There’s no chill in the air, but sitting in the stands at a Milwaukee Brewers playoff baseball game is bound to send chills scurrying down your spine, whether you’re a diehard fan or a bandwagon hopper.
The top-seeded Brewers face off against their National League Central rival, the Chicago Cubs, on Saturday, Oct. 4, in Game 1 of the NL Division Series. It’s an Interstate 94 battle with a lot more than bragging rights at stake.
If you’re making your first trip, or thirtieth, to American Family Field for the NLDS, here are five things you should know about the ballpark:
There are some new food options available at American Family Field for the 2025 MLB playoffs
You won’t be hard-pressed to find interesting food items during the 2025 playoff run. The Brewers on Sept. 24 announced a slate of new concession items available for the entire postseason and some specifically for the NLDS.
You can find the full list of new playoff food items here, but these are some highlights:
Murph’s Pocket Pancakes
A playful homage to Brewers Manager Pat Murphy’s viral in-game interview Aug. 1 in which he revealed his preferred (and improbable) in-game snack. There are two Murph’s Pocket Pancakes options, the Ball Four Pocket Pack and the Double Chicken n Pancakes, which will be available at every postseason game at AmFam Field.
Where to find them: The first- and third-base wards on the field level.
‘Totally’ Tipsy Polish
A foot-and-a-half-long Johnsonville Polish sausage, topped with beer onions, brown mustard, pickled peppers, Bavarian sprinkles and French fries.
Where to find it: Sausage stands in the first- and third-base wards on the field level.
There are new memorials to Bob Uecker around the stadium
Fans will notice some new memorials for beloved longtime broadcaster Bob Uecker around the stadium. Uecker died in January 2025 after 54 years as the voice of the team.
Among the new installations is a freshly re-done plaque in the rafters overlooking right field. The team also renamed the press box and broadcast wing of the stadium in his honor.
What’s the bag policy at American Family Field?
Non-clear bags that are larger than 9” x 5” x 2” aren’t allowed. Any multi-compartment bag is also prohibited, as are backpacks, drawstring bags, coolers and purses.
Clear single-compartment tote bags that are 12” x 12” x 6” or smaller and one-gallon clear resealable bags are allowed.
American Family Field has a roof, but no air-conditioning
Keep a close eye on the weather and dress for it.
American Family Field does have a retractable roof in case of inclement weather, but there’s no air conditioning in the stadium and, on particularly hot days, the heat is worse the closer you are to the field. Forecasts call for highs around 83 for Game 1 of the NLDS on Oct. 4, which begins at 1:08 p.m.
Another tip for day games is that the third base/left field side of the stadium is sun-facing. So sitting there on warm days will likely make it harder to watch and enjoy the game.
What’s the tailgating policy at American Family Field?
The main rule to be aware of is that tailgating must end 30 minutes after first pitch. Only ticketholders are allowed in and parking spaces can’t be reserved or saved for fans.
If you have some booze leftover from your tailgate, you’ll have to finish it before getting to security since no alcoholic beverages are allowed in.
You can bring in a bottled water or a non-alcoholic drink as long as it’s sealed and in a plastic bottle and is 32 ounces or fewer. Food items that fit in a permitted bag are allowed. Strollers and wheelchairs are also allowed. Carry-in items may be inspected.
For more on tailgating rules, visit the Brewers’ website.
Hannah Kirby and Christopher Kuhagen contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here are 5 things fans should know about American Family Field before the 2025 NLDS
Reporting by Steven Martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
