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This is a guide to the Washington Nationals home ballpark (Nationals Park). Going to a major league baseball game is a unique fun 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 Washington Nationals Game
- Washington Nationals Ticket Information
- Washington Nationals Stadium Gate Information
- Does Nationals Park Accept Cash?
- How Long are Nationals Games?
What to Bring to a Washington Nationals Game?
If you are going to a Washington Nationals 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 Washington Nationals parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com)
- Weather and Sun protection – Nationals Park is an open-air stadium, which means you will want to be prepared to face the elements when you attend a Washington Nationals game. Things like sunscreen, hats, jackets, and rain ponchos may be needed depending on weather forecasts.
- Bug Repellent – Because Nationals 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.
- 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 Nationals 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 Nationals information guide.
Washington Nationals Ticket Information
Can You Buy Tickets at Nationals Park?
As of 2023, the Washington Nationals use digital tickets. The ticket office windows at the stadium can provide assistance in purchasing digital tickets. You can purchase tickets directly from the team’s website or from the MLB Ballpark app as long as supplies last. You can also purchase tickets from ticket brokers such as StubHub or Vivid Seats.
- 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 Washington Nationals tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
If you need to visit the ticket office for assistance, the Nationals main ticket office at Nationals Park is located on the north side of the stadium (view) along N Street SE adjacent to the centerfield gate. You will see several ticket windows with signs that say “Tickets”.
The Nationals Ticket Office at Nationals Park will open 2.5 hours prior to game time to provide assistance with ticket issues.
You can also buy directly from the team by downloading the MLB Ballpark App to your mobile device. The MLB Ballpark app is MLB’s free, official app that makes it easy to access, manage, and use your tickets. This is where you can learn more about the Ballpark App.
To read more, visit our article about buying Nationals tickets at the stadium.
Nationals Park Gate Information
Nationals Park gates will open 90 minutes before first pitch for all gates. While these are the posted times by the Nationals, please know gate times could change. It you have questions, it is always best to contact the Nationals. Nationals 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 Washington Nationals Gate and Parking Guide at Nationals Park.
Fans can enter early to watch batting practice once stadium gates open. For more information, visit our article about watching batting practice at Nationals Park.
How Long Do Nationals Games Last?
You can expect a Washington Nationals 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 Nationals Park, planning for a 3-4 hour game is probably the safest bet. To read more, visit our article about the average time a MLB game takes.
Buying Washington Nationals Gear at the Stadium
The Washington Nationals have an authentic team store located near Nationals Park Center Field Gate where you can shop for Nationals jerseys and other types of fan gear. You can, of course, also shop online prior to the game. To read more, visit Nationals Jersey Guide.
Does Nationals Park Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?
Nationals Park Parking Lots do not accept cash. You will either need to buy a parking pass ahead of time (recommended) or bring a credit card to pay for parking. The Nationals strongly encourage you to buy a pass ahead of time as drive up parking is only available on a game-by-game basis and may not be available for all games.
In addition, Nationals Park is also a cashless environment. Cash may be exchanged for eCASH, the Nationals Park digital currency, at three locations within the park: Advance ticket Sales in Center Field, Guest Services in section 131 and Guest Services in section 319.
As clarification, the 50/50 Raffle tickets can’t be purchased with cash either. It is always a good ideas to check the Nationals Information Guide on the status of payment options at Nationals Park.
Washington Nationals Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Nationals Park, the Washington Nationals, 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 Washington Nationals staff. Contact information is below:
- Nationals Park – View Stadium Information
- Washington Nationals – View Contact Information
- Washington Nationals 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 Washington Nationals tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).