Take the Kids out to the Ballgame — for Less

Happy Nats fans

Baseball season is in full swing, and catching a game at Nationals Park makes for a super fun and entertaining outing with the kids. However, one complaint I often hear about taking the whole fam out to the ballgame is the cost. Tickets alone can put a dent in the wallet; tack on concessions and parking, and it’s an all-out splurge. Luckily, there are some easy ways to save on the family ballpark experience and still have a great time. Here are some tips for doing a Nats game without breaking the bank.

Comparison Shop
Before you purchase tickets through the Nationals website, do some comparison shopping. Discount seats are almost always available through online ticket outlets, especially if you buy far enough in advance and have some flexibility with dates and seating preferences. These are a few of my go-to sites for ticket deals:
– StubHub is a popular one, conveniently listing the ticket price, seating section, and number of seats still available.
– SeatGeek uses its Deal Score to tell you how good of a deal you’re getting.
– CertifiKid sometimes has Nats tickets among its discounts on local activities

Packages & Promos
There are sometimes special ticket packages and deals to take advantage of when you do purchase through the Nationals website. One of the best for families is $5 Tuesdays with some ballpark fare for just and tickets starting at $12.  Other specials, like the Ballpark Access Pass and Military & Government Employee Discount might appeal and/or apply to you and are worth checking out along with all of the deals available to fans.

Just about every home game has a promo going on, usually some kind of swag giveaway, so be sure to check the Promotions Schedule.

Also, a friend told me she just Googles “Nats ticket promos” and often finds some goods ones.

Hi, $5!
Take your chances and try to get really cheap seats the day of. The District Tickets program lets DC residents purchase up to 4 tickets through the MLB Ballpark App in sections 401 and 402 for $5 each. You won’t be sitting behind home plate, but, hey, you’re in for five bucks! It’s not a guarantee since a limited amount are available.

BYO
Ballpark fare is part of the whole baseball experience, but eating and drinking at a game adds up quickly. (Where else do you pay $9 for a Bud Lite?) But while you can’t BYOB, you can BYO snacks and water. Food must be brought in single serving bags, and one unopened bottle of water per person is permitted. So, while it might not be easy to pack up freshly grilled hot dogs (though you can certainly try), you can bring your own peanuts and cracker jacks to keep the kiddos snack-happy. Get more details on the outside food policy in the Guest Conduct Policy Guide.

Join the Club
If you anticipate bringing the kids to at least a few games, then signing them up for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club is practically a no-brainer. The $20 membership gets them all kinds of great benefits: A special line for Kids Run the Bases, a coupon for buy one get one free tickets, Nats swag, a scoreboard message, and even more. Between the BOGO tickets and scoreboard shoutout, it pretty much pays for itself — and it helps you save (to pay for the pricey beers). Read more about the club here ( but note that some membership benefits may have changed).

Ride On
Don’t drive if you don’t have to.  It’s difficult to find street parking near Nationals Park, and parking in the garage or a nearby lot can be expensive. Ride bikes if you can — not only is cycling there fun, an awesome bike valet makes it easy to stash your ride once there. It’s free to leave your bike, but plan to tip the guys running it — they deserve it. Metro is also a great cheaper option. The Navy Yard station on the Green Line is just a block from the ballpark. Or you can ride the Blue/Orange Line to Capitol South, then take the shoe leather express from there.

For other transportation alternatives, see Transportation Guide.