Oakland Athletics Spring Training Makes for a Family Fun Day in the Sun
Phoenix Municipal Stadium Overview
Home of Oakland Athletics spring training, Phoenix Municipal Stadium is a comfortable and family-friendly Phoenix spring training baseball stadium. The 1960s-era park, also known as "Muni," underwent a multimillion dollar renovation in 2004.  | | Phoenix Municipal Stadium | Stadium upgrades included adding many shaded seating areas, new bathrooms and improved parking. The lawn area on the third base side even has umbrellas - perfect for family picnics. Have a child who is a budding announcer? Phoenix Municipal Stadium officials ask kids in the audience to read the weather reports from frigid northern cities, adding to the family fun atmosphere. Phoenix Muni also has the distinction of being located close to the desert preserve of Papago Park, rather than being in the midst of shops and restaurants like most other Cactus League stadiums. Pre- or post-game you can explore this scenic park, which has many fun attractions including a garden and a zoo. Warm sun, nice views, friendly staff, the smell of grilling food and a good selection of microbrews make Phoenix Municipal a satisfying spring training experience. Athletics Spring Training Tickets: Oakland Athletics Spring Training Tickets are on sale now at StubHub.com.
Phoenix Municipal Stadium Seating
You’ll want to arrive early to be able to sit under one of the umbrellas on the grassy picnic area. The seats on the first base side, which is the same side as the A’s dugout and bullpen, generally sell out first. There’s just a low wall that separates fans from players along the right field line bullpen, so if you sit in the first rows here you might get a chance to talk shop with the relief pitchers.
Food and Drink at Phoenix Muni
The concessions at Phoenix Municipal are pretty much traditional baseball fare.  | | The Papago Buttes as seen from the parking lot overcrossing at Phoenix Municipal Stadium | Hotdogs, bratwurst, French fries and nachos are what you’ll find, though prices here are a bit cheaper than at many other stadiums. There’s also a full grill in the grassy picnic area. What Phoenix Municipal lacks in food options, it makes up for in beer. They serve quite a variety of microbrews including Blue Moon and Hefeweizen.
Getting Autographs during Oakland Athletics Spring Training
Phoenix Municipal is one of the harder spots to get an autograph since its renovation. The only opportunity is to wait around the dugouts, but expect a large crowd of other fans doing the same. The Oakland A's dugout is on the right field side
Parking at Phoenix Municipal Stadium
The improved Phoenix Municipal parking is on the opposite side of the street from the stadium on Project Drive. The cost is $5 per vehicle. Spaces are limited, so plan to arrive early.
Hotels Near Phoenix Municipal Stadium
Unfortunately, there are no lodging options right next to Phoenix Muni.  | | The Mission Palms Hotel in downtown Tempe | The closest hotels near Phoenix Municipal Stadium are about 4-6 miles away in Tempe in the Mill Avenue District and around the Arizona State University campus. A few good options are: Because these hotels are near the university and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, it's a good idea to make your hotel reservations well in advance. For more Tempe lodging options, try Priceline.com's Tempe Hotel list. Downtown Phoenix is not far away and is a good alternative lodging choice. See our Downtown Phoenix Hotels page for some of the best options.
Attractions around Phoenix Municipal Stadium
Phoenix Municipal has the advantage of being near one of the best Phoenix attractions - Papago Park.  | | The cactus shade house at the Desert Botanical Garden | Papago’s tall, craggy red buttes make this 1,200 acre Sonoran Desert preserve stand out from any high point around town. This is a great family-friendly park with its relatively level trails, picnic areas, bike paths and small manmade lakes filled with fish. The park is also home to several great Phoenix area attractions including: - The Desert Botanical Garden: a beautiful garden that showcases one of the world’s largest collections of cactus, succulents, wildflowers and arid land plants,
- The Phoenix Zoo has animals from around the world, plus a walk through squirrel monkey habitat, children’s zoo, carousel and water splash pad,
- The Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum: displays fire engines from the 1700s to present day, firefighting memorabilia and a kids fire safety house.
Dining Near Oakland A's Spring Training
The closest spot to grab a bite to eat near Phoenix Municipal is in a small retail center just a few blocks south of the stadium at the corner of Priest Drive and Washington Street.  | | This small center near Phoenix Municipal Stadium has a Starbucks and a sub shop | Here you’ll find a Starbucks, Moe's Southwest Grill and a Port of Subs sandwich shop. If you’re looking for a sports bar, Hazelwood’s First Place (3626 Indian School Rd.; 602-957-2462) is a popular spot, even though it’s about a 6-mile drive from Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Hazelwood’s 30 flat-screen TVs show all the big games plus NASCAR, soccer and rugby. Or, sit on the patio and watch the poker tournament, trivia games or live music. The food is burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and daily drink specials. For a wide variety of restaurants, head over to Tempe’s Mill Avenue district, about 5 miles from Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Popular Mill Avenue is always bustling due to the fact that it’s right next to Arizona State University.  | | The Mill Avenue District in Tempe | There are enough restaurants and bars here to suit almost every budget and taste: - Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant (401 S. Mill Ave., 480-929-9500): stop in for a pint of Guinness, an Irish whiskey or traditional pub fare like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and bangers n’ mash.
- Casey Moore’s Oyster House (850 S. Ash Ave.; 480-968-9935): in addition to a large select of draught beers, whiskey and spirits, Casey’s offers beef, oysters and seafood.
- La Bocca Urban Pizzeria and Wine Bar (699 S. Mill Ave., #115; 480-967-5244): has artisan pizzas, salads, sandwiches, bruschetta and wines by the glass.
- House of Tricks (114 E. 7th St.; 480-968-1114): a fine dining institution in Tempe. The food is a fusion of French, Mediterranean and Southwestern flavors with dishes such as pan-seared orange roughy on chorizo whipped parsnips and petite filet mignon with mushroom cognac cream.
Phoenix Municipal Stadium Fast Facts
Location: Eastern Phoenix near the Tempe border. The stadium is close to the Phoenix Metro light rail station at Priest Drive and Washington Street.The Oakland A’s spring training practice fields are at the Papago Baseball Facility (1802 N. 64th Street), located on the northwest corner of 64th Street (also called Galvin Parkway) and McDowell Road, just north of Papago Park.
Click here to see a map of the Greater Phoenix Spring Training Locations
Phoenix Municipal Stadium Address: 599 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix AZ 85008
Phone: 602-495-7240 2010 Tickets: You can buy Oakland Athletics Spring Training Tickets now at StubHub.com. Single Game Tickets - Field Box $25
- Lower Box $21
- Upper Box $18
- Outfield Reserved $10
- Suites & Patio $30
15-Game Season Ticket Package
- Field Box $375
- Lower Box $315
- Upper Box $270
- Outfield Reserved $150
Note: Season Ticket Holders have the same seat for each game and also retain the exclusive right to purchase advanced parking for $75.  | | The entrance to Phoenix Muni | Click here to see the complete 2010 Arizona Spring Training Schedule Number of Seats: 7,800 Phoenix Muni Notes: - You cannot bring coolers of any size into the stadium.
- No bags larger than 16x16x8.
- All bags will be inspected before they are permitted into the ballpark.
- Diaper bags permitted when used for designed purpose.
- No alcohol, weapons, cans, glass containers or open containers.
Note: This information was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans.
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