Shaded Seats at Chukchansi Park

What You Need to Know About Shade at Chukchansi Park

Located in downtown Fresno, California, Chukchansi Park is the home of the Fresno Grizzlies, the Single-A affiliate to the Colorado Rockies. A standout feature is its upper deck, a rarity in Minor League Baseball, which provides significant blocks of shade for fans.

The park also had major renovations done in 2019 to swap seats for social spaces like Splash Park, a popular feature for families during hot afternoon games.

How The Sun Moves During the Day

The stadium is positioned so that the sun tracks from East to West, beginning behind the first base stands in the afternoon. As the sun descends, the height of the grandstand blocks the direct light, casting a shadow that starts at the top of the first base side and gradually moves across the infield toward the third base line.

Because the grandstand is relatively steep and the sun sets behind the stadium’s back, the vast majority of the seating bowl is protected from the harshest afternoon rays.

Stick to First Base For The Earliest Shade

For those attending games during the peak of summer, the first base side offers the earliest relief from the sun.

However, as most games are in the evening, the third base side is also an option.

• Sections 107 – 125:  Almost the entire lower level gets the benefit of the overhanging roof structure. Stick to the upper rows as the sun starts to move behind the grandstand.
• Sections 208 – 218 and 222 – 225: The upper levels are almost entirely covered from the roof.
• Kodiak Club Sections 601 – 605: Located on the first base side, seats in this section are some of the first to get shade. Kodiak Club seats also include access to a climate-controlled indoor area with a full-service bar and an All You Can Eat buffet.
• Fresno Social: Located on the third base side near left field, this walk-in sports bar gives fans a unique stadium experience, including shaded seats.

The stadium features misters on the concourse and large fans to provide relief on hot days, with pre-frozen cooling towels also available for purchase at the team store.

Splash Park

Part of the 2019 renovations, Splash Park is a 1,500 square-foot water park in right field. It’s open to all fans at no charge during any home game.

While there isn’t too much sun protection, it is a great opportunity to cool off from the high summer temperatures!

Late Afternoon and Evening

As the sun moves into the late afternoon, the shadow from the grandstand expands rapidly. For an evening game, the first base side is already well-protected, and the shadow quickly stretches to cover the infield and the lower rows of the third base side.

By the middle innings of a night game, the entire stadium bowl is typically submerged in shade, allowing fans to enjoy the game without the glare of the setting sun. The orientation of the park ensures that “baking in the sun” is rarely an issue for the majority of the seating capacity.