14 Things You Need To Know Before The Philadelphia Phillies Home Opener

It's baseball season, baby! Thursday, April 6 was going to be the start of the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Phillies Home Opener.

However, late on Tuesday, 4/5 the team and the MLB announced that due to the forecast for Thursday they are moving the home opener. The Phillies will now open the season at home on Friday, April 7th.

If you managed to get your hands on some tickets, good for you! You are bound to have the best time ever. If not, don't fret. The game will be broadcast on NBC so you won't miss any action.

There are some things you'll want to know before the Home Opener, though, and we have the answers.

The gates of Citizens Bank Park officially open at 12:35 pm. Just 2 and a half hours before the game starts. As you arrive, you'll receive a 2022 National League Champions Pennant. Because yes, our Phillies are reigning champs of the National League!

Boy are there! And they begin at 2:15 pm. Make sure you're in your seat for these, you don't wanna miss it all. Just as a teaser: The Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale will perform “America the Beautiful,” the teams will be introduced,  they will raise of the 2022 National League champions pennant, and Kane Kalas, son of the late Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, will sing the national anthem. And MORE!

They will be playing the Cinncinati Reds, beginning a series that will last until Sunday, April 9th. The Reds are 3-2 and are just finishing up a series with the Cubs.

The game starts at 3:05 pm. You will likely already be in your seats with your snacks and drinks by then because of all of pomp and circumstance. But, seriously, if you're not, get to them by 3 at the LATEST!

When you used to enter the ballpark there was a process of having to split from your group. Those with bags went one way, those without went a different way. It was a hectic experience trying to reform your group after that. Well now that's a thing of the past. The fast security process, thanks to AI that detects large-density metal, will allow people with bags to walk straight through. Separation no more!

With the game being moved to Friday, April 7 the forecast is much more favorable with cloudy skies and highs in the 50s.

It hasn't been perfect. Our Phillies are 1-5. After getting swept by the Rangers, they just got their first win against the Yankees this week. They need all the support and cheers they can get! They'll heat up as soon as they play at home, we know it. It's been a long time away for them.

It's literally huge. The Phanavison scoreboard is 152 feet wide and 86 feet tall. It's 77 % larger than the old display. It's like watching your TV at home from your seat.

We won't go too into this. Since you can find them all at the bottom of this page. BUT, just know they did not come to play.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the game. He is another Philly hero, taking us to the championship in February of 2023. While the Birds didn't bring home the win, Coach Sirianni gave us quite the season. He deserves to be honored this way!

Guys. There will be literal Clydesdales there to take photos with. This is serious. Find more photo-ops inside the Third Base Plaza, inside the First Base Plaza, outside First Base Gate, on Citizens Bank Way, and outside Third Base Gate.

The Phillies have been kind enough to provide us with a helpful parking map. Parking for Phillies games at Citizens Bank Park is cashless. You can pay with credit/debit cards and mobile payment. You can also pick up a pre-paid parking pass online.

Tickets can be accessed on the MLB Ballpark app. It's a free download. It'll make your life easier, as you won't have to scramble at the gate to find your paper tickets. Tickets on your phone. How convenient!

Well...not officially. Through the official Phillies website, tickets are sold out. If you manage to get your hands on some in another way, good for you! But be careful. The game is just as fun to watch from home. You can throw your own Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day celebration in your living room. There are plenty more games in the season for you to get to!

Eating at the ballpark is more than just peanuts and cracker jacks. There are tons of bars and restaurants that are a must on Opening Day at Citizen's Bank Park.

Baseball is back, baby. The Phillies had an extraordinary season last year and we can't wait to see them play again. April 7th, 2023 is the day we've been waiting for. Opening Day at Citizen's Bank Park. We hope they'll make it a win against The Reds.

You may be a new season ticket holder, thanks to the amazing 2021-2022 season. You may be a regular at the ballpark. You may have scored tickets to the Opening Day celebrations. Whatever your status is, you're gonna get hungry at the game. And you probably want to know all the new and exciting things the ballpark has to offer.

