The stage is set, and for the first time in 43 years, the classic rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers, led by two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, and the New York Yankees, led by former AL MVP Aaron Judge, will resume on baseball’s biggest stage: The World Series.
As we wait in elation, just hours away from watching this Major League Baseball marquee matchup, sports fans are gearing up for a historic Friday night.
While millions will be tuning in from home, thousands of lucky fans will pack Chavez Ravine for the 5:08 p.m. start time–just in time for rush hour traffic.
As a frame of reference, the ballpark holds 56,000 attendees, and the stadium is expected to be filled to the brim–not to mention there is a slew of other high-profile events taking place within the LA area around the same time. What does that mean for Dodger fans and Angeleno commuters? Expect a traffic frenzy.
But fear not. This guide will help you navigate getting around town and making it to the game in time for the first pitch.
Best Hacks to Avoid Los Angeles Traffic and Make It in Time for the First Pitch
Friday’s roadway gridlock on the 110 Freeway and around the general Los Angeles area will be particularly heavy because Dodgers fans will have to contend with traffic from the USC football game at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the East LA Classic at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, and two concerts just down the street–one at the new Intuit Dome and the other at the Kia Forum.
Oh, and the Los Angeles Lakers also have their second home game of the season at Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles that night…
So, if you are one of the tens of thousands heading to Elysian Park, here are some alternate methods of transportation to avoid a traffic nightmare and astronomical parking expenses.
1. Take the Metro
The Los Angeles Metro’s Bus Line 4 stops at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Vin Scully Ave., the closest stop to Dodger Stadium. From there, it’s a short 10-minute walk up the hill to the stadium
To accommodate the influx in traffic, LA Metro will run extra service on the A, B/D, and E Lines on Friday and Saturday night. More details can be found here.
Metro ambassadors will also be present at the subway stations to assist.
2. Take the Dodger Stadium Express
The Dodger Stadium Express will offer free bus rides to anyone with a ticket to and from Dodger Stadium from Union Station. There are four different transit center locations in South Bay. During game time, both bus services operate every 30 minutes.
Union Station Service
- Parking: For $8, park at Patsaouras Bus Plaza and board the express bus at Bus Bay 9.
- Schedule: Buses will run every 5-7 minutes, starting three hours before the game.
- Drop-off: Choose from two stadium locations: behind center field or the top deck.
- Return: Catch the return bus at the same drop-off locations. Service runs 45 minutes after the final out or 20 minutes after postgame events.
South Bay Service
- Boarding: Catch the bus at stations along the 110 Freeway: Slauson Ave., Manchester Ave., Harbor Freeway, Rosecrans Ave., and Harbor Gateway Transit Center (Bay 9).
- Schedule: Buses run every 30 minutes, starting three hours before the game. The last bus from Harbor Gateway Transit Center departs at game time.
- Drop-off: There is only one stop behind center field.
- Return: Buses depart after the end of the seventh inning, with the last bus leaving 45 minutes after the final out or 20 minutes after a postgame event.
3. Bike to Dodgers Stadium
For those who live near the stadium, consider riding and storing your bicycle. There are multiple bike rack lockups throughout the stadium grounds, but be prepared for some hills.
Recommended routes to take include:
- From Chinatown: Take the bike lane from College St. to Stadium Way, then ride or walk up the stadium hill. Expect a 15- to 30-minute trek.
- From Echo Park: Take Cesar Chavez Ave. to Sunset Gate. This 11-minute route offers protected bike lanes, but remain cautious of the sections without them.
Upon arrival, the bike rack locations can be found in:
- Lot N: Reserve level, right side of the field
- Lot B: Reserve level, left side of the field
- Lot D: Club suits/lodge level, left side of the field
- Lot P: Top deck
4. Order a Rideshare
Expect surge pricing, when prices fluctuate based on current market demands (like thousands of people trying to get into Dodger Stadium). However, ordering a Lyft or Uber in advance negates the stress of driving through Sunset Blvd. yourself.
Additionally, the increased rates can be reduced when traveling with a group and dividing the costs evenly.
As the preferred ridesharing service, Uber drivers can enter any autogate to drop off passengers. Other rideshares must enter Sunset Gate A and drop off at Lot 11, located further down the hill.
