Seating at Great American Ball Park

Our favorite seats

Budweiser Bullpen Boxes

A private space for four, comfy seats, and surprisingly affordable.

Our least favorite seats

Premium Seating

Lexus Diamond Club – Sections 1-5, Rows A through H/I

This is the Reds’ flagship premium club. It’s made up of the five sections right behind home plate, Rows A-H (Section 3 has an extra row, which is I). Each section has an usher to make sure that only ticketholders are allowed in the club seats.

The club space itself is right behind these sections, underneath the 100-level seats, and it was fully renovated prior to the 2024 season, so if you haven’t been there in a while, you’ll have a very new and improved experience. It’s an all-inclusive club, which includes a full buffet with multiple food stations, and all alcohol is included as well (including beer, wine, seltzer, and liquor). The main buffet is served from gates open to one hour after first pitch, after which you can still get a selection of hot dogs, candy, and desserts. It’s a spacious club, but doesn’t have a view of the field, so you’ll want to get there early, eat, and be in your seat in time for first pitch.

TSI TIP: when you get to the club, go outside and grab the in-seat menu out of your cup holder. Give it a look, and bring it back with you into the club. That way you can tell if you’d prefer what’s on the buffet or what’s on the menu.

Our opinion of the food: it was very solid. The quality was good, the variety was good, and there was just no way we were going to leave hungry. Special shout out for the ice cream, which we thought was on par with Graeter’s, the local ice cream shop that we think is one of the best in the country. So that’s saying a lot. We also were happy that there was at least one local beer option available (the Fifty West), although we would like to have seen a few more choices (a Kona Big Wave seems a little out of place in the Midwest).

In terms of the seats, they are all wider mesh chairs with higher backs, and each seat has its own cupholder. There’s in-seat wait service from which you can order both beverages (still all-inclusive, including alcohol), plus anything from the in-seat food menu. And they are all within eight rows of the field. Not surprisingly, they’re the best seats in the house.

TSI TIP: absolutely, positively tip the waitstaff. If you can afford to be in a club, you can afford proper gratuities!! They work hard, do a great job, and deserve that consideration.

Tickets for the Lexus Diamond Club are often available for individual sale to the public through the Reds, and you can usually find them on resale sites like SeatGeek and StubHub as well. We suggest checking both, especially because the resale sites will often have the better deal. And just for the purpose of clarity, ANY SEAT in Sections 1-5 are Lexus Diamond Club seats and will have full access to the club and buffet, even if the listing doesn’t specifically say so.

Our verdict: if you can find tickets that fit your budget, we say go for it. GABP has very good food options on the general bowl, so the club is not something you must do, but if you’re looking for a splurge game (and can power eat/drink), we say do it. Just get there at gates open so you can maximize your eating and drinking time.

Boone County Bourbon Press Club

This club is located on the 300 Level behind home plate, above Sections 220-223. This is a swanky club that feels a little like an old-world speakeasy. The entrance is a 40-foot circular hallway that looks like the inside of a barrel and is really quite cool.

Once you’re in the club, you’ll notice that it’s not that big, which is not by mistake. The club has less than 100 fixed seats, which makes it very exclusive. Like the Lexus Diamond Club, the Press Club is all-inclusive, with a full buffet, a custom-order burger grill, and an open bar that includes liquor.

On the day that we visited, the menu included:

Appetizers: shrimp cocktail, fruit plate, Caesar salad, mixed green salad, charcuterie board, soup

Side dishes: white truffle scalloped potatoes, zucchini

Entrees: rainbow trout, glazed chicken

Grille: made-to-order burgers

Desserts: pre-packaged ice cream

The menu was not nearly as expansive as the one in the Diamond Club, but what they had was really good. And if for some reason you don’t like what’s on the buffet, there’s always the grill where they’ll make you a burger.

The seating in the club is very unique. There are four-person semi-circle tables along the front railing of the club (closest to the field), and then the next two rows are marble countertop seats with leather-backed chairs. So no matter where you’re sitting, you’ll have room to put your food and drinks, which is great. Plus most of these seats are in the shade, so if you’re at a day game and don’t want to be in the sun, these seats are great options (some of the front row seats get sun during day games, so avoid those if you’re trying to stay shaded). You’ll also have in-seat wait service for your beverages so you don’t have to miss any of the game (but absolutely remember to tip the waitstaff: all-inclusive doesn’t mean you can be a cheapskate!).

