Going to a San Diego Padres game at Petco Park is a fun experience for baseball fans in Southern California. As with any major league baseball team, Padres ticket prices can vary widely depending on factors like seat location, opponent, day of the week, and time of year. Here is a breakdown of how much Padres tickets typically cost for different seating sections at Petco Park.
PADRES TICKET PRICES BY SEATING SECTION
The Padres offer tickets in a range of seating sections at Petco Park, from lower levels close to the field to upper decks higher up in the stadium. Prices often go up the closer you get to the infield and home plate areas. Here are some average price ranges for Padres tickets by seating section:
- Field Level Infield: $75 – $250
- Field Level Outfield: $50 – $125
- Premier Level Infield: $40 – $100
- Premier Level Outfield: $25 – $60
- Upper Level View: $15 – $35
- Upper Level Nosebleeds: $10 – $25
The Field Level offers the most premium seats at Petco Park. This level encompasses the sections closest to the field and around the infield, from behind home plate to the dugouts and bases. Field Level Infield tickets can cost $100 on average and sometimes over $200 for highly desirable games and seats. Outfield Field Level sections are slightly cheaper but still range from $50-125 on average.
The Premier Level is the next tier down and includes both infield and outfield sections with elevated sightlines. You’ll pay $40-100 for Premier Infield tickets and $25-60 for seats in the outfield sections. These offer a balance of proximity to the action and affordable prices.
The Upper Level View and Upper Level Nosebleeds sections are in the highest decks at Petco Park. Upper View tickets typically run $15-35 while the Nosebleeds can dip as low as $10-25 per seat. These are the cheapest ticket options but still let you enjoy live Padres games on a budget.
WEEKDAY VS WEEKEND TICKETS
Padres ticket prices also fluctuate based on which day of the week you attend a game. Weeknight games on Monday through Thursday tend to be the cheapest, while Friday through Sunday games are more in demand and expensive. For example, a Premier Level Outfield seat could run around $40 on a Tuesday night but cost over $60 on a Saturday. That’s a $20+ difference just based on weekday vs weekend!
This pricing distinction is common throughout MLB as people tend to have more leisure time and availability on weekends. When purchasing Padres tickets, you’ll almost always pay a premium for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday games compared to earlier in the week. If your schedule allows, attending a weekday day game is a great way to score deals.
OPPONENT AND PROMOTIONAL GAMES
Who the Padres are playing also impacts ticket prices. When they take on high-profile opponents like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, rival San Francisco Giants, and other popular teams, demand for tickets spikes. You’ll routinely find higher prices when the Padres play marquee matchups against these MLB heavyweights.
On the flip side, Padres tickets can be cheapest when they host weaker drawing opponents like the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland A’s, Baltimore Orioles, etc. Games against these less prominent franchises don’t pique fans’ interest as much, lowering ticket costs.
Promotional games and giveaways are another factor that can drive up prices. If the Padres are having a bobblehead night, fireworks night, or hosting a concert after the game, ticket prices tend to be higher. People want to attend these special event games, so supply and demand leads to increased costs. Scout the Padres schedule and target less hyped games to find deals.
BUYING EARLY VS LAST MINUTE
When you buy tickets also influences how much you’ll pay. In general, the earlier you purchase Padres tickets, the better price you can get. Buying months or weeks in advance lets you take advantage of pre-sales and discounts before demand really picks up.
On the other hand, waiting until the last minute brings risks. While you may luck into a great price on a weekday game that’s struggling to sell seats, more in-demand weekend matchups will be expensive right before game time. Last-second buying is best for flexible people who can attend on short notice.
Our recommendation is to buy Padres tickets at least two weeks ahead of time, if not a month or more in advance when possible. This allows you to get in during pre-sale windows and secure your seats before casual buyers start looking.
USING SECONDARY TICKET MARKETPLACES
Sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek are handy for finding Padres tickets being resold by current holders. This secondary marketplace often has tickets well below face value for less desirable games when sellers are trying to unload extras.
The risk is prices can also get inflated above face value for hot matchups as intense demand meets limited supply. Still, checking the secondary market alongside the Padres official site lets you price shop and find potential deals.
Just beware of fake or fraudulent ticket listings by unscrupulous sellers. Only use reputable, guaranteed secondary sites like StubHub to ensure valid tickets that will get you through the Petco Park gates.
JOINING THE PADRES SEASON TICKET WAITLIST
For diehard fans who attend many games every year, joining the Padres Season Ticket Waitlist can offer priority access to full season plans and mini plans. Being on the waitlist means you can purchase tickets before the general public gets access.
Of course this requires a serious financial commitment. Full season packages run $6,000 on average and up to $30,000+ for premium spaces like dugout suites. Mini plans still involve buying 20-30 games per year. But for frequent visitors, season tickets can be worthwhile.
Beyond early purchasing access, season ticket members get benefits like discounts on parking and concessions, invitations to special events, and playoff priority. And by agreeing upfront to purchase a block of tickets, you can lock in lower per game prices than buying individ
Conclusion
Padres ticket prices range widely based on seat location, day of the week, opponent, time of purchase, and other factors. On average, plan to spend $40-100 for good infield seats or $25-35 to sit in the outfield or upper deck. High demand weekend and rivalry matchups will be most expensive. For best values, target weekday games against low-profile opponents and buy early before prices rise. With strategic planning, you can find affordable San Diego Padres tickets at Petco Park.