Opening Day at Nationals Park is Thursday, and just like everything else during the coronavirus pandemic — there are some big changes ahead for fans headed to the ballpark.
For one thing, only 5,000 fans will be allowed in the stands, per D.C.’s coronavirus-restrictions. Other changes you can expect? Virtual tickets, color-coded gates, touchless ketchup, no-cash concessions and more.
Here’s what you need to know.
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1/12
Only 5,000 fans will be allowed in to Nats Park on Opening Day and will be grouped in pods to distance them from one- another. The majority are Nats Plus fans with season tickets.
2/12
Signs will be placed around the outside of Nationals Park so fans can find which gate corresponds to the color on their virtual ticket.
3/12
Fans will have to display their ticket to the game on their phone. Nationals Park is no longer accepting paper tickets.
4/12
This is a mock ticket for Nationals fans to see what a color-coded ticket might look like. Joe Fan is supposed to enter the park with this ticket through the magenta gate. The team says it’ll have signs to direct fans to the gate that corresponds to their ticket color.
5/12
Drinking and eating anywhere but in your seat is highly discouraged throughout the park.
6/12
Fans can order food through the Nats Ballpark App by scanning the QR code on the back of seats in their section.
7/12
Fans are encouraged to use the Nats Ballpark App to order food from their seat by scanning the QR code on the back of the seats in their section. The app will ping the fans phone when the food is ready. Also, no more communal bottle of ketchup. This year, the park is offering touchless condiments.
8/12
Concessions will not be accepting cash at all in Nationals Park. Nor will there be beer and peanuts sold by service employees walking up and down the stairs.
9/12
The 2019 World Champion trophy is on display in the Championship Club where the Nationals plan to display future awards for fans to see.
10/12
Three bobbleheads, including Davey Martinez holding the World Championship trophy, will be given out during the season, as there were no giveaways since the team won in 2019.
11/12
The BET MGM sports betting lounge is expected to open later this year near the Centerfield Gate.
12/12
The Nationals plan to raise a World Championship flag with fans to celebrate the 2019 win on Opening Day.
