Going to ALDS Game 3? Here’s what you need to know
Grab your rally shoes and get ready to embrace the chaos at T-Mobile Park this weekend as the Seattle Mariners take on the Astros in the ALDS.
Are you ready for some postSEAson baseball in Seattle?!
The Mariners will have home-field advantage in a playoff game for the first time in 21 years this weekend when they take on the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series (ALDS).
The team is guaranteed at least one home game at T-Mobile Park during the best-of-five series, which is Game 3 on Saturday. But the Mariners are facing an uphill battle and will need to win the remaining ALDS games or be knocked out of the playoffs.
If the Mariners win Saturday, they will play Game 4 at T-Mobile Park on Sunday at 12:07 p.m. Game 5, if necessary, will be back in Houston on Monday at 2:07 p.m.
All main T-Mobile Park gates usually open 90 minutes before the first pitch. However, Mariners Senior Director of Experiential Marketing Mandy Lincoln told KING 5 that gates will open 2.5 hours before the first pitch Saturday.
Lincoln said the team ordered 45,000 rally towels for the sold-out crowd, and pregame festivities with pyrotechnics and other surprises for fans are planned throughout the game, too.
The National Anthem before Saturday’s game will be performed by Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready.
From food options to parking and everything in between, here’s what you need to know if you're heading to T-Mobile Park to cheer on the Mariners this weekend.
Just don’t forget your rally shoes and good vibes, Mariners’ fans. Playoff baseball is back in Seattle:
GETTING TO THE BALLPARK Transportation and parking
T-Mobile Park is located at 1250 1st Ave S in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. Fans are advised to “plan ahead and consider all the transportation options available.”
Traffic note: The Washington State Department of Transportation will scale back Revive I-5 work in Seattle during the upcoming busy sports weekend. The department said the only closure in the city will be the Columbian Way off-ramp. All other Revive I-5 projects in Seattle will remain paused.
If the Mariners win (fingers crossed) and play Game 4 Sunday, the Seahawks game at Lumen Field next door will be pushed back from its 1:05 p.m. start to 2:30 p.m. to accommodate the M’s home game. If you have tickets to either game, prepare for an extra stadium full of people possibly traveling and/or parking in SODO. Public transit might be the best way to get to the stadiums if you want to avoid a headache.
Parking: T-Mobile Park offers three parking garages: Mariners Garage, Lumen Field Garage, and Union Station Garage South, which is the furthest of the three but also the most affordable.
Parking is drive-up only during the postseason, according to the Mariners’ website. This means no presold parking will be available “except for VIP parking included in Diamond Club, All-Star Club, Suite, Loge Box, and Terrace Table memberships.”
Parking lots and garages are also located in the Central Business District to the north of the ballpark. Parking for over 150 bicycles is available in the Mariners Garage.
Light rail: T-Mobile Park is a short 10-15 minute walk from both the Stadium and International District/Chinatown light rail stations. Free parking is available at the Angle Lake, Tukwila International Boulevard and Northgate Link light rail stations, according to Sound Transit’s website. Click here to plan your trip.
King County Metro: Seattle has an extensive bus network with multiple routes that stop near T-Mobile Park. Click here to plan your trip.
Rideshare and taxis: A taxi stand located at the northwest corner of First Avenue South and South Royal Brougham Way operates before, during and after games, according to the Mariners’ website. Anyone using rideshare services – like Uber and Lyft – is encouraged to use the taxi stand location for public safety and traffic flow.
Ferry: Colman Dock, also called Pier 52, is located less than a mile from T-Mobile Park. Click here to find Washington State Ferries schedule information.
GATE AND BAG POLICY What's allowed inside?
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to pass through security.
Gates at T-Mobile Park open 90 minutes before the first pitch during the regular season, but a spokesperson for the team told KING 5 that gates will open 2.5 hours before the first pitch on Saturday.
Bags
Clear plastic or vinyl bags no bigger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches are allowed inside T-Mobile Park. Clear, one-gallon plastic zip-lock bags are also allowed inside. Small clutch bags are allowed if they are no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Small bags do not need to be clear plastic or vinyl.
Backpacks, purses and duffle bags larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches are not allowed. However, exceptions are possible for “medically necessary items” or, if a child is present “single compartment diaper bags” are allowed.
