The Nationals' home opener is today— and there's plenty to show up for: new leadership and a young team on the rise, plus a ballpark experience that's getting better, faster and more fun.

Why it matters: Nats Park is still about the game, but the team is going bigger on the experience.

State of play: The Nats open at home against the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers (1:05pm) with full pageantry: Budweiser Clydesdales, a military flyover and more.

• Gates open at 11am, with family-friendly activities around the park.

What's fun and new

⚡ Getting in (and around) is faster

Some of the biggest upgrades this season are about convenience:

• Expanded Go-Ahead Entry lets fans walk into the stadium hands-free using facial recognition.
• The new Nationals Wallet speeds up paying for food, merch and tickets in one place.
• Grab-and-go marketplaces (including new frictionless locations) cut down concession lines.

😋 New eats

Over 40 local food and drink vendors fill the park. Newcomers this season:

• Coneacopia (Section 136) - Gourmet waffle cones and soft serve.
• Don Churro (Sections 113, 308) - Sweet fritters with dunking sauces.
• Eatopian Eats (Section 136) - Vegan and vegetarian Ethiopian food.
• Fuzzies Burgers (Section 105) - Dry-aged smash burgers out of B'more.
• Stuggy's Gourmet Hot Dogs (Section 105) - Dogs with fun toppings like crab mac.

👨‍👩‍👧 A bigger focus on families

The ballpark is always kid-friendly, but the Nats are going the extra inning.

• The Kids Zone is expanding with picnic tables, turf space and lawn games.
• On Sundays, kids can run the bases (starting April 19) and get autographs and giveaways.

Cheap beer, discount tickets and giveaways!

Navy Yard is in full party mode today.

State of play: Cheap drinks, food specials, DJs and giveaways are everywhere — no ticket required.

🎸The Bullpen: The outdoor party hub by Center Field Gate starts at 10am with live bands before and after the game.

• $7 drinks from the 3rd–7th inning (every home game).

🌮 Cantina El Rey: Back for the season with "$7 at Seven" — $7 frozen cocktails and nachos after the 7th inning.

• Also: Strong 3–6pm happy hour (think $3 beers right at 3).

🍔 Dacha Beer Garden: Head over for a $15 game-day combo: burger, beer and fries.

• A group-friendly splurge: a $75 mini keg (10 pints).

🥂 Mission Navy Yard: $27.99 bottomless brunch (2-hour limit) today, by Center Field Gate.

• DJs and multiple bars keep the party going postgame.

🦪 The Salt Line: Happy hour starts at 11am at the seafood spot behind Home Plate Gate.

• Also: DJs (3–7pm) and drink specials ($9 Micheladas, $12 crushes).

🍻 Suzie Q's: Opens at noon. