Seating at Camden Yards

Camden Yards is big, but, interestingly, doesn’t have a ton of different seating products.  It’s actually one of the simpler seating charts in MLB, but having said that, there’s still some insider hints that will help you pick the right seat for your outing.  

Over the past 25 years I’ve sat all over this ballpark, and in this chapter I’ll tell you about the high-value seats that aren’t obvious on the seating chart, the seats and sections you should avoid, and give you an in-depth look at the handful of unique seating experiences in the ballpark.

Table of Contents

• Camden Yards Seating Overview
• Lower Level Seating (Sections 1-98)
• Front Field Level, Infield (Sections 20-54)
• Front Field Level, Outfield (even Sections 4-18, 56-84)
• Rear Field Level (odd Sections 1-87)
• The Bird Bath (Section 86)
• Center Field Bleachers (Sections 90-98)
• The Center Field Roof Deck
• Non-ticketed Standing Room Areas
• 200 Club Level Seating (Section 204-280)
• The Pepsi Picnic Perch (Sections 282-288)
• 300 Level Seating (Sections 306-388)

Our favorite seats

Our least favorite seats

Camden Yards Seating Overview

There are three seating tiers at Camden Yards. The field level (both even and odd sections), the 200 club level, and the 300 level upper deck. There’s also the Pepsi Perch at the left field end of the 200 level club in sections 282-288, the Bird Bath in section 86 (left center), the Center Field Roof Deck and bar, and various standing room only areas in each area of the outfield.

You might notice that the Orioles don’t have the same type of premium seating options that you’ll find at most other MLB stadiums. There are no all-inclusive premium lounges, or swanky club seats behind home plate, or anything like that. The 200 level “club” isn’t really much of a “club,” other than the fact that the concourse is indoors and it’s air conditioned, so don’t be confused by its “club” label.

Lower Level Seating: Sections 1-98

If you look at the Orioles seating chart, you’ll see a map that’s full of colors that don’t represent different types of seats, but rather represent different price zones. But our seating chart focuses on zones where there are actual differences between the seats or the views.

We’ve broken down the lower level seating options into seven categories:

• Front Field Level, Infield (even Sections 20-54)
• Front Field Level, Outfield (even Sections 4-18, 56-84)
• Rear Field Level (odd Sections 1-87)
• Bird Bath (Section 86)
• Center Field Bleachers (Sections 90-98)
• Center Field Roof Deck (next to section 90)
• Non-ticketed standing room only (left and right outfield)

Front Field Level, Infield (Sections 20-54)

These sections abet the infield, and extend from the edge of the Orioles dugout to the edge of the away team dugout. The allure of these seats is obvious: they’re infield seats right off the field, and they are also all cushioned, which is a nice touch. Simply put, these are the best seats in the house, and if tickets here are within your budget, go ahead and buy them.

Front Field Level, Outfield (Even Sections 4-18, 56-84)

There are some perfectly decent seats in this area, but we don’t like the view once you move up the third base line towards left field. And in deep left field, you’re pretty far away from home plate and it feels like you’re a million miles from the game. So unless you’re in the Bird Bath Section (more on that soon) or have a specific reason to want to be in the outfield (i.e. you want to try to catch home run balls), we say steer clear of anything above Section 66 along the left field line.

On the other hand, we like the seats in Sections 4-8 as budget options. They are angled towards the infield, and you don’t feel disconnected from the game as you might in typical outfield seats. Plus, the proximity to Eutaw Street makes getting food and accessing the right field SRO area for an inning really easy. If you’re making a choice, we’d suggest Sections 6 and 8 over Sections 10 and 12, even though they are closer to the infield.

Rear Field Level (Odd Sections 1-87)

This is one of those seating areas that isn’t very clear when you look at the map. You might think that it is a second tier of the ballpark, but it isn’t: it’s the upper third of the lower level. They are accessed by using the same concourse entrances as the Front Field Level, and they share the same concourse as the Front Field Level. When you enter the seating bowl from the lower level concourse, the even sections are down the steps, and the odd sections are up the steps.

First of all, you should know that the majority of these seats are shaded by the overhang from the 200 level. Which means that if you’re someone who would prefer to be in the shade, these are the seats for you. The only exceptions are the seats in odd Sections 1-5 (right field) and 33-39 (behind home plate), which have no overhang at all—they are all in the open air.

Second of all, in terms of proximity to the field, the Front Field Level has 25 rows in most sections, with the walkway running behind it. So by our estimation, Row 1 of the Rear Field Level is about 30 rows from the field. While that might not be super close, consider that there are plenty of stadiums with lower level seating that runs 40 rows deep, so really, the first few rows of the Rear Field level are just a high lower level seat in most ballparks (but are elevated here, making them, in our opinion, better than a similar seat in another ballpark).

Having said all of that, here’s our assessment: we think the first four rows of the Rear Field Level are very good seats, especially in the infield. You’re close enough to the action, you’re under cover, you’re still on the lower level with access to all of the concession stands on the lower level concourse and on Eutaw Street, and, oftentimes, you’ll be able to buy these seats at a lower price than the seats below them.

