How to attend a Toronto Blue Jays game on a budget without missing the ballpark experience
Now that the Toronto Blue Jays are back in town for 2024, you might be thinking about going to a game.
You don't have to break the bank to attend a baseball game in the city this season or miss out on the ballpark experience.
So, here's how you can go to a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre for cheap on a budget of $100 — including tickets!
Tickets
You can buy Blue Jays tickets online through Ticketmaster.
The cheapest tickets are the Outfield District Tickets which cost just $20.
With the Outfield District, you don't have an assigned seat in the ballpark but you have access to the social areas — including the five outfield neighbourhoods — and retro-style bleacher seats.
If you want an assigned seat, you can get a ticket in the 500 section for $23 or in the outfield area of the 200 section for $44 or $57.
if you want to sit closer to the action, you won't be able to do it on a $100 budget
COST: $20 to $57
Getting to the game
Walking: If you live in downtown Toronto, your cheapest option is to walk or cycle to the game. The cost? You guessed it, free!
Transit: The TTC costs $3.35 for a single fare or $3.30 if you're using PRESTO, credit or debit cards. You'll pay $6.70 or $6.60 roundtrip.
GO Transit costs from $3.70 to $21.15 for a one-way trip to Union Station depending on where you're coming from. That means you'll pay between $7.40 and $42.30 both ways.
Driving: If you're driving in to see a game, you'll probably have to pay for parking unless you know someone with a driveway or spot who will let you park for free.
Here are some lots near the Rogers Centre:
- Impark Lot #436 at 200 Front St. W. — $22
- MTCC Parking (south building) at 222 Bremner Blvd. — $27
- Indigo Parking Southcore Financial Centre at 18 York St. — $27
- Harbourfront Centre Parking at 235 Queens Quay W. — $30
COST: $0 to $42.30
Food
At the ballpark: If you maxed out your budget on tickets and parking, you can spend your time at the ballpark without spending any money.
That's because Rogers Centre allows fans to bring outside food as long as the items are wrapped, bagged or left in a container.
Food containers must comply with the stadium's bag policy, be soft-sided, and be small enough to fit under your seat.
Food prices at Blue Jays games are pretty expensive this season, according to a video posted on TikTok by @jessepollock22.
But here are a few menu items that are pretty cheap if you're eating at the ballpark:
- $6.19 for a Bavarian pretzel
- $7.79 for a cheese slice from Pizza Nova
- $8.29 for a signature slice from Pizza Nova
- $8.49 for nachos with cheese
- $8.99 for a popcorn bag
Also, the Jays offer Dugout Deals concessions which feature favourites — hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzel bites, chips, ice cream, water, soft drinks, Budweiser, and Bud Light — for less than $6.
Want to practically eat for free? Attend a Jays game on a Loonie Dogs Night.
Every Tuesday home game of the 2024 season will feature Loonie Dogs which are, as you guessed it, $1 hot dogs.
Concession stands around the ballpark offer hot dogs for just a loonie. Since demand is high — almost 700,000 Loonie Dogs were purchased in 2023 — you may be limited to four hot dogs per transaction.
COST: $0 to $8.99
Drinks
At the ballpark: If you maxed out your budget on tickets and parking, you can drink for free at the game.
Plastic bottles and/or cans holding 600 millilitres or less and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought into the Rogers Centre.
However, you're not allowed to bring outside alcohol into the stadium
If you've only spent $50 or a little bit more of your budget so far and want to drink at the baseball game, @jessepollock22 also shared those prices.
Here are some of the cheaper options:
- $5.99 for a 591-millilitre bottle of water
- $6.89 for a 24-ounce fountain drink
- $7.49 for a 473-millilitre can of Budweiser Zero
- $14.59 for a 515-millilitre premium draught beer
COST: $0 to $14.59
Things to do
In the ballpark: If watching the baseball game isn't enough and you want an extra experience, look no further than theme nights at the ballpark.
At home games throughout the season, the Blue Jays host theme nights with free things to do around the stadium.
These are the theme nights for the 2024 season:
- May 10 — Cricket Night at the Park
- May 17 — Country Night
- May 31 to June 5 — City Connect Week
- June 14 — Pride Night
- June 27 — Salsa Night
- July 1 — Canada Day
- July 26 — Blue Jays Caribbean Carnival
- August 9 — Harry Potter Night
- September 27 to September 29 — Fan Appreciation Weekend
Merch
At the Jays Shop: If you've spent between $20 and $75 on tickets, transportation, food and drinks, you still have a bit of money left in the budget to get merch.
Since jerseys are over $100, you can spend what's left of your budget on a t-shirt, baseball cap, team scarf or bracelet.
Those items cost $22.99, $29.99. $34.99 and $44.99 at the Jays Shop in the Rogers Centre.
At the front gates: If you don't want to spend money on merch at the game but still want to rep the Jays, you can go to a giveaway game and get something for free!
Just make sure you're at the stadium early because giveaways typically only go to the first 15,000 fans through the front gates.
These are the giveaways happening throughout the 2024 season:
- April 29 — Danny Jansen New Blue Replica Jersey & Replica Glasses Giveaway
- May 10 — Blue Jays White Cricket Hat Giveaway
- May 17 — Chris Bassitt 'Hound on the Mound' Bobblehead Giveaway
- May 20 — Jordan Romano Blue Replica Jersey Giveaway
- May 22 — Yusei Kikuchi Bobblehead Giveaway
- June 3 — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. City Connect Bobblehead Giveaway
- June 5 — Blue Jays City Connect Backpack Giveaway
- June 14 — Blue Jays Rainbow Rope Corduroy Hat Giveaway
- June 19 — Bo Bichette Bobblehead Giveaway
- June 27 — Blue Jays Chip & Dip Bowl Giveaway
- July 1 — Blue Jays Canadian Tuxedo Hat Giveaway
- July 3 — Kevin Gausman Bubble Gum Bobblehead Giveaway
- July 26 — Blue Jays Neon Hat Giveaway
- August 7 — George Springer Replica Hockey Jersey Giveaway
- August 9 — Blue Jays Harry Potter House Raglan Shirt Giveaway
- September 27 — Blue Jays FANnel Giveaway
COST: $0 to $44.99
Total
Depending on where your seats are, how you get to the game, what food you eat, and more, you can attend a Blue Jays game for pretty cheap.
You could end up spending just $30 by getting Outfield District tickets, walking to the Rogers Centre, eating Loonie Dogs, and taking advantage of free experiences at the ballpark.
Or, you might even only spend $20 if you bring food and drinks from home!
If you're trying to keep a $100 budget based on this guide, you can spend that much money and get a lot of bang for your buck at a Blue Jays game this season.
TOTAL: $20 to $100
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
Aramark Sports and Entertainment
Before and after renderings of the renovations at Rogers Centre. 