Our verdict: we think the Press Club is a really cool space, and it just has this feeling of exclusivity about it. But that can be good and bad – good if you want to be apart from the other 30,000 baseball fans, but bad if you’d rather be a part of the action and commotion. It’s totally up to you. The view from these seats is excellent, but you’re up three floors from the field, so it’s not quite the same as being in the Diamond Club seats behind home plate.

But here’s the reality: it’s unlikely you’ll get to visit the Press Club because the Reds don’t sell these tickets for single games (season tickets only) and they are very rarely available on resale sites. But very rarely isn’t never, so if this is something you really want to do, keep a close eye on both StubHub and SeatGeek, which is where you’re most likely to find them.

Champions Club (formerly Bally’s Sports Club) – Sec. 220-228, 301-307

This is the Reds’ entry-level all-inclusive premium club. Located on the 200 and 300 levels, running from behind home plate to mid-right field, this is a much less exclusive – and therefore much more accessible – premium club. 

The club itself is a large space, and there’s a ton of seating, although when the club is really packed it can be difficult to find a place to sit. If that happens, you may need to take your food to your seat.

Unlike the other clubs, the food in the Champions Club is typically the same menu every game. That will usually include:

Appetizers: arugula salad

Snacks: Pretzel bites, popcorn, basic nachos

Entrees: hamburgers and cheeseburgers, hot dogs, brats, cheese and pepperoni pizza, baked ziti, pulled pork sliders

Grille: a different item each day. On this day, it was chicken fried rice.

Desserts: hand-dipped ice cream popsicles

The food is … fine. The pizza and pulled pork sliders are usually really solid, and whatever they’re making at the grille stand is usually delicious as well. But stuff like the baked ziti, burgers, nachos and pretzel bites are very generic and won’t be at all memorable – they’re really filler items to make sure you’re full.

And while unlimited fountain sodas are complimentary in the club, alcohol is only available for purchase (but they do have both a large bar and a grab-and-go station for that).

There are a couple of different ways to approach the seating. The seats behind home plate in Sections 220-228 are really great seats. There are only three rows per section, and there’s really no other foot traffic coming back and forth in this area, so it feels like it’s fairly private and exclusive. But during the day, these seats will be in the sun.

The majority of the seats for the Champions Club are in Sections 301-307. These sections are 13 rows deep, and the difference can definitely be felt. We think the vantage from the low rows is really great – you’re elevated above the field, but you don’t feel disconnected from the action. But as you get higher up, you may feel a little less connected to the game – but the tradeoff is that these seats are in the shade, and also closer to the club, which is at the top of the stairs. 

So really, it’s just a matter of personal preference when picking a seat. Honestly, all of the seats in the club are fine, so if you’re just looking to purchase the least expensive ones, go ahead – your seat will be fine. If you’d prefer shade and/or a shorter climb to the club, sit higher. If you want sun or a closer view, sit lower.

While we really do enjoy this club, it’s important to point out that the locals know all about it, and that’s why there are often so many people in there (especially for weekend series). It can feel crowded and a bit like a cattle car (even though we think the space is really nice), so just be warned – it can be a little crazy. We recommend getting there very early so you can get yourself a table. Once you finish eating, then you can go wander around the ballpark a bit to check it out before the game starts (you can go in and out of the club once you receive your wristband).

TSI TIP: on your way in, you can stop at the Garden Bar next to the Fan Plaza to pick up a $5 24oz Bud/Bud Light. Yes, you can bring it into the Champions Club with you, so you can avoid paying the standard price at the club bar. Remember, this deal runs from gates open to first pitch. The Garden Bar is literally a one-minute walk from the lower level entrance to the Club. 

Tickets are often available through the Reds for single games, and they’re available on resale sites as well. For weekend and prime opponents, the club will often sell out on the Reds site, and that will leave you at the mercy of the resale market. But for lesser opponents and weekend series, resale may be the better deal. We’d suggest buying early directly from the team for those bigger/more popular games. 

Our verdict: we like it, and if you can get a good deal, we think you’ll like it too. But for the wrong price, or if you don’t like crowds, we’d rather skip it, purchase a general bowl ticket, and treat ourselves to some of the great concession options on the concourse. Also, if drinking alcohol is your thing, keep in mind that it’s not included with your ticket, so make sure you’re setting your price target properly.

