Sutter Health Park Pregame Guide
Athletics · West Sacramento, CA
Tailgating is permitted at Sutter Health Park provided it stays confined to your own parking space and does not interfere with parking operations — but only in the Sutter Health Park Preferred Lots, not in the other lots around the ballpark. The rule that catches people is not the club's at all: alcohol consumption and open containers are prohibited under West Sacramento city ordinance, so a dry tailgate is the law here rather than a house policy. More than 5,000 spaces sit in the Bridge District near the ballpark, most of them dedicated to Sutter Health Park events and run by ACE Parking. Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch, or two hours for season ticket members wanting to watch the visiting team's infield practice.
Tips & Fan Reports
Season ticket members get in a half hour earlier, in time for the visitors' infield practice.
The Bridge District holds over 5,000 spaces, most of them set aside for ballpark events.
Only the Preferred Lots permit tailgating; a space in any other lot buys parking alone.
No alcohol, and no open containers — that is West Sacramento city ordinance rather than a club rule, so it is enforced as law.
Where to Go Before the Game
The Preferred Lots in the Bridge District
Operated by Fulcrum Properties and the City of West Sacramento through ACE Parking, with more than 5,000 spaces near the ballpark, most dedicated to Sutter Health Park events. Tailgating is permitted here and nowhere else.
Known for 5,000+ spaces · The only tailgating lots · Bridge District
The non-Preferred lots
Other parking in the area around the ballpark, where tailgating is not allowed at all — so the lot on your pass decides whether you can set up.
Known for No tailgating · Parking only
Season member early entry
Gates open two hours before first pitch for season ticket members against 90 minutes for everyone else, timed so members can watch the visiting team take infield practice.
Known for 2 hours for members · Visiting infield practice
Rules to Know
What Sutter Health Park allows, and what it does not.
- Tailgating is permitted in the parking lots as long as it is confined to your parking space and does not interfere with parking procedures.
- Tailgating must stay within your designated parking space.
- Alcohol consumption and open containers are prohibited, per West Sacramento City Ordinance.
- Tailgating is not allowed in non-Sutter Health Park Preferred Lots.
- ACE Parking operates a range of options in Preferred Lots run by Fulcrum Properties and the City of West Sacramento, close to the stadium.
- More than 5,000 parking spaces sit near the ballpark in the Bridge District, most dedicated to Sutter Health Park events.
- General gates open 1.5 hours before game time, and two hours before for season ticket members, allowing guests to view the visiting team's infield practice.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
All bags are searched; non-clear bags larger than 8 x 5 x 1 inches and backpacks are prohibited, while clear bags are permitted under Sutter Health Park's clear-bag policy.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food is prohibited except for reasonably sized bags of peanuts or sunflower seeds and listed child, medical, and beverage exceptions.
- A card or a phone wallet
Sutter Health Park is cashless and accepts major credit and debit cards for concessions and merchandise.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Athletics mobile tickets can be managed through My A's Tickets or the MLB Ballpark app.
- A warm layer for after dark
April nights average 47°F at Sutter Health Park.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
July highs average 93°F at Sutter Health Park, with no roof over the seats.
Tailgate Gear
Lots open with the Preferred Lots on gameday.
- A setup that stays entirely inside your own parking space
- A Preferred Lot pass, since no other lot permits tailgating
- No alcohol and no open containers, prohibited by city ordinance rather than club policy
Athletics Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Athletics gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
Athletics official site: Sutter Health Park A-Z Guide, and Getting to the Game: Parking & Transportation
- Venue policies
Current Athletics and Sutter Health Park guides reviewed for entry, family, payment, food, parking, and accessibility rules.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals