The Ultimate Guide to Getting Tickets for Dodgers Opening Day
Dear baseball fan,
As an LA local and lifelong Dodgers supporter, I want to welcome you to the most thrilling day on the baseball calendar – Dodgers opening day! The excitement building up to that first pitch is palpable across the entire city. As an experienced opening day veteran myself, I‘ve put together this definitive guide to help you gettickets and make the most of your Dodgers opening day.
History and Significance of Dodgers Opening Day
Since 1958, Dodgers opening day has been a revered tradition in LA. When the Dodgers played their first game in Los Angeles on April 18, 1958 after moving from Brooklyn, over 78,000 eager fans packed the LA Memorial Coliseum to welcome the team to the west coast. It was clear from the electric atmosphere that day that Dodger baseball was going to have a special place in Southern California culture.
And that opening day buzz has continued every year since, as fans celebrate the promise of a new season. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person attendance was curtailed, Dodgers fans found creative ways to carry on traditions and showcase their opening day excitement.
According to the Los Angeles Times, opening day has been the top attended regular season MLB game of the year for the past decade, even surpassing playoff contests. The 2022 home opener saw more than 52,000 cheering fans in attendance as the Dodgers took on the Cincinnati Reds.
So whether you‘re a lifelong fan or new to LA, I highly recommend experiencing Dodgers opening day to witness firsthand the unique energy and pageantry. Use the guide below to get everything you need to join the Dodger Stadium fun.
Purchasing Opening Day Tickets Directly from the Dodgers
Getting your tickets directly from the team is the best way to guarantee authentic seats for opening day. Here are all your options to buy from the Dodgers:
Online
The most popular and hassle-free option is purchasing online at dodgers.com/tickets. Around mid-February, keep checking the website for the specific opening day on-sale date.
Set calendar reminders so you hop online right as the presale begins, usually at 10AM PT. Demand vastly outpaces supply, so quick fingers are key for nabbing tickets.
Pro Tip: Have all your payment info saved in advance and login beforehand so you can rapidly checkout. I like to pull up a seating chart to pick sections in the queue.
Phone
Call the Dodgers ticket office at (866) 363-4377 and speak with a ticket representative if you prefer personal assistance. There may be a queue, so again act fast once the phones open at 10AM on presale days.
Note phone orders also carry hefty convenience fees, so buy online to save on fees when possible.
In Person
The Left Field and Right Field stadium ticket windows open 2.5 hours before first pitch for game day purchases based on availability. But don‘t count on tickets still being around by game day.
Hit up the ticket windows on the later presale date for best chance at day-of-game tickets. Just be prepared to camp out early!
Special Opening Day Ticket Packages and Experiences
Beyond regular seats, the Dodgers offer some phenomenal upgraded experiences specially for opening day:
Batting Practice Ticket Packages
My personal favorite! Arrive early to watch Dodgers batting practice up close from spots along the baselines right on the field.
Packages run $175-300 depending on location. Snag autographs and capture amazing photos.
Dugout Club
Sit right behind home plate in a club area steps from the Dodgers dugout. Enjoy exclusive amenities like all-inclusive food/drinks, private entrance, and chance to high-five players. $850-$3000 per seat.
VIP Tours
From clubhouse access to dugout photo ops, behind-the-scenes tours make you feel like a VIP on opening day. Professional guides provide insider info and stories. Packages start around $100 per person.
First Pitch Packages
The ultimate opening day thrill – throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on the Dodger Stadium mound! Package includes up to 6 premium seats, first pitch photo and baseball. $5000-$7500.
Opening Day Ticket Prices and Seating Options
Prepare to pay premium prices, as opening day is far and away the highest demand game each season. But deals can still be found with some strategy and flexibility.
Average Ticket Prices for 2022 Dodgers Opening Day:
- Field Level: $250-$1500+
- Lodge Level: $175-$600
- Reserve Level: $125-$400
- Outfield Bleachers: $100-$200
- Standing Room: $100
Ways to Save
- Buy standing room or upper reserve tickets – you‘ll still be there!
- Attend a weekday game – tickets cheaper with lower demand
- Purchase parking in advance – can be up to 50% cheaper
- Bring your own food – dodge the pricy stadium concessions
- Wait to buy – prices tend to drop leading up to opening day
Here are some key tips on the major seating sections so you can find both the price and vantage point that fits your game plan:
Field Level
Pros: Closest to the on-field action! Sit within 70 feet of the basepaths.
Cons: By far the highest prices. Prepare to splurge for this experience.
Lodge (Loge) Level
Pros: Awesome sightlines from the heart of the stadium. In the shade.
Cons: Prices spike for lower lodge sections along baselines.
Reserve Level
Pros: Most affordable season ticket territory. Great overhead view.
Cons: Top deck makes home runs tough to track. Can get windy.
Outfield Bleachers
Pros: Lively standing room energy in the outfield pavilions. Cheaper.