Champions Club Boxes – Sections 306-307

Within the Champions Club seating zone are two sections of enhanced club seats. They are essentially private boxes that each include eight rail seats and four high-top, 2-seat tables behind them. 

These seats are only available in groups of four, and you can buy any multiple of that. It’s sort of strange, because the Reds could easily sell the railing seats in a variety of quantities (notwithstanding not leaving a single empty seat), and we’d think that the two-person tables could be sold to two people (instead of requiring two tables of two people). But hey … we don’t make the rules. So it’s either 4, 8, 12, 16 seats or nothing. (But note: you can’t buy two rail seats and the two table seats behind them. You have to either buy four rail seats or four table seats, even though those table seats will be at two different tables).

But if you do buy them, what you’ll get is a semi-private space, fully covered, and a place to put your food and drink. And you’ll have the same complimentary access to the Champions Club buffet (all food and non-alcoholic beverages included – see above) as all other Champions Club guests do. The main difference between you and them is that you’ll have a guaranteed place to sit and eat that food, which, as we mentioned, can be an issue on crowded days.

Finally, there is also a bar located behind these seats, so you can easily grab refills without walking very far – and without standing in long lines, which may be the case inside the club.

Pricing can vary, but we pulled tickets for a Wednesday in April against the Rangers for $148 each (including fees). We haven’t seen these tickets listed for any weekend games, but that could change at any time, so if you’re interested in these seats for a game where they aren’t currently available from the Reds, keep checking back.

Our verdict: we’ve already said that we like the Champions Club, and having a dedicated space is nice. It’s weird to have a mandatory group of four people seated at two different adjacent tables, so we’d recommend focusing on the rail seats instead.

Scouts Club – Sections 22-25 and 122-126

On the Reds seating chart, Sections 22-25 are known as “Scout Boxes”, and Sections 122-126 are labeled as “Scout”. But the seats are identical. The difference is just how close to the field they are, and whether they are in the sun.

This is the only non-inclusive club seat offered by the Reds. The “club” is an indoor lounge located underneath the 100-level seating bowl. It’s a nice space, with tables, booths, a large bar, and its own concession area with a good number of options. But – nothing is included with your ticket, other than access to the club itself. All food and beverage is a la carte.

What you’ll get is a padded seat behind home plate (behind the Diamond Club seats), and a nice place to hang out if you want to get out of the sun or have a place to congregate with others who are also in the club. You’ll also get in-seat wait service (but again, nothing on the menu is included – it’s all a la carte).

Whether that’s worth the price is up to you. We’d be careful not to overpay for this, because you’re not getting significant benefits from this club. If the cost is on par with other infield (non-club) seats, then definitely purchase the Scouts Club. But if it’s significantly higher, we’d suggest opting for general bowl seats instead and redirecting that extra money towards food and beverage.

TSI TIP: if you want sun, sit either in Sections 22-25 or Rows A-D in 122-126. For shade, sit in Row E or above in 122-126.

Budweiser Bullpen Boxes

These open-air, private boxes above Section 139, located right in front of the Budweiser Bowtie Bar, are really great spaces. Each box has four patio-type chairs and is its own private area.

There’s a small circular table in each box, although it’s so small that only two of the four people will be able to access it, so the other two people will have their drinks at their feet (we don’t love that, and think it’s odd to not have enough table space for each guest). Each box also has its own TV monitor.

No food or beverages are included with the seats, and there’s also no in-seat wait service. You’ve just getting the four seats (and yes, the boxes must be purchased in groups of four). But the Budweiser Bowtie Bar is directly behind these boxes, so getting drinks is easy, and there are food options just around the corner down the first base line. You’re also close enough to the All You Can Eat stand behind Section 144 if you want to do that.

But here’s the best part: when they’re available from the Reds, these tickets are very affordable. For example, on Monday, March 31st, boxes are available for $57 per seat. On Sunday, April 13th, they’re just $64 each. To be sure, they likely won’t be available for many weekend series or prime opponents, but it’s always worth checking. You can purchase these directly on the Reds ticketing system, as you would any other seat. If they are available, you’ll be able to click on the zone and select seats.

Honestly, we love these seats. It’s a little taste of premium for a very affordable price. If you’ve got a group of four, we suggest taking a look at these. And even if you have a smaller group, the price is reasonable enough that you could buy the box even if you don’t have four people.

