Padres Announce 2026 Opening Series Details Presented By Sycuan Casino Resort
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres today announced details surrounding the 2026 Opening Series at Petco Park presented by Sycuan Casino Resort against the Detroit Tigers. Right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta is taking the mound against the Tigers for his first career Opening Day start, with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. A limited number of tickets for Padres Opening Day are available, including Standing Room Only tickets for fans to enjoy the game in Gallagher Square.
Thursday’s pregame ceremony will feature all the pageantry of Opening Day, including the unfurling of the United States-Shaped Flag. Family members of the late Cy Young Award Winner Randy Jones will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch, Tinika Wyatt, San Diego native and former contestant of NBC “The Voice,” is performing the National Anthem, and two USMC AH1-Z Viper Attack Helicopters and two USMC UH1Y Venom Utility Helicopters will perform a flyover. Musician 2nd Class Ashley Pollock (MU2) from the United States Navy is performing God Bless America prior to the 7th-inning stretch.
All Petco Park gates open at 11:00 a.m. for Opening Day. This affords fans the opportunity to enter early and experience all Petco Park has to offer, including the Padres New Era Team Store, new food and beverage offerings, new retail items, and the return of the Padres 50/50 Raffle with proceeds benefiting the Padres Foundation. Diamond Room, located outside of Gaslamp Gate, is also available for fans to enjoy small bites and drinks before or after the game. Fans should be in their seats no later than 12:30 p.m. to view the entire 2026 Opening Day pregame ceremony.
With high attendance expected for the Opening Series, fans are advised to enter the ballpark early and pre-purchase parking. Fans can purchase parking for off-site locations, including the San Diego Convention Center and Bayfront Hilton, by visiting www.padres.com/transportation. Guests without pre-purchased parking passes are encouraged to utilize public transportation or rideshare services and take advantage of a convenient pickup and drop off rideshare location at the Bayfront Hilton.
Continuing this year, standard Petco Park security procedures, including walk-through metal detectors, will be in place for every game. All fans must be screened as they enter the ballpark. For enhanced ballpark security and to accelerate the entry process for all guests, Petco Park’s bag policy prohibits bags except for clutches and purses no larger than 5” X 7”, single-compartment clear plastic bags not exceeding 12” X 6” X 12” or infant and medical bags. New Lock & Go Lockers are available for all guests to use for all Padres games for a flat rate. Four lockers are available around Petco Park and specifically located at the Lexus Premier Lot, Tony Gwynn Drive and L Street, and outside of the Balboa and East Village Gates. Additionally, dedicated ballpark entrances are available for Season Ticket Members at the Home Plate and Park Blvd Gates. More information, including a list of items that are permitted and prohibited at Petco Park, can be found at https://www.mlb.com/padres/ballpark/entry-policies.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) continues to offer all three Trolley Lines — the Sycuan Green Line, the UC San Diego Blue Line and the Orange Line — for fans this season with direct service to Petco Park and increased service following the game. The UC San Diego Blue Line runs southbound from UTC to Petco Park daily, providing a convenient stop for fans at the 12th and Imperial station in Downtown. The North County Transit District (NCTD) offers COASTER service with southbound trains departing from Oceanside Transit Center on Opening Day. Free parking is available at all North County Coaster stations and Coaster Regional Day passes include free trolley connections. For more information and updates, visit the Petco Park transportation page at www.padres.com/transportation.
Game two of the Opening Series on Friday is highlighted by the Opening Series Scarf giveaway presented by Sycuan Casino Resort (available to the first 40,000 fans in attendance) as well as Party in the Park: BeerFest presented by Southwest Airlines in Gallagher Square with beer specials starting at $5 and live music beginning at 4:00 p.m. with first pitch slated for 6:40 p.m. Game three against the Tigers on Saturday is highlighted by Nova Kombucha drink specials, as well as Theme Game: Hello Kitty #1, which includes a limited addition Hello Kitty belt bag available exclusively with the purchase of a dedicated Theme Game Package at www.padres.com/themegames. The USAA Military Appreciation Zone returns at the top of the Home Plate Gate stairs for active-duty service members, veterans and their families, and USAA Members to enjoy food and drink specials starting at $5 from 3:30-5:40 p.m., and Elana Meyers Taylor, 2026 Winter Olympics Monobob Gold Medalist, is throwing the game’s Ceremonial First Pitch. The series concludes with Opening Series Fireworks presented by SeatGeek following Saturday’s game. The Padres will then enjoy a rare day off at home on Sunday before resuming the homestand on Monday.
The Padres continue their opening homestand with a three-game set against the San Francisco Giants from March 30-April 1. Monday’s game on March 30 is highlighted by the 1998 Belt Bag presented by QuidelOrtho, which will be available to the first 40,000 fans in attendance. Additionally, Theme Game: BCLT Heritage Celebration takes place on Monday in recognition of the San Diego Burmese, Cambodian, Lao and Thai communities. Fans must purchase a special Theme Game package for BCLT Heritage Celebration to receive a limited-edition themed scarf, available at www.padres.com/themegames. Season Ticket Members are encouraged to arrive early on Monday to watch the Padres take batting practice prior to the game. Bark at the Park #1 presented by Petco returns Tuesday, followed by the final game of the homestand on Wednesday, April 1.
Tickets for all home games can be purchased through www.padres.com, the MLB Ballpark app or the Advance Ticket Windows at Petco Park. As Petco Park offers completely digital ticketing, fans are encouraged to download the MLB Ballpark app and select the Padres as their favorite team to access their digital tickets throughout the 2026 season.