An evening with the Madison Night Mares is anything but scary. The capital city's Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League team brings a combination of athleticism and entertainment to Warner Park all summer long.
Catching a Night Mares game means seeing some of the brightest future softball stars before they hit the big leagues. Players in this league often go on to play professionally, and even at the Olympics, which means you can tell all your friends you saw them play "before they went to the world stage."
Gamedays make for the ultimate family-friendly activity in Madison, WI. Not only are the games a blast for all ages, but the female-led team is committed to supporting young women in sports and empowering all women and girls to feel confident and pursue their dreams. The Night Mares are furthering our city's mission to be a destination for women's sports.
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Already have your mitt in your hand and Cracker Jacks packed in your bag? Find the full Night Mares schedule and buy tickets here.
Pre-game info
Where do the Night Mares play?
The Night Mares play at the Duck Pond at Warner Park, where a variety of local baseball teams have played since the 1980s. The field is now home to the Night Mares and their brother team, the Madison Mallards.
How can I get to gameday?
Warner Park has ample, free parking available all day on gameday, and tailgating is allowed. The park also offers bike parking—more than 100 spaces!—and has a BCycle electric bike rental station just outside the front gate.
If you're looking for public transportation, Warner Park is serviced by Madison Metro's bus routes B, D2 and L.
How soon can I get into the park?
The park opens one hour before the first pitch and we recommend soaking up some of that pre-game fun. Family-friendly activities are scattered around the park, and the Night Mares have amped up the Kid Zone, offering more slides and inflatables with a playground, sandbox and bounce house to keep the little ones active. Get in early and you might even get to meet—and pet—the Night Mares' mascot: Midnight, the miniature horse.
Rotating booths are set up around the park offering games, information, community resources and even fun freebie items.
During the game
What can I expect from the gameday experience?
Lively. Entertaining. Welcoming. Being at a Night Mares game goes far beyond softball. The team and its fans make every moment count with live entertainment like inflatable pony races and dizzy bat challenges between innings, jumbo screen games, giveaways, music and more.
The Night Mares host a series of family-friendly theme nights throughout the season, adding a little extra fun to the mix. This year’s themes will include Early 2000’s Night, Bark in the Park, K-pop Night and Pride Night. And, don't forget to check the promotional schedule for giveaways like bobbleheads, commemorative horseshoes, team tumblers and more.
What section should I sit in?
There’s a variety of sections in the ballpark that will appeal to a wide range of spectators, from families to groups of friends. The Busch Light Duck Blind is found near right field and serves all-you-can-eat food and drinks on select nights.
You’ll want to sit in sections 101-109 for those classic ballpark moments—with the added benefit of being under the one-year-long art installation "Light Wings," situated in the grandstand seating area. This is the spot for finding shade, since the installation is an expansive 20,000 square feet of small fabric strips, all coming together to cover 80% of the main seating area.
What food and drinks do they serve at the park?
It's not gameday until you've had a ballpark snack, or two ... or three. Expect all the classics like hot dogs, burgers and chips. And like any good Wisconsin event, you're going to find cheese curds on the menu. For dessert, don't skip the fan-favorite soft serve ice cream served in a tiny baseball hat.
While the games are always family-friendly, there's no shortage of beverages for the "big kids"—the 21 and older big kids, to be exact. The lineup of drafts on tap is impressive, with more than a dozen options to choose from ranging from classic lights to heartier, more complex beers from local breweries. Wine and seltzers are also available.
What kind of merch do they offer?
The Night Mares know how to rep their team in style. The pro shop is full of dozens upon dozens of merch items like shirts, hats, jerseys, plush ponies, softballs, stickers and more. Follow the team's Instagram account for all the latest news on limited edition merch.
After the game
What should we do after the game with the family?
Check the schedule for after-game activities like fireworks displays or drone shows. Once you leave, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do near the Duck Pond, including:
- Exploring the outdoors at Warner Park.
- Enjoying an event at Garver Feed Mill.
- Spotting beautiful blooms at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
- Touring around downtown Madison.
- Taking a ride around town on a BCycle—there’s a station right at Warner Park.
Please note that not all activities may be open or available following night games.
We went to an early game. Where can we go for dinner later?
There's a mix of great restaurants near the Duck Pond, including:
- Banzo
- Beef Butter BBQ
- Bear and Bottle
- Dreamy Teazy
- It's Good for You Pizza
- La Taguara
- Lola's Hi/Lo Lounge
- Northside Lounge
- Tip Top Tavern
- Zippy Lube
