Upcoming games
Schedule data syncs from our events feed. Ticket links go to SeatGeek.
- Get ticketsSeattle Mariners at Washington NationalsFri, Jun 12, 2026 · 6:45 PM EDT
- Get ticketsSeattle Mariners at Washington NationalsSat, Jun 13, 2026 · 4:05 PM EDT
- Get ticketsSeattle Mariners at Washington NationalsSun, Jun 14, 2026 · 1:35 PM EDT
- Get ticketsKansas City Royals at Washington NationalsMon, Jun 15, 2026 · 6:45 PM EDT
- Get ticketsKansas City Royals at Washington NationalsTue, Jun 16, 2026 · 6:45 PM EDT
- Get ticketsKansas City Royals at Washington NationalsWed, Jun 17, 2026 · 1:05 PM EDT
- Get ticketsPhiladelphia Phillies at Washington NationalsMon, Jun 22, 2026 · 6:45 PM EDT
- Get ticketsPhiladelphia Phillies at Washington NationalsTue, Jun 23, 2026 · 6:45 PM EDT
- Get ticketsPhiladelphia Phillies at Washington NationalsWed, Jun 24, 2026 · 6:45 PM EDT
- Get ticketsPhiladelphia Phillies at Washington NationalsThu, Jun 25, 2026 · 6:45 PM EDT
- Get ticketsPittsburgh Pirates at Washington NationalsFri, Jul 3, 2026 · 6:45 PM EDT
- Get ticketsPittsburgh Pirates at Washington NationalsSat, Jul 4, 2026 · 11:05 AM EDT
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Parking
Reserve a spot in advance — game-day parking near Nationals Park fills early.
Getting there
Nationals Park sits in the Navy Yard neighborhood on the Anacostia River waterfront in southeast DC. The Metro Green Line's Navy Yard–Ballpark station is a one-block walk from the center-field gate and is the canonical transit approach — both station exits open directly into the pre-game crowd flow. The DC Circulator and several Metrobus routes also serve the area, and on game days water taxis run from the Wharf and Old Town Alexandria to the Yards Park dock. Driving in uses I-395 or South Capitol Street; team-affiliated and adjacent Navy Yard garages ring the park, and reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats game-day pricing. Rideshare drop-off zones are signed along Half Street SE and N Street SE. Confirm bag and entry rules on the Nationals' official site before going.
The neighborhood
Navy Yard has filled in dramatically since the ballpark opened in 2008 — what was a derelict industrial waterfront is now one of DC's most concentrated residential, restaurant, and entertainment neighborhoods. Half Street SE between M Street and the ballpark functions as the pedestrian pre-game spine, lined with bars and restaurants. The Yards Park along the Anacostia River sits east of the ballpark and connects via waterfront promenade to Audi Field's Buzzard Point a 15-minute walk west. Barracks Row on 8th Street SE is a 15-minute walk north into Capitol Hill and offers a quieter, residential-scale pre-game corridor. The Wharf — DC's other major recent waterfront redevelopment — sits across the Washington Channel and is reachable by water taxi.
Where to eat & drink nearby
Walkable pre-game stops include Bluejacket Brewery (the canonical Navy Yard brewery in a converted boilermaker shop two blocks from the ballpark), Walters Sports Bar (a multi-level Half Street game-day institution directly across from the center-field gate), and Mission Navy Yard (margaritas-and-tacos pre-game standby on M Street). All-Purpose Pizzeria on the Riverfront is a higher-end sit-down pizza spot, and The Salt Line is the canonical Navy Yard oyster bar on the Yards Park waterfront. Ice Cream Jubilee on Tingey Street is a Yards Park dessert tradition. For a Barracks Row detour, Ted's Bulletin is the canonical 8th Street SE all-day diner a 15-minute walk north. Pre-game crowds at Half Street bars build quickly within an hour of first pitch.
First-timer tips
Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before first pitch — the Navy Yard–Ballpark Metro station surges before night games and security screening can stack up. The Presidents Race at the end of the fourth inning (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, plus rotating additions) is a signature Nationals Park ritual — sit on the third-base side for the best view of the racers' tunnel exit. The center-field cherry-blossom area gives the park its distinct DC visual identity in April. Mobile-only tickets and cash-free concessions are the norm. The Nationals publish current bag policy and gate-open times on their official site and these change season to season — check before traveling.
Best games to catch
Nationals–Phillies and Nationals–Mets are the NL East rivalry weekends with the heaviest visiting-fan presence — Philadelphia and New York fans routinely travel down for weekend series and price the games above season average. Nationals–Braves carries division weight. Nationals–Orioles in the Beltway Series is the regional interleague draw given the MARC connection to Baltimore. Visits from the Dodgers, Cubs, and Yankees anchor the strongest interleague weekends. The Nationals' promotional calendar — Pups in the Park, fireworks Fridays, heritage jerseys, bobblehead nights — is published on the team site and varies year to year. The park hosted the 2018 MLB All-Star Game.
What to know
Nationals Park opened in March 2008, replacing RFK Stadium where the relocated Montreal Expos played their first three DC seasons (2005–2007). The park was the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The Nationals won the 2019 World Series — the city's first World Series title since the original Washington Senators' 1924 championship — anchoring the building's defining modern moment. The center-field plaza beyond the gates is the visual signature: the cherry blossom-themed plaza and the view of the Capitol dome rising over the third-base side make Nationals Park one of MLB's most distinctly placed ballparks. The Navy Yard neighborhood around the ballpark has been the most-cited urban transformation tied to a US sports venue of the past two decades. Audi Field (DC United) opened seven years later a 15-minute walk west at Buzzard Point, extending the waterfront sports corridor.
Frequently asked questions
What time do gates open at Nationals Park?
Gates typically open about 90 minutes to 2 hours before first pitch on game days, with earlier openings for premium-ticket holders. Exact gate-open times shift season to season — check the Nationals' official gates and entry page for the current schedule.
How do I get to Nationals Park on Metro?
The Green Line's Navy Yard–Ballpark station is one block from the center-field gate. Both station exits open directly into the pre-game crowd flow. From downtown DC the ride is typically 10–15 minutes.
Where can I park near Nationals Park?
Team-affiliated and adjacent Navy Yard garages ring the park. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats game-day pricing. Many visitors instead use Metro and skip parking entirely.
Can I take a water taxi to Nationals Park?
Yes — on game days water taxis run from The Wharf and Old Town Alexandria to the Yards Park dock immediately east of the ballpark. Check the current operator's published schedule before relying on the connection.
When does the Presidents Race happen?
The Presidents Race runs in the middle of the fourth inning at every Nationals home game. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and rotating additions race across the warning track in oversized character costumes.
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