The Padres’ latest Petco Park enhancements solidify its status as one of MLB’s best stadiums

A superstar roster. Postcard-worthy views. Sold-out season ticket subscriptions. Record attendance. The Padres certainly don’t have any difficulty drawing fans to Petco Park. Where other front offices might take that as a sign that all is well in their ballpark, the leadership in San Diego wasn’t satisfied to sit back and let it ride, and their steadfast commitment to enhancing the fan experience just made taking in a game at what was already voted the best baseball stadium in the league for consecutive years even better.

A source of pride and a symbol of heritage since the ballpark debuted in 2004, the Western Metal Supply Co. Building has been a distinguished anchor of Petco Park, not only serving as the left field foul boundary but also housing suites, rooftop viewing, and a retail space. This season, the 1909 structure and historic landmark debuted what Padres CEO Erik Greupner humbly calls a “glow-up,” a top-to-bottom renovation that includes a spectacular, completely reimagined rooftop, the Budweiser Loft, enhanced suites, and expanded Padres New Era Team Store.

“The continued investment we put in every off season is necessary for this to become a 100-plus-year-old ballpark,” says Greupner as he surveys the updated spaces within the brick bastion of left field. “The bones of this ballpark are really good, so if we continue to maintain and improve [it] year-in and year-out, we believe that it can eventually be an iconic ballpark like a Wrigley Field or a Fenway Park.” 

The refreshed gamer-friendly Entertainment Suite features four Sony PS5 consoles and four screens to lock in your virtual game, and an expanded outdoor patio primely situated to catch a ball from the live game on the field. The indoor-outdoor Foul Pole Suite hosts groups of up to 40 and features imagery of foul poles from San Diego’s stadiums past and present, as well as ballparks around the country. The fifth-floor Budweiser Loft is a gathering spot for any ticketed fan to relax, enjoy a drink, or play some games. A new staircase connects the Budweiser Loft to the rooftop, which has added a second level for additional sight lines, a field-facing feature wall, and heat and shade elements to keep guests comfortable in any weather. The rooftop and Budweiser Loft can be reserved for private events separately or combined, when they can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. And a new, elevated, and diverse menu (think: caviar-topped chicken nuggets) makes dining here a true culinary experience — a far cry from the ballpark-basic hot dogs of yore.