The Great American Ballpark is one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in baseball and an absolute treat to visit for fans. Here’s everything you must know before arriving at the stadium.
The Cincinnati Reds play at the ballpark and are America’s first professional baseball franchise. They are currently in the National League (NL) Central division within the MLB. The Reds began play in 1882 as a founding member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.
Great American Ballpark is located in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, right on the banks of the winding Ohio River. The address to the stadium is 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Hamilton County is the owner of the Great American Ballpark. In 1996, Hamilton County voters passed a 1/2% sales tax increase to help fund the construction of new venues for both the Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. According to the lease agreement for the Reds, they owed $2.5 million in rent annually for years 1-9 to Hamilton County, and then owed $1 annually for years 10-35 of the contract.
The Great American Ballpark was opened on March 31, 2003. The ballpark replaced Cinergy Field (formerly Riverfront Stadium), which was the Reds’ former ballpark from 1970 to 2002. Great American Insurance bought the naming rights to the new stadium for $75 million for thirty years.
All gates at the stadium open 90 minutes before a scheduled game starts.
The seating capacity is approximately 42,319, which is spread across three levels, each with its sweeping views of the field. The lower grandstand extends from the left field pole to home plate, and then around to the right field foul pole. The second deck consists of club seats, luxury suites, and the press box. The upper, or third, deck is broken up into two sections, stretching from foul pole to foul pole. The gap in the third deck is between home plate and third base, enabling those in Cincinnati to see into the ballpark, and allowing the upper deck to be closer to the field than other stadiums.
The best seats will be located behind home plate in the Diamond Club or Scout seats. You can also rely on the seats just beyond the team dugouts down the first or third baselines. If you want to sit closer to the Reds’ dugout (first base side), then look for seats in rows EE and higher of sections 128-131.
Umbrellas are permitted in the ballpark. For the safety of your fellow fans, don’t open your umbrella in a crowded area. You also may be blocking other people’s views, so just be considerate when opening the umbrella.
The price for a hot dog is around $5.00, and beer typically costs between $8.00 and $10.00, depending on the vendor.
There are designated smoking areas outside Gate B behind section 119 available for those wishing to smoke. Inside the park has been designated as a completely non-smoking facility under Ohio Law, including both the use of tobacco and vapor devices.
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What can you bring into the Great American Ballpark?
Guests who want to bring in a bag must follow the rules below. All of the bags below must not exceed the size of 16”x16”x8”. You may take food and soft drinks that can fit in the coolers or bags listed.
- Bags used specifically for medical purposes (excluding backpack-type containers)
- Bags that are explicitly used for infant care purposes.
- Purses
- Soft-sided coolers that contain food and non-alcoholic drinks in sealed plastic bottles
- Food bags
- Unopened drinks in sealed plastic bottles that are non-alcoholic
- Reds Heads Bags that can be provided
How much is the parking at Great American Ballpark?
There are a few options for parking in both the east and west downtown Cincinnati. Here are a few of the best options.
- Central Riverfront Garage: $25; 0.2 mi from gate
- East Garage: $15; 0.3 mi from gate
- Central Riverfront Garage West: $21; 0.2 mi from gate
What to eat at the Great American Ballpark?
There are multiple places to grab some good food at the Great American Ballpark. Here is a list of all the places you can get food and the section they are located in.
- 1869 Burger, Scouts Club
- All Beef Frank, Sections 105, 113, 117, 130, 143, 401, 404, 511, 514, 516
- Big Red Smokey, Sections 105, 117, 130, 133, 137, 143, 401, 404, 511, 514
- Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Sections 119, 531
- Buffalo Chicken Fries, Sections 109, 139, 534
- Chicken Fingers & Fries, Sections 119,130, 514
- Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich, Section 138
Gluten-Free Options Food
- Various Fruits, Sections 127, 427
- Variety of Salads (no crouton), Sections 127, 427
- Veggie Mix, Sections 127,427
- Hummus, Sections 127,427
- Veggie Dogs, Sections 116, 132, 516, 525, Scouts Club
- French Fries, Sections 109, 139, 534
- Montgomery Inn Pulled Pork, Sections 113, 118, 130, 401, 514, 531, 534
- Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns, Sections 116, 132, 516, 525
- Soft Serve Ice Cream, Sections 115,132, 522
- Popcorn, Sections 105, 113, 118, 143, 404, 517, 525, 532, Scouts Club
- Nachos & Cheese, Sections 103, 109, 128, 133, 515, 519, 532
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Best-rated hotels near Great American Ballpark?
If you want to stay close to the stadium, we have a few hotels that can be the perfect fit for you. They are all close to the stadium and are within walking distance if you want to save on parking.
- AC Hotel by Marriott, 500 feet away – 4-star hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott. 0.3 mile – 4-star hotel
- Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 0.4 miles – 4-star hotel
- The Westin Cincinnati, 0.4 mile – 4-star hotel
- The Cincinnatian Hotel, 0.5 mile – 4-star hotel
- Hampton Inn & Suites Cincinnati, 0.5 mile – 4-star hotel
The Great American Ballpark is a great place to take your kids or yourself for a day of baseball. If you happen to be in the Cincinnati area, try booking a ticket to see a Reds game during the next baseball season.