Explore Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Welcome to Dodger Stadium, also known as Chavez Ravine or, as legendary manager Tommy Lasorda coined it, “Blue Heaven on Earth." Situated in Elysian Park, the home of the Dodgers looks out over the Los Angeles skyline and has seen countless iconic moments in its storied existence. Here's what you need to know:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Established: 1884 in Brooklyn, N.Y. (moved to Los Angeles in 1958)
National League West
Ballpark: Dodger Stadium (opened 1962)
The Dodgers' roots may be across the country in Brooklyn, but the modern history of both the franchise and the city of Los Angeles have become inseparable. After the team spent its first four seasons in Southern California playing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Dodger Stadium was completed in time for Opening Day 1962. That year, the Dodgers set an MLB attendance record -- which has since been broken -- of 2,755,184 fans, topping the previous record of 2,620,627 set by Cleveland in 1948.
Dodger Stadium is the third-oldest active ballpark in Major League Baseball behind only Fenway Park (1912) and Wrigley Field (1914), although it hides its age well. It has undergone several renovations in recent years, including extensive updates to player facilities ahead of the 2025 season.
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium location (via Google Maps)
Dodgers' schedule
Dodgers' roster
1000 Vin Scully Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Capacity: 56,000
Dimensions: left-field line: 330 feet; left-center: 385 feet; center field: 395 feet; right-center: 385 feet; right-field line: 330 feet
Park factors (2024)
100 = league average
Runs: 100 | Homers: 121 | Hits: 97
Unique Characteristics
• Dodger Legends statues: Fans entering through Centerfield Plaza are greeted by two all-time greats who played for the Dodgers: Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax. The Hall of Famers shared the field for two years in Brooklyn, and both made an indelible mark on the game in their respective careers: Robinson as the first to break Major League Baseball's color barrier, and Koufax as one of the greatest Jewish American athletes of all time.
“Now, 67 years ago, Jackie Robinson became my teammate and friend,” Koufax said in 2022, when his statue joined Robinson's. “At that time, sharing this space with him would have been absolutely unimaginable. And today, it still is. It’s one of the greatest honors of my life.”
• Ring of Honor and Retired Number Plaques: The Ring of Honor commemorates every Dodger whose number has been retired by the team, plus legendary broadcasters Jaime Jarrín and Vin Scully and former owner Walter O'Malley, who moved the franchise from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. The Ring of Honor can be seen down the left-field line inside the ballpark, and plaques for each of the inductees can be found along the Right Field Pavilion ramp.
• Legends of Dodger Baseball plaques: Starting in 2019, the team began recognizing some of its most distinguished alumni as Legends of Dodger Baseball for their impact on the franchise, both on and off the field. Inductees are honored with a plaque inscribed with their achievements as a Dodger, and all are on permanent display by the Left Field Pavilion ramp.
• Vintage displays: Fans of unique memorabilia won't want to miss these Field Level exhibits: an array of game-used bats from Dodgers legends in Section 50, and an impressive collection of bobbleheads in Section 51.
Other Entertainment
• Dodger Stadium has hosted concerts for some of the biggest acts in music across the decades, including the Beatles, Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga. Perhaps the most famous concerts in ballpark history were performed by Elton John, who sold out the stadium on back-to-back nights in 1975.
• The ballpark once hosted a papal visit in 1987, when Pope John Paul II held a mass at Dodger Stadium.
• While Dodger Stadium has brought in other sporting events, such as soccer, cricket and even ice hockey, it is, of course, first and foremost built for baseball. There have been plenty of non-Dodgers baseball games at Dodger Stadium, including the championship rounds of the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and 2017. Dodger Stadium also hosted Olympic baseball in 1984, and it could be used as a venue once more when Los Angeles plays host to the Games again in 2028.
History
• The team broke ground on what would become Dodger Stadium in 1959. Construction was completed in less than three years, amounting to a total cost of around $23 million.
• The first game at Dodger Stadium took place on April 10, 1962. The Dodgers hosted the Reds and lost, 6-3, in front of a recorded crowd of 52,564.
• The Dodgers won their first World Series at Dodger Stadium -- and their second since moving to L.A. -- in 1963. Koufax went the distance in Game 4 to help his team complete a four-game sweep of their onetime neighbors in New York, the Yankees.
• Koufax was also on the mound for the Dodgers' first no-hitter since the team moved to Los Angeles, which came on June 30, 1962, against the Mets at Dodger Stadium. It was the first of an astonishing run of four consecutive seasons with a no-hitter for Koufax (the last, on Sept. 9, 1965, was a perfect game).
• There's an exclusive list of players who have hit a home run completely out of Dodger Stadium, and the first to accomplish the rare feat did it twice. The Pirates' Willie Stargell left the yard at Chavez Ravine for the first time on Aug. 5, 1969, then reprised the act on May 8, 1973. Mike Piazza (Sept. 21, 1997) is the only Dodger on the list, although Shohei Ohtani came close in 2024.
• Dodger Stadium has hosted two MLB All-Star Games in its history, in 1980 and 2022. (Los Angeles also played host to the 1959 All-Star Game, but that was held at the Memorial Coliseum.)
Concessions
Just about everyone has heard of the Dodger Dog, but for those looking to branch out, there's a wide variety of options at Dodger Stadium. Here are a few highlights:
• Hornitos Cantina (Centerfield Plaza): The loaded carne asada baked potato was one of The Infatuation's favorite eats at Dodger Stadium.
• Tsukiji Gindaco (Field Level, Section 45): This popular Japanese restaurant chain known for its takoyaki opened a stand at Dodger Stadium in 2024.
• Delicious Hospitality (Field Level, Section 8): This spot offers Pan-Asian favorites, including a chicken katsu sandwich, a short rib bowl and sushi.
• LA Feeds Blue (Left Field Plaza): This stand features a rotating menu of specials.
The full list of concessions can be viewed here.
Additionally, outside food is allowed, as long as it's in a clear bag smaller than 12"x12"x6".
Where to stay
This depends on how you're planning on getting to Dodger Stadium. If you're going by car, you could stay just about anywhere in greater Los Angeles, depending on the other attractions you'd like to see while you're in town. The ballpark is surrounded by a robust system of parking lots, but be prepared to deal with traffic.
Alternate transportation options to get directly to the ballpark include the Dodger Stadium Express buses, which depart from Union Station in downtown L.A. and multiple South Bay stations, and ride share.
Many people also like to stay about 10 miles away in Pasadena, particularly in the walkable Old Town neighborhood.
Local attractions
Los Angeles has something for everyone -- just try to plan carefully and not zig zag across the city too many times in one day, if you can help it. If you're looking to do your sightseeing within, say, a 10-mile radius of Dodger Stadium, here are a few ideas:
• Griffith Observatory offers amazing views of the city and the stars. There's also more to explore in the surrounding Griffith Park, including the iconic Greek Theatre.
• For those interested in the other type of stars, spend some time in Hollywood and check out the Walk of Fame.
• Museum Row is home to several of the city's major museums, including the La Brea Tar Pits, the L.A. County Museum of Art and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
• Grand Central Market is the ultimate destination for foodies in downtown L.A.
If you're not looking to keep close to the ballpark, you can never go wrong with heading out to the coast and taking a walk, run or bike ride down The Strand.
There's so much to explore in Los Angeles, and a trip to Dodger Stadium is the perfect way to start.
