Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Citizens Bank Park One Citizens Bank Way Philadelphia, PA 19148
Year Opened: 2004
Capacity: 42,901
Ring The Bell
A staple in the City of Brotherly Love are the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. The Phillies were founded in 1883, one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball. They have the distinction of being the oldest, continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional sports. The Phillies were first coined in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1883 in the coverage of an early exhibition game.
Relatively unsuccessful on the field, the Phillies would wait until 1980 to earn their first of two World Series titles, after appearing twice previously. The Phillies would earn their second in 2008. The current owner, John Middleton, gained full control of the team in 2016.
The Phillies call Citizens Bank Park home. Part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, Citizens Bank Park replaced the venerable Veterans Stadium, one of the infamous multipurpose donuts, in 2004. Philadelphia is one of the premier sports destinations in the country, offering a population of over 1.6 million, 6th largest in the USA. Citizens Bank Park offers a solid baseball experience for fans, especially if the Phillies can ring the bell after a victory.
Food & Beverage 5
Philadelphia is famous for its distinct cuisine with a number of famous restaurants, many of which can be found inside Citizens Bank Park. Philly staples like Chickie’s and Pete’s, Tony Luke’s, Campo’s, Manco & Manco’s Pizza, Shake Shack, Uncle Charlie’s Steaks and Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken are all found in the ballpark. Former Phillies first baseman, Greg Luzinski, has the increasingly popular celebrity athlete concession, with Bull’s BBQ. It is a little surprising that the famous Philadelphia Cheesesteak is offered by at least three different organizations in the ballpark. All of the other expected ballpark favorites are found as well including hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice in Citizens Bank Park. There is also a decent beer selection featuring products from Yuengling, Stella Artois, and Blue Moon.
Atmosphere 5
The exterior of Citizens Bank Park is an attractive mix of brown brick with green accents and brown support beams. Before entering the park, a trip around the perimeter is worth it and there are plenty of photo opportunities with the numerous bronze statues including Robin Roberts, Steve Carleton, Connie Mack, and Robin Roberts. Entering the third base gate by the aptly located Mike Schmidt logo may be the best idea. The first base gate is where Carleton’s statue is as well as the retired numbers. Also, the Liberty Bell from Veterans Stadium is by third base and offers a terrific photo op.
If entering through the rightfield gate, fans are welcomed by two giant replica World Series trophies representing the 2008 and 1980 championships. This is also where the fans will find the display of the Phillies Hall of Fame, which is worth a look to get a sense of Phillies history. The concourses are full of banners and accents that let everyone know that this is the home of the Phillies.
Heading past centerfield, fans will be met by the bronze statue of Richie Ashburn and Ashburn Alley. Bricks for All-Star starters can be found on the ground, but fans should be careful as this is a very busy area and some of the most popular concessions like Tony Luke’s are found out here. It may not be the best idea to stop and look at the ground for too long. As fans head to the leftfield corner from Ashburn Alley they are met with The Yard, the interactive and kids area of the park. Unlike any other in pro sports, The Yard offers a mini wiffleball stadium complete with a real videoboard, other baseball activities, and a Phanatic-themed rock climbing wall.
Inside the seating area, the ballpark is divided into three main seating levels, with a lower level and split upper deck. The angles of the seating area are very much squared off giving Citizens Bank Park a sharp-angled look. Blue stadium seats are found throughout the park, a refreshing change from the seemingly requisite green.
One of the best views is from behind the plate in the upper deck where fans can see the skyline of Downtown Philadelphia in the distance. Above Ashburn Alley in centerfield, the retired numbers of Richie Ashburn, Jim Bunning, Dick Allen, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carleton, Roy Halladay, Robin Roberts, Grover Cleveland Alexander and Chuck Klein are painted on the brick. Championship flags also fly from the Alley. Behind leftfield is a massive, neon Liberty Bell which swings and rings on Phillies home runs and victories. Beyond rightfield is the videoboard, which is state of the art.
The gameday production is not overly unique for Major League Baseball, however, special notice must be given to the Philly Phanatic, who is one of the most iconic mascots in professional sports. Before the first pitch the Phantic comes flying out of the outfield gates on a four-wheeler, riling up the crowd.
Neighborhood 4
Citizens Bank Park is located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex in the South Philadelphia East neighborhood. It is not the most spectacular neighborhood in the city as it is well removed from downtown, however, there are a number of spots for nearby food and drink. Chickie’s and Pete’s and DiNics are not too far from the park. However, the best bet for food in Philly is to head downtown to the Reading Terminal Market, which provides a plethora of different food options and cuisines. An absolute MUST stop when in the city.
Philadelphia is one of the best sports cities in the country with a ton of other options. The Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers, 76ers and Wings all share spots in the sports complex. Philly is also one of the best spots for college sports. Football is played by the Temple Owls, Villanova Wildcats and Penn Quakers but it really is basketball that makes Philadelphia tick.
Temple, LaSalle, St. Joseph’s, Villanova and Penn make up the “Big 5” and Drexel is also an option. There are also a ton of tourist options in the city including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Museum of American Revolution and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the famous “Rocky” steps, complete with statue. There are a few hotels near the ballpark including the Courtyard Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard.
Fans 4
The Phillies are generally well-supported and their current success on the field is reflected at the turnstile. The Phillies have averaged more than 41,000 fans per game in the 2024 season which ranks 2nd in MLB. The previous season they averaged over 37,000 fans per game and ranked 6th. Philly fans have a reputation for being some of the toughest and rowdiest in sports. It is debatable whether or not that reputation has been earned or not, however, it may be safe to say that of the four major sports, the baseball fans are among the most welcoming and friendly. Attendance in Philly also correlates to the number of victories that the team puts up.
Access 3
Citizens Bank Park is located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex in the neighborhood of South Philadelphia East. The complex encompasses the ballpark as well as Lincoln Financial Field and Wells Fargo Center along with Xfinity Live. The venues all share parking, which is convenient, yet can provide some transportation issues.
The complex is north of I-95 and south of I-76 so there are major arteries that lead to the park. However, traffic can be an issue. Getting out of the parking lot can be an even bigger issue. For fans wishing to take public transit, there is a SEPTA Metro stop at Broad Street and Pattison. Fans should consult the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority website for fares, maps, and schedules. Inside the ballpark, it can definitely get crowded in Ashburn Alley and slow to get around. The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility.
Stadium Journey recognizes that security at major events is constantly in a state of flux. It is encouraged for fans to consult the Phillies or Citizens Bank Park website before heading to the game and have a full understanding of the security protocols including bag policies and prohibited items.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets for the Phillies begin at $25 and can go up to $104 for the Home Run Club. The upper deck behind the plate can be purchased for around $35. However, the Phillies are a major sport, and ticket prices can fluctuate based on the success of the team, promotion, or day of the week. Concession prices are what one would expect and parking is on the expensive side at $35. The experience at a Phillies game is excellent and the ballpark offers plenty to see as well. In the end, the Phillies is a great experience and may not be as expensive as an Eagles game, but is not cheap either.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the history of the Phillies and how well it is displayed at Citizens Bank Park
An extra mark for the Philly Phanatic, one of the most iconic mascots in sport.
An extra mark for the Liberty Bell as a symbol of Philadelphia, fully embraced by the Phillies.
Final Thoughts
With a deep history as one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies offer an excellent experience that all baseball fans should put as a must-do. Citizens Bank Park is an attractive and fun facility, especially if the Phillies are winning and at the end of the game they ring the bell!
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