When it comes to summertime, a Madison Mallards game absolutely fits the … bill. A night at the Duck Pond is whatever you make it: a family weekend excursion, a night out with friends or a nine-inning getaway.
The Mallards have called Madison home since 2001 and are a part of the collegiate Northwoods League. The league hosts 26 teams in cities across the Midwest from May to August.
Whether baseball is your favorite sport, or you prefer to visit for the hot dogs, family-friendly Mallards games are easily among the top things to do in Madison.
Jump around to plan your Mallards Gameday
PRE-GAME
Your party doesn’t have to start with the opening pitch.
Location
The Duck Pond is located adjacent to Warner Park and minutes from Lake Mendota on Madison’s north side. Catch a game after a day on the lake, or warm up with a hike before heading to the parking lot for tailgate time.
Tailgate time
There is ample FREE parking right outside the stadium, and there are several trash bins located throughout the lot to dispose of food and other tailgating materials (including hot coals). If driving isn’t your style, rent an electric BCycle to explore the city before heading to the Pond.
Going in
Gates to the Duck Pond open an hour before the game, and you definitely want to make sure you get inside early. Rotating information and event booths are lined throughout the stadium (many offering freebies)!
Kid-Friendly
The Duck Pond has a ton of activities for kiddos to enjoy! The Mallards have amped up the Kid Zone, offering more slides and inflatables, plus a playground, sandbox and bounce house to keep the little ones active. Also, plenty of the promo nights will appeal to your whole family! This year, they’re putting on a “Green and Gold Night” (where you can snap a photo with the Packers’ TE Tucker Kraft), a Festival Foods Fireworks show and “Bark in the Park,” where you can bring Fido so he can get in on the action, too!
Which section matches your vibe?
Picking which section to buy your ticket in is a bigger decision than you might think! Don’t worry, we’re here to help. (And, honestly, there isn’t a bad seat in the house.)
Duck Blind: All-You-Can-Eat-And-Drink Experience
The ultimate Mallards party starts at the Busch Light Duck Blind!
Tickets to the Duck Blind include unlimited food and beverages (including beer) for two-and-a-half hours after the scheduled game time. General admission to the Duck Blind gets you access to the outdoor patio section and the Hangover Bar—a covered seating section with stadium seats and tables at ground level with the field. While this section is perfect for a night out with your buddies, it’s also great for group outings, too.
The Duck Blind Club gets you access to an all-you-can-eat elevated food and drinks menu, in addition to the general admission menu, as well as semi-private open-air tables.
Quack fact: The Duck Blind is built out of old shipping containers.
Sections 101–205
This is your typical baseball stadium seating offering the most classic Mallards experience.
Backyard
Don’t need a seat? Want to enjoy the game with grass beneath your toes and freedom to spread out? The Backyard section in center field offers a grassy surface to watch and play during the game. Blankets and chairs are allowed. Picnic tables are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
There are several ways to experience a Mallards game as a group with all your friends and fam! Private suites and other arrangements are available.
Also, new this year: look for the 2026 art installation “Light Wings” in the grandstand seating area. It represents Madison’s vibrant arts scene and provides some shade from the summer heat! It’s a whopping 20,000 square feet made up of small fabric strips and covers 80% of the main seating area.
MALLARDS ICONS and more
The fun is just getting started and there's even more to discover at the Duck Pond!
Maynard G. Mallard
What better way to start a game than watching a six-foot-tall bird zipline across the field? You heard us right. Maynard G. Mallard himself flies into every game before making his rounds around the park for pictures and high fives.
“Wiener!”
Without a doubt the most iconic sound you will hear at the Pond is a real wiener. But really, every time a foul ball is hit, the announcer yells “wiener” over the P.A. system.
Why? It’s a reference to the trade-in value of a foul ball for a hot dog at the Pond. If you catch a foul ball, you can trade it in at the concession stand for a hot dog (which insiders say folks rarely ever do).
Quack fact: The Mallards logo, which was rebranded in 2021, is full of symbolism connecting the team to Madison and Wisconsin icons. Maynard is standing in two lakes, referencing lakes Monona and Mendota, which make up the Madison isthmus. In front of him is a cheese-shaped home plate (duh) and behind him is the Madison skyline and Wisconsin State Capitol building.
FOOD & DRINK
You certainly won’t go hungry or thirsty at the Duck Pond.
Ballpark classics like hot dogs, brats, and, of course, Wisconsin-famous Ellsworth cheese curds, round out the classic items. If you are feeling adventurous, try the brand-new smash burger stand or get a giant pretzel for the whole family to share!
Quack tip: Don’t miss trying local favorite Great Dane Pub and Brewing Co.'s special Home Run Hazy Mango Session IPA featuring Maynard right on the can! You can get it at the game or sip it at any of Great Dane’s Madison-area locations.
SHOW OFF YOUR STYLE
A day at the Duck Pond will for sure make you want to rock the blue, green and gold all around town. Merch of all kinds, including jerseys, shirts, hats, pins, and even souvenirs designed by local artists, is available at the merch shop.
BUY TICKETS
It’s high time you cross a Mallards game off your list of top things to do this summer in Madison.