Cons: Far from home plate. Tough to see deeper into field. Watch for homers!
Standing Room
Pros: Accessible prices put you in the building. Ability to roam stadium.
Cons: First come, first served for rail space. No seat. Obstructed views.
Use the Dodgers‘ virtual venue guide when choosing seats to make sure views and prices align with your goals for opening day. With the right prep and mindset, you can have an amazing time at any price point.
Finding Discounted or Resale Opening Day Tickets
Dodgers opening day sells out every season, but that doesn‘t mean deals can‘t be found! Here are tips for scoring discounted or resold tickets:
Buy Early
Monitor resale sites like StubHub leading up to the public on-sale dates for the cheapest ticket prices. Listings appear as season ticket holders put extra seats up for sale.
Last Minute Checks
Some fans end up with extra tickets, so check resale sites even day-of for surprise deals. But this is risky with no guarantee.
Upper Sections
Sort by lowest price on resale sites and go for upper reserve or bleacher seats for bargains. You‘ll have the same electric atmosphere up top!
Avoid Scams
Stick to reputable sites like Stubhub and avoid direct peer-to-peer sales to prevent fraud. Fake ticket schemes spike around opening day.
Promo Codes
Look for promo codes and coupons on resale sites around the holidays and early season for 5-10% discounts or reduced fees. Every bit helps!
Sell Unused Tickets
If your plans change, reselling through MLB‘s official Ticketmaster exchange lets you recoup some costs. But act before prices drop further.
What to Expect at Dodgers Opening Day
Beyond the thrill of baseball‘s return, opening day is packed with pageantry, promotions and energy all game long:
Giveaways
Those classic Dodger dogs and bobbleheads are even more satisfying when free! Giveaways are big draws each year. In 2022, it was reusable tote bags given to the first 40,000 fans.
First Pitch Ceremony
A Hollywood celeb, Dodgers alum, or local hero always throws the ceremonial first pitch before the game starts. The 2022 first pitch was tossed by Magic Johnson to a raucous ovation!
Pregame Performances
The pregame festivities kick off about 30 minutes before first pitch, featuring bands, fan contests, dance crews, flag presentations, anthem singers and more to pump up the crowd.
Food Specials
From loaded Dodger dogs to vibrant specialty cocktails, food vendors bust out their most creative and indulgent items on opening day. Mini helmet sundaes, anyone?
Postgame Fireworks
No Dodgers opening day is complete without the boom, crackle and awe of a dazzling fireworks spectacular once the final out is recorded.
Give yourself ample time to soak in the entire scene by arriving when gates open, typically 90 minutes before first pitch. Trust me, take it all in!
When Do Opening Day Tickets Go On Sale?
Here are the key dates in the Dodgers opening day ticket sale schedule:
Early-Mid February
Partial inventory released for presales to Dodgers season ticket holders, promotional partners, and premium VIP groups.
Mid-Late February
Remaining tickets go on sale to the general public online and by phone through the Dodgers ticket office. Multiple sale dates added to meet demand.
Early March
In-person sales begin at the Dodger Stadium ticket windows for very limited game day inventory.
Key Sale Dates for 2024:
2/15: Season Ticket Holders Presale
2/22 and 3/1: Public Online Presales
3/11: Advance Game Day Sale Begins at Stadium Ticket Windows
So your best chance is getting online for the February public presales. I recommend logging in precisely at 10AM PT when the waiting room opens and having your game plan ready to checkout fast once tickets are released from the queue. Persistence pays off!
Insider Tips for Securing Coveted Dodgers Opening Day Tickets
After attending opening day for the past 15 years straight, I‘ve picked up some crucial tips along the way:
Prep Your Device
Make sure your laptop, phone and wifi are primed for all presale days. You don‘t want a technical hiccup to ruin your chances!
Register Early
Having a Dodgers account already set up cuts checkout time versus entering your info on the spot. Make sure payment and shipping is inputted too.
Be Flexible
If your schedule allows, keep an open mind on dates in case your top choice sells out first. Any opening day is special!
Buy in Pairs
Single seats go fastest, so opt for pairs or four-seat blocks when possible to have a better shot. You can always resell extra seats.
Use Preferred Shopping
Sign up for the free Dodger Insider email newsletter by mid-January to get early access to presales before the general public dates.
Watch Queue Times
The online queue shows how many people are waiting ahead of you. Keep an eye on it after 10AM to gauge if inventory will last before entering payment details.
Have Backup Plans
Check resale sites simultaneously as a backup if the online queue looks hopeless. StubHub and Vivid Seats both have mobile apps.
Enjoy the Experience
However you get your tickets, embrace the rare energy and community of Dodgers opening day! Take lots of photos and soak it all in.
Follow these tips and you‘ll be on your way to witnessing an iconic LA tradition on opening day at Dodger Stadium. Let‘s go Dodgers!
Sincerely,
Your LA Baseball Insider