The start of the baseball season is a beautiful time. Even if there’s little hope for the hometown team on the field, there’s at least some hope that your preferred Racing President will cross the finish line first. Another season at Nationals Park means more improvements to the farm system, the park, a Carly Rae Jepsen concert, and an absurd amount of theme nights and giveaways. Here’s most everything new and noteworthy at Nationals Park for 2024. 

On the Field

Unfortunately, the on-field product for the Nats may be the only downgrade for Washington’s baseball club. The team finished dead last in the National League East in 2023, and is projected to have an even worse 2024 by pretty much everyone. The division is stacked with an immensely talented Atlanta Braves and a formidable Philadelphia Phillies squad. It’s a great time for the Nats to focus their energies on their farm system, and they’re doing just that. Fans are no doubt looking forward to highly rated prospects Dylan Crews, James Woods, and Brady House as everyday players. But until then, why not appreciate the improvements at the park?

The biggest on-field difference between 2024 and 2023 is an earlier start time. Night games now begin at 6:45 p.m. Pair that with the faster paced games (largely due to the pitch clock), and maybe the team won’t even have to turn on the lights in June and can save some money on its electric bill.

On the Screen

Speaking of lights, a new LED scoreboard in centerfield is the most noticeable change to the park itself. It’s slightly bigger, at 4,780 square feet, and much crisper than the old screen. There’s new LED field lighting too, which can change colors. 

The sound system is getting an update as well. Some speakers have been updated and all should be replaced by year’s end. Improved screens, lights, and speakers may be a good thing for fans who care more about the postgame concert than the on-field product. 

After the Game

Flo Rida is performing after the June 7 matchup against the Braves; Carly Rae Jepsen plays after the July 19 game versus the Reds; Teddy Swims will perform after the Aug. 9 game when the Angels are in town; and Lady A take the stage after the Sept. 27 game against the Phillies. All of these artists could sell out large venues. As of this writing, you can get cheaper tickets for any of these games than any of their concerts. The concerts are scheduled to begin 30 minutes after the final out and are expected to run for about an hour.  

Getting Into the Park

The most dystopian new feature of Nationals Park is the new Major League Baseball Go-Ahead Entry. Billed as “a fast, hands-free, eyes-up entry into the ballpark,” it’s like Global Entry but for baseball stadiums. “Go-Ahead Entry uses facial authentication technology, which allows ticket holders who have opted-in to the service to enter the ballpark at dedicated gates at full walking speed without stopping,” according to a press release announcing the new perk. 

Nats Park is only the fourth facility in baseball to use the technology, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see this sort of facial recognition proliferate in stadiums throughout the league. According to the press release, “Fans who used Go-Ahead Entry lanes during last season’s pilot program at Citizens Bank Park went through 68% faster than a traditional entry lane, with 2.5 times more traffic than the next fastest traditional lane.”  

Eating and Drinking at the Park

The bar and restaurant scene surrounding Nats Park is quite different than it was when it opened in 2008. While there are pretty good options in every direction around the stadium, the Nats are also trying to coax fans inside before the first pitch by expanding their happy hour. The Budweiser Brewhouse, Budweiser Terrace, and ULTRA Loft are offering $5 12-ounce cans of Bud, Bud Light, and Michelob ULTRA from the time the gates open until first pitch. Last year, fans had to use a code to redeem the deal, and happy hour ended 35 minutes before first pitch. 

The food in the park is also better than ever. There are peanuts, Cracker Jack, hot dogs, and popcorn, of course. But three additional grab-and-go food and drink stations throughout the park are a welcome addition (one station includes hot and ICEE options).

For fans who care just as much about the grub as the game, the Nats are adding six new food vendors: SSong’s Hotdog, Taste of the Majors, Los Cinco Tacos, Emerald Amor Cafe, Eli’s Crepes, and Rita’s Italian Ice. 

Taking Home From the Park

The Nats are making it extremely easy to convince you to go to a game. In addition to the return of $5 District Tickets ($5 and up tickets for D.C. residents for seats in sections 401 and 402), kids eating free, Story Time on Sundays, STAR WARS Weekend, 2019 World Champions Five Year Anniversary Weekend, 1924 Championship Centennial Weekend, and 21 individual college-day series, there’s the swag. This year’s highlights include a Lane “Train” bobblehead (the train light lights up!), a Kids 2019 World Champions Viewing Toy, a Star Wars Light Side vs. Dark Side reversible beanie, a 1924 Championship replica pennant, and Nationals theme soccer, football, and hockey jerseys.