Last year’s loss in the decisive game of the American League Championship Series to the Toronto Blue Jays still stings for fans. But this Thursday, April 2, the Seattle Mariners open their milestone 50th season with renewed determination and a simple goal: finally reach the World Series and win. The first game against the Cleveland Guardians will start at T-Mobile Park at 7:10 p.m.
Opening Day will be marked by special events. The first 35,000 fans in the ballpark will receive a magnetic team schedule for the season from Starbucks. A pregame ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m., during which the 2025 American League West division champions banner will be raised. The club also announced a partnership with Amazon that will turn the stadium’s center scoreboard into the “world’s largest Fire TV.”
This year’s stadium food innovations highlight local flavor. The main hit is a souvenir plastic ferry, commemorating the 75th anniversary of Washington State’s largest ferry system, which connects island and coastal communities around Puget Sound. The ferry also serves as an edible plate for crab nachos and other snacks. Sweet-toothed fans will enjoy the “Chocolate Mousse-Moose” — ice cream served in a Mariners helmet, topped with a cookie shaped like the team mascot. New vendors include the famed Piroshky Piroshky bakery, founded by Russian immigrants and known for its piroshki, offering classic salmon pastries, as well as El Rinconsito with birria tacos and Rolling Smoke BBQ.
For fans looking to save, the club prepared a special budget menu with 21 items, including offerings from the iconic local brand Ivar’s, famous for its clam chowder and fish-and-chips, as well as Ballard Pizza and Tamari Bar, with prices starting at $3. Fifteen beer varieties are available priced from $5 to $8, including craft and nonalcoholic options. The season will feature 27 games with ticket prices under $12, fees included.
The easiest way to get to the ballpark is by public transit. Sound Transit light rail Line 1 links Lynnwood and Federal Way, and starting Saturday Line 2 will connect directly to the International District/Chinatown station from the Eastside — a suburban tech hub east of Seattle that is home to headquarters of companies such as Microsoft. The International District/Chinatown station sits in the eponymous historic neighborhood, founded by Asian immigrants in the late 19th century and an important cultural center. Numerous King County Metro bus routes stop near the park. Ferries from Bainbridge Island and Bremerton arrive at Colman Dock within walking distance. Sounder trains will also run on game days.
If you’re driving, you can reserve a spot in the Mariners Garage in advance through SpotHero. Commercial lots north of the stadium are also available, but finding on-street parking on game day is unlikely. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft will drop off passengers in a designated zone southeast of the stadium.
Fans who prefer to watch from home can do so via the Mariners.TV streaming service (season subscription — $99.99, monthly — $19.99), available in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, Hawaii and some Canadian provinces. Games will also air on channel 1261 for Comcast/Xfinity subscribers and on channel 414 for Charter/Spectrum subscribers in the Seattle-Tacoma area.
Opening Day weather could offer a surprise: rain mixed with snow is possible in the Seattle metro area in the morning. Forecasters, however, promise it will be warmer and drier by evening, in time for the game — a good omen for the start of the Mariners’ new season.
Based on: Mariners opening day 2026: Info on deals, food, transit, parking, weather