PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies already hit a bunch of home runs in the 2024 season, and that’s before the team even gets on the field Thursday on opening day.
The home runs are in food, fashion and fan fun.
In a special preview-to-the-season event on Monday at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies and Aramark Sports + Entertainment, with the help of special guests 1980 World Series champion Dickie Noles, 1993 NL Champion Mickey Morandini, Phoebe Phanatic, the Phillies Ballgirls, and Citizen Ballpark Bankers, revealed all the exciting new foods, fan gear, special events, promotions and giveaways, ballpark enhancements and more that will be part of this season’s fan experience.
The new season begins on March 28 with a series against the Atlanta Braves, starting with the sold-out opening day presented by Nemours Children’s Health.
All fans will receive a Phillies scarf giveaway. Opening day highlights include a “parade of athletes” from Ashburn Alley onto the field, followed by a ceremonial first pitch by four-year old Zeke, a Nemours patient from Lewes, DE, and the national anthem sung by Kane Kalas, son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas. Fun includes the Budweiser Block Party at the Third Base Plaza and photos with Budweiser Clydesdales, 3D chalk art and more outside the Third Base Gate.
Festivities continue at the sold-out McDonald’s Opening Night on March 30, with The Fightins T-shirt for fans 15 and over and a block party at the Budweiser Batters Eye Bar.
On Easter Sunday, March 31, the Phillies close out the series with a 2024 Schedule Magnet presented by Valley Forge Tourism for all fans, followed by games against the Cincinnati Reds, April 1-3, with Hatfield Phillies Franks BOGO Night on April 2 and Citizens Businessperson’s Special on April 3.
“While 2024 marks our 20th anniversary at Citizens Bank Park, we are ready to make even more history at our world-class ballpark,” said Phillies Executive Vice President David Buck. “The excitement surrounding Phillies baseball has never been greater, and as we celebrate the start of the season at home, we look forward to our fans experiencing all the terrific new enhancements that are part of our game day experience.”
Fans are invited to relive history during a series of promotions that celebrate the team’s 20-year history at Citizens Bank Park. On-field highlights will include ceremonial first pitches by former players, as well as PhanaVision videos that will feature milestone moments at the ballpark.
The first tribute will be held on April 12, exactly 20 years after the inaugural game at Citizens Bank Park, with that game’s starting pitcher, Randy Wolf, returning for first pitch honors. The 20th anniversary celebrations will continue on Citizens Businessperson’s Specials May 8, May 23, June 19 and July 31; and culminate on Toyota Phillies Alumni Day, Aug. 18, with an on-field pregame event.
Fan nights and fan entry
The Phillies theme nights and giveaways are always a fan hit.
This season, highlights will include Cavity Busters Kids Opening Day, Citizens Phanatic Birthday, IBEW Local 98 Alec Bohm T-Shirt, Johnson Controls Bryson Stott Bobble Figurine, Toyota Cole Hamels Retirement Night, Xfinity Fireworks and postgame concert series presented by Jim Beam, as well as “Star Wars,” Pickleball and Harry Potter theme nights.
To view a complete lineup of giveaways and theme nights, visit http://phillies.com/promotions.
“We plan to pay tribute to our fans throughout the season,” explained Michael Harris, vice president of marketing and new media.
Fans will be happy to know that technology at the park continues to enhance fans’ experience, with the expansion of MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry Lanes to make access to the ballpark easier and quicker.
In August, Citizens Bank Park was the first to debut MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry, a free-flow facial authentication technology, resulting in a fast, hands-free, eyes-up entry. More than 17,000 fans utilized the new technology last season, which debuted at the First Base Gate.
With the program’s success, the Phils are also adding Go-Ahead Entry lanes to the Third Base and Left Field gates. To enjoy Go-Ahead Entry this season, all fans, including those who signed up last season, can register at the MLB Ballpark App.
To also speed up entry, and to add consistency with its neighboring sports stadiums, Citizens Bank Park recently instituted a new clear bag policy and now prohibits guests from bringing nonclear bags, including backpacks and draw-string bags into the ballpark.
Only clutch purses and fanny packs, no larger than 5-by-7 inches, clear bags no larger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches, medical bags, and diaper bags will be permitted into Citizens Bank Park.
When fans come to cheer on the Phils, they will also notice a new high-tech field level display in right field, showcasing in-game stats, out-of-town scores and more.
The new mural
On Monday, the Phillies and SEI, along with Mural Arts Philadelphia, unveiled a mural above Ashburn Alley in left-center field.
