Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
John Euliano Park
4000 Central Florida Blvd
Orlando, FL 32816
Year Opened: 2001
Capacity: 3,600
Baseball Charges On at UCF
As often happens in cities without a major league sports team, the local college fills the gaps. Such is the case with UCF baseball. In a city that is within driving distance to multiple other college teams, UCF attracts the biggest fans. Thanks to a multi-million dollar renovation, John Euliano Park is now a premiere baseball facility as well. You can find this beauty of a stadium nestled between the UCF Bounce House and Additional Financial Arena. However, on game days just follow the roar of the crowd to find your way. With an updated stadium, it is hard to argue against this being one of the premier college baseball stadiums in Florida.
Food & Beverage 4
Thanks to large crowds, UCF has expanded its food offerings on game days in recent years. Food vendors dot the main concourse downstairs behind home plate, while smaller vendors can be found in left and right field. A cold beer will cost $7-$8 while a soda or water $4-$5. For food, fans can pick from burgers ($10), sausages ($9), hot dogs ($4), and assorted snacks (popcorn $2, nachos $7, sunflower seeds $3, peanuts $4, and Cracker Jack $5). This represents a solid mix of stadium favorites and baseball essentials. UCF students can take advantage of special pricing for water, popcorn, and hot dogs on game days for $2 each as well.
Atmosphere 5
The fans at John Euliano Park are electric. Weekend games frequently feature a packed house. The team has also become a mecca for youth baseball teams to come watch some great action on the field. The stadium itself feels like a whole new place after its recent renovation. The second deck behind home plate now gives fans an elevated option from which to take in the action. The right field seating upstairs remains a great option for fans as well, serving as general admission seating as it has in the past. Below that the right field concourse runs along the batting cages, allowing fans the option to watch players warming up before heading onto the field. Down left field you will find a large sloping berm that gives a great picnic area feel. The outfield is also home to the rowdiest of fans, as many will use the parking lot and adjacent free viewing area as the perfect tailgating spot.
Neighborhood 4
John Euliano Park is located on the campus of UCF; both the immediate area around the stadium and the campus itself are chock full of places to find food and shopping. Just outside the stadium’s main gate are Addition Financial Arena and the Bounce House. Here you can also find the UCF campus bookstore and associated Starbucks, as well as Burger U, the campus bar and burger/wings joint frequented by fans and students. Outside of campus you can find Blaze Pizza, Tijuana Flats, and countless more restaurants.
For somewhere to stay, the closest options are Hilton Garden Inn and DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando East. Fans in the area are also less than an hour from Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center to the east, while to the west they can find downtown Orlando and Lake Eola Park.
Fans 5
Fans have started to make UCF baseball games a must-see event. From little league to high school varsity squads, kids from around Central Florida flock to UCF games. Without a doubt, however, the rowdiest crowd is the fans in the outfield. Beneath the scoreboard in center field the fence drops down to just a few feet high, offering a unique vantage point for tailgaters. The outfield parking lot is also transformed on game day to the home for the biggest UCF fans, who select their spots for free baseball viewing. They chant and cheer with gusto, adding to the home field advantage UCF enjoys.
Access 4
Being that the stadium is located on campus, the roads in and out of the facility are easy to get around to find John Euliano Park. Parking lots and garages are free and plentiful. There are even several entrances for the stadium, either at the main entrance or down the first base line. That way, you can enter and exit John Euliano Park at different points, depending on where you parked.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets to UCF baseball are incredibly affordable. General admission tickets start at $7, with assigned seating behind home plate starting at $10. Club seats on the second deck can be purchased for $40. Parking for games is free, either in the F garage adjacent to the stadium, or in the outfield lot when the F garage is being used for an event at UCF arena. With concessions prices not rising to the level of professional stadium rates, you can take a family to the game and get a bite to eat without breaking the bank.
Extras 5
John Euliano Park features a neat view of the batting cages from the right field concourse, allowing fans an up-close view of pitchers warming up and players taking batting practice before games. There are also several themed giveaway days throughout the season, giving fans multiple reasons to come out to UCF baseball games during the year.
Fans can also enjoy visits from a baseball-dressed Knightro mascot throughout the event, and everyone coming into the stadium can also take advantage of multiple giveaway tables. Here, fans can pick up posters, magnets, stickers, pins, and even flags on game day, courtesy of UCF and their sponsors. Finally, the team has a kid’s club that young fans can join to show their love of UCF sports.
Final Thoughts
While many may immediately think of football when it comes to UCF athletics, it is clear baseball is quickly becoming a draw here as well. With a beautiful newly renovated home stadium, the Knights are well positioned to provide one of the best game day experiences in college baseball. With great weather year-round and a fanbase that loves to support their team, there are plenty of reasons to not pass up UCF baseball when looking for a great place to watch America’s pastime.
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