The Dodgers open their preseason with a game against the Houston Astros on March 2. It will be the first of a 13-game home schedule, in which the Dodgers will also host the St. Louis Cardinals on March 5, Atlanta Braves on March 13, and New York Mets on March 28. Trevor Goobi, director of group ticket sales, said that games with the Cardinals, Braves and Mets were sold out last year and are expected to be sold out again this year. The stadium can seat 6,474 spectators, but about 3,000 more can be accommodated on the sidelines and berms. Tickets are selling fast, but Goobi would not say how many were sold so far.
Night games are also a big draw.
This year, the night games are against the Florida Marlins on March 15 and the New York Mets on March 23. The improvements will help the Dodgers turn Vero Beach into the base of its minor-league operations. The Dodgers now plan to bring an instructional league, a Gulf Coast League team, a June rookie camp and a rehabilitation center to Vero Beach as soon as the improvements are completed. In addition, it ensured that the Dodgers, who came to Vero Beach in 1948, would stay for at least the next 20 years. Donadio, the current president of the Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce, said there was a concern the Dodgers would leave the area.