“Security must be able to see inside and identify items to the bottom of the bag. Items may not be used to obscure the view of bag contents, including but not limited to non-clear bags, pouches, etc. Bags with interior contents obscured from view are not allowed,” the M’s website states.
Strollers, wheelchairs and other mobility devices are allowed inside the ballpark. Blankets are also allowed.
Fans are not allowed to re-enter T-Mobile Park once they leave. Approved re-entry is possible in case of an emergency.
Outside food and water
Outside food is allowed in single-serving sizes. Factory-sealed bottles of water are allowed, along with empty plastic reusable bottles if they are 32 ounces or smaller. Unsealed water bottles and reusable bottles made of metal or glass are not allowed.
Baby bottles, drinks related to medical needs, and unopened “soft-sided single-serve containers like juice boxes” are allowed.
Outside alcoholic beverages, including non-alcoholic beer, are not permitted inside T-Mobile Park.
FOOD OPTIONS Grab some grub (and beer)
T-Mobile Park is cashless, meaning only credit, debit or mobile pay options – like Apple Pay or Google Pay – are accepted. However, there are kiosks located around the park where visitors can convert cash to pre-paid debit cards.
The kiosks are free to use and can be loaded with any amount up to $500. The pre-paid debit cards do not expire and can be used anywhere that accepts credit or debit cards, including locations outside T-Mobile Park.
The cash-to-card kiosks are located near sections 116, 144, 226, 331, The 'Pen, and the Team Store.
Food options
The Mariners are offering more than just peanuts and Cracker Jacks at T-Mobile Park. Menu items feature restaurant-quality options from local restaurants and a “new and improved” Mariners Value Menu this season.
Fans can find favorite concession items like hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and refillable fountain drinks for $3 throughout the ballpark.
Several local restaurants are offering menu items at T-Mobile Park this season, including Hawaii-Korean fusion eatery Marination, local chain Just Poké, and Pure Açai, which is a sister business of Just Poké. Holy Smoke BBQ also updated its menu items for the 2022 season.
Edgar’s Cantina introduced several new items this season as well, including Tacos del Barrio with chicken, pork, or fried avocado; BBQ brisket quesadilla, shrimp tostada, carne asada sliders, and Cantina Nachos.
Vegan and non-meat options are also available at the ballpark.
Looking for a specific or cheaper beer? Click here to see the T-Mobile Park Beer Finder.
OTHER INFORMATION AND FAQS
Below are a few frequently asked questions and other information about T-Mobile Park:
Can I bring a camera?
Photography and video are allowed inside T-Mobile Park if the images are for personal use only. “Videotaping any game action is prohibited,” the M’s website states. Cameras smaller than 6 inches with the lens fully extended are allowed.
Items that could interfere with “the enjoyment of the game for others” like tripods, detachable telephoto lenses and selfie sticks are not allowed. Video cameras, monopods and extendable gimbals are also prohibited.
Can I bring a…
Coolers are not permitted inside the T-Mobile Park, but fans can bring one factory-sealed plastic water bottle or empty plastic water bottles under 32 ounces into the ballpark. Chairs or bleacher seat backs containing metal are also not allowed.
Other prohibited items include drones, balloons, beach balls and other inflatable items, laser pointers, self-defense sprays and weapons of any kind. Click here to see the full “prohibited items” list on the Mariners’ website.
Dress for the weather
T-Mobile Park is a one-of-a-kind retractable roof that is designed to cover, but not fully enclose the ballpark. While the retractable roof preserves an open-air environment while protecting fans from possible rain, visitors should dress appropriately, especially during the postseason. Click here to check the forecast.
Can I smoke inside?
Smoking is not allowed inside T-Mobile Park or within 25 feet of entrances, windows and vent intakes. This includes cannabis, chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes.
All-gender restrooms
All-Gender Restrooms are located in Sections 105, 120, 234, 319, 327 and 333.
Lost and found
Anyone who misplaces an item or becomes separated from their party should go to a Guest Service Center, located at sections 128, 329 and at The ‘Pen. Visitors can call (206) 346-4000 after a game for help with a lost item. Items will be kept for a month before being donated to charity.
Looking for something that isn’t on the list? Click here to visit the T-Mobile Park Information Guide.