Petco Park

Downtown San Diego's ballpark and home of the Padres

Petco Park is the open-air home of the San Diego Padres, a 39,860-seat ballpark in the East Village neighborhood of downtown San Diego, next to the Gaslamp Quarter. It opened on April 8, 2004, and the Padres play roughly 81 home games there each season, from late March or early April into late September, plus any postseason games.

The building also books stadium concerts, boxing and wrestling, and one-off events. The Rolling Stones played the first concert in 2005, and later shows have included Madonna, Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, who was the first artist to play two sold-out back-to-back nights here in 2022. WWE held Survivor Series at the ballpark in 2025.

• Padres baseball: the main tenant and the bulk of the calendar.
• Concerts: mostly summer and fall, scheduled around the baseball season.
• Special events: past examples include the 2016 MLB All-Star Game and the Holiday Bowl from 2022 through 2023.

Petco Park seating chart: how the levels are laid out

The seating bowl is a three-tiered grandstand wrapped around the infield, with the seats angled toward the pitcher's mound so that even the corners face the action. Section numbers follow the level: the 100s are the field level, the 200s are the middle tier, and the 300s are the upper deck. The ballpark's own guide, for example, places family restrooms near Sections 109, 202, 219, 310 and 311.

Field level (100s)

The lower bowl runs from behind home plate down both foul lines and into the outfield. The premium club seats sit directly behind the plate. The Padres use the first-base dugout, so the first-base side puts you closest to the home team; visitors use the third-base dugout.

Middle tier (200s)

The middle tier sits between the field level and the upper deck. It is closer to the field than the 300s, and its back rows sit under the deck above.

Upper deck (300s)

The highest seats. From the upper rows you can see over the outfield toward the city skyline, San Diego Bay and Balboa Park.

The outfield landmarks

• Western Metal Supply Co. building: a preserved early-1900s brick warehouse in left field whose southeast corner serves as the left-field foul pole. It holds a team store, suites, a restaurant and rooftop seating.
• Gallagher Square: the grassy berm above the outfield fence (long known as the Park at the Park), open to standing-room ticket holders on a first-come basis and used as a public park when there is no game.
• Right-center social space: a two-level deck area with drink rails and bar-stool seating.

The best seats at Petco Park and the ones to skip

The ballpark is oriented so the batter faces due north. That geometry decides the sun question: in the afternoon and early evening, the sun sets behind the third-base side, so the third-base grandstand is shaded first, and fans on the first-base side and in right field look toward the low sun. Seating guides agree that the lower sections on the third-base side are the shadiest choice for day games.

For a Padres game

• Best overall view: the field level between the dugouts. You see pitch location, the whole infield and the outfield landmarks in one frame.
• Closest to the home team: the first-base side, behind and beyond the Padres dugout.
• Best for day games: the third-base side, or the back rows of the lower levels, which sit under the deck above.
• Best value with a view: the upper deck behind home plate. The angle is high, but the sightline down the middle and the view of the bay are among the best in the building.
• Best for families and casual fans: Gallagher Square, where kids can move around and adults can still follow the game.
• Best for groups: the Western Metal Supply building rooftop and the outfield deck areas.

Seats to think twice about

• The first-base side and right field in day games: fine at night, hot and bright on a sunny afternoon.
• The deep outfield corners of the field level: close to the wall but far from the plate, so you judge pitches from the scoreboard.
• Standing room on a sold-out night: Gallagher Square fills early and spots are first come, first served.

For concerts

Stage placement depends on the tour. Check the event map before you buy: floor seats are only as good as the stage position, and the lower bowl directly facing the stage usually gives a better overall view than deep floor rows.

Getting there: trolley, Petco Park parking and walking

Petco Park is one of the easiest ballparks in the country to reach without a car. The San Diego Trolley runs along the south side of the ballpark and stops at the 12th and Imperial Transit Center. Santa Fe Depot, served by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and the Coaster commuter train, is about a mile away, and many Gaslamp Quarter hotels are a short walk.

Parking

• The Padres partner with ACE Parking for lots around the ballpark, including the Padres Parkade, the Lexus Premier Lot and Tailgate Park, all of which are cashless.
• The team encourages buying parking in advance; accessible spaces are first come, first served.
• A free shuttle links the Padres Parkade, Tailgate Park and the MTS Garage with the ballpark, running from two hours before first pitch until 30 minutes after the game.

Parking rates and lot rules change by season and event, so check the Padres ballpark guide before you go. On big nights, the trolley usually beats the drive out of downtown.

Petco Park bag policy and entry rules (2026 season)

As of the 2026 season, Petco Park allows single-compartment clear plastic bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, plus a clutch or purse no larger than 5 by 7 inches. Backpacks are prohibited; infant bags and medical bags are permitted. Check the venue's current policy before you go, since rules can differ for concerts.

• Gates: all entry gates open 90 minutes before first pitch; season ticket members get in two hours early at designated gates.
• Outside food: food for individual consumption is allowed if it is individually wrapped.
• Water: one factory-sealed, clear, unflavored bottle up to one liter, or an empty reusable bottle.
• Re-entry: scan your digital ticket on the way out and again on the way back in.
• Smoking: the ballpark is smoke-free, including vaping and e-cigarettes.

Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee, including guaranteed entry.

Food, families and accessibility

The open concourses let you walk the ballpark and still see the field, which makes it easy to eat away from your seat without missing an inning. Gallagher Square adds a play area, a Wiffle ball field and picnic space, and family restrooms are located near Sections 109, 202, 219, 310 and 311.

Accessible seating includes wheelchair spaces, semi-ambulatory seats with at least 24 inches of legroom, and transfer seats. Assistive listening devices and closed captioning are available at no charge.

A short history of Petco Park

Ground was broken on May 3, 2000, and the ballpark opened in 2004 at a cost of about 450 million dollars. The design, by Populous (then HOK Sport) with architect Antoine Predock, uses Indian sandstone and stucco, white exposed steel and dark blue seats, and it folded the 1909 Western Metal Supply Co. building into the left-field corner instead of tearing it down.

• 2006: hosted the championship round of the first World Baseball Classic.
• 2013: the outfield fences were moved in and the bullpens relocated.
• 2015: a new videoboard, about 61 by 124 feet, and LED ribbon boards.
• 2016: hosted the MLB All-Star Game.
• 2020: neutral-site home of American League postseason games.
• 2024: the attendance record of 47,773, set on October 9 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Capacity has moved over the years, from a high of 42,691 between 2008 and 2012 to 39,860 as of 2024. Petco bought the naming rights in 2004 and extended the deal in 2021.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Petco Park
• San Diego Padres: Petco Park ballpark guide
• Ballparks of Baseball: Petco Park
• TickPick: San Diego Padres seating chart (orientation)
• Wikipedia: Holiday Bowl