The Padres host the Athletics for Star Wars Weekend at Petco Park, May 22–24, 2026. Friday Star Wars Night with bobblehead giveaways, Saturday fireworks, Sunday KidsFest — plus parking tips.
The Padres open a three-game series against the Athletics on Friday, May 22, 2026, and they're starting it big: Star Wars Night kicks off the weekend with a 6:40 PM first pitch at Petco Park. If you've never been to a Star Wars Night here, you're missing what makes downtown San Diego baseball different from everywhere else.
Most people think themed nights are gimmicky. They're not. They're the reason you remember a random May series against Oakland.
Star Wars Night on Friday sounds gimmicky until you're actually there. The weekend is built around themed photo opportunities, costumed characters, exclusive merch, and pregame energy that builds for almost three hours before first pitch. But Friday is the real anchor of the weekend.
It's one of those games that turns casual fans into season ticket holders. The games your kids remember twenty years later. The night that makes you realize baseball in San Diego isn't just about baseball.
First thing — theme game packages have already sold out. That's not marketing speak. When Padres theme nights sell out this early, it means something. You're not just getting a Jackson Merrill and Grogu (Mandalorian) bobblehead if you snagged one of those packages. You're getting the kind of collectible that shouldn't work but absolutely does.
Here's what most people miss about Friday: Party in the Park starts at 4:00 PM, two hours and 40 minutes before first pitch, in Gallagher Square. Fans purchase Friar Funds ($5 value tokens) to grab discounted drinks at concessions throughout the ballpark, and there's live music throughout the pregame. Sounds basic. It's not. When you mix Friar Funds, roaming stormtroopers, and a few thousand fans who showed up early, the atmosphere builds fast.
The real Friday bonus? Educator Appreciation Night doubles up with Star Wars Weekend. Teachers can grab an exclusive Padres desk mat (presented by National University) through the theme package at padres.com/ThemeGames. But honestly, the 501st Legion volunteers in screen-accurate costumes scattered throughout the concourses — that's why you arrive early. These aren't costume shop knockoffs. These are the people who take this seriously.
Friday sets the tone for the whole weekend. The energy, the crowd, the way Petco Park feels different when a theme night actually lands.
Petco Park rolls out Star Wars-themed concessions for the weekend — blue milk boba, cosmic chaos dogs, and other limited-run items that sound ridiculous but taste better than you'd expect.
Characters from the 501st Legion and other Star Wars groups flood the concourses in screen-accurate costumes. We're talking dozens of Stormtroopers, Jedi, and bounty hunters wandering around from gates opening through the sixth inning. Most people underestimate how much the characters add to the atmosphere. But when you're walking to your seat and there's a perfect Boba Fett posing for photos near section 109, it changes the energy of the whole place.
Here's the thing about Petco Park parking — you need to think about it before you're circling downtown looking for a spot. More than 27,000 parking spaces exist within walking distance of the ballpark, with 9,000 designated specifically for Petco Park fans. But parking costs range from $15 to $55 depending on how close you want to get.
The three official Padres Preferred lots open four hours before first pitch:
You can't buy parking passes within four hours of the event, so plan ahead.
Honestly? The trolley makes more sense for most people. MTS Trolley service costs $5 round-trip with free parking at transit lots. The 12th & Imperial Station and Gaslamp Quarter Station sit within one block of Petco Park. Street parking meters charge $10 per hour during games, which adds up fast.
Drop-off zones operate on both sides of the ballpark — west side uses 6th Avenue and K Street, east side is 10th Avenue and Park Boulevard. For tickets and stadium questions, call the Padres at 619-795-5000.
Star Wars Night at Petco Park on Friday, May 22 is the kind of game that captures everything good about San Diego baseball — themed entertainment that takes itself seriously, a downtown ballpark that hits different at sunset, and a crowd that actually shows up early. Get to Gallagher Square by 4:00 PM, plan your parking ahead, and embrace the chaos. This is the game you remember long after the season ends.
Want to know what's happening Saturday and Sunday too? Check out our full Padres vs. Athletics weekend preview.
Q1. What time does Star Wars Night at Petco Park start?
The Star Wars Night game begins at 6:40 PM on Friday, May 22, 2026. Gates to Gallagher Square open at 4:00 PM for the Star Wars pregame Party in the Park, giving fans early access to Friar Funds discounted drinks and live music two hours and 40 minutes before first pitch.
Q2. What giveaway do fans get on Star Wars Night?
Fans who purchased theme game packages receive an exclusive Jackson Merrill and Grogu (Mandalorian) bobblehead that combines the Padres' star center fielder with the iconic Star Wars character. Theme game packages for Friday sold out in advance.
Q3. Is Friday only Star Wars Night, or something else too?
Friday doubles as Educator Appreciation Night. Teachers can get an exclusive Padres desk mat (presented by National University) through the Educator Appreciation Night theme package, available at padres.com/ThemeGames while supplies last.
Q4. Will there be Star Wars characters at the game?
Yes — members of the 501st Legion and other Star Wars cosplay groups wear screen-accurate costumes throughout the Petco Park concourses from gates opening through the sixth inning. Expect dozens of Stormtroopers, Jedi, and bounty hunters available for photos.
Q5. What's the best way to get to Petco Park for Star Wars Night?
The MTS Trolley is the most budget-friendly option at $5 round-trip with free parking at transit lots. The 12th & Imperial Station and Gaslamp Quarter Station are within one block of the ballpark. If you drive, parking ranges from $15 to $55 and the three Padres Preferred lots open four hours before first pitch.