What's new at Great American Ball Park in 2021? Food, features, more
Skip to content
Advertisement

What's new at Great American Ball Park in 2021? Food, features, more

What's new at Great American Ball Park in 2021? Food, features, more
BRIAN: YEAH, PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS FROM NO FANS TO FANS THIS YEAR. AND THEY WANT TO TRY TO KEEP IT SAFE. WHAT THEY ARE DOING -- THEY HAVE GONE T PODS LIKE OTHER SPORTING EVENTS. THAT MEANS YOUR GROUP CAN SIT TOGETHER HERE. BUT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO TRY TO KEEP EVERYBODY SEPARATE IS THEY PUT ZIP TIES ON OTHER SEATS, SO THESE SEATS WON’T GO DOWN, AND THEN YOU CAN SEE AS YOU GO DOWN THE ROAD, THERE IS ANOTHE POD, SO ANOTHER GROUP CAN SIT HERE. WE TOOK A TOUR TODAY. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE CHANGES ON DECK. IT IS NOT JUST A TOUR OF GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK. BUT OF THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE OF REDS GAMES A COUPLE THOUSAND PEOPLE SOUNDS LIKE A ROAR. THE MOST NOTICEABLE CHANGE ESPECIALLY OPENING DAY WILL BE IN WHAT’S NOT THERE. THE PACKED CAPACITY OF MORE THAN 30,000 SCREAMING FANS NOW IT’S MORE IN THE BALLPARK OF 12,000 PHIL: WE’VE EFFECTIVELY DESIGNED THE BUILDING TO BE OCCUPIED UNDER THE CDC GUIDELINES, AND 6 FOOT SOCIAL DISTANCING. BRIAN: REDS PRESIDENT AND CEO PHIL CASTELLINI TAKES US FOR A TOUCHING ALL THE BASES TOUR IT’S ON EVERY LEVEL,, AT EVERY TURN. YOU’LL NOT ONLY SEE IT IN SIGNAGE EVERYWHERE. YOU’LL HEAR IT. PHIL THE P.A. SYSTEM WILL BE PLAYING REMINDER MESSAGING ABOUT THE COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS BRIAN AND THERE ARE BIG CHANGES : ON THE FIELD, BEGINNING WITH THE FIELD. PHIL: THAT’S A BRAND NEW PLAYING SURFACE FOR 2020. BRIAN: LAST YEAR, BUT IT’S THE FIRST TIME FANS WILL SEE THIS NEW PLAYING SURFACE THERE ARE NEW ALL DIGTAL SCOREBOARDS. THERE WILL BE CHANGES PREGAM PHIL: WE’RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO ANY OF OUR PREGAME STUFF ON THE FIELD. SO OPENING DAY, YOU’RE NOT GOING TO SEE THE GIGANTIC FLAG, TH HONOR GUARD. NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN ON THE FIELD. SO THIS STAGE HERE IS GOING TO SERVE AS OUR PREGAME STAGE. BRIAN THIS IS UPSTAGING TAKEN TO : A NEW LEVEL -- ABOUT THE THIRD LEVEL. THERE’S ALSO A NEW HIGH END CL SPACE, THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE. THERE ARE EVEN NEW PLAY AREAS AND NEW FOODS, LIKE THESE FRIES, M AND M AND MARSHMALLOW MENAGERIE. AND WHILE FANS WILL STILL ROOT FOR THE REDS THEY WAY TH ALWAYS HAVE, THE GAME OF WATCHING THE GAME HAS CHANGED. THIS IS NOT LIKE A RESTAURANT. WHEN THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HERE, YOU HAVE TO WEAR THE MASK THE WHOLE TIME. WHAT THEY STILL HOPE THAT 12,000 PEOPLE WILL SOUND LIKE MORE THAN 30,000 PEOPLE. IMPOSSIBLE? COME O MAN, HE WAS SAFE, HE WAS SAFE! WE ARE REDS FANS. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS.
Advertisement
What's new at Great American Ball Park in 2021? Food, features, more
What's new at Great American Ball Park in 2021? There are several new foods and features to try this year as fans return to the ballpark.Here's everything that's new this season.Health and safety measures After a season without fans, spectators will return to Great American Ball Park for the 2021 season. Officials with the Cincinnati Reds say will welcome fans back to the ballpark at 30% capacity, as specified by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. With fans come a series of new health and safety measures.Masks are mandatory and should cover the nose and mouth unless actively eating or drinking in the seatsSocially distanced pod-style seating for up to six per group to safely distance fans while watching the gameTickets will be issued digitally via the MLB Ballpark app to allow for contactless entryContactless and cashless forms of payment at concessions and merchandise stands including Reds Pay, a new mobile payment solution for Reds fans through the MLB Ballpark appNew bag policy prohibiting backpacksNew foods and concessionsFrom traditional ballpark fare and local Cincinnati favorites to special creations, there are several new dishes to try at the ballpark in 2021. Some of the new items include: SMORE'S FRYBOX: Salty fries topped with miniature M&Ms, chocolate sauce, mini marshmallows and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Sold at Frybox on first base side, lower level and "view level" (Section 133, 532)THE SMOKEHOUSE PARFAIT: BBQ pulled pork, mac & cheese with coleslaw in a bread coneSold at Montgomery Inn Smokehouse (Section 137) SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH: Spicy chicken sandwich topped with coleslaw, pickle chips and “Cincinnati hot” sauce on a corn meal bunSold at Frybox on third base side lower level (Section 113)HOUSE SMOKED TURKEY SANDWICH: Slow smoked turkey, coleslaw and BBQ sauce on a brioche bunSold at Montgomery Inn Smokehouse (Section 137)WICKED SAUSAGE NACHOS: Nachos topped with nacho cheese, salsa, jalapeno peppers and sliced Queen City Wicked SausagesSold at Food Bar locations (Sections 113, 130, 518)THE “SLUGGER”: ¼ pound hot dog corn, battered and friedSold in Scout’s AlleyNew Ballpark FeaturesThere are several new features scattered throughout the ballpark for fans to enjoy this year. Here's what to look out for:FAMILY ZONE: Open to all fans, located on the View Level in the right-field corner overlooking the river. It includes the following:Playground with two slides connected by a bridge and built on rubberized flooringKids-sized batting cages Swings that are bench style with great views of the Ohio RiverFamily-friendly concession stand serving snacks for kids and drink options for parentsNursing suite for moms and babiesSensory Room that provides fans with special needs a safe locationEXECUTIVE SUPER SUITE: Converts from a boardroom-style meeting space into a luxury super suite for groups of 35-50. The new suite extends your group’s time in the ballpark so you can host your private event before or after a game. It includes a ballpark buffet, two beers per person and passes to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. It's also available on non-gamedays for meetings. To book this space, click here.BOONE COUNTY BOURBON PRESS CLUB: The exclusive bourbon-themed club provides great views and first-class dining and amenities in the footprint of the former press box. The Press Club features all-inclusive food and beverages, a fully-stocked bar starring Boone County Bourbon plus a wide range of beer, wine, bourbon and spirits along with in-seat service. The Press Club is sold as season ticket plans only.REDS PAY: This is a new mobile payment solution through the MLB Ballpark app that allows fans to make purchases using only their cell phone. The MLB Ballpark app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play. The Mobile Ordering feature on the MLB Ballpark app allows fans to order select food and beverages from anywhere in the ballpark and be notified be via text message when the order is ready. (Select concession stands only).