Dubbed “Next Generation,” the mural was designed by Jose “Busta” Bustamante, an artist from Chia, Colombia, who resides in Mantua Township, N.J. The mural concept was selected during a recent contest held by SEI and the Phillies in an effort to showcase creativity and new ideas by local artists at Citizens Bank Park.
Bustamante was selected from 20 artists who sent in their unique concept ideas. His work celebrates Philadelphia’s culture, bold spirit, Phillies fandom and SEI’s mission to build brave futures through the power of connection.
SEI and the Phillies awarded a ceremonial check for $10,000 to the contest winner and another $10,000 to Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Other new additions to the park include a new changing table for adults with disabilities and their caregivers. An adult-size, height-adjustable changing table is now located in the family restroom by the West Suite and Club Entrance, making the ballpark even more accessible for fans with mobility limitations.
The new adult changing table provides a sanitary, comfortable and safe space for assisted changing.
The new menu
One of the biggest announcements on Monday is the Phillies’ and Aramark Sports + Entertainment’s new lineup of ballpark menu options and concessions innovations to enhance the game day experience.
New food offerings will include Big Mozz mozzarella sticks, PrimoHoagies, PJ Whelihan’s Ballpark Bomb Fries and wings that alternate flavor each month, Aramark’s Bratwurst Sandwich, Greens & Grains Buffalo Chik’n Hoagie, Aramark’s Loaded Funnel Cake Fry Sundae and the Schwarburger 2.0.
Manco & Manco Pizza, the Ocean City boardwalk fan favorite, and a favorite during the last few seasons at Citizens Bank Park, has expanded to additional locations and will now be offered in the Hall of Fame Club and on the Upper Deck (Sections 212 and 321). Fans can also get the popular pizza at Ashburn Alley, Pass and Stow, Miller Lite Liberty Landing and Section 137.
Those with a sweet tooth can find On Field Ice Cream Caps throughout the Park. For those who must go gluten free, there will be gluten-free brownies, chewy marshmallow, and Herr’s Fire Roasted Sweet Corn Popcorn.
Adult beverages
For adults at the games, Casamigos Bar will offer a selection of cocktails and beer behind Section 113. Casamigos Tequila will also be served at ballpark bar locations. Kona Big Wave Bar, formerly the Goose Island at the Park Bar, is an outdoor bar located in the Third Base Plaza featuring a variety of beer, wine and spirits.
Briganti Wines, owned by former major leaguer Mike Costanzo Jr., is now served at all bar locations at the ballpark. This wine has emerged from the well-respected Risogna Vini and has produced high-quality wines in the Abruzzo region since 2017. Additionally, at all the bars in the Park, Four Walls, the new Irish American whiskey brand from Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day, will be offered.
New specialty beverages at the park will include the Fastball Freeze, a new spiked frozen cocktail or beverage served in a new baseball-shaped cup, Phillies souvenir and the non-alcoholic frozen slush puppies in Phillies colors, cherry and blue raspberry.
And the gear
Fans should gear up to shop exclusive gear this season, with merchandise that’s only available at the New Era Phillies Team Store at Citizens Bank Park, such as the 20th Anniversary Ballpark Collection commemorating 20 years of Phillies baseball at Citizens Bank Park, and an all-new custom collection of bobbleheads commemorating players, special moments and ballpark events.
Fans of the Phillie Phanatic will rejoice this season.
“We now have the largest and best offering of Phillie Phanatic merchandise to date,” announced Francis Winkey, the Phillies senior merchandise manager.
Phillie Phanatic swag includes, but is not limited to, headwear, apparel, footwear, pennants, golf accessories, drawstring bags, drinkware, collectibles, bobbleheads and more.
The ballpark carries a variety of bobbleheads, all ballpark exclusive, limited release and individually numbered.
In addition to the Phillie Phanatic bobbleheads, Harper’s 300th career home run; Michael Lorenzen’s no-hitter, featuring J.T. Realmuto; and Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott “Splash Brothers” bobbles are available early this season. Commemorative bobbles for Cole Hamels Retirement Night and the Phillies-Mets London series will be available this summer.
In addition to shopping at the park, fans can bid for some special items in an online auction.
Phillies Charities Inc. will host a 20th Anniversary Online Auction featuring signed memorabilia from players throughout Citizens Bank Park history, including a Chase Utley-signed paver from Ashburn Alley, a Jim Thome bobble head, a Bryce Harper home jersey and more.
Fans can bid through 6 p.m. April 7 at http://phillies.com/auctions.
For more information on the Phillies 2024 season, visit https://www.mlb.com/phillies.
