Photos by Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Steven Kee, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
Coca-Cola Park 1050 IronPigs Way Allentown, PA 18109
Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 10,100
10,000,000 Million Fans Can’t Be Wrong
When you think about Triple-A ballparks in some parts of the country, the LeighValley IronPigs come to mind. They have entertained the folks of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton since 2008, when the Philadelphia Phillies placed their top farm club less than 90 minutes away from Citizens Bank Park. The fanbase responded positively, leading all minor league baseball in attendance the last two seasons.
Coca-Cola Park cost $50.75 million and has seating for 10,178 people, including a grass berm, 19 suites, numerous VIP sections, and one of the first standing-room-only social areas in baseball. The attention to these areas has made it the hub of excitement in an area without affiliated baseball since 1956.
Improvements to the stadium have resulted in a new diamond warning track, a new drainage system, and regrading the infield before last season. Upgrades the year before included expanded clubhouses, male and female locker rooms, training facilities, hydro space, and a new center field entrance.
The IronPig name comes from a nickname derived from the term “pig iron” used in manufacturing steel in the Lehigh Valley. There are also nods to the history of baseball on the concourse, with photos and art of past teams and players. All of it adds to a Triple-A ballpark known for its “Hog Wild” fan base.
Food & Beverage 5
There are around 38 points of sales for food and beverages at the ballpark, ranging from the simple to the extreme. There is something for everyone to try and much more to enjoy during the baseball season.
If you like bacon, this is the ballpark to visit. The club has an array of bacon-theme dishes, including bacon slices, chocolate-covered bacon, candied bacon, sandwiches, and bacon topped on pierogies and brownie sundaes.
Traditional hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, chicken tenders, french fries, soft pretzels, brats, and popcorn are also featured. The ballpark also serves bacon mac and cheese, brisket bowls with cornbread in a waffle bowl, pulled pork poutine, and pierogies with caramelized onions.
The sweet treats include churros, funnel cake, brownies, sundaes, deep-fried Oreo cookies, fried cheesecake rolls, funnel cake fries, and several varieties of ice cream.
Highlights include The Pork Racer (bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with pulled pork and candied jalapenos), the Taco Dog (hot dog topped with taco meat, cheese, salsa, sour cream, and shredded lettuce), Coqui Street Dog (chili, sauteed onions, sauerkraut, cheese, and potato sticks), and a pork parfait (bbq pulled pork, layered with mashed potatoes, and caramelized bacon toppings).
Atmosphere 5
Coca-Cola Park offers a lot to take in for baseball enthusiasts. AT&T Plaza is a pleasant area for adults and children. It doubles as the social center of the ballpark, and its main entrance is a great place to sit down and enjoy a local act on its entertainment stage.
Once inside, the clubhouse store along the right field sells an assortment of team merchandise. The Kidz Zone is behind the picnic patio in the left-field corner and offers games and a playground to keep the little ones entertained. The beer garden is worth visiting for specialty microbrews.
The IronPigs wear specialty jerseys on the weekends that include a gold standard on Friday, a Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired jersey on Saturdays, and a Phillies-themed jersey on Sundays that looks like it came from 1979. It does not include other specialty nights throughout the season that include a Mummers-inspired look based on the New Year’s Day parade in Philadelphia.
The specialty areas include The Bacon Strip, a lone aisle of seating behind the right field wall, the Pig Pen behind the bullpen in left field, and the Capital Blue Tiki Terrace & Oasis, which is a popular spot to relax and talk with friends and family in left field.
The in-between activities offer t-shirt tossing, slingshot contests, and the “Pork Race.” Chris B. Bacon, Diggety, Barbie Q, Ribbie, and Hambone fight towards the finish line. Speaking of mascots, FeRROUS and FeFe are the primary mascots of the team and entertain fans of all ages throughout the game.
Fans 5
The IronPigs were ranked number one in attendance in all of minor league baseball for the second year in a row and have never finished lower than 8th in attendance in their history. There were 32 sellouts this past season, and the team attracted 1,000,000 people home and away. The club will welcome its 10-millionth fan in 2025.
The fans proudly wear the IronPig colors and various alternate theme caps and shirts during games. It also helps when you are affiliated with the nearby Philadelphia Phillies, but there are more reasons why people come out to games. The food, promotions, fireworks, and value are many reasons the Pigs rank number one in minor-league baseball.
Access 4
Coca-Cola Park is in Allentown, Pennsylvania, accessible from all major interstates and state routes of I-476, I-78, and US-22. It is a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City.
The parking lots ($5 charge, credit card only) are separated into six different lots, named after Coca-Cola products. Coke Zero, Cherry Coke, and Powerade are closest to the main gates along IronPig Way. Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Sprite are a little further away, between Long Drive. The parking lots open 2 1/2 hours before game time and close 1 hour after the game's conclusion.
The ballpark offers a wraparound concourse with plenty of areas to move around and enjoy the game. The crowd can become dense on certain nights, but traffic flows smoothly before and after the game.
Neighborhood 3
Coca-Cola Park is located 3 miles from downtown Allentown in a residential and commercial neighborhood. There is nowhere to walk to before or after the game, and it is recommended to arrive by car.
However, The area offers places to visit with the kids during the summertime, including Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, the Crayola Experience in Easton, Grim’s Orchard & Family Farm, and movies in the park. A place to visit is Yocco’s, a hot dog spot that has been in business for 100 years. They have a specialty made frank with a secret chili sauce. Pair them up with deep-fried pierogies and a glass of birch beer.
Sports fans can enjoy more baseball at nearby ECTB Stadium and Limeport Stadium. The ladder was built in 1933 and is home to the Limeport Bulls and Dodgers of the amateur Blue Mountain League. The PPL Center houses the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets start at $9, parking is $5, and the hot dogs are $1 (Tuesdays and Thursdays). The team shop features several clearance items if you are looking to save a few more dollars. Attending an IronPigs game provides a lot of bang for your buck.
The IronPigs offer 32 Giveaway Nights and 7 Special Nights, including appearances, alternative jerseys, fireworks, and community nights. There is Tail Waggin’ Tuesdays, where fans can bring their dogs and enjoy $1 hot dogs. Tacos & Tallboys Wednesdays feature $2 tacos and $5 16-ounce cans. Thursday's Happy Hour is between 5 to 7 PM, with select beers on sale.
Extras 5
If you like bacon, this is the ballpark to visit. The club has an array of bacon-theme dishes, including bacon slices, chocolate-covered bacon, candied bacon, sandwiches, and bacon topped on pierogies and brownie sundaes.
The titled Coke bottle sits atop the scoreboard that shakes, illuminates, and shoots fireworks after an IronPigs home run.
AT&T Plaza is a pleasant area for adults and children. It doubles as the social center of the ballpark, and its main entrance is a great place to sit down and enjoy a local act on its entertainment stage.
The IronPigs gift shop has an abundance of merchandise, from caps, shirts, jerseys, and gifts for the children. There are numerous clearance items, alternate-theme jerseys, and caps on sale at times.
A highlight of the game is the IronPigs pork racers. Chris B. Bacon, Diggety, Barbie Q, Ribbie, and Hambone fight towards the finish line each game in the famous “Pork Race.”
Final Thoughts
Attending a Lehigh Valley IronPigs game at Coca-Cola Park is a joyous experience and continues to shine brightly year after year. The ball club offers fantastic promotions and unique food options while creating a fun experience for everyone who enters the ballpark.
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