What's new at Great American Ball Park in 2021? There are several new foods and features to try this year as fans return to the ballpark.

Here's everything that's new this season.

Advertisement

Health and safety measures

After a season without fans, spectators will return to Great American Ball Park for the 2021 season. Officials with the Cincinnati Reds say will welcome fans back to the ballpark at 30% capacity, as specified by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.

With fans come a series of new health and safety measures.

  • Masks are mandatory and should cover the nose and mouth unless actively eating or drinking in the seats
  • Socially distanced pod-style seating for up to six per group to safely distance fans while watching the game
  • Tickets will be issued digitally via the MLB Ballpark app to allow for contactless entry
  • Contactless and cashless forms of payment at concessions and merchandise stands including Reds Pay, a new mobile payment solution for Reds fans through the MLB Ballpark app
  • New bag policy prohibiting backpacks

New foods and concessions

From traditional ballpark fare and local Cincinnati favorites to special creations, there are several new dishes to try at the ballpark in 2021. Some of the new items include:

.
Reds
SMORE’S FRYBOX

SMORE'S FRYBOX: Salty fries topped with miniature M&Ms, chocolate sauce, mini marshmallows and Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Sold at Frybox on first base side, lower level and "view level" (Section 133, 532)

..
Reds
THE SMOKEHOUSE PARFAIT

THE SMOKEHOUSE PARFAIT: BBQ pulled pork, mac & cheese with coleslaw in a bread cone

Sold at Montgomery Inn Smokehouse (Section 137)

.
Reds
SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH

SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH: Spicy chicken sandwich topped with coleslaw, pickle chips and “Cincinnati hot” sauce on a corn meal bun

Sold at Frybox on third base side lower level (Section 113)

..
Reds
HOUSE SMOKED TURKEY SANDWICH

HOUSE SMOKED TURKEY SANDWICH: Slow smoked turkey, coleslaw and BBQ sauce on a brioche bun

Sold at Montgomery Inn Smokehouse (Section 137)

.
Reds
WICKED SAUSAGE NACHOS

WICKED SAUSAGE NACHOS: Nachos topped with nacho cheese, salsa, jalapeno peppers and sliced Queen City Wicked Sausages

Sold at Food Bar locations (Sections 113, 130, 518)

.
Reds
THE “SLUGGER”

THE “SLUGGER”: ¼ pound hot dog corn, battered and fried

Sold in Scout’s Alley

New Ballpark Features

There are several new features scattered throughout the ballpark for fans to enjoy this year. Here's what to look out for:

FAMILY ZONE: Open to all fans, located on the View Level in the right-field corner overlooking the river. It includes the following:

  • Playground with two slides connected by a bridge and built on rubberized flooring
  • Kids-sized batting cages
  • Swings that are bench style with great views of the Ohio River
  • Family-friendly concession stand serving snacks for kids and drink options for parents
  • Nursing suite for moms and babies
  • Sensory Room that provides fans with special needs a safe location

EXECUTIVE SUPER SUITE: Converts from a boardroom-style meeting space into a luxury super suite for groups of 35-50. The new suite extends your group’s time in the ballpark so you can host your private event before or after a game. It includes a ballpark buffet, two beers per person and passes to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. It's also available on non-gamedays for meetings. To book this space, click here.

BOONE COUNTY BOURBON PRESS CLUB: The exclusive bourbon-themed club provides great views and first-class dining and amenities in the footprint of the former press box. The Press Club features all-inclusive food and beverages, a fully-stocked bar starring Boone County Bourbon plus a wide range of beer, wine, bourbon and spirits along with in-seat service. The Press Club is sold as season ticket plans only.

REDS PAY: This is a new mobile payment solution through the MLB Ballpark app that allows fans to make purchases using only their cell phone. The MLB Ballpark app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play. The Mobile Ordering feature on the MLB Ballpark app allows fans to order select food and beverages from anywhere in the ballpark and be notified be via text message when the order is ready. (Select concession stands only).