After a busy offseason, the Washington Nationals kick off the 2023 season with a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, followed by a three-game set vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. The first homestand of the season features several fun promotions and events for fans of all ages, including an Opening Day City Connect t-shirt and the first of four Patriotic Series games with Military Appreciation Day.
Single-game tickets for all Nationals home games are on sale now. The Nationals open their 2023 campaign at Nationals Park on Thursday, March 30, against the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET and gates will be open to fans at 11:30 a.m. ET. Tickets are available at nats.com/OpeningDay.
As a reminder, if you would like to cover any events at Nationals Park, please contact Valerie Todryk Krebs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Gabrielle Scheder-Bieschin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Devon Bridges at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for credentialing information in advance of the event.
THURSDAY, MARCH 30 vs. ATLANTA BRAVES (1:05 PM ET)
- Opening Day City Connect T-Shirt
o The first 20,000 fans will receive an Opening Day City Connect t-shirt presented by PenFed.
- Ring of Honor Induction Ceremony
o The Washington Nationals will induct Founding Managing Principal Owner Theodore N. Lerner into the Nationals Ring of Honor in a special Opening Day pregame ceremony.
o Created in 2010, the Ring of Honor pays tribute to some of the most elite and influential members of the Washington Nationals, Washington Senators, Homestead Grays and Montreal Expos organizations.
- Ring of honor names are displayed behind home plate, extending to the right field façade.
- Mr. Lerner’s name will be displayed behind home plate, below the owner’s suite.
o In addition to the Ring of Honor induction, the Nationals players and coaches will wear a dedicated patch on their home and away jersey sleeves in remembrance of Mr. Lerner.
- The oval patch features three stars above Mr. Lerner’s initials in a classic font. The three stars represent the DMV.
OPENING DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The 2023 Opening Day pregame ceremony will include:
- America the Beautiful performed by the United States Air Force Band, The Singing Sergeants.
- Nationals Park 15th anniversary video.
- Honoring Washington Nationals Founding Managing Principal Owner Theodore N. Lerner.
- Ceremonial First Pitch thrown by Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova.
- Giant American flag unfurled by service members from across the National Capital Region.
- Our Nation’s colors presented by The United States Armed Forces Color Guard.
- National anthem performed by D.C. Washington.
- Flyover by the 121st Fighter Squadron, D.C. Air National Guard, Capital Guardians.
- God Bless America performed by Technical Sergeant Katie Edelman from the United States Air Force Band, The Singing Sergeants.
OPENING DAY FAN PROMOTIONS & EVENTS
- 2019 World Series champion Gerardo Parra will lead the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales on a tour around the Navy Yard neighborhood beginning at 10:45 a.m. and concluding at the Nationals Park Center Field Gates at approximately 11:15 a.m. Parra and the Clydesdales will be available for photos until 11:30 a.m.
- DJ Stylus Chris will perform at the First Base Gate at 11:00 a.m.
- DJ Flexx will perform in the Center Field Plaza at 11:00 a.m. The performance is presented by Coca-Cola.
- The JoGo Project will perform at the Budweiser Terrace at 11:00 a.m.
- The Family Picnic Area will feature face painters, caricature artists and balloon twisters beginning at 11:00 a.m.
- Photo opportunities for fans with the balloon display will be available in the Center Field Plaza from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
- Hoop Tea will provide complimentary samples of their spiked iced teas next to the Team Store beginning when gates open through the seventh inning, while supplies last. Fans must be 21 years or older to participate in the tasting.
- NUTRL will provide complimentary samples of their vodka seltzer beverages at Section 105 and Budweiser Terrace once gates open through the seventh inning, while supplies last. Fans must be 21 years or older to participate in the tasting.
- Coca-Cola will provide complimentary samples of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar as fans exit the ballpark through the Center Field Gates, while supplies last.
SATURDAY, APRIL 1 vs. ATLANTA BRAVES (4:05 PM ET)
- City Connect On-Field Wear Date
o The Nationals are back in bloom! The cherry blossom-themed uniforms return in 2023 as part of Nike’s City Connect series.
o The Nationals Team Store will carry new and expanded lines of City Connect merchandise.
o The Nationals will sport their cherry blossom-themed City Connect uniforms during all Friday and Saturday home games this season (with the exception of Jackie Robinson Day on Saturday, April 15).
o To learn more about the City Connect series, visit nats.com/CityConnect.
SUNDAY, APRIL 2 vs. ATLANTA BRAVES (1:35 PM ET)
- Signature Sundays
o Every Sunday home game, two Nationals players, coaches or broadcasters will be available for autographs down the first base line near the Nationals dugout prior to the game.
o The Nationals will provide vouchers at Section 103 on a first-come, first-served basis for fans to take part, weather permitting.
TUESDAY, APRIL 4 vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS (7:05 PM ET)
- Patriotic Series presented by PenFed – Military Appreciation Day
o The Nationals are proud to host the Patriotic Series presented by PenFed, honoring the men and women of the U.S. military and first responders. This series features special programming, pregame assets and Salute to Service.
o To kick off the 2023 Patriotic Series, the Nationals will host Military Appreciation Day on Tuesday, April 4.
o The team will provide two complimentary tickets to active duty, dependents, veterans, retirees, reservists, National Guard and DOD civilians with military ID or proof of service, while supplies last.
