MLB
Stadium Guide
·
Cincinnati, Ohio
Opened
March 31, 2003
Capacity of
42,319
Best way there
Second St / Downtown Cincinnati stops
10-minute walk to the gates.
Tickets
Mobile, in the MLB Ballpark app
Arrive by
Gates open 90 min early
Some spring and fall weeknights open 1 hr early.
Bag policy
16" × 16" × 8" max, no backpacks
All carry-in items are inspected.
Food & water
Yes: outside food and sealed drinks
Soft drinks and water in sealed clear plastic bottles.
Parking
$15–$30
Downtown Cincinnati garages and lots.
Nearest airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) · 14 mi
About 25 min by car.
Best value seats
View Level sections 411–422
Mid-infield.
Great American Ball Park opened in 2003 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, replacing the multi-purpose Riverfront Stadium. It holds just over 42,000 fans and offers some of the best views of any MLB park — the river and the Kentucky hills beyond the outfield make for a genuinely scenic backdrop, especially at dusk. The ballpark has a traditional feel with modern amenities, and the sightlines throughout are strong.
The Banks, the entertainment district directly behind the ballpark, has grown significantly since the stadium opened and now offers a solid collection of bars and restaurants within steps of the gates. The Cincinnati streetcar runs nearby, and the ballpark is walkable from much of downtown. The plaza area in front of the park, with its view of the river, is a great place to arrive early and soak in the setting before heading inside.
CVG is about 14 miles south of Great American Ball Park, in Northern Kentucky. Rideshare runs $25–40. There's no direct transit, so drive or take rideshare.
ADA spaces are in nearby garages and Reds-operated lots. Accessible drop-off is on Joe Nuxhall Way near the main entrance. Accessibility services: (513) 765-7000 or reds.com/accessibility.
Downtown garages and surface lots, most a 5–10 minute walk. Pre-book via SpotHero or the Reds website for better rates. Lots are easy to exit.
Tailgating happens in the riverfront surface lots. The pre-game scene also fills the bars and restaurants along Second St and The Banks, between GABP and Paycor Stadium.
Transit is bus-based. Several SORTA/Metro routes stop within walking distance. Most fans drive or take rideshare. Check go-metro.com for routes and game-day service.
GABP is in The Banks district on the Ohio River, next to downtown. It's a 10–15 minute walk from the downtown core, especially along the Ohio River Trail.
Bike parking near the ballpark along the Ohio River waterfront trail. The Little Miami Scenic Trail and downtown bike network make cycling an option on mild evenings.
Soft drinks and water in clear plastic bottles with the seal unbroken. No insulated foam or metal cups from restaurants, convenience stores or gas stations. No Yeti cups or similar.
Outside food is allowed in containers smaller than 16"x16"x8”
No backpacks of any kind. Reds Heads bags, medical bags and diaper bags are allowed. All other carry-ins are inspected.
Carry-ins max 16”x 16” x 8”.
The Reds dugout is on the third base side, so sections 118–130 put you close to the home team with strong infield sightlines. The Scout Seats behind home plate are premium and excellent. The park has an Ohio River and downtown backdrop.
The View Level is the upper deck. Mid-infield sections give a good panoramic view of the field and the Ohio River at a fraction of the lower bowl price.
Skip sections 401–408 and 425–432. They're distant with poor angles. A few lower deck sections near the far foul poles have restricted angles toward home plate. No pole obstructions.
The first base and right field side is in direct sun for day games, intense in July and August. The third base side gets upper deck shade earlier. The river sometimes brings a breeze.
Open-air with no roof. July and August afternoons are hot and humid, especially in unshaded seats. Thunderstorm delays are fairly common in summer. April nights along the river can be cold. Fall is beautiful.
Section 116, 129, 411 - Famous ribs. The Saratoga chips with Montgomery Inn sauce are a ballpark essential.
Sections 108, 123, 404, 424 - A Cincinnati staple since 1954. The pepperoni is a favorite.
Section 111 - Belgian waffles and crepes, sweet or savory.
The TriHealth Family Zone (View Level, right field corner) has a playset with two slides, a bridge and a clubhouse, toddler-sized batting cages, a lounge overlooking the Ohio River, and a reading room.
First Star Fan Zone, Terrace Level, has batting cages, a wiffle ball field and a playground. Open until the last out.
Nursing: Pampers Nursing Suite (TriHealth), View Level near sections 536/537, inside the TriHealth Family Zone.
Changing tables: In all restrooms.
Strollers: Allowed if they don't block aisles. Store unused strollers at fan accommodation stations.
Sensory/quiet space: Sensory room inside the TriHealth Family Zone.
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