Petco Park: What's new to see this season

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- With the Padres kicking off their home opener next week, Petco Park unveiled some of its new features for its 20th anniversary.

The ballpark's community space Gallagher Square, located outside the outfield wall, is the main focus after undergoing renovation for the 2024 season.

The playground and play area, which has expanded for a wider range of ages and abilities, now has the tallest climbable bat in the world at 35 2 1/4 feet tall x 7 feet wide.

Other community amenities in Gallagher Square include a fenced, off-leash dog park; improved Play Ball Field; temporary pickleball courts; the Tony Gwynn Terrace viewing deck and picnic space; and public art displays featuring local artists.

The statue of Tony Gwynn, the beloved Padre and Hall of Famer, has a new home inside the Tony Gwynn Terrace. It will be more visible from the ballpark as it has been elevated and surrounded by an expanded viewing deck. During public hours, the area where the statue will also serve as a picnic space. Gwynn's statue is aligned with legendary Padres reliever Trevor Hoffman.

A new and expanded fan entry gate (Balboa Gate) to 9th and J St. will provide an improved entrance, shorter wait times and leveled and tiered lawn seating in Gallagher Square.

The Tony Gwynn Terrace also offers picnic tables for additional seating, a Tony Gwynn
Deck Tower that has a new food and beverage space and videoboard, the Tony Gwynn Tunnel and another Padres retail and food and beverage spot built on the ground level next to the tunnel.

There is also new seating at Petco Park, the Cutwater Agave Club, found along the left field line on the terrace level. It features luxury finishes and access to semi-inclusive food and beverage offerings and private restrooms.

For foodies, the stadium is offering new places to eat and drink within The Mercado at Petco Park including pizza restaurant Gelati & Peccati, An’s Gelato of An’s Dry Cleaning, a second
San Diego’s Finest Hot Chicken location, Spiro’s Mediterranean Cuisine, Nova Brazil Kombucha and WestBrew.

New retail offerings available for purchase include 20th anniversary gear, Korea series hats, Padres-branded SunGod eyewear, custom clothing programs and a new clothing line collaboration between the wives and girlfriends of Padres players and retail partner Salty Crew.

A record 16 fan giveaways are planned for the new season with items such as fan favorites, player-themed items, bobbleheads, high-quality wearables and special moment celebrations.

The home opener is set for Thursday, March 28 at 1:10 p.m. against the San Francisco Giants.