Baseball Back at Petco Park for Padres FanFest 2026

Thousands of fans enjoy a day of fun activities and team memorabilia at the annual event.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:31pm

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Petco Park in San Diego hosted the annual Padres FanFest on January 31, 2026, giving thousands of fans the chance to run the bases, pitch in the bullpen, and purchase one-of-a-kind team merchandise at a garage sale. The free event required digital tickets and reservations to manage crowds, with a new system for autograph sessions that sold out weeks in advance. Fans of all ages, including 8-year-old softball player Savannah Schoeneweis and 12-year-old Anthony Aguilar, took part in the festivities revving up for the new baseball season.

Why it matters

The Padres FanFest is a highly anticipated annual event that connects the team with its passionate fan base in San Diego. After a challenging pandemic period, the 2026 edition of the festival demonstrates the enduring popularity of the Padres and baseball in the community, providing an economic boost and fostering excitement for the upcoming season.

The details

To improve the experience and reduce wait times, the Padres implemented a new reservation system for the 2026 FanFest, requiring digital tickets and assigned entry times. Fans could participate in various activities like running the bases, pitching in the bullpen, and taking photos in the dugout. The event also featured a Padres Foundation Garage Sale, where fans could purchase team-issued merchandise and memorabilia, including a life-sized cutout of Hall of Famer Dave Winfield for $200.

  • The Padres FanFest 2026 took place on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • The event required digital tickets and reservations, which sold out two weeks in advance for the autograph sessions.

The players

Savannah Schoeneweis

An 8-year-old softball player from Alpine who attended the FanFest with her father.

Ryan Schoeneweis

Savannah's father, who has been a Padres fan since he was her age.

Anthony Aguilar

A 12-year-old fan who was hoping to purchase a life-sized cutout of Padres Hall of Famer Dave Winfield at the FanFest Garage Sale.

Matthew Naslund

A Padres season ticket holder who was able to access the FanFest an hour earlier than the general public.

Dave Winfield

A Padres Hall of Famer whose life-sized cutout was sold at the FanFest Garage Sale.

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What they’re saying

“I'm working on playing as pitcher and catcher. I can pretty much do every position right now.”

— Savannah Schoeneweis

“She's still working on knowledge of the game and passion for the players. I've been a fan since I was her age.”

— Ryan Schoeneweis, Savannah's father

“(I found) stuff that's team issued that you're not going to find in a store. Things given to the team or staff, and you feel like you're part of that when you buy it.”

— Matthew Naslund (NBC 7)

“She said 'no'. But that's alright. Maybe one day I'll buy it when I make it to the MLB. That's kind of my dream.”

— Anthony Aguilar

What’s next

The Padres will open their 2026 season at Petco Park in the coming weeks, with high expectations after a successful FanFest event that energized the fan base.

The takeaway

The Padres FanFest continues to be a beloved annual tradition that brings the team and its passionate fans together, showcasing the enduring appeal of baseball in San Diego and the community's commitment to supporting their home team.