BUT… once you go more than four rows up, it starts to feel (to us) very dark and tomb-like in these sections, and, honestly, it’s not something that we like. During the day it feels dark back there, and at night it feels ridiculously dark. So, our recommendation for sitting in the Rear Field Level is to stick to rows 1-4. We’d suggest odd sections 19-53, but you can drift a bit further down the line and still be fine if the price is right.

TSI TIP: If you would prefer to be in the sun, but still want to save some money, then we suggest Sections 33-39 behind home plate, and Sections 1-7 in right field. Sections 1-7 are angled towards home plate, like the seats below them in even Sections 6 and 8, and thus you can watch the game straight ahead of you rather than having your head turned to the side all day. Meanwhile, the seats in Sections 33-39 behind home plate are just an excellent place to watch a game from.  

TSI TIP: We think Sections 9-13 are a bit of a dead zone. You’re better off moving closer to or further from the infield, since we think the view is better in either direction.

The Bird Bath (Section 86)

During the 2023 season, the Orioles hitters came up with a new series of celebrations, all themed around water. The trend picked up steam on social media, and the Orioles leaned in by creating the “Bird Bath.”

They took Section 86, an otherwise unremarkable area just to the right of the bullpens, and made it a specially ticketed cheerleading section. There is a section leader who, decked out in swimwear and floaties, sprays the fans with a super soaker and water hose for every Orioles extra base hit (and whenever he feels like it).

We were skeptical that it would feel silly and gimmicky, but… we actually liked it! To get into the section, you show the ushers your ticket, and they put a bracelet on you so they know you’re allowed in this section and that you have consented to be sprayed.  

The section is regularly the place where cheers start and fans from other sections can be seen waltzing over to check out what it’s all about. The experience is similar to the student section at a college game, and we mean that in a positive way. Who knows how long the Bird Bath will last, so if this is your sort of thing, get in while it’s still around. On most days it’s only a $25 ticket, so it’s pretty cheap, and it will often sell out on the weekends, so buy your tickets early here.

Center Field Bleachers (Sections 90-98)

This area is about as far as you can be from the game on the lower level, and that’s not great. In sections 96 and 98 it is hard to see all of right field, and in all of these sections the main and out-of-town scoreboards are almost completely obstructed. These two factors make the bleachers an easy pass for us. These sections are near Eutaw Street, the statues, and the center field roof deck, but there are better seats near all of those attractions that you should sit in before buying a ticket in the bleachers. If you do choose to sit in the bleachers, stick to sections 90-94.

The Center Field Roof Deck

In center field next to Section 90, there is a hidden gem that we love: The Center Field Roof Deck. Up the stairs just to the right of the bleachers (as you’re facing the field), this area has an amazing view of the field, and a full bar just feet from the railing, which makes it a great spot to pregame during warmups and, if you want, to stay for the duration of the game. Sometimes during the pregame, the Orioles have live music up there, and the whole vibe feels as if Pickles was relocated across the street for first pitch and moved into the roof deck.

You can hang out on the deck as long as you’d like — it’s a general admission area. But if you want to actually sit in the rail seats along the outfield, you have to purchase those specific seats. And the Orioles don’t make that easy. According to their box office, they release them “a week or two in advance, but sometimes we don’t get to it, but they always sell out.” That’s not exactly what we consider to be a fan-friendly answer, because it means you need to constantly be checking to see if these tickets are available. And if they aren’t, you won’t know if they haven’t released them yet, or if they’ve already sold out.

This would be a TSI top seating pick if the team didn’t make it such a wild card. So, since it is, we say go ahead … pop onto their website to see if you can find one of these, but don’t obsess about it.

Non-ticketed Standing Room Areas

There are two standing room areas in the Camden Yards outfield, and the cool thing about them is that you can use them no matter where your actual ticketed seat is.

In left field, the standing room area is in front of the Orioles statue park and behind the bullpens (to the left of and behind Section 86 as you’re looking at the field). It is by far the worst of the standing areas due to the distance from the game. You can see the entire field, but you’re standing about 40-50 feet away from the outfield fence in the deepest area of the park. It’s just too far to really see anything well. Skip this area.

On the other hand, the right field standing room area is amazing. You walk into the area from Eutaw Street, just to the right of Section 1 as you’re looking at the field. The railing in the front of this area directly abets the field above the out-of-town scoreboard.

This area is spacious, has a bar, tall tables and picnic tables to eat food at, and all of the MLB team flags are here as well. At some point during your trip, we encourage you to take in an inning from this vantage point. It’s a Camden classic. And it’s also a great spot for a photo.

200 Club Level Seating (Sections 204-280)

In a lot of stadiums, the “club level” offers some sort of premium seating features. But Camden Yards isn’t one of those stadiums. The 200 level club is, for the most part, just another seating tier that happens to have an air conditioned concourse behind it.

