Washington Nationals to Celebrate Home Opener, 21st Birthday During Opening Weekend at Nationals Park
The Washington Nationals will celebrate Opening Day at Nationals Park on Friday, April 3, with a 1:05 p.m. matchup against the defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Ballpark gates open at 11:00 a.m., and fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:15 p.m. to enjoy the pregame ceremonies. The weekend fun will continue on Saturday, April 4, as the Nationals and Budweiser are throwing a 21st Birthday Celebration with special activities and giveaways for fans to enjoy. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Nationals.com/OpeningWeek.
Ahead of Friday’s home opener, the Nationals will celebrate baseball’s place in our country’s 250-year history with a special ceremonial first pitch featuring a number of individuals who have helped grow the game. Additionally, the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band will perform the national anthem, America the Beautiful and God Bless America; a representative from Boeing will deliver the game’s lineup card to umpires at home plate; and Mayor Muriel Bowser will give the call to ‘Play Ball!’ The Opening Day pregame ceremonies will also feature 250 military members creating a tunnel in center field for starting lineup and manager introductions; our nation’s colors presented by Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; a giant American flag unfurling in the outfield; and a flyover from four F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 121st Fighter Squadron, D.C. Air National Guard.
Before the start of the game, the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales will take a tour around the neighborhood of the ballpark at 10:00 a.m. before completing their walk at Nationals Park. Fans will have the chance for photos in front of the Center Field Gates from approximately 10:30 to 10:45 a.m.
The Opening Weekend party will continue on Saturday, April 4, as the Nationals and Budweiser are throwing a 21st Birthday Celebration. The festivities – marking 21 years since the Nationals’ inaugural game on April 4, 2005, will include birthday party hats for fans entering through Center Field Gate and at the Budweiser Terrace, a photo opportunity with the Budweiser Clydesdale in Center Field Plaza, live music at the Budweiser Terrace, free cupcakes at select tabling locations around the ballpark, free Budweiser swag during Happy Hour with the purchase of an Anheuser-Busch product and more.
The Nationals and Budweiser will also raise a glass to toast to Nationals fans near and far with a “ceremonial first sip” before the start of the game, featuring lifelong Nationals fan Sorcha Lewis, who will also be celebrating her 21st birthday at Nationals Park that day.
On both Friday and Saturday, Nationals.TV telecasts will include drone coverage of Nationals Park, as well as an extended one-hour pregame show beginning at noon. The inaugural season of Nationals.TV features Dan Kolko as the Nationals’ play-by-play broadcaster alongside analyst Kevin Frandsen and host and reporter Alexa Datt. This season’s games will also feature several production enhancements, including Wire Cam and shallow depth RF cameras. All three broadcasters will be live from location for every game – home and away – with coverage available on cable, satellite and streaming. To learn more about Nationals.TV and how to watch Nationals games this season, visit Nationals.com/Watch.
The first homestand of the season also features Japanese Heritage Day (Saturday, April 4), the first Pups in the Park presented by PEDIGREE Foundation game of the season (Tuesday, April 7), $5 Tuesday (Tuesday, April 7) and a vintage batting practice pullover giveaway for 20,000 fans (Tuesday, April 7).
The Washington Nationals open their 2026 home slate against the Dodgers on Friday, April 3, at 1:05 p.m. A limited number of tickets are available at Nationals.com/OpeningDay.