about the updated health and safety policies, please visit nationals.com/WelcomeHome.
BAG POLICY
· Bags are once again permitted inside Nationals Park, as long as they are smaller than 16” x 16” x 8”, with the exception of diaper bags and medically necessary bags.
o Backpacks are not permitted within Nationals Park.
· Approved bags will be opened and inspected by Nationals security staff.
· Unapproved bags may be stored in a Binbox locker, located outside of Right Field and Home Plate Gates for $10-$12 per locker.
UPDATES FOR FAMILIES
· Nationals Park has always been a wonderful place to bring the whole family and the Nationals are excited to announce several fan favorite kids activities will be returning to the ballpark very soon.
· The PenFed Kids Zone, the playground located just inside the Right Field Gate, will be open for every game, weather permitting, starting on Thursday, June 10.
· Kids Run the Bases will be back after every Sunday day game beginning on Sunday, July 18.
· Ballpark tours will resume on Thursday, July 1 – for more information about tours and to purchase tickets, please visit nationals.com/Tours.
· Signature Sundays will not resume at this time. Guests will not be permitted to seek autographs from players.
· Giveaways will continue to be distributed at all gates and will be placed in a grab-and-go format.
o At full capacity, the Nationals can no longer guarantee a giveaway item to each fan in attendance.
REOPENING AT NATIONALS PARK
- Premium Club Seating
o The PNC Diamond Club and the Nationals Club are now fully open and operational for fans!
o Dining has been restored to restaurant-style seating on a first come, first serve basis.
o Group tickets are also back on sale now – fans should contact groupsales@nationals.com for more information if they’re interested. To learn more about suites and premium seating, please visit nationals.com/Premium.
- Red Carpet Rewards
o The Red Carpet Rewards program is one of the signature benefits for Nationals Season Plan Holders. Plan Holders can redeem points for merchandise, promotional items, exclusive virtual experiences, and much more through the program.
o Other benefits include:
§ Fans can join in on lottery-style contests and win amazing prizes.
§ Fans can bid on exclusive merchandise, autographed items, and VIP experiences.
§ Fans receive rewards with unique and behind-the-scenes virtual experiences that are exclusive to Season Plan Holders.
o The Red Carpet Rewards Center will be reopening, starting with the Thursday, June 10 game against the San Francisco Giants.
§ The Rewards Center is located in Center Field Plaza next to the Nationals Team Store and the PenFed Kids Fun Zone.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
- Concession food and beverage items will no longer be served in exclusively closeable packaging.
- Condiment stations will no longer be touchless.
- Water fountains will reopen.
- Standing room only areas, such as the rails throughout the ballpark, ULTRA Loft, and Swing Big Beer Pen will reopen on Thursday, June 10.
- The Budweiser Brew House will reopen with limited menu options, and will utilize QR code online ordering through the MLB Ballpark App.
BUDWEISER HAPPY HOURS
- The Nationals are excited to announce the return of the Budweiser Happy Hour specials!
- Before every home game, fans 21+ will be able to get $4 off 25 oz. Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob Ultras at all locations that beers are served throughout the ballpark.
- This offer will run from the time gates open until half an hour before first pitch.
- This year, fans will have to use mobile ordering to receive the savings. Fans interested in the happy hour deals should enter the code BUDHAPPY when placing their mobile order on the Ballpark App.
BALLPARK ENTRY
· Tickets for the remainder of the 2021 regular season will continue to include color-coded gate assignments.
· When fans arrive at and leave Nationals Park, they must enter and exit through their assigned gate.
· Guests that require an ADA compatible entry may enter at any ADA compliant entrance, even if it doesn’t match the gate color of their ticket.
· All ballpark gates will open two hours prior to first pitch and all parking garages will open two and a half hours prior to first pitch for all games.
· Beginning on Thursday, June 10, the Season Plan Holder entrance will reopen at Center Field Gate.
· The ballpark’s no re-entry policy will return. During rain delays, guests must stay within the ballpark.
CASHLESS BALLPARK
- As a reminder, the entire ballpark is now cashless except for the Nationals Philanthropies 5050 raffle.
- Guests are encouraged to use the Ballpark App to order and pay for food ahead of time. To learn how to order concessions from your phone, visit nationals.com/MobileOrdering.
o In addition to using the Ballpark App, fans can also use contactless payment like Apply Pay, a credit or debit card, and eCash at any point of sale.
NATIONALS PHILANTHROPIES
- 5050 Raffle presented by Budweiser
o Beginning on Thursday, June 10, fans can purchase 5050 raffle tickets by cash, debit, or credit card from all sellers and kiosks around the ballpark.
- Scoreboard Messages
o Nationals guests wishing to display general welcome, birthday, or anniversary messages or cheer on the team on the NatsHD scoreboard may do so again this season by making a $100 donation to the Washington Nationals charitable foundation, Washington Nationals Philanthropies, at least 24 hours prior to the start of the game they wish to have their message appear.
o Scoreboard messages will be displayed during the middle of the fifth inning.
o Guests interested in ordering a scoreboard message must visit nationals.com/Scoreboard to place their order.
To learn more about the community outreach and fundraising initiatives of Nationals Philanthropies, fans can visit nats4good.org.