What Fenway Park is and where to find it

Fenway Park is the home stadium of the Boston Red Sox, Major League Baseball's team in Boston, Massachusetts. It opened in 1912 and sits at 37 Lansdowne Street in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. The stadium holds roughly 37,000 people and is the oldest ballpark still in use for Major League Baseball.

The park is known for its unusual shape and features, especially the Green Monster — a 37-foot-tall green wall in left field that is part of the playing field itself. Fenway also has a manual scoreboard, narrow concourses, and seats that vary widely in view and comfort because of the building's age and design.

Key Takeaways

  • Fenway Park tickets are sold through the Red Sox official website, StubHub, Ticketmaster, and other resellers, with prices varying by game, opponent, and seat location.
  • The stadium has different seating sections with different views and prices — field-level seats cost more than upper-deck seats, and seats behind home plate cost more than seats along the baselines.
  • You can reach Fenway by car, parking in nearby lots or garages, or by the MBTA (Boston's public transit system), which has a station called Kenmore that is a short walk away.
  • The Red Sox play 81 home games per season from late March through September, with additional playoff games in October if the team advances.
  • Fenway allows you to bring a small bag and a clear plastic bottle of water, but prohibits outside food, alcohol, and most other items.

How to buy tickets and what they cost

Tickets to Red Sox games at Fenway are sold through the official Boston Red Sox website (redsox.com), as well as through Ticketmaster, StubHub, and other resellers. The Red Sox website often has the full schedule and allows you to filter by date, opponent, and price range. Prices vary widely depending on the game: weekday games in May cost less than weekend games in September, and games against popular opponents like the New York Yankees cost more than games against less-attended teams.

Ticket prices also depend on the seat location. Field-level seats behind home plate and along the baselines are the most expensive. Upper-deck seats, standing-room-only tickets, and seats in the corners or down the foul lines are cheaper. You can usually see the exact seat location and view before you buy, so you know what you are paying for.

If you buy from a reseller like StubHub instead of the Red Sox directly, prices may be higher because resellers add fees. However, resellers sometimes have tickets available after the official site sells out, or offer seats the Red Sox site does not. Compare prices across all three sources before you decide.

Understanding Fenway's seating sections and views

Fenway's seating is divided into sections named by location: Green Monster seats are in left field against the famous wall, Bleachers are in right field and center field, and Field Box seats are the lowest level behind home plate and along the baselines. The upper deck wraps around the stadium and is divided into Grandstand sections.

The Green Monster seats offer a unique view because you are sitting very close to the wall, but your view of the rest of the field is limited. Bleacher seats are cheaper and popular with younger crowds, but you sit in the sun during day games and have a view mainly of left and center field. Field Box and Grandstand seats behind home plate give you the best overall view of the game, but cost the most.

Fenway's narrow design means that even expensive seats in some sections have obstructed views — pillars, railings, or the roof overhang may block part of the field. The Red Sox website shows you the exact view from each seat before you buy, so check the photo to make sure you can see what you want to see.

Getting to Fenway and parking

The easiest way to reach Fenway without a car is the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority), Boston's public transit system. The Kenmore station on the Green Line is about a five-minute walk from the stadium. You can buy a single MBTA fare card at the station or use a reloadable CharlieCard. On game days, the MBTA runs extra trains to handle the crowd.

If you drive, parking near Fenway is expensive and limited. The Red Sox operate an official parking lot at 100 Lansdowne Street, which costs around $30 to $40 per game (prices vary). Private lots and garages in the Fenway neighborhood charge similar amounts. Arrive early on game days because lots fill up quickly, especially for popular games. Street parking in the neighborhood is metered and difficult to find.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate in Boston and can drop you near the stadium, but surge pricing during games can make the fare expensive. Public transit is usually the cheapest and most reliable option if you live in or near Boston.

What to bring and what is prohibited

Fenway allows you to bring a small personal bag (roughly the size of a purse or small backpack) and a clear plastic bottle of water. You cannot bring outside food, alcohol, or beverages other than water. You also cannot bring weapons, recording devices, or items that could be used as weapons.

The stadium has food and drink vendors throughout, including hot dogs, nachos, pizza, and beer. Prices are higher than outside the stadium — a hot dog costs around $6 to $8, and a beer costs around $10 to $12 (prices vary by vendor and year). You can also bring a small amount of cash or a credit card to buy food inside.

Dress for the weather. Fenway has limited shade, and afternoon games in summer can be very hot. Bring sunscreen and a hat. Evening games in April and September can be cold, so bring a jacket. The stadium is open-air, so you will experience whatever weather Boston has that day.

The Red Sox schedule and when games are played

The Boston Red Sox play 81 home games per season, running from late March through the end of September. Most games start at 7:10 p.m. on weeknights and 1:10 p.m. or 4:10 p.m. on weekends and afternoons, though start times vary. The Red Sox website shows the full schedule with dates, times, and opponents.

If the Red Sox make the playoffs, additional games are played in October at Fenway. The American League Division Series, League Championship Series, and World Series games are played at home stadiums on a rotating basis, so Fenway may or may not host playoff games in a given year.

Games against division rivals like the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays tend to draw larger crowds and have higher ticket prices. Games against teams from the other league (National League teams) are less common and happen only during interleague play in June and July.

What to expect on game day

Arrive at least 90 minutes before game time, especially for popular games. The lines to enter the stadium, buy food, and use the restrooms can be long. Gates usually open two hours before the first pitch. Bring your ticket (digital or printed) and a valid ID if you are buying alcohol.

The stadium gets loud during the game, especially when the Red Sox are winning or when a popular player comes to bat. The crowd sings "Sweet Caroline" during the eighth inning, a Fenway tradition. Restrooms and concession stands are crowded between innings, so plan ahead if you need to use them.

After the game, expect crowded exits and long waits for public transit or rideshare pickups. If you drove, be prepared to wait in traffic leaving the parking lot. The neighborhood around Fenway has bars and restaurants that fill up after games, so if you want to celebrate or commiserate, options are nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own food and drinks into Fenway?

No. Fenway prohibits outside food and alcohol. You can bring a clear plastic bottle of water. Food and drinks are sold inside the stadium at higher prices than outside.

What is the Green Monster and why is it famous?

The Green Monster is a 37-foot-tall wall in left field that is part of the playing field itself. Balls that hit it are in play, and home runs over it are rare. It is famous because it is unique to Fenway and has been part of the stadium since 1912.

Is there a bad seat at Fenway?

Some seats have obstructed views because of pillars, railings, or the roof overhang. The Red Sox website shows you the exact view from each seat before you buy, so check the photo. Bleacher and upper-deck seats are cheaper but have a more limited view of the field than field-level seats.

How much does parking cost at Fenway?

Official Red Sox parking costs around $30 to $40 per game. Private lots and garages in the neighborhood charge similar amounts. Public transit via the MBTA is usually cheaper and avoids the hassle of finding a spot.

When is the best time to buy tickets?

Prices are lowest for weekday games early in the season (March and April) and against less popular opponents. Prices rise as the season goes on and for games against rivals like the Yankees. Tickets often go on sale about a month before the game, and prices may drop a few days before if the game is not selling well.