Padres fans, get ready to return to Petco Park this season

As vaccination efforts continue across the United States and the globe, a sense of normalcy is beginning to creep back into everyday life. This week’s news, though, was on another level with guidelines that clear the way for Padres fans to return to Petco Park this season.

California governor Gavin Newsom laid out his state’s plans that will allow fans back in outdoor venues based on a tiered system this year – as early as Opening Day. 

"“Our number one priority is providing our fans with a safe and fun experience when they return to the ballpark,” said Padres CEO Erik Greupner in a statement. “We have been diligently preparing to ensure that Petco Park is one of the safest places to be in San Diego this season. We expect that Padres fans will be able to support our team in-person beginning on Opening Day and our players are eager to have them back at Petco Park.”"

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Look. It’s been a long time since San Diego has had this much hype surrounding the club. And as fans, we obviously want to be a part of that experience – in whatever way we can. Being back in the seats at Petco will mean an awful lot. That’s a sentiment I’m sure we share with fans across the entire nation this spring.

Padres can help heal the city, state

There’s a lot that we all probably took for granted before the coronavirus pandemic stopped the entire world in its tracks. Going to the ballpark and taking in Padres baseball – or even watching the Friars on TV with the comfortable hum of a packed house – were things that seemed like just part of everyday life.

Now, we know better. And we’re ready to appreciate them – and our San Diego Padres – this year.

The organization said that season ticket holders will get priority access to tickets, which will be limited based on the tiered approach the state is implementing. Hopefully, this leaves some opportunities for everyday fans to enjoy gameday, too – without paying eye-popping prices, either.

San Diego returned to the postseason for the first time since 2006 last season. But they did so without the Friar Faithful in the seats. Let’s do it right in 2021. Safely, but back in the seats at Petco, cheering on the boys as they chase down that World Series championship.