Cincinnati Reds baseball is back, and Great American Ball Park will offer plenty of promotions in 2023 to entice fans who might need a little extra incentive to bear witness to the team’s rebuilding roster.
The good news: Trades over the past two seasons have yielded a number of intriguing young prospects. The bad: The Reds are projected by Fangraphs to lose another 90-plus games this year and to compete with only the Pittsburgh Pirates to stay out of the NL Central cellar.
With Ohio sports betting up and running, the 2023 Cincinnati Reds season will at least offer a chance for Reds fans to make things interesting, even if the team is destined to struggle.
Nevertheless, a visit to Great American Ball Park to watch the Redlegs is still a summer staple in Cincinnati. Here are all of the promotions and specials on tap for the 2023 MLB season, along with pregame entertainment options, parking tips and details about the team’s new retail sportsbook.
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Reds Rebuild 2.0 to commence
The past decade has not been friendly to Cincinnati Reds fans. The team made a brief push for playoff relevance in the early-2010s, earning three playoff appearances in four seasons between 2010-13 but failing to win a single playoff series.
The Reds would go on to lose 90-plus games every year from 2015-18 — bookended by 86- and 87-loss campaigns — before appearing in two Wild Card games (they were shut out in both) during the covid-shortened 2020 season. After a respectable 83-79 finish in 2021, team owner Bob Castellini decided to shed payroll and start over, trading every veteran player save Joey Votto for inexpensive prospects.
Then, during a TV interview on Opening Day 2022, Castellini’s son (and Reds president and COO), Phil Castellini, uttered the infamous phrase: “Where ya gonna go?”
Phil’s rhetorical question was in response to fans’ frustrations over the team rebuilding yet again and caused considerable controversy. Reds fans had recently endured a “rebuild” during the 2000s, when the team finished fourth or fifth in the NL Central in seven out of nine seasons from 2001-2009, losing 90 or more games three more times.
Needless to say, Reds ownership is taking a patient approach with the current squad, and fans should probably do the same.
Related:
Will Reds prospects step up in 2023?
For prospect watchers and amateur scouts, the 2023 Reds will offer some intrigue. The trades of Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle, Eugenio Suarez, et al., yielded a number of high-upside prospects.
The Reds’ minor league system currently ranks No. 13 in MLB, according to Keith Law of The Athletic. That’s after talented young starters Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo graduated from the system as full-time major leaguers.
Some of the Reds’ most hyped prospects might not see GABP in 2023, however. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz (MLB.com’s No. 10 prospect), Noelvi Marte (No. 29), Edwin Arroyo (No. 44), and Cam Collier (No. 69) are all expected to debut with the big league club sometime in 2024-25.
Still, Greene and Lodolo were recently the team’s highest-ranked prospects, and both will be worth the price of admission in 2023. This season could also be the last year of future Hall of Famer Joey Votto‘s career.
Reds attendance in 2022 fell to its lowest total since 1984. There will be plenty of prime seats available at GABP this year, along with the team’s dozens of promotional giveaways and specials throughout the summer.
Reds fans will want to plan a trip or two around seeing Votto one last time, plus Greene and/or Lodolo for the first time, for those who passed last season.
Cincinnati Reds season-long promotions
Along with game-day promotions and giveaways throughout the season, the Reds offer season-long deals and ticket specials.
- The Reds’ Pick-6 plan offers a discount of up to 25% off the regular ticket price, and includes an exclusive oversized Hunter Greene bobble head.
- The Family Sunday deal gets families up to three half-price tickets when they purchase a full-price ticket in selected areas of the stadium. Family Sundays also feature kids’ giveaways for children 14 and under.
- All 12:35 p.m. weekday games offer the Business Day special. Fans can skip work and grab a View Level seat with a $10 concession credit for $20.
- Tuesday games feature the 3-2-1 Tuesdays deal, where 12-ounce Bud and Bud Light cans are $3, hot dogs are $2 and ice cream cups are $1.
- On Thirsty Thursdays, $30 Field Box or Terrace Line tickets include a $10 concession credit.
- Senior days offer Fans 50 and older non-premium tickets for half price if purchased ahead of game day.
