Padres announce Opening Series details presented by Sycuan Casino Resort
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres today announced details surrounding the 2024 Opening Series at Petco Park presented by Sycuan Casino Resort against the San Francisco Giants. Right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish will take the mound against the Giants with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Tickets for Padres Opening Day have sold out while a limited number of park passes are still available for fans to enjoy the game in the newly renovated Gallagher Square.
Thursday’s pregame ceremony will feature all the pageantry of Opening Day, including the unfurling of the Holiday Bowl Big Flag. Jon Foreman, lead singer of the Grammy-Award-winning band Switchfoot, will perform the National Anthem, which will be followed by a flyover by two Navy EA18-G Growler jets. Sheel Seidler, wife of the Padres’ beloved former Chairman and Owner, Peter Seidler, will throw the game’s Ceremonial First Pitch. In addition, Petty Officer 1st Class Mike Dalager, United States Coast Guard, will perform God Bless America prior to the 7th-inning stretch. Following the Padres versus Giants game, Petco Park will remain open to ticketed fans for a watch party in Gallagher Square as the San Diego State Aztecs take on the UConn Huskies in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (4:39 p.m. tipoff).
All Petco Park gates will open at 11:00 a.m. for Opening Day. This will afford fans the opportunity to enter early and enjoy all Petco Park has to offer, including the new amenities in Gallagher Square such as the Tony Gwynn Terrace. Fans should be in their seats no later than 12:30 p.m. to enjoy the entire 2024 Opening Day pregame ceremony.
With a sellout crowd on Opening Day and high attendance expected for Opening Series, fans are advised to enter the ballpark early and pre-purchase parking. Fans can purchase parking for off-site locations, including the San Diego Convention Center and Bayfront Hilton, by visiting www.padres.com/transportation. Guests without pre-purchased parking passes are encouraged to utilize public transportation or rideshare services and take advantage of a convenient pickup and drop off rideshare location at the Bayfront Hilton.
Continuing this year, standard Petco Park security procedures, including walk-through metal detectors, will be in place for every game. All fans must be screened as they enter the ballpark. The Padres installed new security technology at all gates for expedited entry and shorter wait times. For enhanced ballpark security and to accelerate the entry process for all guests, Petco Park has an updated bag policy which will prohibit bags except for clutches and purses no larger than 5” X 7”, single-compartment clear plastic bags not exceeding 12” X 6” X 12” or infant and medical bags. Dedicated entrances are available for Season Ticket Members at the Home Plate and Park Blvd Gates. As part of the Gallagher Square renovation project, Balboa Gate on J Street has been updated and expanded to provide an additional entry point for fans to enter the ballpark. Additional information, including a list of items that are permitted and prohibited at Petco Park, can be found at https://www.mlb.com/padres/ballpark/entry-policies.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will continue to offer all three Trolley Lines — the Sycuan Green Line, the UC San Diego Blue Line and the Orange Line — for fans this season with direct service to Petco Park and increased service following the game. The UC San Diego Blue Line, will run southbound from UTC to Petco Park daily, providing a convenient stop for fans at the 12th and Imperial station in Downtown. The North County Transit District (NCTD) will offer COASTER service with southbound trains departing from Oceanside Transit Center on Opening Day. Free parking is available at all North County Coaster stations and Coaster Regional Day passes include free trolley connections. For more information and updates, visit the Petco Park transportation page at www.padres.com/transportation.
Game two of the Opening Series on Friday is highlighted by the Opening Series Hat giveaway presented by Sycuan Casino Resort (available to the first 40,000 fans in attendance) as well as Party in the Park presented by Southwest Airlines in Gallagher Square with drink specials starting at $5 and live music prior to first pitch at 6:40 p.m. Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints 2023 NFL All-Pro and San Diego native, will throw the game’s Ceremonial First Pitch. Saturday’s game will be highlighted by a pregame performance by the Padres House Band presented by Nova Kombucha on the Sycuan Stage at Gallagher Square, which performs a mix of oldies, rock, country and pop music. Naomi Girma, 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, USWNT, and defender for the San Diego Wave, will throw the game’s Ceremonial First Pitch.
On Sunday, fans can enjoy Military Opening Day presented by USAA, KidsFest presented by SDG&E and Postgame Kids Run the Bases. Military Opening Day will feature a baseline ceremony with representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy, the Starting Nine military taking the field, a performance by the U.S. Navy parachute team Leap Frogs, and a flyover from a USAF C-17 Globemaster. KidsFest presented by SDG&E returns bigger and better in 2024 with bounce houses and other inflatables, games, face painters, balloon artists and more kid-friendly activities in Gallagher Square along with access to the all-new playground and play area. Following the game, kids 14 and under are invited to run the bases. Kids and their families can begin lining up following the conclusion of the eighth inning at the top of the ramp leading to the Craft Pier presented by Ballast Point on K Street.
The Padres will continue their opening homestand with a three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals from April 1-3. Monday’s game on April 1 will feature the ballpark’s first-ever postgame drone show presented by SeatGeek celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Petco Park, as well as Autism Acceptance Night in partnership with Autism Society San Diego. A special Autism Acceptance Theme Game package is available for purchase and includes a limited-edition themed Padres bucket hat and a donation to a local community group. Tuesday’s game on April 2 will be highlighted by the Padres City Connect Poncho giveaway presented by 97.3 The Fan (available to the first 40,000 fans in attendance). The homestand concludes Wednesday with a Salute to First Responders: Law Enforcement Leadership and Bark at the Park #1 presented by Petco. The First Responder Salute will include a special pregame ceremony and recognition of the Padres Hero of the Day, with Sergeant Anthony Elliot from the San Diego Police Department receiving the honors, and nine first responders from San Diego County will take the field with Padres starters prior to the game. A special Bark at the Park Theme Game package is available for purchase and includes an exclusive limited-edition Padres-themed item and the opportunity for fans with a dedicated Theme Game ticket to enjoy the game with their favorite canines, including the all-new fenced, off-leash dog park in Gallagher Square in partnership with Petco.
Tickets for all home games can be purchased through www.padres.com, the MLB Ballpark App or the Advance Ticket Windows at Petco Park. As Petco Park offers completely digital ticketing, fans are encouraged to download the MLB Ballpark app and select the Padres as their favorite team to access their digital tickets throughout the 2024 season.