Taxis are another alternative. The drop-off location for taxis is Lot I, near first base. This is also the pickup location for the return trip.
If You Prefer Driving to the Game
Even on a “good day,” Los Angeles traffic is notoriously backed up, and with other events taking place–not just around the same time but within the nearby vicinity–commuters can expect delays, accidents, and detours–oh my!
But don’t worry; here are some tips for getting to and parking at Dodger Stadium.
Order a Parking Pass Ahead of Time
To ensure a smooth experience, plan ahead for parking at Dodger Stadium. Purchase a parking pass in advance, as on-site parking can sell out. This will help prevent long lines and potential detours. Parking passes can be purchased up to three hours before the first pitch.
Avoid Gate A: The Worst Entry Point
Gate A is the least desirable entry point due to its complex and congested location. The path up Vin Scully Ave. involves multiple side streets, busy roads, and traffic lights, leading to confusion and car accidents.
Alternative for Gate A Entry
If you accidentally enter through Gate A, consider parking in Lots 13 or 14 just outside the stadium. These lots are approximately the same distance from Lot 1, which is often assigned to cars entering through Gate A.
Recommended Entry Gates
For a more seamless experience, enter through Gate D, C, or B. Gate D, in particular, offers smaller parking lots and easier exits. Please keep in mind that some of the roadways recommended by GPS may be closed off, so head to the stadium as early as possible to avoid any unexpected delays.
To mitigate heavy traffic, Los Angeles officials held a news conference to announce that they are assigning over 100 white-gloved traffic officers stationed at intersections near each major event.
Additionally, 28 traffic engineers will be deployed to manage specialized routes like the Dodger Stadium Express Lane and implement lane adjustments to improve traffic flow.
Why This Series Is So Pivotal to Major League Baseball
Love em’ or love to hate em,’ baseball fans alike are waiting in anticipation to watch this can’t-miss matchup as The Los Angeles Dodgers batt off against The New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series.
The East-West Coast clubs are reviving a long-dormant rivalry, as it’s been 43 years since the two teams met for the Fall Classic. Additionally, no two teams have met for the WS more often than both franchises (12 total, including this year).
While the Yankees lead in championship matchups, 8-3, they have been unsuccessful in defeating the Dodgers since they relocated to Los Angeles from Brooklyn in 1958.
Gameday Preview: The Showdown in Los Angeles, CA
Gerrit Cole will be the starting ace for the Bronx Bombers, while late-season acquisition Jack Flaherty is tapped to pitch for the Boys in Blue for Game 1.
Outside of the pitching mound, a few other major storylines make this particular matchup wildly intriguing:
- MLB studs Aaron Judge, who led all of baseball with 58 home runs, and Shohei Ohtani, who led the National League with 54 home runs, will go head-to-head.
- It’s rare to see the top team from each league make the postseason, let alone the World Series, but the Yankees (94-68) and Dodgers (98-64) maintained the best regular-season records.
- The Yankees are breaking a 15-year World Series appearance drought. They previously won in six games against the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009. The Dodgers’ last appearance was in 2020, when they bested the Tampa Bay Rays, also in six games.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers (+110) are current favorites to beat the New York Yankees (-130) by a small margin in the 2024 World Series, based on BetMGM odds.
How to Watch the Yankees-Dodgers World Series
All seven games will be broadcast on local Fox Channels (Channel 11 for Los Angeles and Orange County residents).
When: Beginning Oct. 25th at 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET
Where: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Channel: Fox
Stream online: DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling
Los Angeles Dodgers-New York Yankees World Series Schedule
All games will be broadcast on Fox and begin at 5:08 p.m. Pacific Time and 8:08 p.m. Eastern Time. The schedule of the World Series games between the NY Yankees and LA Dodgers is as follows:
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 25 at Dodger Stadium – 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 26 at Dodger Stadium – 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 28 at Yankee Stadium – 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Yankee Stadium – 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Yankee Stadium – 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET
Game 6 (if needed): Thursday, Nov. 1 at Dodger Stadium – 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET
Game 7 (if needed): Friday, Nov. 2 at Dodger Stadium – 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET
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Our award-winning team at Angelneo Accident Lawyers wishes you a fun-filled series. Have fun, and remember to celebrate responsibly.
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