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Progressive Field, located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, is the home of the Guardians. The proximity to Lake Erie helps to cool down Cleveland in the summer but there are still plenty of hot and humid days with abundant sun. Guardians fans can use this guide along with the stadium seating chart to identify the best shaded seats at Progressive Field.
Where are the shaded seats at Progressive Field?
Generally, the seats in the shade at Progressive Field are located:
- Behind Home Plate: Shaded during afternoon and evening games
- 3rd Base Line: Receives shade in the late afternoon and evening
- 500-level: Shaded in seats covered by the roof
In the 2024 season, the Guardians typically play day games (1:10 p.m. or 1:40 p.m.), late afternoon games (3:10 p.m. or 4:10 p.m.), and evening games (6:10 p.m., 6:40 p.m. or 7:10 p.m.). For specific details about sections and shade at different start times, please continue reading.
Progressive Field Orientation to the Sun
Progressive Field is one of a handful of major league ballparks oriented to the north. Its asymmetrical design provides more seating along the 1st baseline and right field compared to the 3rd base line and left field. This configuration complicates the quest for shaded seats, as the ballpark’s orientation results in the 3rd base line being predominantly the “shade side,” while the 1st base line and outfield tend to be sunny.
The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on July 1st (halfway through the MLB season).
See an interactive seating chart for the next game at Progressive FieldWhere to Buy Tickets
MLB operates the official Box Office for the Guardians. SeatGeek is the official resale partner for all MLB teams, offering access to a broader variety of seats, including those owned by season ticket holders. The Box Office provides access to unsold seats at face value plus fees, while SeatGeek may offer occasional last-minute deals and discounts on lower-demand games.
Seats in Shade at Guardians Early Afternoon Games
At the start of a Guardians day game, the sun is directly above home plate, making shade sparse. The best chance to find sun protection outside of a luxury box is to sit as far back in any section as possible. Seats behind home plate in sections 152-155, 453-456, and 553-556 offer the best opportunity to avoid the sun—the farther from the field, the better. The 500 upper level might not provide the most desirable views of the ballgame, but it benefits from a generous roof that offers cover and shade.
As the game progresses, those seated along the 3rd base line will find the sun at their backs as it moves across the sky. Seats on this side of the park, especially closer to home plate, will be among the first to enjoy the shade.
Seats in Shade at Guardians Late Afternoon Games
For games starting at 3:10 p.m. or 4:10 p.m., shade seekers should opt for seats on the 3rd base line. By game time, the sun will have moved behind the 3rd base stands, shading everyone from home plate to the left field foul pole. Sections 156-174, 456-474, and 556-575 are all well-protected from the sun.
Conversely, shade seekers should avoid seats in right field, particularly sections 303-316 and 404-418, which are likely to remain sunlit throughout the entire game. Most seats along the 1st base line, including the 300-level club seats, will also be exposed to the sun during the afternoon. Unless your seat is in the last rows of a section and directly beneath an overhang, finding shade will be challenging on this side of Progressive Field.
By mid afternoon, seats on the 3rd base line are shaded, while seats on the 1st base line and outfield are in the sun.
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire
Seats in Shade at Guardians Evening Games
Cleveland is on the western edge of the Eastern Time Zone, meaning that during summer, the sun doesn’t set until at least 8:30 p.m., sometimes not until after 9:00 p.m. With Guardians games starting relatively early and concluding quicker due to MLB’s new pace-of-play rules, fans attending evening games should consider the sun’s position, as a significant portion of the game could occur before sunset.
By 6:10 p.m., seats on the 3rd base side of Progressive Field are already shaded at first pitch. Seats in the left field bleachers may begin the game in sunlight but will transition to shade as the evening progresses. The sunniest seats are deep along the 1st base line and behind the right field wall. Fans in these sections will deal with the sun in their eyes until it sets.
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