Subaru Park: Guide for Visiting Fans

Subaru Park is roughly 17 miles south of downtown Philadelphia and about 5 miles south of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), reachable by car via I-95 and by public transit using SEPTA's Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail Line to Chester Transportation Center. That transit option is legitimately good — not "good for MLS" good, actually good. Take the Wilmington/Newark Line, which stops at 30th Street Station, Suburban Station, Jefferson Station, and Temple University Stadium, to Chester Transportation Center at 6th & Welsh Street — roughly 30 minutes from Suburban Station. There is free shuttle service from Chester Transportation Center to Subaru Park for Philadelphia Union matches only, with service beginning four hours before game time. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes and picks up fans at the corner of Seaport Drive and Reaney Street, across from Lot D.

From PHL, you're looking at a 10–15 minute Uber or a quick hop on the same Wilmington/Newark Line — it stops at the airport before continuing south to Chester. By car, the stadium has easy access via I-95, I-476, US-322, and PA-291. Take Exit 6 off I-95 and follow signs toward Route 291 East; the stadium is visible from the highway. A designated Uber/rideshare pickup and drop-off area is located outside of Lot E.

All parking at Subaru Park lots is cashless — credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are the only accepted forms of payment. Prepaid parking is preferred and gets you into the gameday experience faster. Day-of prices are usually around $30, but for a high-demand match you might see it tick up to $40.

The lots typically open up five hours before kickoff, which is great if you're into tailgating. Lot A is $30 day-of, recommended for fans coming from all directions, with access to Route 291 West and Highland Avenue for both north and south I-95 exits — fans in Lot A should follow the riverside pathway to enter through the Crozer Health Gate. ADA parking is in Lot F. If you want to tailgate with the Sons of Ben and don't mind a longer post-game wait, Lot B is the social lot. For a quicker exit, consider church lots, local community spots, or street parking a few blocks away. The neighborhood is not glamorous, but street parking around Reaney Street and Highland Avenue is typically safe during daylight and evening matches.

Chester itself doesn't have the hotel infrastructure you'd want for a multi-night trip, and honestly you don't need to stay there. The best base is near Philadelphia International Airport, which puts you about 10 minutes by road from the stadium and gives you a wide selection of chain hotels (Marriott, Hilton, IHG properties at the airport or in Essington/Lester). It's functional, affordable — usually $100–$160/night — and you won't be stuck in Philly traffic getting to the match.

If you want more character and don't mind the extra 20–25 minutes south on I-95, Wilmington, Delaware has a decent downtown with walkable restaurants and better weekend hotel rates. For those wanting to stay in Philadelphia proper, Center City or the Navy Yard corridor are both solid — it's approximately 30 minutes from Suburban Station to Chester Transportation Center by SEPTA , so you can drink your pre-game beer in Philly and still make kickoff comfortably. The Best Western Plus Philadelphia Airport South at Widener University and the Candlewood Suites Philadelphia Airport Area are both close to the stadium and see a lot of matchday traffic, which means staff are used to it — a small but real convenience.

Let's be straight with you: Chester is not a bar-hopping destination. The stadium is in an industrial waterfront zone, and the blocks immediately surrounding it are thin on dining options. Plan your pre-game eating either on the way down from Philly or at the stadium itself.

P.J. Whelihan's at Subaru Park — Located right at 1 Stadium Drive, Chester , this is the on-site sports bar option. Expect wings, pub food, and pre-game chaos on matchdays. It's convenient because it's essentially in the stadium's footprint, but show up early if you want a seat.

Harrah's Philadelphia Casino — A short drive north along the waterfront on Route 291, Harrah's has multiple restaurant and bar options that attract a pre-game crowd from both sides. It's not the most atmospheric sports-fan hangout, but it's lively, accepts all payment methods, and has real parking.

Seasons Pizza — Seasons Pizza is one of the local companies that provides food inside Subaru Park , and their standalone locations in Delaware County (Aston, Media) are worth hitting if you're driving in early and want a Philly-adjacent slice without the Philly markup.

Downtown Media or West Chester (15–20 min rideshare) — If you're making a full day of it, both Media Borough and West Chester have legitimate dining streets with bars, craft beer spots, and pre-game energy. West Chester's Andiario has received several James Beard Award nominations and boasts New American cuisine made with local ingredients — worth it if you're splurging on dinner before a big match.

All bags entering Subaru Park must be clear. Maximum dimensions for a clear bag are 14" × 14" × 6". Any opaque or non-clear bag will be turned away at the gate, regardless of size — no exceptions, no "just this once." A small hard-sided clutch works fine if you're travelling light.

All guests entering Subaru Park are security screened by Evolv Express systems — walk through at your natural pace and keep personal items in your pockets or compliant bag unless directed otherwise, then proceed immediately to ticket scanning. Gate attendants will indicate if additional screening is required.

Suite ticket holders have a dedicated entrance, while general admission fans can use the Subaru Gate, Crozer-Premier Gate, or Supporter's Gate depending on their seating section. The Supporter's Gate is located in the southwest corner of the stadium. Away fans in Section 133 will typically enter through the Crozer Health Gate. The Independence Blue Cross Gate is the name for the northeast entrance near Section 121. Lots open roughly five hours before kickoff; gates open approximately 90 minutes before.

ADA wheelchair-accessible seating is available with companion seats in every section. Fans attending with a Personal Care Attendant who have questions regarding tickets should call Fan Services at 1-877-21-UNION. ADA parking is located in Lot F , which is close to the stadium entrance. Subaru Park was designed with family restrooms for guests with disabilities and guests with small children; these are located on the concourse behind Sections 124, 106, and on the Suite Level outside Suites 331 and 313 — all are accessible and equipped with baby changing tables.

