Padres Restrict MLB Playoffs Ticket Sales to Try to Limit Dodgers Fans at 2024 NLDS

The San Diego Padres are trying their best to keep Los Angeles Dodgers fans out of Petco Park during the National League Division Series.

Dodger Blue's Matthew Moreno spotlighted a message on Ticketmaster that said ticket sales will be restricted to residents of certain areas:

Given their sizable fanbase and the close proximity between Los Angeles and San Diego, the Dodgers have historically been well-represented whenever they play at Petco Park.

For a long time, it didn't really matter that much. Sure, Padres players didn't like their usual stomping grounds turning into "Dodger Stadium South," but the team wasn't very good and the stadium wasn't selling out much anyway.

Things are a lot different now.

The Padres' late owner, Peter Seidler, sensed an opportunity when the Chargers relocated to Los Angeles and created a sports vacuum in the city. He invested heavily into the roster and improvements around Petco Park, and the fans responded in kind.

San Diego averaged the fourth-most fans (41,117) during the regular season, and Petco Park has become an imposing venue for opposing players.

Attempting to preserve that home-field advantage makes obvious sense. Why wouldn't a team do everything it can to ensure, especially for a postseason series, that those in attendance are their own fans?

This isn't just a reflection of the rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers, either. San Diego reportedly utilized the same tactics when it hosted the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2022 National League Championship Series.

The NL West adversaries will open the NLDS on Saturday. Petco Park hosts Game 3 on Oct. 8 and then Game 4, if necessary, the following night.