Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, replacing the aging Veterans Stadium as the home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, the $458 million ballpark was designed by EwingCole and HOK Sport and quickly earned a reputation as one of the finest modern ballparks in Major League Baseball.
Seating 42,901 fans on a natural Kentucky bluegrass surface, Citizens Bank Park became famous almost immediately for Ashburn Alley — a 625-foot outfield concourse lined with statues of Phillies legends and named for Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. A towering Liberty Bell replica in right-center field swings and lights up after every Phillies home run, becoming one of the most recognizable celebration features in baseball.
Stats at a Glance
- Team: Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
- Location: South Philadelphia Sports Complex, Philadelphia, PA
- Opened: April 3, 2004
- Capacity: 42,901
- Surface: Kentucky bluegrass (natural)
- Construction Cost: $458 million
- Naming Rights Deal: $95 million, 25-year deal with Citizens Bank
A Ballpark Built for Fans
Citizens Bank Park was designed with fan experience as its central priority, featuring wide concourses, unobstructed sightlines, and distinctly Philadelphia food — cheesesteaks, hoagies, Tastykakes, soft pretzels, and local Yards and Yuengling beers. Food Network named it the Best Ballpark Food in 2007, an accolade that reflects the park’s commitment to regional identity.
Ashburn Alley stretches 625 feet behind the outfield wall and serves as the park’s social spine, housing statues of Phillies legends, the team’s Wall of Fame, and dozens of food vendors. Nearly 400 bleacher seats on the outfield pavilion roof offer an unmatched view of the downtown Philadelphia skyline, making it one of the most scenic spots in baseball.
World Series Glory and Landmark Moments
Citizens Bank Park has hosted some of baseball’s most memorable moments. The Phillies captured the 2008 World Series at home — their first championship in 28 years — igniting one of the loudest nights in Philadelphia sports history. The park also hosted the 2009 and 2022 World Series, cementing its place as a stage for October baseball.
On October 6, 2010, Roy Halladay threw only the second no-hitter in postseason history here, a moment that still stands as one of the most celebrated pitching performances in modern baseball. The 2012 NHL Winter Classic drew a venue-record crowd of 46,967, and Citizens Bank Park is scheduled to host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
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Citizens Bank Park FAQs
When did Citizens Bank Park open?
Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, with an exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians. The first regular-season game was played on April 12, 2004.
What is the seating capacity of Citizens Bank Park?
As of 2023, Citizens Bank Park has a seating capacity of 42,901. The venue-record attendance of 46,967 was set during the 2012 NHL Winter Classic.
What is Ashburn Alley at Citizens Bank Park?
Ashburn Alley is a 625-foot open concourse behind the outfield wall, named after Phillies Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. It features statues of Phillies legends, the Wall of Fame, and a wide variety of food and beverage stands.
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Photo: Chsdrummajor07 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.