San Diego Padres NLCS

Everything on the Padres’ path through the National League Championship Series — how the round works, when Petco Park hosts, postseason tickets, and every NLCS the Padres have played.

Current NLCS Picture

How the NLCS Works

The National League Championship Series is a best-of-7 series played in a 2-3-2 format. Home-field advantage goes to the team with the better regular-season record, regardless of whether that team won its division or entered the postseason as a Wild Card.

The team with home-field advantage hosts Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 if necessary. The other team hosts Games 3, 4, and 5. For the Padres, that means Petco Park would host Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 if San Diego has home-field advantage, or Games 3, 4, and 5 if it does not.

Will the Padres Play NLCS Games at Petco Park?

If the Padres reach the NLCS, they are guaranteed potential home dates at Petco Park. Which games are played in San Diego depends on the teams’ regular-season records and resulting home-field advantage.

If San Diego has the better record, Petco Park would host Games 1 and 2 and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7. If the opposing team has home-field advantage, the Padres would host Games 3, 4, and 5 instead.

Of course, a series can end before all seven games are played. A four-game sweep, for example, would mean only Games 1 through 4 take place.

NLCS Tickets

If the Padres advance to the NLCS, this section will be updated with the official schedule, potential Petco Park games, and available ticket information once the matchup is set.

For general information about postseason ticket sales, including Season Ticket Member priority and where to find available tickets, see the Padres Playoff Tickets guide.

Padres NLCS History

The Padres have reached the National League Championship Series three times in franchise history, advancing to the World Series twice.

1984 NLCS: Padres vs. Cubs

The Padres’ first NLCS appearance came in 1984 against the Chicago Cubs. At the time, the NLCS was a best-of-5 series. San Diego lost the first two games in Chicago, then won three straight to complete the comeback and reach its first World Series.

Steve Garvey delivered the defining moment in Game 4, hitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning at Jack Murphy Stadium. The Padres then won Game 5 in Chicago to take the series 3-2.

The 1984 NLCS took place before Petco Park existed. The Padres played their home games at Jack Murphy Stadium, which was later renamed Qualcomm Stadium.

1998 NLCS: Padres vs. Braves

Fourteen years later, the Padres returned to the NLCS and faced the Atlanta Braves. San Diego won the series 4-2 to advance to its second World Series.

The Padres’ home games were played at Qualcomm Stadium, the name used for the former Jack Murphy Stadium at the time.

2022 NLCS: Padres vs. Phillies

The Padres’ most recent NLCS appearance came in 2022 against the Philadelphia Phillies. San Diego had home-field advantage and hosted Games 1 and 2 at Petco Park, splitting the two games.

The Phillies won Game 1, 2-0, before the Padres answered with an 8-5 victory in Game 2. Philadelphia then won three straight games at Citizens Bank Park to take the series 4-1 and advance to the World Series.

The 2022 NLCS was the first and, so far, only time the Padres have played an NLCS at Petco Park.

Related Padres Playoff Information

Follow the Padres’ complete postseason path:

• Padres Playoff Tickets & Postseason at Petco Park
• Padres Wild Card Series
• Padres NLDS
• Padres in the World Series