- For tickets, visit the Home Plate Box Office beginning at 5:30 p.m. that day.
o Pregame assets include:
- A simultaneous Ceremonial First Pitch will be thrown by:
- Major General Joel Jackson, Commander, Air Force District Washington
- Major General David Maxwell, Commander, Marine Corps Installations Command
- Captain Grahame Dicks, Chief of Staff, Naval District Washington
- Colonel John J. Geis III, Chief of Staff, Military District of Washington
- Flyover by four UH-60’s from the 12th Aviation Battalion of the U.S. Army.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 VS. TAMPA BAY RAYS (1:05 PM ET)
- Blossoms & Baseball: National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration presented by Cherry Coke
o The Washington Nationals celebrate the best parts of spring in D.C. – the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the start of a new baseball season.
o Blossoms & Baseball t-shirts will be handed out at the Budweiser Terrace and Devil’s Backbone Lodge.
o Fans can take photos in front of a cherry blossom greenery backdrop in the Center Field Plaza beginning at 11:30 a.m.
o Pregame assets include:
- Ceremonial First Pitch thrown by Ambassador of Japan to the United States Koji Tomita.
BUDWEISER HAPPY HOUR ENTERTAINMENT
- Saturday, April 1 – DJ Chris Stiles at Budweiser Terrace presented by Budweiser
**All performances begin two hours before first pitch
NATIONALS PHILANTHROPIES 5050 RAFFLE
- The 5050 Raffle returns for all home games this season, offering fans the chance to win big cash prizes while supporting the community impact work of Nationals Philanthropies. New ticket prices and additional prizes give fans more ways to win.
- Online ticket sales will open three hours before first pitch, and tickets will also be available inside Nationals Park at the kiosks located by sections 108, 138, 243 and 312 or from roving sellers through the middle of the 7th inning.
- Tickets can be purchased using cash, credit and debit cards at the following price points: 5 for $10, 20 for $20, 100 for $40, and 300 for $100.
- Fans can also purchase Raffle tickets from their computers or mobile devices anywhere within the District. For more information and to purchase Raffle tickets online, visit nats4good.org/5050.
CYCLE REVERSE VENDING MACHINES
- As part of its involvement in Anheuser-Busch’s National Recycling League, Nationals Park are the first Major League Baseball stadium with Cycle Reverse Vending Machines.
- Located near the Budweiser Brew House and next to the Budweiser Terrace, fans can win rewards in exchange for recycling their empty beverage containers at these machines.
o Fans insert empty beverage containers at the machines and scan a QR code to receive a unique transaction ID. After entering information in the web app, users will find out instantly if they have won along with instructions on how to redeem their prize.
o A grand prize is given out every game, and the top recycler each homestand receives a special gift.
NATIONALS PARK ENTRY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
- Water Bottles
o Nationals Park continues to allow clear, factory-sealed or empty plastic water bottles no larger than one liter. Metal and glass water bottles are not allowed, nor are frozen water bottles.
o Only one water bottle per person is permitted.
o Water bottle refill stations are available throughout the ballpark.
- Bag Policy
o All bags larger than a clutch must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and may not be larger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches.
o Fans may bring a clutch (5” x 7” x ¾” or smaller) in addition to or instead of a clear bag.
o Fans with diaper or medical bags may use ADA/Family lanes at the Center Field and Home Plate gates to have their items inspected.
o Binbox is available for fans whose bags do not comply with ballpark regulations.
- To learn more about Nationals Park entry policies and procedures, please visit nats.com.
GETTING TO THE BALLPARK
Parking is sold out for the Opening Day game vs. the Braves. For the remainder of the games throughout the season, parking options for Nationals fans start at $20 and are available online at nats.com/Parking. Fans are encouraged to purchase parking in advance to ensure a space in their desired location.
Fans using Metro to travel to or from Nationals Park are encouraged to review the Metro schedule at wmata.com/schedules.
Fans should also consider alternate forms of travel to and from the ballpark, including the D.C. Circulator from Union Station, biking to the ballpark, or the baseball boat from Alexandria. Visit nats.com/WayToGo for information on parking and transportation options to Nationals Park. To receive up-to-date WMATA service notifications on a mobile device, fans are encouraged to register for Alert DC at http://hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc.
Fans traveling to the ballpark should be aware that there are construction projects underway in the surrounding area. To ensure safe crossings, please be mindful of signage and directions given by public safety officers.
BALLPARK SAFETY
Nationals Park is a completely non-smoking and tobacco-free facility per District of Columbia law. There is no exception for electronic cigarettes or any other type of smoking device, or for smokeless tobacco or any other type of tobacco product.
MLB and the Nationals require that all people entering Nationals Park walk through a metal detector or be screened with handheld metal detectors to search for prohibited items. This includes a thorough inspection of all jackets, coats, packages, bags, purses, and any other containers brought to any of the Nationals Park entry gates.