Reds Promotional Schedule
| Date | Promotion | |
|---|---|---|
| April 1, 4:10 p.m. | Kids Opening Day + Kids Reds cap | Children 14 and under |
| April 15, 4:10 p.m. | Great American Ballpark Replica | |
| April 16, 1:40 p.m. | Kids Giveaway as part of Family Sunday | Children 14 and under |
| May 6, 6:40 p.m. | Johnny Bench Funko Pop | |
| May 7, 4:10 p.m. | Kids Giveaway as part of Family Sunday | Children 14 and under |
| May 9, 6:40 p.m. | Bark in the Park | With special ticket package |
| May 20, 4:10 p.m. | Reds Baseball Card Set | |
| May 21, 11:35 a.m. | Reds Poster #1 | |
| June 2, 5:10 p.m. | Zac Brown Band Benefit Concert | Free after game |
| June 3, 4:10 p.m. | Joey Votto Bobble Head | |
| June 4, 1:40 p.m. | Reds Poster #2 | |
| June 7, 7:10 p.m. | Bark in the Park | With special ticket package |
| June 23, 6:40 p.m. | Quinn XCII Free Concert | |
| June 24, 4:10 p.m. | Hunter Greene Replica Jersey | |
| June 25, 1:40 p.m. | Kids Giveaway as part of Family Sunday | Children 14 and under |
| July 1, 1:40 p.m. | Patriotic Floppy Hat | |
| July 2, 1:40 p.m. | Reds Poster #3 | |
| July 15, 7:10 p.m. | Bronson Arroyo Bobble Head and Hall of Fame Induction | |
| July 16, 1:40 p.m. | Kids Giveaway as part of Family Sunday | Children 14 and under |
| July 21, 7:10 p.m. | Pride-themed Reds cap | With special ticket purchase |
| July 22, 4:10 p.m. | Reds Hawaiian Shirt | |
| July 23, 1:40 p.m. | Reds Baseball Cards by Topps | |
| Aug. 4, 6:40 p.m. | Jerry Garcia Bobble Head | With special ticket purchase |
| Aug. 5, 4:10 p.m. | Faith Concert by For King and Country | Free after game |
| Aug. 5, 4:10 p.m. | Reds Cross-Body Bag | |
| Aug. 6, 1:40 p.m. | Reds Poster #4 | |
| Aug. 7, 6:40 p.m. | Bark in the Park | With special ticket package |
| Aug. 18, 6:40 p.m. | Yacht Rock Review Free Concert | Free after game |
| Aug. 19, 6:40 p.m. | Jonathan India Bobble Head | |
| Aug. 20, 1:40 p.m. | Kids Giveaway as part of Family Sunday | |
| Sept. 2, 6:40 p.m. | Super Saturday item to be determined | |
| Sept. 3, 12:10 p.m. | Reds Poster #5 | |
| Sept. 6, 6:40 p.m. | Bark in the Park | With special ticket package |
| Sept. 9, 6:40 p.m. | Nick Lodolo Bobble Head | |
| Sept. 9, 6:40 p.m. | Lady A Concert | Free after game |
| Sept. 10, 1:40 p.m. | Kids Giveaway as part of Family Sunday | Children 14 and under |
| Sept. 23, 6:40 p.m. | Reds Team Photo | |
| Sept. 24, 1:40 p.m. | Kids Giveaway as part of Family Sunday | Children 14 and under |
| Sept. 24, 1:40 p.m. | Fan Appreciation Day |
*All giveaways are while supplies last.
Reds Hall of Fame Induction Celebration
Hall of Fame weekend promises to be a good time for all this year. Reds all-time saves leader Danny Graves will be inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame along with Bronson Arroyo and general manager Gabe Paul. Festivities are held on game days July 15 and 16.
Arroyo’s induction to the Hall was made possible by fans and Reds alumni along with select media members who voted for him on the Modern Player Ballot last year. Graves and Paul were selected by the panel known as the Veterans Committee, made up of Hall of Fame board members, baseball historians, Reds execs and members of the media.
A separate Reds Hall of Fame Induction Gala will be held on Sunday evening, July 16, at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Tickets include premium game seating with a view of the on-stage ceremony.
New Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park
Great American Ballpark is home to the new BetMGM Sportsbook at the Wings & Rings Machine Room. During home games, visitors to the sportsbook have a live view over the third base line through large windows.
Like any decent sports bar, the Machine Room features plenty of TVs and is always airing games, plus three betting windows and 15 betting kiosks. A full service bar serves drinks, and the Wings and Rings restaurant menu offers sandwiches, wings and more.
The sportsbook is off-limits to ticketed spectators, though. There is no entry via the stadium. To place a bet, stop by before the game starts or use the BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio app.
BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ballpark hours:
Sportsbook is open 11 a.m.-midnight seven days a week. Food service begins at 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m. Friday-Sunday.
The nearest parking for the sportsbook is in the Central Riverfront Garage, accessible via Pete Rose way on the east side of the stadium. From there, take the elevator or escalator to the Mezzanine Level.
MLB Ballpark app
The league is moving toward all digital tickets, and the MLB Ballpark app serves as your ticket wallet. But additional features make downloading the app worthwhile. For example, you can easily forward tickets to another user, if you’re meeting friends or family at the park.
Other features include interactive ballpark maps, team schedules and even food menus for vendors in the park. The app can chronicle your personal ballpark history, and the MLB Photo Creator helps you capture memories along the way.
Check in when you arrive at the stadium for promotions, rewards and more.
Parking at Cincinnati Reds games
If you’re driving to the stadium, parking has never been easier thanks to the Central Riverfront Garage. The underground parking structure spans five city blocks and is situated between Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium. Some areas of the garage are reserved for pass holders, and cash parking is limited. See the Reds website for more information.
Central Riverfront Garage
There are four entrances to the Central Riverfront Garage:
- 202 East Mehring Way (recommended entrance)
- 149 Broadway St.
- 182 Race St.
- 124 East Mehring Way
East Garage
- 502 East Mehring Way (recommended entrance)
- 475 East Pete Rose Way
Central Riverfront Garage West
- 102 West Pete Rose Way (recommended entrance)
- 182 Race St.
Park anywhere and hitch a ride on the streetcar
If you have a favorite downtown surface lot or parking garage, the Cincinnati streetcar could come in handy. The streetcar is free to ride and stops are located within blocks of many other parking options, attractions and entertainment hot spots. The final stop on the streetcar loop is right across from the stadium at The Banks.
Streetcar Hours
The Cincinnati streetcar runs in a continuous loop, stretching from The Banks to its northernmost stop at Rhinegeist Brewery. There are 18 stops along the route, including Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine, Fountain Square downtown and Great American Ball Park. It is always free to ride.
Streetcar hours:
- Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Sunday and holidays: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