The eateries at the park are constantly evolving and innovating. They try to provide the best possible experience to fans and guests, so menu options change with the seasons. There is nothing better than relaxing and watching a Phillies game while chowing down on a delicious slice of pizza or hot dog. But even then, there's STILL more the ballpark has to offer when it comes to food. Pizza doesn't even scratch the surface.

Whatever you fancy, you'll probably be able to find it at the game. It's almost time to cheer on our 2022 National League Champions in the regular season. Might as well eat good while you're doing it. Let's go Phils!

VEGANS REJOICE! There is a solid option coming to the ballpark for those who are vegan. What a sight to see. Greens and Grains is officially the first and only plant-based brand to take residency at a Philadelphia sports venue. They are only one of a handful in the entire country. Their location will be in section 125 behind home plate, right in front of Shake Shack. On their menu you'll find one of their best sellers - a vegan gyro.

This newbie is not so new anymore! Manco and Manco Pizza, the popular shore joint, is ringing in its second year at the ballpark. This delicious addition brings the joy of Jersey Shore pizza to a great environment. If you haven't tried one of their HUGE slices yet, you HAVE to get over to Ashburn Alley and get yourself some. You won't be disappointed.

In section 140 you'll find fluffy donuts and mouth-watering chicken strips at Federal Donuts. The chicken strips are a new addition this year, served with an "everything rooster" dipping sauce. You may not associate baseball with donuts, of all things, but the handheld treat is surprisingly easy to carry with you back to your seat to chew on while Bryce Harper rounds home plate.

How great is this? A new addition this year, Uncle Charlie's Steaks, is named after our friend Charlie Manuel. Uncle Charlie’s Steaks will be located at Section 109. They will be serving up a cheesesteak on a Liscio’s Bakery seeded roll with Herr’s Kettle Chips on the side. What a great way to honor the 2008 World Series Champion?

Another new addition from last season, Colbie's Southern Kissed Chicken brings stellar fried chicken sandwiches to Citizen's Bank Park. They are just amazing. The juicy chicken on a sweet fluffy bun can be served classic or Nashville Hot. You really can't go wrong, though. Or, you can treat yourself to some chicken tenders and their signature fries. Find them behind section 120.

The Budweiser Rooftop bar boasts great views of the city, and great proximity to other eateries. The bar in Ashburn Alley is a great place to get some beer while enjoying the game.

Campo's has become a quick ballpark staple. What's more Philly than a classic cheesesteak at a Phillies game? Campo's is one of two historic cheesesteak spots at CBP. Here, you’ll find chicken cheesesteaks, vegetarian steaks, and a signature spicy cheesesteak known as “The Heater.” Good news for early birds, Campo’s opens two hours before first pitch. You can find them in Ashburn Alley.

The iconic burger joint, Shake Shack, made its way to the ballpark in 2019. Since then they've been serving burgers, fries, and shakes to hungry baseball fans. You can find them at the Third Base Gate. It's actually a sit-down spot, which is rare to find at a sports venue. You can opt to take it back to your seat or stay right there and enjoy.

Looking for a smoky option rather than a fried option? Look no further than Bull's BBQ in the Left Field Plaza. Named for Greg “The Bull” Luzinski, the stand offers something more unique to the baseball experience. Here you can get BBQ classics like pulled pork, smoked brisket, and sliced smoked turkey sandwiches. They also have sides like baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread.

Pass and Stow is an outdoor beer garden at the Third Base Gate serving beer, wine, and spirits, brick-oven pizza. They also have tons of TVs. It opens two hours before the start of each home game and stays open until post-game. They have a new menu item dropping this season as well. They are South Philly Disco Fries. What's that? Fries with roast pork, melted sharp provolone cheese, broccoli rabe, and roasted red peppers.

At Old City Creamery, or essentially any place you get ice cream at the park, you can get your frozen treat served in a mini Phillies batting helmet. How cute is that? You need to make sure your meal is capped off with some ice cream while you're at the game. It's a CBP must.