Petco Park

Lore & Background

On April 8, 2004, the Padres played their first game at the ballpark, defeating the San Francisco Giants 4–3 in ten innings. Petco Park hosted the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic championship and the 2016 MLB All-Star Game. On October 9, 2024, Petco Park achieved an attendance record for baseball during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with 47,773 people in attendance. Petco Park features unique design elements, particularly the Western Metal Supply Co. building, a historic warehouse incorporated into the ballpark; its southeast corner serves as the left field foul pole. Gallagher Square, located beyond the outfield wall, includes a community park and viewing terrace, among other features open to the public during stadium off-hours.

Reader's Guide

The ballpark was constructed by San Diego Ballpark Builders, a partnership with Clark Construction, ROEL Construction and Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc. The construction cost of more than $450 million was partially funded by a public–private partnership which included the Center City Development Corporation and the San Diego Redevelopment Agency. The stadium is across Harbor Drive from the San Diego Convention Center, and its main entrance behind home plate is two blocks from the downtown terminal of the San Diego Trolley light rail system.

The southern side of the stadium is bounded by San Diego Trolley light rail tracks along the north side of Harbor Drive. The portion of K Street between Seventh and 10th is closed to automobiles and serves as a pedestrian promenade along the back of the left and center field outfield seating and also provides access to Gallagher Square behind center field. Two of the stadium's outfield entrance areas are located at K Street's intersections with Seventh and 10th avenues.

The main entrance, behind home plate, is at the south end of Park Boulevard (at Imperial) and faces the San Diego Trolley station 12th & Imperial Transit Center. The ballpark is also located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) away from Santa Fe Depot station, which is served by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, and NCTD's Coaster commuter rail service. A planned Downtown Station along Harbor Drive between 1st and 5th Avenues would bring the Coaster closer to the ballpark than the existing Santa Fe Depot station.

The new platform is expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028. San Diego–based pet supplies retailer Petco originally bought naming rights to the stadium in 2004 for $60 million in a 22-year deal. In 2021, Petco signed a new deal with the Padres that ensured the stadium would be named Petco Park through at least 2027.

Did You Know?

• On April 17, 2008, the Padres and Rockies played a 22-inning game lasting 6 hours and 16 minutes, the longest in Petco Park history.
• Eduardo Escobar hit the first cycle in Petco Park history on June 6, 2022.

Historical Development and Adaptive Reuse

Constructed by San Diego Ballpark Builders at a cost of more than $450 million through a public–private partnership involving the Center City Development Corporation and the San Diego Redevelopment Agency, the stadium was designed to revitalize downtown's East Village. Originally scheduled for the 2002 season, construction paused due to a court decision nullifying an initial ballot proposition on financing, requiring voters to decide again. Further delays arose from negotiations regarding the Western Metal Supply Co. building; builders agreed to rehabilitate it according to Secretary of the Interior standards, integrating it into the design. Consequently, the Padres played the 2002 and 2003 seasons at Qualcomm Stadium.

Strategic Location and Community Integration

The ballpark is located across Harbor Drive from the San Diego Convention Center. The southern side is bounded by trolley tracks along the north side of Harbor Drive. K Street, closed to automobiles between Seventh and 10th avenues, acts as a pedestrian promenade behind left and center field seating, providing access to Gallagher Square. Two outfield entrances are situated at K Street's intersections with Seventh and 10th avenues. The main entrance faces the 12th & Imperial Transit Center. The site is approximately 1 mile from Santa Fe Depot station, served by Amtrak and NCTD. A planned Downtown Station along Harbor Drive between 1st and 5th Avenues is expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028.

Defining Moments and Baseball Milestones

The first game was a March 11, 2004 NCAA invitational where San Diego State defeated Houston; Lance Zawadzki recorded the first hit (a double) and Rielly Embrey hit the first home run. The Padres' inaugural regular-season game on April 8, 2004, saw them defeat the Giants 4–3 in ten innings. Mark Loretta hit the first Padre home run off Hideo Nomo on April 15, 2004; it was caught by bartender Mike Hill. The first playoff game occurred on October 8, 2005, as the Cardinals swept the Padres. Other milestones include Barry Bonds' record-tying home run (August 4, 2007), a 22-inning marathon against the Rockies in April 2008, and Tim Lincecum's first no-hitter on July 13, 2013. The park hosted the 2016 MLB All-Star Game and neutral-site 2020 postseason games. Attendance records were set in May, July, and October 2024, peaking at 47,773 on October 9.

Naming Rights and Corporate Partnerships

Petco originally purchased naming rights in 2004 for $60 million in a 22-year deal. In 2021, the company signed an extension ensuring the stadium remains Petco Park through at least 2027. This agreement introduced new digital signage featuring the Petco logo and sparked strategic partnerships with players Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. to promote pet wellbeing. The partnership also involves collaborating with players on social media to advocate for pet health.