We had a great time at Chase Field in Phoenix, especially getting to experience it both with the roof closed during batting practice and open for the game. The powerful AC system was a lifesaver – keeping us cool even under the desert sun. The Churro Dog was hands down the most over-the-top stadium dessert we’ve ever tried (and totally worth it). We also enjoyed the open mingling terraces and the free Hall of Fame exhibit. Best of all, we were surrounded by fellow Cards fans and got to join in on “Yadi” chants as he delivered a thrilling 10th inning win!

Design

Chase Field was the first MLB stadium in the U.S. to feature a retractable roof, making it a highly practical design for Phoenix’s extreme heat. While functional, the stadium’s boxy, red-brick exterior – accented with what appeared to be local Arizona stone – doesn’t add much in terms of visual appeal, either outside or inside. We were lucky to experience the game with the roof closed during warm-ups and then open for first pitch. The roof opened quickly and quietly, and despite temperatures near 100°F, our seats in Section 114 remained remarkably cool thanks to the impressive AC system. We definitely preferred the roof open – it added a much-needed sense of openness without sacrificing comfort.

With the roof open, a few skyscrapers from the Phoenix skyline are visible beyond left field, though the view is modest and best appreciated from the upper decks – they’re barely noticeable from the lower level. The skyline itself isn’t particularly expansive, so there’s not a ton to take in.

Artificial turf covers the field, and while it’s well-maintained, it’s clearly synthetic if you take a closer look.

The stadium design pays homage to both team and city history. Player banners hang in the APS Solar Pavilion, while retired numbers are prominently displayed above right field. The large “window” panels feature generic D-backs players and sports imagery, likely chosen to avoid frequent updates. The main rotunda showcases a striking Grand Canyon mural on the floor, and Gonzo’s Grill offers a fun tribute to Luis Gonzalez, a franchise legend.

Functionality and flow throughout the stadium were decent. We could walk the entire lower concourse, which was relatively wide and easy to navigate thanks to lighter crowds. The upper level is cut off by the scoreboard, so you can’t make a full loop, and the sections are very large, making access to the top rows a bit of a trek. The second level includes suites and specialty areas, but spots like the Draft Room can be tricky to find or access.

The scoreboard setup was a bit unconventional. Key stats are split across three boards, with the center board flanked by two sideboards that feel oddly placed. The left board’s font is especially small, making lineups difficult to read. The league scoreboards in left and right field use an orange-on-black bulb display that feels noticeably dated.

Location

The stadium is located in downtown Phoenix, within Heritage Square – a historic district that includes restored homes, restaurants, and a science center. From the APS Solar Pavilion, we could see the Phoenix Suns arena just down the street. Right across from the pavilion is Game 7 Grill, which was unfortunately closed during our visit (hopefully just temporarily).

There are several restaurants within walking distance, including the popular Pizzeria Bianco, which we didn’t get a chance to try but heard great things about. The stadium was very accessible – we walked from our nearby hotel (Marriott SpringHill Suites) with no issues. There are also large parking garages surrounding the stadium, making parking plentiful. The area felt very safe, and we had no concerns walking around before or after the game.

Concessions

There were several unique food options, but the standout was the Churro Dog from Sweet Treats – hands down the most memorable ballpark dessert we’ve ever had. A cinnamon churro is tucked inside a chocolate Long John donut (sliced like a hot dog bun), then topped with vanilla frozen yogurt, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and caramel sauce. It was a total flavor explosion, combining all our favorite sweets into one decadent, over-the-top treat.

We sampled several specialty food items, each with promising flavors but unfortunately all served cold. The Hatch Valley Cheesesteak from Taste of Chase had great flavor but was dry and overcooked. It was so large we had to eat it with a fork, as it wasn’t manageable by hand. The tamale from Rey Gloria’s was small but packed with fantastic flavor, though we weren’t fans of the green olives inside. The Loaded Popcorn Chicken from Gonzo’s Grill (named for Luis Gonzalez) came topped with tomatoes, green onions, bacon, and shredded cheese, and had solid flavor – but like the others, it was cold and could have used more sauce. The chicken itself was clearly just reheated frozen Tyson chicken, which didn’t impress.

Beverage options were solid, with a decent selection of standard domestic beers (like Coors), draft brews, cocktails, and wine. We stuck to the $4 Coors Light from the value menu, which was a great deal. At Doubleheader’s, they offered several $2 value items – including soda, corn dogs, hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels – along with $4 14oz domestic drafts. Not all Doubleheader locations included beer on the value menu, but we managed to find one that did – and even scored a free upgrade to a Blue Moon on one round.

The overall value was strong when it came to concessions, especially the value menu items like $2 snacks and $4 beers. However, ticket prices felt high given the low attendance, even after the stadium returned to full capacity. We paid $62 each for seats in Section 114, while the cheapest available tickets were around $35 – a sharp contrast to other stadiums that offer $5 deals just to fill seats. Some of this may have been due to pandemic-era pricing, but it still felt a bit steep for the experience.

