While the Phillies have announced several new events and features at Citizens Bank Park for the upcoming season, one popular promotion will be noticeably absent this year.
The team announced Thursday that they’re replacing "Dollar Dog Nights" with “Hatfield Phillies Franks BOGO Nights.” The new giveaway will take place on April 2 and April 16 and will allow fans to buy one hot dog at regular price and get the second hot dog for free at concession stands throughout the ballpark.
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"This was done in order to make sure we try to provide a positive environment for all of our fans at our game," John Weber, the Phillies' Senior Vice President of Ticket Operations & Projects, said during a Thursday afternoon press conference.
Weber also said long lines during the event led to their decision to replace it as well.
"All those things combined kind of led us to this point," Weber said.
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Dollar Dog Night was first introduced in 1997 at Veterans Stadium, the former home of the Phillies. The promotion featured $1 hot dogs and was a popular event for fans. At times it became rowdy however, with some incidents in which fans tossed hot dogs at players.
“The last couple years there was some operational issues which we’re going to address but also last season, the throwing of hot dogs, it just was not an enjoyable experience," Weber said. "We’re working on a few things. Additional staffing. Additional hot dog areas to sell the hot dogs and additional security as we move forward into 2024.”
Fans reacted strongly to the news on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“You gotta watch what you’re doing around Philadelphians,” one Philly fan, who did not reveal his name, told NBC10. “Because if you give them something, even a hot dog or a battery or ice or a pole, really if you think about it, almost anything, any object, they’re gonna throw it.”
While Weber acknowledged some of the negative reactions that were seen on social media, he also said the Phillies received feedback from other fans who wanted them to end Dollar Dog Nights.
“We also do surveys for our fans and a lot of surveys from our fans were they did not have a good experience. Also just emails. I know there’s a social media element," Weber said. "There’s also fans that communicate directly with the club and it was not a good experience for our fans who came to the games last year. That’s the bottom line. And our goal is to change that and to make it a good experience for all of our fans that come while also driving ticket sales.”
The Phillies also announced other new giveaways and promotions for the upcoming season:
- Opening Weekend Addition: 2024 Schedule Magnet presented by Valley Forge Tourism (all fans) – Sunday, March 31 vs. Atlanta Braves, 1:35 p.m.
- Hatfield Phillies Franks BOGO Nights (all fans) – Tuesday, April 2 vs. Cincinnati Reds, and Tuesday, April 16 vs. Colorado Rockies, both at 6:40 p.m. Fans can buy two hot dogs for the price of one hot dog ($5) at concession stands throughout the ballpark.
- Independence Blue Cross Senior Stroll the Bases (fans 55 and older) – Monday, May 6 vs. San Francisco Giants, 4:05 p.m. In addition to the previously announced Senior Stroll the Bases on August 28, here’s another great opportunity for fans 55 and older to go onto the field and stroll the bases at the conclusion of the game.
- London 2024 Giveaways:
- Double Decker Bus presented by SEI (children 14 years and younger) – Saturday, June 1 vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:15 p.m.
- Sunglasses presented by SEI (all fans) – Wednesday, June 5 vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 4:05 p.m.
- Coca-Cola Photo Day (limited field access) – Saturday, July 13 vs.Oakland Athletics, 4:05 p.m. Get to the ballpark early for on-field photo opportunities with players, broadcasters, the Phanatic, Phillies Ballgirls and more!
- Miller Lite Floppy Hat (fans 21 and over) – Thursday, August 15 vs. Washington Nationals, 6:40 p.m.
- Goya Latino Family Celebration (all fans) – Tuesday, August 27 vs. Houston Astros, 6:40 p.m. The Phillies will host the 21st annual event featuring live, Latin-inspired music and entertainment.
- GIANT Family Day/Phanatic Lunch Bag (children 14 years and younger) – Sunday, September 15 vs. New York Mets, 1:35 p.m. Fans can look forward to a block party and more! There will be lots of activities to enjoy before game time.
Phillies fan Christian McGovern told NBC10 that his friends have made "Dollar Dog Nights" a tradition and he's upset that it's all coming to an end.
"We have a competition every year who can eat the most hotdogs. Our record right now is 13, and we were really hoping for 14-15 this year," he said.
McGovern has started a petition to bring the event back and is planning to get 10,000 signatures to bring "right to John Middleton's office."
Meanwhile, Jimmy's Timeout Sports Pub in Torresdale will continue to do their version of dollar dog nights during every Phillies game and is reminding fans on their social media that the deal isn't going anywhere.
"I’m hoping now that the Phillies stopped doing that, I really hope that doesn’t happen at the bar. We’ll have to nip that in the bud if they do start throwing them around," Jimmy's Timeout Sports Pub owner Pat Hasher said.
Out with the old and in with the new, even if it's hard to swallow.