Gameday Guide: Madison Mallards Baseball Is a Nine Inning Vacation

When it comes to summertime, a Madison Mallards games absolutely fit the … bill. A night at the Duck Pond is whatever you make it: a family weekend excursion, 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 22 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, Mallards games are easily among the top things to do in Madison.

PRE-GAME MALLARDS GUIDE

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

This season, the Mallards have amped up the children’s area offering more slides, inflatables and games for kiddos to enjoy.

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 Duck Blind! 

Tickets to the Duck Blind include unlimited food and beverages (including beer) for three-and-a-half hours after the gates open. 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 right from the right-field wall. 

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.

TDS Picnic Tables

For another semi-private, small-group experience, the TDS Picnic Tables have you covered. Reserved box seats or private picnic tables are available along the third base line and enjoy all you can eat food and fountain drinks through the 7th inning.

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 left field offers a grassy surface to watch and play during the game. Blankets are allowed but chairs are not. Picnic tables are available on a first-come first-serve basis. 

There are several ways to experience a Mallards game as a with all your friends and fam! Private suites and other arrangements are available.

MALLARDS ICONS

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.

“Weiner!”

Without a doubt the most iconic sound you will hear at the Pond is a real weiner. 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 capitol building.

FOOD & DRINK

You certainly won’t go hungry, or thirsty, at the Duck Pond. 

Ballpark classics like hot dogs and popcorn abound, alongside quirkier treats like Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and chicken salad. 

The beer menu at the Pond is extensive and features brews and seltzers from several local breweries.

Quack tip: Don’t miss trying local favorite Great Dane Pub and Brewery’s special Home Run Hazy Mango Session IPA featuring Maynard right on the can! You can get it right at the game or sip it at any of Great Dane’s Madison-area locations.

@destinationmadison Let’s go @Madison Mallards Baseball . 🦆 #madison #wisconsin #mallards #baseball #northwoods #travel #summer #sports #family ♬ Drinking Time - Brett Boyett

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 are 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.