Nationals Park Pregame Guide
Washington Nationals · Washington, DC
Tailgating is not permitted in any Nationals parking garage or lot, which makes the Capitol Riverfront the pregame instead — the ballpark sits in Southeast Washington south of the Capitol, next to the Navy Yard, in a neighbourhood built up around it. All lots including Garage B and Garage C open two hours and fifteen minutes before first pitch, an oddly precise window, and every garage and lot closes one hour after the game ends.
Tips & Fan Reports
Lots open two hours and fifteen minutes before first pitch, which is later than most ballparks.
The Navy Yard neighbourhood around the park has its own parking when the club's garages are full.
There is no tailgate to plan — it is barred in every Nationals garage and lot, so the Capitol Riverfront is the pregame.
Everything closes an hour after the last out, so a long post-game stay in the garage is not an option.
Where to Go Before the Game
The Capitol Riverfront and Navy Yard
The neighbourhood the ballpark sits in, in Southeast Washington south of the Capitol. With tailgating barred in every Nationals lot, the bars and restaurants of the riverfront district are the pregame.
Known for Around the ballpark · Bars and restaurants · Beside the Navy Yard
Garage B and Garage C
The Nationals' own garages, opening two hours and fifteen minutes before first pitch and closing an hour after the final out. No tailgating in either.
Known for Open 2h15m before · Close 1 hour after · No tailgating
The surrounding Navy Yard lots
Commercial parking through the neighbourhood around the ballpark, the alternative when the club's garages fill.
Known for Neighbourhood parking · Walking distance
Rules to Know
What Nationals Park allows, and what it does not.
- Tailgating is not permitted in Nationals parking garages and lots.
- All lots, including Garage B and Garage C, open two hours and fifteen minutes prior to the start of each game.
- All Nationals parking garages and lots close one hour after the conclusion of each game.
- Nationals Park is in Southeast Washington, south of the Capitol, along the Capitol Riverfront adjacent to the Navy Yard.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
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.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Single-serving food may enter in an approved bag or carried by hand for screening.
- A card or a phone wallet
Nationals Park does not accept cash for tickets, concessions, or retail purchases; cash remains accepted for 50/50 raffle tickets.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
All Nationals tickets are delivered digitally through the MLB Ballpark app, and screenshots, printouts, and copied third-party barcodes are not accepted.
- A warm layer for after dark
April nights average 48°F at Nationals Park.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
July highs average 90°F at Nationals Park, with no roof over the seats.
- A poncho, not an umbrella
Umbrellas are on Nationals Park's prohibited list, and July averages 4.3 inches of rain.
Washington Nationals Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Washington Nationals 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
Washington Nationals official site: Where to Park at Nationals Park, Gate Opening Times, and the A-Z Information Guide
- 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.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals