Atlanta Braves' home opener: What's new at Truist Park this season?

The Atlanta Braves welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks today in their first home game of the season at Truist Park. Arizona stays for games Saturday and Sunday before the New York Mets arrive Monday for a four-game stand.

Beyond the field, Truist Park has a few surprises in store this year.

A round of renovations to the ballpark prior to the start of the 2024 season should yield an overall upgraded experience for fans with the addition of premium boxes, beer gardens, new MLB merch and specialty menu items — and plenty of love for Hank Aaron as the team plans to celebrate Monday by marking 50 years since No. 44 scored his record-breaking home run in 1974.

Here's a taste of what awaits Braves fans at Truist Park:

Hank Aaron 715th home run anniversary

Caption

A statue of Hank Aaron inside Truist Park commemorates his incredible career. The Atlanta Braves will honor the 50th anniversary of Aaron's historic 715th home run with special promotions and ceremonies on April 8, 2024.

Credit: Chase McGee / GPB News

Monday, April 8, 2024, marks 50 years since Henry Louis Aaron hit his 715th historic, record-breaking home run. On Monday the Braves will celebrate the anniversary with a special night honoring not only one of the most iconic moments in Braves history but in all of baseball!

Caption

Early fans may have the chance to receive a commemroative Hank Aaron bobblehead figurine at the Braves' April 8, 2024 game at Truits Park

Credit: MLB

Make sure to arrive extra early ahead of the 7:20 p.m. start for the following activations throughout the evening:

• Exclusive access to view the bat and ball from Hank’s 715th home run in Monument Garden;
• See his Baseball Hall of Fame plaque that will be here from Cooperstown for the special night;
• Pregame ceremony on the field featuring Hank’s family, baseball luminaries and Atlanta civil rights icons;
• The first 15,000 fans through the gates will get to commemorate the night with a Hank Aaron Bobblehead Giveaway, together with Truist;
• Every fan in attendance will receive a commemorative poster as they leave the ballpark.

Plus: Hank Aaron fans, don't miss this separate tribute at The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, featuring memorabilia and photographs in a special immersive show, More Than Brave, which will open to the public on April 9 and will be on view through September 2025.

Truist Park renovations

Credit: Rossetti / Truist Park

The Atlanta Braves have unveiled upgrades to Truist Park ahead of the 2024 season, including new and improved group seating, hospitality, concessions, and retail spaces. These projects are part of a multiphase plan for improvements to Truist Park.

• Lexus Premium Boxes: The Lexus Premium Box is a first-class season lease and hospitality concept that will offer unparalleled amenities for groups of eight to 14 guests. The naming rights to the new Lexus Premium Boxes as well as the Lexus Level, previously known as the Terrace (200) Level, are part of a new partnership, in which Lexus has been named the Official Luxury Vehicle of the Atlanta Braves.
• Blue Moon Beer Garden: This season, the former Xfinity Rooftop received a major renovation for the build out of the new Blue Moon Beer Garden, offering the largest variety of Molson Coors beer options and unique food pairings that can't be found anywhere else at the ballpark. To ensure we have the best beer assortment for fans, John Legnard, the head brew master at Blue Moon, has been working on new flavors and brew collaborations that have been specifically chosen and created for the new beer garden destination at Truist Park. The space will also feature food stalls local to Braves Country like Fred’s Meat & Bread, Beer Garden Bites, a new food concept inspired by traditional beer garden foods, Conecuh Sausage Co. All fans can visit the beer garden once inside the ballpark, and the existing group hospitality space which overlooks the field was expanded for a total capacity of up to 210 fans.  
• Jim Beam Bourbon Decks and 60 Ft. 6 In. Bar: Left field will feature a new group space called the Jim Beam Bourbon Decks behind sections 142 and 143. The Jim Beam Bourbon Decks will include private access to the new Jim Beam 60 Ft. 6 Bar, which will also serve customers on the concourse. Comprised of two bars with a combined length of 60 feet, 6 inches to mirror the distance between the pitcher’s mound and home plate, the new space will feature a one-of-a-kind lighting fixture and game-used pitching rubber and home plate inset into the bar top.
• Braves Clubhouse Store at Truist Park: The Braves Clubhouse Store at Truist Park is being expanded to include an additional 1,500 square feet and redesigned to provide a premium retail experience. There will be a dedicated jersey walk-up shop, which will house most of the jersey selection in the store, and an added game-used merchandise section. The layout of the store will be adjusted to improve the flow and ease for shoppers. In addition to the physical store renovations, the Braves Clubhouse Store at Truist Park will deploy a new point of sale system and double the checkouts for an expedited experience. The store celebrated its grand opening April 2.
• Belle Glos Back Porch: The newly rebranded Belle Glos Back Porch in center field accommodates 100 to 150 fans in a laidback patio environment with a new platform for enhanced views of the field.

MLB merchandise

Caption

The “hat wall” at the Braves Clubhouse store at Truist Park.

Credit: Peter Biello / GPB News

• Fans will find new merch in the Clubhouse, including socks with player images, new and special edition baseball caps and the chance to receive bobbleheads at future games. See the list of giveaways here.

Specialty food items

Caption

Truist Park unveils 'The Perimeter Dog': It's a foot-long, half-pound hot dog topped with sweet bacon jam, spicy sport peppers, diced Vidalia onions and lemon-pepper Dijonnaise sauce. Available at 1871 Grill near section 141.

Credit: MLB / Truist Park

• The Big “Queso”: One pound of grilled marinated chicken with Chihuahua cheese, freshly chopped salsa and cilantro. Pressed between sourdough bread, grilled golden brown and topped with spicy queso sauce. Available at the Taco Factory near section 152.
• Grand Slam Nacho: Two feet of tricolor tortilla chips, topped with jalapeno queso, chicken tinga, black bean and corn salsa, salsa verde, salsa roja and lime crema. Available at Taco Factory near section 152.
• Uncle Charlie’s Chicken: A curveball on a Braves Country favorite. Hand-breaded, deep-fried chicken breast dipped in spicy sauce. Topped with bread and butter pickles and served on a hearty pretzel bun. Available at Coop’s Championship Chicken near sections 138 & 320.
• Pitcher’s Mound: Generous helping of waffle fries topped with slow-smoked brisket. Served nacho-style with spicy cheese sauce, pico de gallo, salsa roja and lime crema. Available at 1871 Grill near section 113.
• 4 Bagger: Four charbroiled burgers, covered with 1 pound of barbeque brisket, jalapenos, aged cheddar cheese and reaper pepper mayo. Served on a toasted sesame seed bun and topped with beer-battered onion rings. Available at 1871 Grill near section 113.
• The Dinger: Featuring all-beef meatballs, braised in Executive Chef Louis Martorano’s house-made marinara sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella and served on a classic Italian roll, fresh from the oven. Available at Slice near section 112.
• Perimeter Dog: A collaborative effort developed by Delaware North’s hospitality and culinary team, featuring a foot-long, half-pound hot dog topped with sweet bacon jam, spicy sport peppers, diced Vidalia onions and lemon-pepper Dijonnaise sauce. Available at 1871 Grill near section 141.
• Fielder’s Catch: This innovative take on an Atlanta steakhouse staple includes two lobster tails, three fried oysters, sweet potato fries, candied bacon, shredded lettuce, heirloom tomatoes and spicy peach remoulade served on a split-top bun. Available at the Coors Light Chophouse.

For game tickets, event listings and more, visit the Atlanta Braves' MLB site.

Source: Atlanta Braves