I recently graduated high school and decided I want to visit every MLB park. I’m a Guardians fan, so I took the trip up to Minnesota for the double header vs the Twins, then headed to Milwaukee on Saturday for the game vs the Reds. This marked American Family Field as my 11th ballpark.
This is probably the most unique stadium I’ve been to. The location of it being in a sea of parking isn’t my personal preference, but it works here. I was able to tailgate for a little before the game, but didn’t stay too long because I wanted to go in and get my William Contreras jersey. The energy outside the stadium was amazing. Live music, bbqs, tents, etc all over the parking lot. I’ve never seen anything like it for a baseball game, and if I’m ever back in Milwaukee I definitely wanna try and get there a few hours early and actually tailgate.
When we got in through the gate, we went to the team store which was actually pretty big. I didn’t buy anything as I already got the giveaway jersey, but there was lots of stuff I could definitely see myself wearing. After we went around in there we did a lap around the lower level concourse. This was probably my least favorite part of the stadium. It seemed very weirdly laid out. There was sections of like 4-5 concessions in an area, and then there’s just a long hallway of nothingness where you can’t even see the game and steel beams sticking out everywhere. I was also kinda disappointed by the food options, but I also could’ve very well missed something. There was a cute patio in the outfield I believe that looked like a nice hangout spot.
We sat in section 332 (I took the pic from my seat), and the escalator to get up there seemed kinda tucked out of the way and took us a minute to find, but we eventually made our way up. Once we got up there, we got drinks and headed up to our seats. It was confusing at first that there wasn’t an entrance to each section, but an entrance every 6-8 sections or so. It took us a while to figure that out too lol. Once we were in our seats though, it was one of my favorite experiences out of any stadium.
This might sound like a weird thing to notice, but the PA system – at least where I was sitting – was very good. I didn’t have trouble hearing anything but nothing was even close to too loud either, it was the perfect volume. The weather was also perfect, and I’m glad I was able to make it to a game with the roof open. The graphics the Brewers use were all cool and very “sleek”. The crowd was huge and pretty loud, which I was actually a little surprised by. Not sure why, you guys just don’t strike me as a loud fanbase (no offense). I didn’t have very many fan interactions as I was clearly a neutral fan (guardians hat and cavs hoodie), but everyone that I did talk to was super nice. Every employee there was also very kind and were happy to help us find where we’re going.
You guys are some great fans, with a great stadium. I was glad I was able to see a Brewers win too, especially vs Cincinnati. That homer in the 8th was absolutely electric. It’s definitely somewhere I’d wanna come back and check out again. #MilwauCLE
21 comments
I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to the UeckerDome.
Yeah, you can’t see a lot of action while walking the corridors, but there’s TVs everywhere and the radio play by play, so there’s that at least. 😀
The best food is located in the right field corner of the Loge (2nd) level, but Club Level isn’t bad all things considered.
Back when the Brewers were a horrible team the whole reason you went to a game was to tailgate. The game itself didn’t really matter
I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Come back and enjoy a tailgate!
Couple of things I forgot to add and I can’t edit my original post:
Parking – it was fine getting in but it took a solid 30-45 minutes to get out after the game. Did I do something wrong or is that just how it always is?
The William Contreras walk up clap that yall do with his song is so fun, I love that and it was electric, especially on his jersey giveaway day
Thanks for sharing your review! Interesting to read from someone who has amfam as a regular visit. It’s funny you mentioned the concourse, because I have now visited 2 ballparks this year (and over 20+ in total) and one of the weird things I’ve always like about ours was the concourse size lol.
I actually went to Detroit this summer and said to my friends “this might seem weird but I like how large our concourses are”. Everywhere else I’ve been seems kinda tight and small.
Funny how we both focused on what seems to be the most random thing.
You saw a fast game too!
