Sights of Petco Park: Masks and Padres Jerseys on Padres Opening Day
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Fans have waited more than a year to get into San Diego's beloved downtown stadium and they finally got their chance on April 1 -- MLB Opening Day 2021.
Inside was a mostly familiar sight, with the addition of lots of masks. The stadium also put in place several new COVID-19 safety protocols, like social distanced seats and mobile ordering for food and drink.
Even with the additional requirements, fans soaked up their chance to watch the San Diego Padres play once again. Take a look at what Petco Park looked like on Opening Day:
21 photos
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Sean M. Haffey
An excited crowd cheers on the San Diego Padres on Opening Day. It's been 553 days since fans have been able to watch the team from the stadium. The Pads took on the Arizona Diamondbacks (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Sean M. Haffey
In order to allow for COVID-19 safety protocols, the Padres had to space out fans into pods of 2 to 6. Other seats were blocked off to allow for social distancing. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Sean M. Haffey
Even fans in Gallagher Square (formerly Park at the Park) sat in socially distanced squares marked on the grass. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Sean M. Haffey
Padres fans file into Petco Park for the first time in 553 days to watch their team take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Sean M. Haffey
Padres fans file into Petco Park for the first time in 553 days to watch their team take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Sean M. Haffey
Masks are required at all times inside Petco Park, except when an attendee is actively eating or drinking. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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NBC 7
A very familiar Petco Park is getting ready to reopen to fans for the first time in 550+ days due to the coronavirus pandemic but there are several changes guests lucky enough to secure season tickets should know.
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Seats are organized into pods of two to six with plenty of distance in between each to allow for social distancing. Fans must also wear their masks at all time when not actively eating or drinking.
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Fans will use the MLB Ballpark app to order food and drink and, in some cases, get their meals delivered right to their seats. Some food will need to be picked up but the goal is to reduce movement in the park.
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Gallagher Square (formerly Park in the Park) also has some changes to ensure social distancing. White boxes will mark individual pod seating. Padres officials still want people to enjoy the area, but from a safe distance.
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The Petco Park Clean Team is tasked with continually monitoring and cleaning Petco Park during games. The ballpark will also be cleaned and sanitized before every game.
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The Petco Park Clean Team is tasked with continually monitoring and cleaning Petco Park during games. The ballpark will also be cleaned and sanitized before every game.
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Food and drink options will be limited; no indoor dining will be open and only about 30% of the ballpark's concessions will be up and running. On the list are some San Diego staples, like Pizza Port, Hodad's and Buona Forchetta (pictured here).
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Fans will order concessions using the MLB app's mobile ordering for pickup or in-seat delivery. Even beer can be ordered and delivered to seats.
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San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria enjoyed a Hodad's burger during a preview of Petco Park Opening Day 2021.
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The Western Metal Supply Co. hasn't seen fans in it's seats to watch a Padres game in more than 550 days, according to Padres CEO Erik Greupner.
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We're ready for Padres baseball!
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Sean M. Haffey
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 01: Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day at PETCO Park on April 01, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 01: A base marked with ‘Opening Day 2021’ logos lays on the field prior to the San Diego Padres facing against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park on April 1, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
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Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 01: Infielder Tucupita Marcano #16 of the San Diego Padres slides and scores against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day at Petco Park on April 1, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
