Space Coast Stadium is #12 on our list of Grapefruit League Spring Training stadiums. Located in Viera, Florida, it is home to the Washington Nationals. During the regular season, the stadium also plays host to the Brevard County Manatees of the Class A Advanced Florida State League.
Ticket prices at Space Coast Stadium are on the higher end of Spring Training venues. They range from $13-$36 depending on the seat location and opponent. The Nationals have three levels of pricing with regular games, prime games, and marquee games. On top of the ticket prices, you can expect to pay a $10 parking fee after long waits to get into the parking lot.
Every seat in the stadium has a good view – there are few barriers to see the field. At the same time, most seats are potentially hazardous with foul balls, except for those in the outfield or behind a net. Fans need to always be aware of the ball, as is the case with most Grapefruit League stadiums.
With the seats so close to the field, this is a great place to see superstar Bryce Harper up close and personal. The times I have visited Space Coast Stadium, Harper was in full force for a handful of innings. It is remarkable how much effort he plays with even in meaningless exhibition games.
There are few shady areas to protect from both the Florida sun and rain. Most of the food vendors are also behind the seating concourse, so you will not be able to see the action while you grab a hot dog.
Space Coast Stadium is a fairly simple layout without many key features. There is an outfield berm seating area, but I have yet to sit there because the view from the foul lines is just too good to pass up. If you get to the stadium before the game starts, there are many prime photo opportunities of both teams warming up.
A space shuttle sits outside of the stadium. It’s not a full size shuttle or capable of blast off, but it is a nice Kodak moment walking up to the field.
Overall, the Nationals’ Spring Training Venue is better suited for the players than the fans. Aside from the potential pictures, the prices are too high to justify seeing multiple games in Viera. It is also one of the outlier stadiums location wise. The next closest stadium is over an hour away, making for a bit of a drive on a Spring Training road trip.
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