Shaded Seats at Subaru Park

Subaru Park is an open-air stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia. It serves as home pitch for the Philadelphia Union of MLS. Summers in Philadelphia are known for heat and humidity, making sun exposure a significant consideration for fans. Those attending matches should use this guide along with the stadium’s seating chart to identify the best shaded seats at Subaru Park.

Where are the seats in the shade and sun at Subaru Park?

Typically, shaded seats at Subaru Park Field are situated:

• West Sideline: Shaded by mid-afternoon and in the evening

Conversely, sunny seats are predominantly found:

• East Sideline: Sunny from early afternoon to sunset
• Goal Lines: Sun soaked behind the goal lines for most of the afternoon

Matches at Subaru Park typically begin in the evening, though there are occasional afternoon games. Summers in Philadelphia are known for being hot and muggy. Given that large sections of the stadium are exposed to the elements, it’s important for soccer fans to be aware of where they can find shade during the game.

Subaru Park Orientation to the Sun

The stadium’s slightly off-axis north-to-south orientation means the sun is almost directly above the south goal line in the 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM hour. Over the course of the afternoon the sun descends behind the west side of the stadium. It eventually sets near the north goal line.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on July 1st.

See an interactive seating chart for the next event at Subaru Park

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Afternoon Subaru Park Matches

Subaru Park, a rectangular-shaped stadium, features seating on all four sides of the pitch. Roofs cover the east and west sidelines, while seats behind the goal lines are exposed to the sun and elements.

For 1:00 PM matches, shade can be found under the roof on both sidelines at kickoff. However, if you wish to remain shaded throughout the match, a seat on the west side of the stadium is recommended. Sections 103-111 are the best choices for shade, with seats farther back receiving shade earliest in the day. Seats closer to the pitch may be sunny for a portion of the game.

The sunniest sections are behind the goal lines, especially in sections 114-120 and 134-140. These seats lack roofing or protection from the sun and will remain sunny for most of the early game. As the afternoon progresses, shade will gradually extend from west to east; for example, section 114 will be shaded first, followed by section 115, then 116, and so on.

By mid-afternoon seats on the west sideline (left) are in the shade, while seats on the east sideline (right) are in the sun.
Credit: Something Original (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening Subaru Park Matches

By early evening, the entire west side of the stadium and the seats behind the goal lines will be shaded. The east side sections will start the match in the sun and won’t receive shade until sunset. Notably, sitting under the roof on the east side does not guarantee protection from the sun’s glare. Fans, particularly in the upper rows of sections 121-133, may experience significant glare until sunset.

Ready to get your Union tickets?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Subaru Park.