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Dodger Stadium, affectionately known as Chavez Ravine, is the longtime home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. After Fenway and Wrigley it’s one of the oldest ballparks in the country and offers fans a blend of classic baseball ambiance with modern amenities. Dodger Stadium has the largest capacity of any current MLB stadium, with many seats exposed to the southern California sun. The good news is that fans can use this guide to find the best shaded seats at Dodger Stadium.
Where are the shaded seats at Dodger Stadium?
Generally, the seats in the shade at Dodger Stadium are located:
- Behind Home Plate: Shaded during afternoon and evening games
- 3rd Base Line: Late afternoon and evening shade
- Loge Level: Covered rows are shaded.
For the 2024 season, the Dodgers play day games (1:10 p.m.) and evening games (6:10 p.m. or 7:10 p.m.), with a few late afternoon games mixed in as well. For specific information about seating sections at different start times, please continue reading.
Dodger Stadium Orientation to the Sun
Dodger Stadium is oriented with home plate facing north-northeast. In the morning, the sun rises over right field, curves around home plate at lunchtime, and ultimately sets beyond the left field foul pole. This configuration makes the 3rd base line the “shade side” of the park and the 1st base line and outfield the sunny spots.
The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on July 1st (halfway through the MLB season).
Where to Buy Tickets
MLB operates the official Box Office for the Dodgers. SeatGeek is the official resale partner for all MLB teams, offering access to a broader variety of seats, including those owned by season ticket holders. The Box Office provides access to unsold seats at face value plus fees, while SeatGeek may offer occasional last-minute deals and discounts on lower-demand games.
Seats in the Shade at Dodgers Afternoon Games
At the start of a 1:10 p.m. Dodgers game, the sun is high above home plate, making most field level seats, including the outfield bleachers, exposed to direct sunlight with no shade. The Loge (200-level) is a decent choice for shade seekers, with the last 6 or 7 rows of each section under cover and shielded from the sun. The Reserve level sections RS 1-11 behind home plate also offers shaded seating in the back rows that are under cover.
As the game moves forward, the sun begins to dip along the 3rd base side, gradually shading more seats in this area. Shade covers rows from back to front, leaving fans closest to the field on the 3rd base line in the sun for the longest period. At field-level, odd-numbered sections FD 13-31 are the most favorable for finding shade and even if they are sunny for part of the game, the sun is at least at your back rather than in your face.
Conversely, most seats on the 1st base line are sunny. When choosing seats at the Loge Level or Reserve Level, be mindful that only the very back of these sections will be shaded because they are under direct cover. The sunniest seats in the afternoon are the outfield bleachers and those near the right field foul pole.
By the late innings of a day game, seats on the 3rd base line are shaded while seats on the 1st base line and outfield bleachers are still in the sun.
Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire
Seats in the Shade at Dodgers Evening Games
Even on the longest days of the year, the sun typically sets in Los Angeles by 8:00 p.m., making 7:10 p.m. games at Dodger Stadium minimally affected by direct sunlight. However, games starting at 6:10 p.m. can experience nearly two hours of daylight during the game. Since the sun sets behind the 3rd base line, seats on this side of the park are preferable for shade.
Seats in the right field bleachers and near the right field foul pole are exposed to sun the longest. These seats also face the setting sun directly, which may result in glare for the first few innings.
Ready to buy shaded seats at Dodger Stadium?
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