{"id":534295,"date":"2026-03-20T06:58:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T06:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/534295\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T06:58:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T06:58:29","slug":"nats-fans-will-see-new-food-cheaper-beer-and-ovechkin-bobbleheads-this-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/534295\/","title":{"rendered":"Nats fans will see new food, cheaper beer and Ovechkin bobbleheads this season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With new food, cheaper drinks, expanded promotions and improvements on the field and at the gates, the team says the goal is to make every visit to Nationals Park feel fresh.<\/p>\n<p>This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.<br \/>In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.<\/p>\n<p>Nats fans will see new food, cheaper beer and bobbleheads<\/p>\n<p>When fans return to Nationals Park this season, they will find new food, new vendors, new technology and a packed promotions calendar that includes a bobblehead featuring one of D.C.\u2019s biggest sports stars.<\/p>\n<p>The Washington Nationals\u2019 president of business operations, Jason Sinnarajah, said the team has focused on making it easier for fans to get into the ballpark. They\u2019ve been improving the park\u2019s Go-Ahead Entry system, which allows fans who enroll on the app to enter without stopping.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019ll be able to literally just walk right through,\u201d he told WTOP.<\/p>\n<p>Sinnarajah also said the field is ready for the season, despite weeks of unpredictable weather in D.C. He credited the crews responsible for getting the park into shape.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of work. Again, credit to the entire groundskeeping staff. They did a phenomenal job,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Along the concourse, fans will see an expanded food lineup designed to better represent the city\u2019s diversity. Josh Satterthwaite, vice president of hospitality for Levy Restaurants, said the team worked to make the menu reflect the area.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know it\u2019s D.C. \u2014 there\u2019s such a variety of cultures, of people \u2014 and we want to be representative of all that here at Nationals Park,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Through the team\u2019s Pitch Your Product competition, several small businesses are setting up inside the stadium this year. Among them is<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DWFFak-gb9L\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"> Eatopian Eats,<\/a> where owner Chekesha Rashad is serving internationally inspired dishes.<\/p>\n<p>Their menu includes a fruit cup with an agave lime dressing and nachos, which Rashad described as \u201cthree countries on a plate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Another newcomer is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/coneacopia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Coneacopia<\/a>, a D.C.-based flavored ice cream cone maker.<\/p>\n<p>Fans will also find new pizza, foot-long hot dogs and ice cream options from South Mountain Creamery.<\/p>\n<p>From Baltimore, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NationalsPark\/status\/2034716385943634102?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Stuggy\u2019s<\/a> brings its crab mac and cheese hot dog. Matthew Chavis with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stuggys.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Stuggy\u2019s<\/a> said they let fans guide what ends up on the menu.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPretty much we just throw a bunch of stuff together, hoping it works. We let people try it, and when the fans love it, we make it for them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>And for those looking for value, $9 beers will be available at every game and the team will continue to offer free food for kids. The park has also expanded its Kids Zone.<\/p>\n<p>One of the season\u2019s most popular giveaways is expected to be the Alex Ovechkin first pitch bobblehead, available May 16. It depicts the Washington Capitals star making the first pitch in flip-flops after the team\u2019s 2018 Stanley Cup win.<\/p>\n<p>Other bobbleheads this season include a Grogu (Baby Yoda) figure for Star Wars Day on May 2, a CJ Abrams bobblehead on May 30, a Daylen Lile bobblehead on June 13, a Captain America themed bobblehead on July 10 and a James Wood bobblehead on Aug. 29.<\/p>\n<p>The schedule also features themed nights such as Margaritaville Night, Caribbean Heritage Day, Pride Night OUT, Naruto Night for anime fans and Hello Kitty Night for fans of all things cute and pink. Fans can also look forward to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/nationals\/tickets\/specials\/animal-days\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Pups in the Park<\/a> events, and even when you can\u2019t bring your own pup, the team\u2019s official Canine Companions team dog will be at many of the games greeting fans.<\/p>\n<p>This season brings a leaguewide change with Major League Baseball\u2019s automated ball strike challenge system. Under the setup, players can challenge a ball or strike call and the result is shown instantly in the stadium.<\/p>\n<p>Once a challenge is made, \u201cThe location of the pitch will be displayed on the scoreboard using new and improved graphics,\u201d according to MLB\u2019s description of the system.<\/p>\n<p>The team showed off what the system would look like on the stadium\u2019s big screen.<\/p>\n<p>With new food, cheaper drinks, expanded promotions and improvements on the field and at the gates, the team says the goal is to make every visit to Nationals Park feel fresh.<\/p>\n<p>Fans will get their first look at all the changes when the Nationals host Baltimore for an exhibition game on Monday ahead of the <a href=\"https:\/\/wtop.com\/washington-nationals\/2026\/03\/2026-washington-nationals-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">April 3 home opener against the Dodgers.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photo-Mar-19-2026-10-55-55-AM-1672x1254.jpg\" alt=\"Alex Ovechkin and Daylen Lile bobbleheads.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                              Alex Ovechkin and Daylen Lile bobbleheads.<br \/>\n(WTOP\/Mike Murillo)                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                WTOP\/Mike Murillo                            <\/p>\n<p>                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photo-Mar-19-2026-10-59-25-AM-1672x1254.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                              Washington Nationals baseball hats from the team\u2019s Korean Heritage Day celebration.<br \/>\n(WTOP\/Mike Murillo)                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                WTOP\/Mike Murillo                            <\/p>\n<p>                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photo-Mar-19-2026-11-01-16-AM-1672x1254.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                              The standard navy blue and red Washington Nationals jersey and hat.<br \/>\n(WTOP\/Mike Murillo)                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                WTOP\/Mike Murillo                            <\/p>\n<p>                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photo-Mar-19-2026-12-43-45-PM-1672x1254.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                              Cinnamon-sugar dusted churros from Virginia-based Don Churro will be sold at Nationals Park.<\/p>\n<p>                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photo-Mar-19-2026-12-12-12-PM-1672x1254.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                              With new food, cheaper drinks, expanded promotions and improvements on the field and at the gates, the team says the goal is to make every visit to Nationals Park feel fresh.<br \/>\n(WTOP\/Mike Murillo)                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                WTOP\/Mike Murillo                            <\/p>\n<p>                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photo-Mar-19-2026-11-56-41-AM-1672x1254.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                              Fans can also look forward to Pups in the Park events and even when you can\u2019t bring your own pup, the team\u2019s official Canine Companions team dog will be at many of the games greeting fans.<br \/>\n(WTOP\/Mike Murillo)                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                WTOP\/Mike Murillo                            <\/p>\n<p>                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photo-Mar-19-2026-12-12-02-PM-1672x1254.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                              From Baltimore, Stuggy\u2019s brings its crab mac and cheese hot dog.<br \/>\n(WTOP\/Mike Murillo)                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                WTOP\/Mike Murillo                            <\/p>\n<p class=\"single-page__signature bottom\">Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up <a href=\"https:\/\/wtop.com\/newsletter-signup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"single-page__signature bottom\">\u00a9 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.<\/p>\n<p>            <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With new food, cheaper drinks, expanded promotions and improvements on the field and at the gates, the team&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":534296,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[1558,239869,12883,363,97139,239870,99,2331],"class_list":["post-534295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-baseball","tag-bobbleheads","tag-mike-murillo","tag-mlb","tag-nationals-park","tag-nats-park","tag-sports","tag-washington-nationals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/534295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=534295"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/534295\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/534296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=534295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=534295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=534295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}