That’s not to say that it doesn’t have certain advantages. The climate controlled concourse can be a nice perk if you’re there on a really hot or really cold day and want to grab a seat inside for a while. You’ll also get a good view of the field from the infield sections, as well as a nice view of the city skyline. There’s also some good memorabilia inside the concourse, including World Series, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger trophies in the center of the concourse. And, most importantly to some, the less trafficked club level means cleaner and less busy restrooms.

So if those benefits are worthwhile to you, then a 200-level club ticket may be worth it. Keep in mind, only fans with a 200-level ticket can access the Club Level, but all tickets in Sections 204-280 are club level and share the same concourse. So if you want club level access but are price sensitive, then look for seats further into the outfield.

The Pepsi Picnic Perch (Sections 282-288)

The Pepsi Picnic Perch is a special all-you-can-eat section of the 200 level, all the way out in left field. With your special ticket, you get access to an all-you-can-eat buffet of ballpark food, including unlimited fountain soft drinks. The tickets are advertised as starting at $48, plus ticket fees, but the price fluctuates depending on who the Orioles are playing and how high demand is for tickets. We saw prices as high as $108 for a matchup against the Yankees.

The seats themselves are in left/left-center field, with the far-end of the Perch overlooking the bullpens and Bird Bath section below. So make no mistake: these seats are pretty far away from home plate, and are not our favorites.

To get to the Pepsi Perch, you’ll walk through the 200-level concourse all the way to left field. You’ll exit the air conditioned concourse and enter a drab, cement hallway which feels like an employees-only area, but nope… this is the right place. Take a few steps into the hall and you’ll see the buffet to your left, and seats to your right.

There are six rows of standard seats, and high-top tables with four seats at the back of each section. The seats at the high-tops are ticketed, and don’t have to be purchased in groups of four, so you could end up sharing a table with a new friend if you purchase fewer than all of the tickets at the table.

The view of the field is largely the same no matter where you sit in these sections, so we think the tables are actually the best option. The food is served on small paper plates, rather than the cardboard boats or takeaway boxes from the regular stands, so it’s nice to have a table to rest your food and drink on.

While you are welcome to eat as much as you can, it’s clear that the Orioles don’t want you to do so conveniently. The plates and cups they provide are tiny, which means that you have to get up a lot to refill. Alternatively, you can attempt to bring multiple tiny plates or cups with you, but good luck avoiding a spill.

Meanwhile, the food itself, which is what you’re really paying for at the Pepsi Perch, is lackluster. Here’s the menu:

• Ballpark hot dogs
• Build-your-own nachos bar
• Pulled pork sliders
• Popcorn and peanuts
• Garden salad
• Fruit
• Gelato
• Fountain sodas

The food was pretty much what you’d get at an average stadium concession stand—which is to say, generic and not noteworthy. The pulled pork was visibly dry, and the gelato was melty more often than not. There was a beer stand by the entrance to the food area, but it is specifically outside the private Pepsi Perch, because “all-you-can-eat/drink” does not apply to your beers – those cost extra.

After a night at the perch, I couldn’t help but feel like I had overpaid for this experience.  Even at the low end of $75 (which is what our ticket cost on a Friday night in July), I was getting a ticket way too far away from the infield, generic food that in no way compares to the amazing concession options that Camden Yards is known for, and an experience that felt cheap.  And don’t forget – on some nights, this ticket can go for upwards of $100.

As a local, I suppose that if I was coming to the ballpark on one of a dozen nights that I’m here, then this might be a change-of-pace experience, and perhaps worth it if I just wanted to shove tons of cheap food into my face. But if I was only coming to Camden Yards for just a game or two, there’s no way I’d want to sit this far away and miss out on crab hot dogs and Boog’s BBQ for this. Until the Orioles improve the value proposition of this product (either by improving what it is or lowering the price), we just can’t recommend it.

300 Level Seating (Sections 306-388)

Camden Yards was the first in a wave of too-big stadiums built in the 1990s. This manifests in a stadium that often looks poorly attended, and wide swathes of empty seats in the 300 level. For most games, the far sections of the 300 level are roped off and the tickets aren’t even sold.

There are reasons for this. First off, the seats aren’t very good. Second, you’re far from the action, and it takes forever to get to and from those seats. And most importantly, the cheap seats aren’t even that cheap anymore. The cheapest seat in the house for a mid-week August game runs you $17. And when you can get in the lower bowl for $12, the case for a 300-level seat is hard to make.

If you are going to sit in the 300 level, we’d obviously suggest looking for a low row, and trying to sit in the infield.  At least that way you’ll be somewhat connected to the action on the field.  Rows 1-6 are below the entrance from the concourse, so we’d recommend targeting those as your best option.

Bottom Line

Obviously you can’t go wrong sitting in the lower level infield. The view is great, the seats are cushioned, and, if you carefully monitor ticket prices, you can snag a ticket at a very reasonable price.

Our advice: Camden has gotten more expensive over the years, but it’s still a fairly cheap park. Unless you’re planning on spending the whole game at a GA area like standing room only, buy a 100 level ticket. You can get great seats for decent value in the lower concourse, and all of our favorite areas of the park are down there too.