A guide to Albuquerque’s Isotopes Park

For Duke City baseball fans, nothing’s sweeter than the smack of a home run and the roar of the crowd at an Isotopes game. The ’Topes 2024 season gets underway March 29 at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park (a.k.a. “The Lab”) with a home game against El Paso and runs through mid-September. This is your scouting report on seating, food, family fun, special events, and more. Play ball!

The Isotopes name is cribbed from the animated TV series The Simpsons, in which the fictional hometown baseball team is the Springfield Isotopes, a nod to the town's nuclear power plant. New Mexico’s hand in nuclear science at facilities like Sandia National Laboratories made the atomic isotope moniker a natural fit. Along the stadium concourse, look for large fiberglass statues of Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa Simpson.  

The stadium’s main seating is on 2 decks, split into 3 seating/price levels: Box, Reserved, and Club. Tickets range from $16 to $38.

• To sit behind the ’Topes’ dugout, choose the third base side—also the first area of the park to enjoy shade during summer twilight games.  
• Want to hear ballplayers chatter and fastballs slap the catcher’s mitt? Choose infield Box Level seats.
• Reserved Level seats are down the outfield lines as well as on an elevated deck on the third base side.
• The priciest Club Level seats boast elevated views of the diamond, plus the stadium’s gorgeous Sandia Mountains backdrop.
• High rollers can look to the Club Level hospitality suites, available for select single-game rentals.
• On a budget? Buy general admission tickets, available for purchase only on game day. Bring a picnic blanket to spread on the grassy hill behind the right field wall, known as the Berm. These start at $10.
• If you have a large group, consider a special seating and food package in the Smith’s Picnic Pavilion (behind the left field wall) or at the Pepsi Porch’s fully catered spread (in the left field corner).
• Large groups can also rent the Tecate Alta Terrace and Tequila Herradura Fiesta Deck next to the suites.    

Beyond ballpark classics like hot dogs and burgers, The Lab’s got serious food game. There are plenty of mouthwatering choices throughout the park:

• Hefty green chile Philly cheesesteaks (food cart behind home plate)
• Spicy red chile pork ribs (Batter’s Up stand on first base side)
• Addictive Pig Candy—chicharrónes candied in maple syrup and sprinkled with red chile flakes, served in a souvenir helmet (Batter’s Up stand on first base side)
• Elk and alligator sausage (Wild West cart on third base side)
• New for the 2024 season, the spicy El Fuego sandwich loads brisket burnt ends, green chile mac-and-cheese, and breaded jalapeño strips on a green chile–and-cheese bagel bun for a fiery flavor bomb (Santa Fe Trail stand on first base side)

Baseball meets a county fair midway in the stadium Fun Zone, perched above the right field Berm. Turn your little sluggers loose on the kiddie playground, bounce houses, carousel, and gravity-drop ride dubbed “Topes Tower.”

Next door, behind center field, you can rent the Orbit’s O-Zone area for children’s birthday parties, complete with all-you-can-eat hot dogs and an appearance by the Orbit mascot.     

When your tots clamor for a sweet treat, find the ever-popular Dippin’ Dots ice cream carts on the right field and third base concourses. Or go for a classic funnel cake (third base side).

The Pro Shop on the concourse behind home plate has all manner of ’Topes gear. Shop for caps, jerseys, foam fingers, and the always popular Mariachis de Nuevo México–themed swag. If your kiddo wants an Orbit plush toy, visit the merch stand just outside the Pro Shop doors. 

General parking is available around the stadium for $7 in lots operated by UNM. Vehicles with 4 or more people can park in the Stadium East lot for free. Cards only; no cash.

Entering the stadium, you’ll pass through an airport-style security checkpoint with a metal detector. Be aware that only clear, see-through bags and purses are permitted throughout the park.

The ballpark is a cashless venue, meaning you’ll need a debit or credit card to pay at the box office, concession stands, Pro Shop, and Fun Zone ticket booth.  

The team’s mascot, Orbit, is a bright orange-and-yellow alien-like creature who hams it up on the field and in the stands during games.

The team offers giveaways (think bobbleheads, T-shirts, and caps) and special entertainment (fireworks and music) at select games throughout the season. Perhaps most popular are the games featuring live music by various mariachi bands.

Other highlights of the 2024 home schedule include games on Easter (March 31), Cinco de Mayo (May 5), and Father’s Day (June 16).  For a full list of promotions, check the team’s game schedule.

Eli Ellison is a Santa Fe–based baseball fanatic.