Premium and ADA seating above Section 103 is accessed via the elevator at the VIP entrance or the stairs near Section 103. The Evolv Express security screening system requires no removal of items from pockets in most cases, which eases entry for wheelchair users and those with mobility devices. If you have specific accommodation needs beyond standard ADA seating, the Union's Fan Services line is responsive.

For games against the Union, visiting fans are designated to Section 133, which sits in the corner of the stadium. It's not a bad corner — you'll get a diagonal view of the pitch and you're close enough to the action to feel involved, especially on the end your team attacks in the second half. The sightlines in the corners at Subaru Park are genuinely decent because the compact 18,500-seat bowl was designed to put fans close to the action.

If you want to sit freely without being in the designated away block, aim for the upper sideline sections on the east side. Sections 19–35 on the east side have the best midfield views, with Section 27 being the sweet spot. Midfield sections 117–120 and 217–220 offer unbeatable sightlines of the entire pitch. The visitors' bench is in front of Section 108 , so sitting in the 108–112 area on the lower sideline puts you right on top of your team's technical area — great for feel, occasionally frustrating for viewing angles. Avoid the River End (Sections 134–140) entirely as an away fan — that 2,000-seat section at the southeast end is reserved specifically for the Sons of Ben supporters group , and they're not subtle about it.

Subaru Park offers traditional Philadelphia items including cheesesteaks, hoagies, and soft pretzels shaped like the Union's primary logo, with local brands like Turkey Hill, Herr's, and Seasons Pizza represented alongside craft beers from Victory and Dogfish Head. The venue is entirely cashless — everything from food to merchandise is card or mobile payment only. Expect to pay around $12–$15 for a beer and $14–$18 for a hot food item. The pretzel alone is worth the trip to the concession stand.

Subaru Park is one of the better away-fan experiences in MLS, and that's earned, not inherited. The Sons of Ben are loud and committed — the compact bowl genuinely amplifies matchday noise, particularly from the River End — but they're soccer fans, not NFL-style antagonists. You'll get some grief in Section 133, but it rarely crosses a line. What away fans don't always anticipate is how close everything feels: the pitch is tight, the stands lean in, and when the Union score, the sound hits you from three sides at once. The Delaware River backdrop past the south end is legitimately beautiful on a summer evening, and the stadium's partial canopy means you're exposed to the elements on warm nights — which is actually part of the charm. One thing that catches first-timers off guard: the Chester waterfront has almost nothing around it, so whatever your plan is for pre-game eating and drinking, make it before you arrive on Seaport Drive.

By transit: The same shuttle that brought you from Chester Transportation Center takes you back, and SEPTA runs an extra train departing Chester Transportation Center around 11PM, arriving back at Suburban Station around 11:33PM. Wait about 10–15 minutes after the final whistle to let the initial crush clear before heading to the shuttle pickup on Seaport Drive and Reaney Street. The shuttle queue can be long immediately post-match — patience is rewarded; the frequency is high enough that you won't be standing for more than 20–25 minutes.

By car: Lots A and B are your fastest exits — Lot A gives you access to Route 291 West and Highland Avenue for north or south I-95 , and it clears faster than the southern lots. Realistic time to reach a moving I-95: 20–35 minutes after the whistle, depending on kickoff time. Weeknight matches clear faster than weekend afternoons. Don't bother trying to leave before the 85th minute — the traffic control isn't set up for staggered departures, and early leavers still get stuck in the same queue.

By rideshare: The designated Uber/Lyft pickup zone is outside Lot E. Surge pricing hits hard in the 10–20 minutes immediately after the final whistle. Wait 25–30 minutes, walk a few blocks up toward Highland Avenue, and request your ride from there — you'll pay less and get picked up faster because drivers aren't crawling through the stadium lot.

One tip: The transit option is genuinely the best exit strategy at this venue. If you came by SEPTA, you will be moving before most drivers have left their parking space.

What's the best way to get to Subaru Park from Philadelphia?

Take the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail Line to Chester Transportation Center — about 30 minutes from Suburban Station. A free matchday shuttle then runs directly to the stadium, beginning four hours before kickoff.

What airport should I fly into?

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is just 5 miles away. It's the obvious choice — don't bother with Wilmington/New Castle Airport unless you're getting a significantly cheaper fare.

What is the bag policy at Subaru Park?

All bags entering Subaru Park must be clear. Maximum size is 14" × 14" × 6". Non-clear bags of any size will be turned away.

How much does parking cost?

Day-of parking in official lots is usually around $30, and can rise to $40 for high-demand matches. All lots are cashless, so have your card or phone ready.

Where do away fans sit at Subaru Park?

Section 133 is designated for visiting fans and sits in the stadium corner. It's a workable view; the proximity to the pitch makes up for the angle.

Is Subaru Park cashless?

Yes, Subaru Park is entirely cashless — food, drinks, merchandise, and parking all require card or mobile payment. Leave the cash in your hotel room.

When do gates open? Lots open approximately five hours before kickoff. Stadium gates typically open around 90 minutes before kickoff. Check the official Union matchday guide for event-specific times.

Is there accessible parking and seating?

ADA parking is available in Lot F. Wheelchair-accessible seating with companion seats is available in every section. Call Fan Services at 1-877-21-UNION for specific accommodation assistance.