TSI TIP: Boxes 4 and 10 will have a foul pole obstruction right towards home plate. Boxes 3 and 9 are better, but not completely clear. The best boxes are 5, 6, 11, and 12, followed by 1, 2, 7, and 8. If your only choices are 3, 4, 9, or 10, make sure to check the Reds 3D virtual venue, which will give you a pretty accurate representation of what the view will be. We say you’re fine unless you can’t see the pitcher or the batter, but your personal preferences may be different.

100-Level Seating

Dugout Boxes – Sec. 115-119 & 127-131 (Rows F-J), 114 & 132 (Rows A-E)

It would be easy to think that “Dugout Boxes” are some fancy premium seats. But they aren’t. What they are is the first five rows in Sections 115-119 and 127-131, and these seats are all padded (but NOT wider). That’s it – that’s the entire difference. You’re closer to the field, and your rear end will be a little more comfortable during the game. There is nothing else included with these seats: no club access, no in-seat wait service, no food or beverage, etc. 

If being really close to the field or sitting on a softer seat is important to you, then these seats are for you. And if all prices are equal, of course we’d tell you to sit in these seats rather than the unpadded, further-away-from-the-field-seats. Just be sure not to overpay for them if these attributes aren’t important to you.

100-Level Infield

For the sake of clarity, the 100-level infield includes: 

Sections 114-119, Rows F-GG
Sections 120-121, Rows M-GG
Sections 127-131, Rows K-PP
Sections 132, Rows F-PP

These are the standard ballpark seats running down the infield lines from home to first and home to third. These sections start with Rows F, K, or M, depending on the section, and run all the way up to Row GG on the third base side, and Row PP on the first base side. (The sections actually start with Rows A or F, but those first five rows are Dugout Box padded seats).

In terms of picking a seat, we like the seats along first base better in terms of access to concessions and entertainment. The plaza, team store, Hall of Fame, and kids zone are all on the first base side, so if any of those things are interesting to you, we say opt for first base. And beyond that, for afternoon games, first base will get shade before third base will.

TSI TIP: for shade, opt for the first base side, and opt for seats in Rows GG and higher.

100-Level Baselines – Sections 107-113 and 133-139

While there are a lot of nuances to these sections, there’s something you should know right off the bat: the first row of the section can be different from section to section (see the chart below). In some sections, the front row is A. In others, it can include E, F, M, R, T, or X. So if you’re looking for a front-row seat, be sure to check out the specific front row in each section to see if it’s available.

Other things to look out for in these sections

If you’re going to sit deeper in the outfield, consider Section 108 in the seats closer to 107. These seats are angled towards the infield, making for a better viewing experience. We would rather sit in these seats in 108 than one section closer in 109.

The Reds 3D chart shows it best, but just in case, here are the seats to avoid:

• Row Z, Seats 7-8
• Rows AA and BB, Seats 8-9
• Rows CC and DD, Seats 9-10
• Rows EE and FF, Seats 10-11
• Rows GG, Seats 11-12
• Row HH, Seats 11-13
• Row II, Seats 11-12
• Rows JJ and KK, Seats 12-13
• Rows LL and MM, Seats 13-15
• Rows NN and OO, Seats 14-16

100-Level Outfield: Sections 101-106, 140-145

The outfield is obviously the cheap seats downstairs. But for the most part, they’re fine. They are all full seats – no metal bleachers out here. 

Here’s what to look out for

Upper Bowl Seating

400-Level Boxes – Sections 420-437

If we’re going to sit upstairs, these would be our first option. Each of these sections has only five rows, so getting in and out of them is easy, and there’s just less foot traffic here than there is in the 500-level seats above these. Plus, the view is really quite decent, especially the closer you are to the infield. Sure, it’s the upper deck, but we could easily make the argument that these seats are better than sitting in the outfield sections on the 100 level (or even in the left/right field baseline corners). 

Furthermore, for early evening games, the sun will set behind the ballpark behind these sections, so you’ll have shade before the fans in the outfield.

TSI TIP: the upper deck All You Can Eat stand is behind sections 428-429, so if you’re opting to do that, the 400-Level Boxes are a convenient choice.

400-Level Baseline – Sections 411-419

These are the 400-level seats along the third base line. Here’s the good news: in the low rows, these seats are closer to the field than the 400-level box seats along first base. 

