Nationals Park Game Day Guide
Washington Nationals · Washington, DC
Know Before You Go
Essential details checked against official venue information.
- Bag policy
Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags may not exceed 16 x 16 x 8 inches; a non-clear clutch may not exceed 5 x 7 x 0.75 inches.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Backpacks, including clear backpacks, and non-clear drawstring bags are prohibited; diaper and medical bags may use the ADA or Family lanes, and all bags are searched.
- Bag storage
Binbox medium and large lockers are available for a fee outside Center Field, Left Field, and Home Plate gates.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Lockers are in place from two hours before first pitch until one hour after the last pitch, and stored bags are subject to inspection.
- Gate opening
Nationals Park gates open 80 minutes before most home games and 75 minutes before games beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Published gate times are subject to change.
- Mobile tickets
All Nationals tickets are delivered digitally through the MLB Ballpark app, and screenshots, printouts, and copied third-party barcodes are not accepted.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Open the mobile barcode for gate scanning and load tickets before arrival; previously viewed tickets remain available with low connectivity.
- Re-entry
Guests may not leave and re-enter Nationals Park with the same ticket unless a gate supervisor authorizes the departure before they exit.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Speak with a Guest Experience or Event Security supervisor before leaving if an exceptional need arises.
- Prohibited items
Nationals Park prohibits weapons, fireworks, illegal substances, self-defense sprays, aerosol cans, drones, outside alcohol, metal or glass containers, and all coolers and ice chests.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Bats, non-collapsible umbrellas, poles, long camera lenses, tripods, selfie sticks, inflatables, laser pointers, noisemakers, wheeled recreational devices, helmets, and toy weapons are also prohibited; review the official list before arrival.
- First aid
First Aid rooms staffed by AMR medical personnel are behind Sections 107, 131, and 312.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- The rooms include accessible restrooms and additional accommodations for guests with disabilities.
- Nursing and lactation
The air-conditioned Nursing Lounge beside Section 223 has comfortable chairs, televisions, changing stations, refrigerators, electrical outlets, and a toddler play area.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Nursing parents are not required to use the lounge.
- Family restrooms
Accessible family restrooms are on the concourses behind Sections 104, 117, 139, and 235.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Changing tables are in every family restroom and public restroom, while First Aid rooms have tables for adults who need changing assistance.
- Tickets for children
Children age 2 and younger may enter Nationals Park without a ticket when seated on a parent or guardian's lap without blocking another guest's view.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- Guest services
Guest Services locations are in Centerfield Plaza near Section 103 and behind Sections 131 and 320.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- For immediate assistance, text NATS with the issue and location to 202-980-4357.
- Service animals
Individually trained service dogs and, in some cases, miniature horses are welcome and must remain leashed and under the handler's control.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
- A relief area is outside Home Plate Gate; speak with the Security Supervisor before exiting and return through the same gate for authorized re-entry.
- Smoking and vaping
Nationals Park is completely smoke- and tobacco-free, including e-cigarettes, vaping devices, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and other tobacco products.
Applies to: Washington Nationals games
Game Day Timeline
What the day looks like at Nationals Park, hour by hour.
Explore the Navy Yard
The Capitol Riverfront neighborhood has breweries, restaurants, and a waterfront boardwalk along the Anacostia River.
Pregame at Bluejacket or The Salt Line
Bluejacket brewery and The Salt Line seafood restaurant are the top pregame spots, both walking distance from the park.
Enter and explore
Walk through the center field gate for the widest concourse. The view of the Capitol dome from behind home plate is unique to this park.
Watch batting practice
Head to the outfield for BP. The park is open-air with good views from every level.
Grab a half-smoke and find your seat
The half-smoke (DC's signature sausage) is the must-try food item. Ben's Chili Bowl has a stand inside the park.
Play ball
Nine innings of Nationals baseball. The crowd is a mix of DC locals, Hill staffers, and tourists.
The Presidents Race
Giant-headed mascots of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt race around the warning track. A beloved tradition since 2006.
Navy Yard waterfront
Walk to the Anacostia Riverwalk or the Navy Yard bars. The Metro runs late. Take the Green Line from Navy Yard–Ballpark station.
Tips & Fan Reports
Navy Yard neighborhood has exploded with new restaurants and bars since Nationals Park opened. Dozen of options within 3 blocks.
The Presidents Race in the 4th inning is a must-see tradition. Root for Teddy. He lost for years before finally winning.
Take the Metro, Navy Yard–Ballpark station (Green Line) is a 5-minute walk. No need to drive.
DC residents who take Metro to the Navy Yard-Ballpark station exit directly at the first base gate.
Ben's Chili Bowl has a stand inside the park. The half-smoke is DC's signature food.
The Bullpen (beer garden beyond center field) stays open postgame and is the unofficial gathering spot.
Weather
Nationals Park is open air, so these are the conditions you sit in.
Across the MLB season the warmest month is July, with an average high of 90°F, and the coldest is April, when the average low is 48°F. July is the wettest month at 4.3 inches and April the driest at 3.2 inches.
That April low ranks 19th coldest of the 30 MLB venues, and July here ranks 16th wettest.
April
3.2 inchesMay
3.9 inchesJune
4.2 inchesJuly
4.3 inchesAugust
3.3 inchesSeptember
3.9 inchesOctober
3.7 inchesWashington Nationals Clear Bag Policy
Most venues require a clear bag. Get an approved one before you travel.
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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.
- Game day timeline
Gate opening time checked against the venue's own gate-opening policy: Nationals Park gates open 80 minutes before most home games and 75 minutes before games beginning at 6:45 p.m.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
- Venue policies
Nationals Park policy, accessibility, cognitive-services, bag, dietary, digital-ticket, guest-conduct, and parking guidance reviewed for entry, family, payment, food, parking, and accessibility rules.