I’ve been to more games at Fenway Park than I could possibly count. I’ve been there for everything from iconic Red Sox playoff games to random Tuesday night outings. Heck, I’ve even seen college and NHL hockey games there. I know “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” and its wildly uncomfortable seats inside and out. And yet, I did not know something amazing about Fenway until McDonald’s told me. You’re allowed to bring in outside food. I know, that doesn’t sound like a thing that’s allowed. So to prove it, the fast food chain sent me to a Sox game so I could fulfill a dream I didn’t even know I could have: eating McNuggets at a ballpark.
McDonald’s, for obvious reasons, wants baseball fans to know they can bring their own food into most MLB stadiums. Yeah! So long as you stay within local venue guidelines, you can nosh on your favorite fare rather than shelling out for pricey arena items. The fast food behemoth would also, obviously, like you to stop by its locations before heading in. It’s making it easy to do exactly that in three cities today, July 22. In Boston, Seattle, and Chicago, it’s giving out its limited-edition, stadium-friendly McValue Pack bags. They’re clear so you can easily get through security checks.
Fans in those three lucky cities can stop by locations near their respective stadiums to pick up their McValue Packs (while supplies last). You can find the participating stores and the times below. McDonald’s will also make a limited number of bags available online at Golden Arches Unlimited, but those who go in person today will also head out with McValue staples like the McChicken, McDouble, and 4-Piece Chicken McNuggets.
I know. I know. This all sounds….not okay. But to prove this is allowed, McDonald’s invited me to find out for myself on Monday night. I went to Fenway with those three foods in my own little clear bag. No one at security or the ticket scanner batted an eye, let alone tried to stop me or confiscate my food. I even ate my McChicken right after getting inside to see what would happen. Nothing happened except me getting mayo on my hand. I then ate the rest of my McDonald’s at my seat while watching the game.
Once I realized McDonald’s was right and I could actually do this, it was a glorious night. Perfect weather and a late-game victory that extended the Sox’ incredible win streak to 14 games. And I got to see it while eating my favorite fast food, Chicken McNuggets.
Obviously it won’t be my last time doing that.
Where and when you can grab a McValue Pack on July 22:
- BOSTON
- 540 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
- Secure the Bag: 6:10 pm ET
- Game time: 7:10 pm ET
- CHICAGO
- 3610 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60613
- Secure the Bag: 6:10 pm CT
- Game time: 7:10 pm CT
- SEATTLE
- 2401 4th Ave South, Seattle, WA 98134
- Secure the Bag: 11:40 am PT
- Game time: 12:40 pm PT