Amenities

Chase Field offers a wide variety of suites and special seating areas, both ticketed and open to the public. The most iconic feature is the swimming pool in right-center field, a signature amenity that was getting plenty of use during our visit.

The Coors Light Strike Zone, an upscale club area typically requiring a ticket, was open to the general public during our game and looked like a lively spot to grab a drink. The entire second level is lined with paid suites, but also houses the excellent Four Peaks Draft Room, which features craft drinks, food, and both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a bit hidden – located on the right field side just before the suite area.

Other premium spaces include Studio @ 122, the Michelob Ultra Terrace, and the Home Run Porch, all of which typically require separate ticket access.

The D’backs joined the Green Sports Alliance to Go Green with the most distinguishable addition of the APS Solar Pavilion in 2011. This pavilion added a lot to the aesthetics of the main entrance and provided much needed shade from the blistering heat. There’s a D’backs Greens garden along a wall. There is also really cool ball track that is fun to watch the balls conveyed via baseball-themed contraptions. I totally nerded out here and worked out how each mechanism could be triggered 🤓

There’s a Mountainside Fitness center that can be accessed by members from inside and outside the stadium. This is the first stadium we’ve seen with a built-in fitness center.

Family friendly stuff for kids is right outside Baxter’s Den in the Sandlot on the Upper Concourse. They include slides, Futures Field, and batting cages.

Restroom quality and quantity left a lot to be desired. The stalls were small, and the sink design was awkward – water sprayed outside the basin and would’ve soaked anyone nearby.

On the other hand, seating comfort was solid. There was good legroom, the seats were angled toward the field for better views, and every seat had a cup holder. We also appreciated the standing tables scattered throughout the concourse, which made it easy to take a break or snack without losing your view.

The main team store was surprisingly small for a stadium this size. There were a few additional merchandise kiosks around the park, along with a small authentics store, but overall the retail selection felt limited.

The Diamondbacks Hall of Fame, located near center field, was awesome and free. It showcased a lot of Randy Johnson history. We enjoyed seeing the Goldschmidt gold gloves.

Culture

There’s a live organist located on the upper level near the kids’ area, which added a nostalgic touch. The national anthem was performed on the organ, with fans encouraged to sing along – but very few did, making the moment feel a bit awkward. Outside of that, there wasn’t much memorable music or sound programming, though the sound system itself was clear and well-balanced.

The hot dog race on the big screen got fans cheering, but the digital big head race featuring Gonzo and R.J. fell flat. The animation felt low-effort, and the crowd didn’t seem particularly engaged. It was also the only real nod to franchise history integrated into the game presentation.

There were a surprising number of Cardinals fans – it almost felt like a home game with all the cheering. Martínez had a no-hitter through six, and when he exited in the 7th, he got a standing ovation from Cards fans. Meanwhile, D-backs fans weren’t thrilled when fan interference took away a run, though fans did start to get pumped once the team finally scored and broke up the no-hitter. One fan even joked, “St. Louis is that way,” pointing toward home. Despite our spirited “Yadi” chants, D-backs fans were friendly, and the energy picked up during the classic “Charge” organ music. The team entered the game on a 9-game losing streak, which likely contributed to the low attendance and subdued crowd. Still, the overall vibe was positive.We even spotted a Randy Johnson lookalike sitting in front of us. The staff was incredibly welcoming, offering tips on where to go – like the Draft Room – and made sure Scott got me whatever I wanted!

The mascot, D. Baxter the Bobcat, made a brief appearance in the stands near us late in the game. During the 4th inning, he’s also scheduled to appear at his Den in the Sandlot on the Upper Concourse.

There weren’t any home runs or major highlight moments for the D-backs during our visit, so we didn’t get to see their celebration routines in action. From what we’ve heard, they typically set off fireworks for home runs and wins, but with the team struggling, we missed out on that part of the experience.

Summary & Scoring

Date Visited: May 27, 2021
Game Played: Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 4 – Martinez had a no-hitter going through 6. O’Neill had a 2-run home run in the 2nd. Yadi hit the go ahead run in the 10th. Boxscore
Design: – Practically designed retractable roof and amazing AC system, odd 3-part scoreboard, basic and boxy looking brick exterior, minimal skyline view.
Location: – Downtown Phoenix in Heritage Square within walking distance of hotels, restaurants, and museums.
Concessions: – Epic Churro Dog and many other unique options (Gonzo’s Loaded Popcorn Chicken, Hatch Valley Cheesesteak, Rey Gloria’s Tamale) that unfortunately were cold.
Amenities: – APS Solar Pavilion, tons of hang out terraces open to the public, free hall of fame, signature swimming pool.
Culture: – Cards fans seemed to outnumber D’backs fans (likely due to poor team performance and the pandemic) so D’back fan enthusiasm was almost non-existent.
Overall: – Enjoyed seeing the stadium with the roof closed (for batting practice) and open (for the game). The Churro Dog is the most epic dessert we’ve had at a stadium. There were many terraces open to general public and an amazing, free hall of fame. Location in Heritage Square is very convenient and easy to reach in Downtown Phoenix. We loved being surrounded by Cards fans for a victory at Chase Field!

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