Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium — Attraction in Lakeland

Came down to check out the new stadium and the new Tiger cubs, and was not disappointed in the least. I had Club 34 and premium parking tickets for two games. Pricey, but in the long run, due to some physical difficulties (getting old sucks), the extra I spent on them was totally worth it.

The buffet spread the stadium put out was par excellance. It was nice to get Michigan quality hot dogs, and chili to make a real coney and not a chili dog. This transplant to the South was grateful. The brats were excellent too. But what I really stuffed myself silly with, was the BBQ pork. OMG, nice tender slow roasted with that backflavor you only get with a real, slow hickory smoking. And what really blew my mind, was some of the best mustard based BBQ sauce I have ever had anywhere. I live in South Carolina now, home of mustard sauce, and Club 34 exceeds every other sauce I could think of except 2. Lots of other stuff on the buffet as well, something for every taste, including a big dessert table. Try the fudge brownies, they are top notch. And don't forget to take out a big bowl of peanuts to your seat. The ones they provide are top quality.

The seats were decent enough, on the right field line just behind 1st base with a good look at the pitcher, that batter, and the opposing dug out. The only issue I had in the two days was that my first seat was in the front row. The stadium has attached a thick piece of protective plexiglass to the railing, and the height was just perfect to be in the middle of my sight line. If I was an inch taller or shorter it would be no big thing. But I found myself, throughout the game, either hunching under the edge of the barrier, or stretching my head up like a prairie dog, trying to get an unobstructed view.

Just a minor quibble though. Can't wait until my next trip to Lakeland so I can do...

The stadium itself was pretty nice. We were there for minor league baseball. We had pizza and pretzels from the little Ceasar’s concessions. It was very good. The game was postponed for the night. It went downhill when.... On our way out of the stadium we were stopped by staff and told that we couldn’t take our food and drink out of the stadium. The staff was specifically telling this to someone else in my party but I followed the others and moved to the side so we could finish our food and drinks before leaving. The staff comes up to me as I’m standing with everyone else and tells me you can’t take that out, I said I know, that’s why I’m standing here finishing it... we were there all of 60 seconds and the staff says are you done yet you need to leave, let’s wrap it up... it was so rude. We purchased the food and the game was cancelled before it even started... then we weren’t allowed to eat it???? We asked why they were being so rude and they we are trying to go home you know....If the game had kept going as scheduled they would have at least 2 more hours...? So we asked for the staff person for her name she told us. Then we asked if her manager or boss was there and she said no, we asked what the manager’s name was and she said she wouldn’t tell us... we said this isn’t very good customer service and she said we aren’t in customer service we are security..... they were very rude.... I don’t think I will ever go to a game there again. I have never been treated so poorly at sporting event or any where that I’m spending money. By the way, the lady’s...

The atmosphere at the Joker Marchant Stadium when it’s game day is so much fun, really good vibes. I had been here previously for a holiday party up in the conference rooms and it was night and day different.

People get there EARLY. I’m talking, I was there 2+ hours before 1st pitch and there were at least a couple rows of cars and more coming already. It gets packed fast so just be aware of that if you’re driving. Workers do a good job directing people on the way in, but on the way out it’s pretty much a mess.

This field and facility are very well maintained. Everything seemed fairly clean, considering how big of a space it is. There is a big lawn behind center field where a lot of young kids run around trying to catch home run balls from the team warmups. It’s very family-oriented, just a great and enjoyable atmosphere.

The worst part are certainly the prices. If you’re not willing to pay minimum $50 at the gift shop don’t even walk in there, that was obscene. The food prices are definitely up there as well, but it is still a professional sporting event and that’s just how food prices are for that so you have to keep that in mind and be prepared.

Also, security can get a little weird if you’re not in the main seating area. They make you scan your ticket multiple times to where it gets a little ridiculous. Not a fan of that or the Tigers, to be honest, but I’d come back again because there’s few things better than being out at...