Here’s the bad news: if you’re sitting in those low rows, you have to climb all the way down the stairs to get to them – and all the way back up the stairs every time you want to get food or use the restroom. It’s about 17 rows, but unlike the lower level, these steps are much steeper. So factor that into your decision-making.

You’ll also be in the sun longer for these games – even for 7pm starts.

Fioptics District – Sections 408-410

The Fioptics District seats are interesting. All of the seats in these sections are General Admission – you can sit wherever you want, including moseying up to the three rows of standing railings. If you’ve got a larger group and finding tickets together is difficult, buying tickets in the Fioptics District can make it easier to all sit together for a low price. 

Also – each Fioptics District ticket comes with loaded value on it that can be used at concessions. Usually that’s less than $10, but still … for a ticket that often sells for less than $30, it’s a pretty good deal.

TSI TIP: even though there’s also a Fioptics District Rooftop, you don’t need to have a Fioptics District seat/ticket to access that. They may be located in the same general area of the stadium, but anyone can visit the Fioptics Rooftop.

400-Level Bleachers – Sections 401-406

These are the only bleachers in the ballpark, located in the upper-level outfield. Obviously these are some of the cheapest tickets in the ballpark, but honestly, if you’re in the lower part of these sections (either the first three or five rows, depending on the section), we actually think they’re a decent view of the ballpark.

But once you head to the upper part of the bleachers, these are the really cheap seats, and we don’t like them very much. They’re going to get the maximum amount of sun in the ballpark, the view is just far away, and getting concessions isn’t easy either. Sitting up here should be your last resort, along with the 500-level seats.

500-Level Baselines – Sections 509-537

These are the other cheapest seats in the building. No surprises here – you’re really far away from the field. But if you’re going to sit up here, you might as well be informed to make the best of it:

• Seats along the first base line will have the most shade since the sun will set behind them.
• Seats along the third base line will be close to the Fioptics Rooftop, in case you want to check that out.
• The upper level All You Can Eat zone is located behind Sections 528-529. So if you’re going to do that, opt for seats closer to those sections.

All You Can Eat Seats

The Reds have an all-you-can-eat ticket product, but unlike in other ballparks, it’s not a designated set of seats that are eligible. Anyone in the ballpark can add the all-you-can-eat deal to their ticket by simply walking up to the registration desk near either of the two AYCE zones (Section 144 and 428-429/528-529). You’ll just pay for the package, and you’ll receive a wristband that will allow you to pick whatever you want from the All You Can Eat stand.

The food options for these tickets are limited to: hot dogs (maximum of 5), chips, peanuts, popcorn, and refillable fountain sodas. Is it a great deal? Well, if you’re a hot dog and basic snacks person, then yes … it’s a decent deal. At the concession stands, you’ll pay:

So two hot dogs, a popcorn, and two bottles of soda would cost you $35+ at the concession stands, but only $25 with the all-you-can-eat deal. Throw down an extra dog or snack and another refill, and you’re well on the plus side of this deal.

Our verdict: we think there are some excellent food options at Great American Ball Park, so if you gave us a choice, we’d prefer to spend $25 on a signature food item and a beer. But if you’re into the basics, the AYCE deal is fine.

Group Areas

If you’re looking at the seating chart and noticing some interesting spots that we haven’t mentioned, that’s because they are group areas that aren’t available to single-ticket buyers. We included them just so you’d know they weren’t missed, but you don’t need to worry about these spots – they aren’t for you unless you’re entertaining 20+ guests.

Of greatest note is the Riverboat, because everyone would like to get out there to take their selfie. But alas, it’s a group-only space, so individual fans aren’t allowed, even when it’s not booked.

The other areas that are group-only are the Triple Play Suites, Power Alley Patio, altafiber Connections Skybar, Machine Room Patio, Trihealth Center Field Pavilion, Handlebar, Handlebar Terrace, the Swift Party Barn, and the Budweiser Bullpen Decks.

Bottom Line

Great American Ball Park is a wonderful stadium with a lot of great seating options. If you’re there for multiple days, we’d suggest doing a premium option for one day (either the Champions Club or perhaps a Budweiser Bullpen Box if you have a group of four). Spend another day downstairs in the general bowl, and then maybe the third day with some cheap upper-level tickets. No matter where you’ll pick, you’ll undoubtedly have a great time. We love this ballpark and think you will too.