Upcoming San Diego Padres dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
The Padres in brief: an expansion club still chasing a title
The San Diego Padres play home games at Petco Park in downtown San Diego's East Village, next to the Gaslamp Quarter, from late March or early April through late September. The club joined the National League as an expansion team in 1969 and plays in the NL West.
San Diego has reached the World Series twice, losing to the Detroit Tigers in 1984 and being swept by the New York Yankees in 1998. Those were its two NL pennants. The Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers are the oldest MLB franchises without a championship, which gives every deep October run here extra weight.
- Division titles: five NL West crowns, in 1984, 1996, 1998, 2005 and 2006.
- Tony Gwynn: winner of eight batting titles and widely considered the greatest Padre; the ballpark's official address is 19 Tony Gwynn Way.
- Trevor Hoffman: the Hall of Fame closer with 601 career saves.
- Retired numbers: 6 (Steve Garvey), 19 (Gwynn), 31 (Dave Winfield), 35 (Randy Jones) and 51 (Hoffman), plus Jackie Robinson's 42.
- Rivals: the Los Angeles Dodgers first; since 2025, an informal "Vedder Cup" series with the Seattle Mariners.
Where to sit at Petco Park for a Padres game
Petco Park seats 39,860 as of 2024, according to Wikipedia. The seating bowl has three main tiers: the Field Level (the 100 sections), the Toyota Terrace level (the 200 sections, where the Padres offer in-seat food delivery throughout) and the Upper Level (the 300 sections). The design pulled restaurants and offices out of the bowl, so the concourses open onto both the field and the city.
The dugouts and the infield
Ballparks of Baseball places the Padres dugout on the first base side; confirm with the seating map on your listing. The Padres sell Dugout Seats in sections 109 through 113, which come with in-seat delivery, and those sections between the dugouts are the premium choice on the Field Level. The Toyota Terrace is the best value for a raised, centered view with shorter food trips.
Seats unique to Petco
- The Western Metal Supply Co. building: a 1909 warehouse preserved inside the ballpark, with suites, a restaurant and rooftop seating. Its southeast corner serves as the left field foul pole, so its seats look across the field at a sharp angle.
- Gallagher Square: the grassy berm beyond the outfield, also called the Park at the Park, open during games. It is the most relaxed, lowest-cost way in, a good fit for families with small children, though far from the plate.
- The Upper Level behind home plate: the best view of San Diego Bay and the skyline beyond left field and Balboa Park beyond center.
Seats to think twice about
Back rows of the Field Level sit under the Terrace overhang, which shades them but cuts off the view of high fly balls; the Padres added small scoreboards and TVs under the overhangs for that reason. Outfield sections are lively and closer to the bullpens but put you farthest from the infield.
Sun and shade at Petco Park
At Petco Park the batter faces due north, according to Wikipedia. The afternoon and evening sun comes from the west, over the third base side, so the first base side and right field face the sun during day games and the early innings of night games, while the third base side and the seats behind home plate fall into shade first.
- Day games: pick the third base side or the back rows of the Field Level under the Terrace overhang if you want shade.
- Night games: sun is a factor only briefly, and San Diego evenings near the bay can turn cool, so bring a layer.
- Plan with the official map: the Padres publish a sun and shade seating map that marks full-sun, full-shade and partial sections; check it before you buy.
The schedule and the Padres games in highest demand
Each MLB team plays 162 regular-season games, 81 at home. Spring training runs in February and March at the Peoria Sports Complex in Arizona. The regular season runs from late March or early April through late September, with the All-Star break in mid-July. Under MLB's balanced schedule, adopted in 2023, San Diego plays each NL West rival 13 times.
- The Dodgers: the hardest regular-season ticket at Petco Park; the rivalry draws both fan bases, and Petco's baseball attendance record of 47,773 came in a game against Los Angeles.
- Opening Day and summer weekends: Friday and Saturday games from June through August, when tourism peaks downtown.
- Military appreciation dates: the Padres have held military appreciation events since 1996 and wear camouflage uniforms on Sundays and military holidays.
- Convention weeks: major events at the San Diego Convention Center, next door, can tighten parking and hotel space.
Weeknight games in April, May and September are usually the easiest tickets.
Trolley, parking and tailgating near Petco Park
Petco Park sits at 100 Park Boulevard, and the main entrance behind home plate faces the 12th and Imperial Transit Center trolley station.
- Trolley and rail: San Diego Trolley lines stop at 12th and Imperial; the Santa Fe Depot, with Amtrak and Coaster service, is about a mile away.
- Parking: the Padres contract the Padres Parkade, a Lexus Premier Lot and Tailgate Park; these lots are cashless.
- Tailgating: allowed at Tailgate Park on a limited basis, in spaces directed by the parking operator.
- Shuttles: a complimentary shuttle connects the Padres Parkade, Tailgate Park and the MTS Garage with the ballpark, starting two hours before games.
The Gaslamp Quarter's restaurants and bars are steps from the gates, which makes pregame dining easy without a car. Confirm current options on the Padres transportation page.
Bag, food and gate rules at Petco Park
As of the 2026 season, the Padres list these entry policies:
- Bags: single-compartment clear plastic bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, clutches up to 5 by 7 inches, and infant and medical bags. Backpacks and all other bags are prohibited.
- Food: outside food for individual consumption is allowed if it is wrapped or in a container.
- Drinks: factory-sealed, still, unflavored bottled water of one liter or less, plus soft-sided juice or milk containers; no alcohol.
- Gates: open 90 minutes before first pitch.
- Children: kids under 36 inches tall enter free when accompanied.
Check the Padres entry policies before you go. Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee.
Padres history and Petco Park milestones
The Padres played at San Diego Stadium, later known as Jack Murphy Stadium and Qualcomm Stadium, from 1969 through 2003. Petco Park opened on April 8, 2004, when the Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 in 10 innings.
- 1984: the first pennant and World Series trip.
- 1998: a second pennant, ended by the Yankees in the World Series.
- 2006: Petco Park hosted the championship of the first World Baseball Classic.
- 2007: a statue of Tony Gwynn was unveiled on the ballpark grounds.
- 2016: Petco Park hosted the MLB All-Star Game.
- 2018: a statue of Trevor Hoffman was unveiled on K Street behind the bullpen, facing Gwynn's.
Schedules and promotions are posted on the Padres official site at mlb.com/padres.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the San Diego Padres play?
The Padres play at Petco Park in downtown San Diego's East Village, beside the Gaslamp Quarter. It opened in 2004 and seats 39,860.
Which side of Petco Park is in the shade?
The batter faces north, so the late sun comes over the third base side and shines on the first base side and right field. The third base side and seats behind home plate get shade first; the Padres publish an official sun and shade map.
What is Gallagher Square at Petco Park?
It is the grassy berm beyond the outfield, also called the Park at the Park, which is open during games. It offers a casual, low-cost way to watch, though it is far from home plate.
Can you bring food into Petco Park?
As of the 2026 season, yes: outside food for individual consumption is allowed, along with sealed still water up to one liter. Alcohol is not permitted.
What is the Petco Park bag policy?
As of the 2026 season, only clear single-compartment bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, small clutches and infant or medical bags are allowed. Backpacks are prohibited.
Have the Padres won a World Series?
No. San Diego reached the World Series in 1984 and 1998 and lost both times.