Coming to a Ballpark Near You — What’s New at Citizens Bank Park in 2023
Photo via ewingcole.com
The 2022 Phillies made Citizens Bank Park the place to be last summer, and especially last fall. As the Phils made their run to last season’s Fall Classic, fans began to completely buy-in for the first time in over a decade, all culminating in 8 electric postseason atmospheres that caused opposing teams to go through “4 hours of hell” each game.
With the expectations even higher, and a fanbase hungry for another Red October run, Citizens Bank Park is sure to be a Philadelphia hot spot all Spring, Summer, and (hopefully) Fall.
So, besides the excitement on the field, what can fans expect to see when they head to the ballpark this year?
New Scoreboard
PhanaVision got some major upgrades this offseason. Last July, the Phillies announced plans for a new scoreboard at Citizens Bank Park in 2023. All winter, crews have been building the new, state-of-the-art scoreboard, and now, with under 4 weeks to go until fans will be filing into CBP, they seem to be putting the finishing touches in place.
The new scoreboard is set to be among the biggest in all of Major League Baseball. With dimensions of 152 feet wide by 86 feet tall, it will be 77% larger than the previous scoreboard, which stood at 76 feet tall by 97 feet wide. It now extends past the left field light stanchions. The scoreboard weighs in at a whopping 116,298 pounds and will be supported by 190 tons of structural steel. According to the Phillies, PhanaVision will now be able to display 516 life-size Phillie Phanatics simultaneously. Now there’s a mental image!
In addition to its incredible size, the new scoreboard will also feature better picture quality. Its high dynamic range (HDR) and 4K capable technology “will deliver richer colors and superb clarity,” according to the Phillies’ July 14th, 2022 press release.
This is PhanaVision’s first upgrade since 2011.
Promotions and Giveaways
As if getting to see a star-studded Phillies roster wasn’t enough to get fans in the seats at Citizens Bank Park this season, the Phillies promotional schedule will feature a wide variety of giveaways and theme nights, sure to get fans even more excited for the upcoming season.
In April, the Phillies will highlight their reigning National League Champions status. All fans who attend the home opener on April 6th vs the Reds will receive a 2022 National League Champions pennant, reminiscent of the flag the Phillies will now have to add to the collection in center field that represents the years the team has won either their division, league title, or World Series.
This season’s opening night t-shirt that will be given out to fans 15 or older on April 8th vs the Reds will feature the Phillies 2022 National League Champions logo on the front, and the words ‘OPENING NIGHT 2023’ on the back. The next day, the Phillies will receive their NL Championship rings in a pregame ceremony before the final game of the home opening series.
Don’t forget about the kiddos! April 22nd vs the Rockies is kid’s opening day, where fans 14 or younger will receive a knit hat with the Phillies 2022 National League Champions logo on the front. Perfect for showing off to your classmates who are Mets fans. The next day is the Phillie Phanatic’s birthday celebration. To celebrate the Big Green Guy fans 14 or younger will receive a t-shirt with the Phanatic peaking out from behind the NL Champions logo on the front, and carrying the 2022 NL Championship flag on the back.
On Mother’s Appreciation Day, May 7th vs the Red Sox, women 15 or older will get a blue Phillies crossbody bag. Father’s Appreciation Day, June 11th vs the Dodgers, will feature a white hat with a blue Phillies bell for men 15 or older. Two days prior, fans 15 or older will receive a Dick Allen bobblehead. Allen’s number 15 was retired by the Phillies on September 3rd, 2020.
The 2022 NL homerun leader, Kyle Schwarber, will be honored with a baby blue replica jersey given out to fans 14 or younger on August 6th vs the Royals. New Phillie, Trea Turner, gets spotlighted in his first giveaway as a member of the team on August 26th vs the Cardinals, when the Phillies will give out a Trea Turner t-shirt to fans 14 or younger.
Other giveaways include a Phanatic Children’s book to fans 14 or younger on May 21st vs the Cubs, an Alec Bohm USA style headband to fans 14 or younger on July 2nd vs the Nationals, an MLB Network cap to fans 14 or younger on July 26th vs the Orioles, a sustainable Phillies cap to all fans on August 4th vs the Royals, and a Bryce Harper Funko Premium Vinyl Figure to fans 14 or younger on August 27th vs the Cardinals. You can see pictures of the giveaways here.
The Phillies will also feature a wide-ranging list of theme nights this season. Theme nights include Salute to Service night on May 20th vs the Cubs, ALS Awareness night on June 5th vs the Tigers, Pride night on June 23rd vs the Mets, Phans Feeding Families Day, and Food Drive on June 24th vs the Mets, Star Wars night on August 22nd vs the Giants, and more. You can see a full list of theme nights here.
Other important promotions include 3 Dollar Dog nights on April 11th vs the Marlins, April 25th vs the Mariners, and May 9th vs the Blue Jays, 2 fireworks show on June 30th vs the Nationals and July 14th vs the Padres, and Wall of Fame night and Alumni Day on August 12th and 13th, respectively, vs the Twins.
Concerts
Citizens Bank Park will feature a slew of concerts in 2023.
There will be 2 postgame concerts this season. AJR will perform after the Phillies take on the Dodgers on June 10th, and Diesel aka Shaquille O’Neal (yes, that Shaquille O’Neal) will perform after the Phillies face the Nationals on July 1st.
There will be 4 other performers that will take the stage at Citizens Bank Park this year. Dead & Company will return for their final show ever in Philadelphia on June 15th. Country music superstar, Morgan Wallen, will bring his One Night At A Time World Tour to CBP on June 17th. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band will be in concert for 2 shows on August 16th and 18th. Finally, Doylestown native, P!nk, will bring her Summer Carnival tour to Citizens Bank Park for 2 shows on September 18th and 19th.
It is safe to say the playing field may need a lot of care this season.
So no matter the reason for your trip to Citizens Bank Park this year, have fun, stay safe, and Let’s Go Phillies!
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