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This is a guide to the Philadelphia Phillies home ballpark (Citizens Bank Park). Going to a major league baseball game can be fun, unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. Before you head to the game, you will want to know some some important policies and procedures, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.
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In this article we will discuss:
- What to bring to a Philadelphia Phillies Game
- Philadelphia Phillies Ticket Information
- Philadelphia Phillies Stadium Gate Information
- Does Citizens Bank Park Accept Cash?
- How Long are Phillies Games?
What to Bring to a Philadelphia Phillies Game?
If you are going to a Philadelphia Phillies game, below is a list of things you might need to bring. You will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:
- Clear Stadium Bag – Many stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)
- Parking Pass – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of Philadelphia Phillies parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com)
- Weather and Sun protection – Citizens Bank Park is an open-air stadium, which means you will want to be prepared to face the elements when you attend a Philadelphia Phillies game. Things like sunscreen, hats, jackets, and rain ponchos may be needed depending on weather forecasts.
- Bug Repellent – Because Citizens Bank Park is open air, bugs may be an issue during summer. Just make sure your bug repellent meets stadium safety guidelines for aerosol cans.
- Camera – Some fans like to bring a camera into the game. Just make sure your camera meets the stadium requirements regarding cameras and video recorders.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
- Power Bank for Phone – Baseball games can last over three hours, and bringing a power bank to charge your phone on site may be needed.
- Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are slowly transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is never a bad idea.
- Baseball Glove – Some fans like to bring a baseball glove to the stadium in hopes of catching a foul ball.
Can You Bring a Bag Into Citizens Bank Park?
As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, most stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. Many stadiums recommend using a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the Phillies information guide.
Philadelphia Phillies Ticket Information
Can You Buy Tickets at Citizens Bank Park?
Yes, you can buy Phillies tickets at the stadium, but only as long as supplies last. That said, for reasons we discuss below (like sellouts, lines, etc), many fans choose to buy their tickets online before they go to the game.
- I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Philadelphia Phillies tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
The Citizens Bank Park Ticket office is open Monday through Friday 9am – 5pm. On game days, the ticket windows on the first base side of the stadium are open until the 7th inning. For more details, you can find contact information here.
To read more, visit our article about buying Phillies tickets at the stadium.
Issues with Buying Phillies Tickets at the Stadium
If you are choosing to buy Phillies tickets at Citizens Bank Park on the day of the game, there are a few risks and annoyances you will want to consider.
- Sellout – This is the big one. As we mentioned above, some Phillies home games do sellout. Walking up and buying tickets at Citizens Bank Park might not always be an option. But even though the games sell out, that doesn’t mean you can’t get tickets. It does mean you may need to use a ticket broker, like Vivid Seats, that sells aftermarket tickets (fan-to-fan).
- Ticket Lines – Be prepared, waiting in line is a possibility if you choose to buy at the stadium. The overall wait can obviously fluctuate depending on the specific circumstance, and may be relatively short for some games. But a wait is possible.
- Convenience – When you buy at the stadium, you will have to abruptly choose your seats while standing at the front of a line. Depending on the length of the line behind you, this may make you feel rushed when choosing where to sit. Buying online allows you to take as much time as needed to choose your seats and price.
Citizens Bank Park Gate Information
Citizens Bank Park gates will open 90 minutes before first pitch for most games. However, if you are sitting in Ashburn Alley, gates will open 2 hours prior to first pitch so you can catch part of batting practice. While these are the posted times by the Phillies, please know gate times could change. If you have questions, it is always best to contact the Phillies. Citizens Bank Park does have several gates conveniently located around the stadium.
Depending on where you park, and where your seats are located, one entrance might make more sense for you than the others. To read about the location of each, and what parking lots make the most sense for you, visit our Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park Gate and Parking Guide.
Fans can enter early to watch batting practice once stadium gates open. For more information, visit our article about watching batting practice at Citizens Bank Park.
How Long Do Phillies Games Last?
You can expect a Philadelphia Phillies game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to four hours depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average Major League Baseball game lasted 3 hours and 10 minutes (source).
The length of games has become a point of emphasis for Major League Baseball as many fans site pace of play as one thing they’d like to see improve with the sport. In recent years, Major League Baseball has taken steps to help shorten the length of games, but the effectiveness of these measures is still under evaluation.
Major League Baseball games consist of nine total innings, with the exception of double header games which are only 7 total innings in length. If you are heading to Citizens Bank Park, planning for a 3-4 hour game is probably the safest bet. To read more, visit our article about the average length of time MLB games will last.
Buying Philadelphia Phillies Gear at the Stadium
The Philadelphia Phillies have an authentic team store located near the Citizens Bank Park Ashburn Alley Entrances where you can shop for Phillies jerseys and other types of fan gear. You can, of course, also shop online prior to the game. To read more, visit Phillies Jersey Guide.
Does Citizens Bank Park Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?
Citizens Bank Park is a cashless venue for all concessions and gear. Patrons may pay with debit/credit card or mobile payment (Apple Pay and Google Pay). Alternatively, the park has reverse ATMs behind section 123 on the main concourse that allows patrons to convert cash to a prepaid debit card (accepted anywhere that takes major credit/debit cards).
As clarification, the 50/50 Raffle tickets can’t be purchased with cash either. It is always a good ideas to check the Phillies Information Guide on the status of payment options at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia Phillies Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Citizens Bank Park, the Philadelphia Phillies, MLB, or any of the events hosted at this facility.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the Phillies staff. Contact information is below:
- Citizens Bank Park – View Stadium Information
- Philadelphia Phillies – View Contact Information
- Philadelphia Phillies Parking Pass
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Philadelphia Phillies tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).