You’re heading to the Queen City. You’ve got the hat, you’ve got the itch for a ballpark frank, and you’re ready to see the oldest professional team in baseball history. But if you just plug "Cincinnati Reds" into a GPS and hope for the best, you might miss the nuance of what makes this specific patch of Ohio riverfront so special.
So, where do the Cincinnati Reds play? Basically, they play at Great American Ball Park (GABP), located at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202. It’s been their home since 2003, but honestly, the "where" is about a lot more than just a street address. It’s a 29-acre chunk of downtown real estate that literally sits on the edge of the Ohio River, squeezed tightly between the Bengals’ stadium and the bustling city center.
The Specifics: 100 Joe Nuxhall Way
If you’re looking for the stadium, it’s hard to miss. It sits in a neighborhood called The Banks, a revitalized stretch of bars, restaurants, and parks that bridges the gap between the downtown skyscrapers and the water.
The address itself is a tribute. It used to be 100 Main Street, but the city changed it to honor the legendary pitcher and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall after he passed away in 2007. If you hear locals talking about "the corner of Second and Joe Nuxhall Way," that’s your target.
Getting there is surprisingly easy compared to some other MLB cities. You’ve got the Cincinnati Bell Connector—the city's streetcar—which is free to ride and drops you off just steps from the main gate at Station 1.
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What the Stadium Actually Looks Like
GABP isn't just a concrete bowl. It was designed by the architects at Populous (formerly HOK Sport) to feel open.
There’s a literal physical gap in the stands—called "The Gap"—between home plate and third base. It was built that way so people inside the stadium could see the downtown skyline, and people walking on the street outside could catch a glimpse of the field. It’s a 35-foot-wide opening that gives the whole park a "breathing" feel that most modern stadiums lack.
Beyond the Regular Season: Goodyear Ballpark
Here is the part most casual fans forget. For about six weeks every year, the answer to "where do the Cincinnati Reds play" changes completely.
During Spring Training, the team moves 1,800 miles west to Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. They share this facility with the Cleveland Guardians (their intra-state rivals), playing in the Cactus League. If you’re trying to see them in late February or March, don't show up in Cincinnati; you’ll find an empty stadium and a very cold river.
The 2026 Spring Training schedule kicks off right around February 22 at Goodyear. It’s a much more intimate vibe. You’re close enough to the players to hear the "pop" of the glove and the occasional bit of dugout banter that you'd never catch at a regular-season game.
Why GABP is a "Hitter's Paradise"
If you like home runs, you’re in the right place. Great American Ball Park is notorious for being "small."
The dimensions are tight:
- Left Field: 328 feet
- Center Field: 404 feet
- Right Field: 325 feet
In the 2024 and 2025 seasons, GABP consistently ranked near the top of the league for "Home Run Factor." Basically, fly balls that would be routine outs in a place like Kansas City or San Francisco often drift over the fence here. This is why the Reds' front office focuses so heavily on power hitters—the stadium is practically designed to reward them.
Surprising Details You’ll See at the Game
The Reds play in a stadium that’s obsessed with its own history. Since they were the first professional baseball team (established in 1869), they have a lot of stories to tell.
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The Power Stacks
Look toward right-center field. You’ll see two massive white smokestacks. These are a nod to the steamboats that used to dominate the Ohio River in the 19th century. They aren’t just for decoration. When a Reds pitcher strikes someone out, they blow fire. When a Red hits a home run, they launch fireworks.
Fun fact: In 2015, one of the smokestacks actually caught fire during a game because of a loose propane valve. Nobody was hurt, but it’s a legendary piece of local lore now.
Crosley Terrace
Before you even enter the stadium, you walk through Crosley Terrace. This is a sloped, grassy area at the main entrance that mimics the "terrace" (a weird incline in the outfield) of the Reds' old home, Crosley Field. There are bronze statues of legends like Joe Nuxhall, Ernie Lombardi, Ted Kluszewski, and Frank Robinson frozen in action. It feels less like a stadium entrance and more like a museum plaza.
The Hall of Fame and Museum
Attached to the stadium is the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. Even if you aren't a die-hard fan, it's worth the stop. It’s widely considered the best team-specific museum in all of sports. They’ve got 16,000 square feet of artifacts, including a wall of 4,256 baseballs representing every hit Pete Rose ever had.
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If you’re planning a trip to see where the Cincinnati Reds play, the "how" is just as important as the "where."
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- Parking is Cashless: Don't bring a roll of 20s for the garage. All the official lots around the stadium are credit card or mobile payment only.
- The Food Hub: In 2024, the team opened a massive "Food Hub" down the third-base line. It’s where you’ll find the local staples like Skyline Chili (yes, try the 3-way) and Montgomery Inn BBQ.
- The Handlebar: If you want a luxury experience, the Handlebar at the Riverfront Club offers a view of the game and the river simultaneously, but tickets there go fast.
The Environment and Future
Currently, the stadium holds about 43,500 people. While there has been talk of "renovations" as the park enters its third decade, the location isn't changing. The Reds are locked into the riverfront.
There's a specific energy at GABP that's hard to replicate. Because it’s so close to the river, the wind can do strange things to a baseball, especially in the early spring months. And when the sun sets over the Kentucky hills across the water, it’s arguably one of the best views in the National League.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you want to actually experience where the Reds play, don't just show up at first pitch.
- Arrive 2 hours early: Walk through the Banks, grab a drink at one of the rooftop bars nearby, and walk the perimeter of the stadium to see the statues.
- Book a Stadium Tour: On non-game days (and some game days), you can get a guided tour that takes you into the dugout and the press box. It’s the best way to see "The Gap" up close.
- Check the Wind: Before you bet on the over/under or expect a high-scoring game, check if the wind is blowing "out" toward the river. If it is, expect a lot of fireworks from those smokestacks.
- Visit the Hall of Fame First: It closes shortly after the game starts, so hit the museum before you head to your seats.
Great American Ball Park is a weird, beautiful mix of high-tech amenities and deep-rooted history. It’s a place where you can eat a chili-covered hot dog while looking at a 50-foot limestone carving of baseball legends, all while a steamboat-themed tower shoots fire into the Ohio sky. That’s where the Cincinnati Reds play.