It’s fun to see a different stadium. I was in Atlanta last week and got to see the Brewers play there. I really liked their park. While tailgating is great, I loved the area outside the Braves stadium and prefer that. And they do have a lot dedicated to tailgating there but I didn’t see a ton of people doing it.
British fan here – in the UK, tailgating means driving so far up someones arse that if they break you will be able to see what they ate for breakfast. I’m assuming it means something different in this context?
Brilliant review by the way – mega jealous.
We are so lucky to have this gorgeous stadium
“This is probably the most unique stadium I’ve been to.”
Fun facts:
-AmFam is the only fan-shaped convertible roof in North America.
-Milwaukee is the only market in MLB where hot dogs are not the #1 seller; here, it’s bratwurst.
-As you certainly noticed, during the 7th inning stretch, after the traditional “Take Me Out To The Ball Game,” the fans sing “Roll Out The Barrel.”
-Racing sausages. ‘Nuff said!
Bro, this city is SUPER passionate about the Brewers. A World Series win would hit harder than the NBA chip from 3 years ago did. Just a whole different level.
Glad you dug it tho.
Dude you totally missed the best part about there food twice.
Failed to tailgate.
The missed the 3rd street on lodge level.
I can see how the park can be a bit confusing at first as we all have been there. This is when you utilize the ushers as there are plenty there that could point you the right direction with questions. I guess it was a missed opportunity for us to really get the park to shine.
I guess the next question is how you felt about the “value” of your visit. Seeing your location being club how did you think the price was? I personally think even full price at $55 is a steal for a section like that and regardless how some might feel the prices are very good. This is what keeps me and my wife renewing out SSH every year now because we feel its a great price for a good experience.
I guess if your going to come around again, let us know ahead of time ( Hey maybe for a Cleveland / Milwaukee WS??? ) I am sure there are a few of us that could go out of our way to meet and greet…. but WS tickets are like a whole nother ball game for pricing so… mhhhhh MLB will make sure to rake in the money on those tickets ( MLB sets a lot of pricing for playoff / WS prices and the club has a little say in that )
Great reviews. Welcome to MKE414. I was raised in the valley NE of the stadium. To fully appreciate the love we have for AmFam, you need to have experienced 3rd World County Stadium. Not to mention the man who cast the final vote on the stadium tax lost his job even though he saved baseball in Milwaukee. And during construction 3 workers lost their lives, 😔. Tailgating is a tradition all over WI. In spring I swear the air in the neighborhood around the stadium smells better. Since Miller Park, cough, AmFam, we as fans have enjoyed consistent baseball with a winning result compared to the 80s that had some of baseball best players with meh results. I’ve only been to Coors, Wrigley and here. I think you’ve inspired me to make the pilgrimage to hit all the parks as well. The next time your in town, hit us up and I’ll bet you can hang with someone from this group and experience the full service hospitality of our fan base.
The reason you didn’t see much from the concourses on Field and Club Level – suites. Founders Suites line field infield; Club Suites on Club Level. Glad you had a good time. 😊
*-The crowd was huge and pretty loud, which I was actually a little surprised by. Not sure why, you guys just don’t strike me as a loud fanbase (no offense).*
No offense taken here. For whatever reasons, around the country, Milwaukee/Greater Milwaukee is not always recognized as a big baseball town – but it is.
One can read up on the rich history of club/pro Milwaukee baseball from late 1800s all way up to the 1944 Milwaukee Chicks of the AAGPBL. Then of course there was the NL powerhouse of the Milwaukee Braves in the 1950s (including ’57 Championship team). The Braves were less-successful into the 1960s, but Milwaukee still fought hard to keep them right up until they were loading the trucks for Atlanta. And nearly lost to history, the Chicago White Sox played (20) home games at County Stadium in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The Sox were struggling to get anyone to their home games, but County Stadium was packed full for these games.
