Home of the Washington Nationals by the Navy Yard Metro, with a KultureCity Quiet Zone Sensory Room on the Main Concourse at Section 140, and sensory kits with noise reducing headphones at Main Guest Services in Centerfield Plaza during home games. Opening Day 2027 is Thursday, March 25.
Sensory supports. Quiet Zone sensory room, sensory kits, headphones.
Hours
No Nationals games at Nationals Park until March 2027: an exhibition game on Monday Mar 22 2027 (time to be announced), then Opening Day on Thursday Mar 25 2027, first pitch 4:05 pm (times are subject to change). On game days, all gates open 80 minutes before first pitch (75 minutes for 6:45 pm games): for example, 2:45 pm gates for a 4:05 pm game and 5:30 pm gates for a 6:45 pm game. Gate opening times are subject to change. The main Guest Services in Centerfield Plaza stays open 45 or 60 minutes after the game. On game days, the Main Box Office facing N Street near Half Street opens four hours before first pitch and closes at the end of the 6th inning. From Nov 20 to Dec 27 2026, the ballpark hosts ENCHANT, a holiday light event (see More).
1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
“In partnership with Kulture City, the Nationals offer a Quiet Zone Sensory Room. The sensory room is located on the Main Concourse across from Section 140. The space features sensory activities, as well as soothing lighting and soft flooring.”
“Should a guest become over-stimulated or need a quiet space, our sensory room is available where they can take a break. In partnership with Kulture City, the Nationals offer a Quiet Zone Sensory Room located behind Section 140.”
“The Nationals are proud to offer sensory kits for guests with sensory needs during Nationals home games.”
“A valid government-issued ID will be held until the kit is returned.”
The sensory kits have noise reducing headphones, fidget tools and a lanyard. You sign one out at Main Guest Services in Centerfield Plaza. If your kid is sensitive to sound, the Nationals also suggest bringing earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones from home.
To get ready, the Nationals suggest reading a social story ahead of time (they point to one made by KultureCity), practicing waiting in line, and picking a meeting place inside the ballpark (they recommend Main Guest Services in Centerfield Plaza) and showing it to your kid as soon as you enter. Any Guest Services location (Center Field Plaza, Section 131 and Section 320) has wristbands that note your kid's seat location; for safety, the wristband doesn't include your kid's name or yours.
If you're bringing items to help your kid stay comfortable, the Nationals recommend the family/ADA lanes at the gate; your bags are still screened. Tell security staff what your kid needs, especially if your kid has a sensory or calming item that needs to be carried at all times.
If your kid gets separated, have them find a Guest Experience representative: they wear name tags or navy polos. For a quick answer during a game, text NATS with your issue and location to 202-980-4357.
A KultureCity Quiet Zone Sensory Room on the Main Concourse at Section 140, with sensory activities, soothing lighting and soft flooring, for a break if your kid gets over-stimulated.
Sensory kits with noise reducing headphones, fidget tools and a lanyard during Nationals home games, signed out at Main Guest Services in Centerfield Plaza; they hold a valid government-issued ID until the kit comes back.
Loud and bright moments the Nationals name: possible flyovers on Military Appreciation Days, Friday Night Fireworks after the game, stadium lighting that may flash or strobe, and automatic toilets that may be loud.
Friday Night Fireworks (after the game; they launch from the right field side, off the roof of the garage or from a barge in the Anacostia River)not stated
Flyovers on Military Appreciation Days (a high chance of a flyover by aircraft, which may be loud)not stated
Flashing lights and strobe effects (stadium lighting may flash, strobe, alternate colors or otherwise adjust during an event)not stated
Automatic toilets (many restrooms use automatic flushing equipment, which may be loud)not stated
Quieter, in the Nationals' words
Quiet Zone Sensory Room, Main Concourse at Section 140quiet zone
Tickets: children 2 and younger don't need a ticket but must sit on a parent's or guardian's lap. Children under 14 must be with a responsible person 16 or older. Nationals Park doesn't take cash for tickets, food or shops; you can change cash into Nats Bucks at Advance Ticket Sales behind Sections 103/104 and at Guest Services behind Section 131.
Bags: any bag bigger than a 5 x 7 x ¾ inch clutch must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no bigger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches. Backpacks (clear ones too) and coolers aren't allowed. Exceptions may be made for diaper bags and other bags used for medical reasons, and fans with diaper or medical bags may use the ADA/Family lanes. All bags are subject to search. Binbox lockers, for a fee, are outside the Center Field, Left Field and Home Plate Gates from two hours before first pitch until one hour after the game.
Food and drinks: you can bring single-serving food in an approved bag, or carried in your hands so security can screen it. Metal and glass containers aren't allowed, except clear, factory-sealed or empty plastic water bottles up to one liter (one per person), juice boxes, insulin containers and baby food. No frozen water bottles; frozen bottles of infant or human milk are allowed. If your kid needs more food for medical reasons, call Guest Services at 202-675-6287 or email service@nationals.com ahead, and enter through the ADA/Family security lanes at the Center Field or Home Plate Gates.
Also not allowed, among others: noisemakers not provided by the Nationals (air horns, sirens, kazoos, whistles and personal safety alarms; you can leave an alarm in your car or a Binbox), beach balls and other inflatables, laser pointers, aerosol cans including sunscreen, toy guns, selfie sticks, and skateboards, scooters for non-ADA use and wheeled shoes. Strollers can go on the concourses; if yours doesn't fold to fit under a seat, check it at a Guest Services location (Center Field Plaza, or behind Sections 131 or 320). The Nationals aren't responsible for a stroller that isn't checked.
Re-entry: you can't leave and come back in on the same ticket, and anyone who leaves without a gate supervisor's okay can't come back in. Ask a Guest Experience or Event Security supervisor if you have questions.
ENCHANT, with a holiday light maze, an ice-skating trail, a festive village and visits from Santa, runs at Nationals Park Nov 20 to Dec 27 2026 across 32 nights, rain or shine. Tickets are sold through enchantchristmas.com, and all sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges. The Nationals bag policy is in effect.
Getting there: Metro's Navy Yard station is fully ADA accessible, and the Center Field Gate is half a block south of it on Half Street. For accessible parking, call 202-675-6287, option 1, then option 1 again. Before every home game, passengers who need ADA accommodations can be dropped off on First Street SE near the grand staircase at Potomac Avenue. Don't ask a rideshare to stop on South Capitol Street.
Help: first aid rooms are behind Sections 107, 131 and 312, staffed by AMR medical personnel, and have tables for changing an adult who is too big for a changing table. Family restrooms are behind Sections 104, 117, 139, 235, 307 and 319. The Nursing Lounge next to Section 223 has a play area for toddlers. Wheelchair service from the gate to your seat can be asked for from any Guest Experience representative or by text to 202-980-4357.
Call
202-675-6287Nationals Guest Services: accommodations, before your visit202-980-4357Text NATS with your issue and location for help during a game