For me, nothing portrays Milwaukee’s love of baseball better than the Cleveland Indians 2007 home opener at Miller Park. The three game series was moved to Milwaukee – on very short notice – due to weather issues. The Indians had low expectations and were expecting to play in a virtually empty stadium.
Well, they were wrong. I was at the TUE 10APR2007 opener – front row behind home plate [my buddy had gotten on the phone immediately when this game was announced. Michael Redd of the Bucks was a few seats over]. The upper two levels were closed off due to only so many vendor/facility staff available to work on short notice. The Field Level was jam packed and everyone was thrilled to watch our team (for the week, at least) play ball. I have seen many exciting moments at County and Miller Park, but this one is hard to top – when our home team Indians took the field to open the game, the place became unhinged. The Indians players (and the Angels too) in their dugouts were awestruck at the fans’ screaming and cheering. It was baseball magic.
Fans kept coming too. After the Loge Level filled a couple innings later, the bleachers were opened up to accommodate more people. Then of course when Joe Borowski was eventually brought in to close out the game, “Wild Thing” was pounded thru the sound system. It could not have been more thrilling if Ricky Vaughn himself materialized and took the mound. Announced Attendance: 19,031. I went back the next night.
Interestingly that Tuesday night opener’s winning pitcher was Indians CC Sabathia, who in the following season would lead the Brewers to our first post season since 1982.
the concessions are terrible at Am Fam, legitimately the worst I’ve ever experienced at any major sporting event
This is probably a long shot, but did you happen to stay at an AirBnB/Vrbo during your stay? There was a car parked in front of my house during that series with a Gaurdians bumper sticker, and I told the driver (maybe 18-24 years old?) to call the non emergency police number if he planned on parking overnight so as not to get a ticket (no parking in front of the AirBnB/Vrbo next door, and a drivrway on a busy street around the corner so visitors usually park in front of my house, and if I see them i usually try and let them know since I’ve seen a few cars get hit with a ticket in the past)
Like I said a longshot, but would be kinda funny if we happened to interact randomly.
Can we officially change the name to U’dome? I can’t spell the actual name
I’m sure this isn’t the place but what the hell. I still fondly remember my mom dropping me and my 3 friends off at county Stadium in 1980 so we could watch a double header for like 12 bucks. No parents. No security. Just Wallbanger baseball for a bunch of 10 year olds who didn’t have a care in the world. My mom gave me 5 bucks for stuff at the game.
Honestly I wish I starting doing this types of reviews now that I have started going to other stadiums, it’s such a neat idea! I’ve only ever been to Miller Park (previous name before American Family, most people still call it Miller Park) in my 20some years of life. Now that I’ve been to Detroit and Minneapolis/St Paul to watch the Brewers play it’s strange to me how… open Miller Park feels. Like I’m not super crowded just walking around like I was with the other two. That’s possibly a personal preference because I am biased to my home team. Ramblings aside, I’m glad you enjoyed yourself! If you really want to feel some energy, come back for a Brewers v Cubs game! Parking is more expensive just cause it’s the Cubs, but the atmosphere is awesome.
If you really want to, you could always come back next weekend when they’re in town
Your review is pretty accurate.
The location of the stadium honestly kinda sucks but we really love our tailgating here so it kinda has to be that way. It’s kind of a controversial subject right now . . .
The food in the stadium is very disappointing. For being so big into sausages, the sausages are just mediocre and the rest of the food is usually a miss, especially later in the game.
The concourse can be a bad experience on busy days. Crowd flow gets ugly.
Note that you were sitting in the club level. This is meant to be a more plush experience. Bigger, padded seats, smaller sections, air conditioned and carpeted concourse, etc. It’s a good way to enjoy the game but I wish it weren’t so high up.
Getting out of preferred parking after the game is tricky. Best to book it right after the last out and beat the crowd. Otherwise there are some tricks to navigating the stream of cars that you just don’t learn until you’ve done it a bunch of times. Sounds like you got caught in about the worst it gets. Sorry about that!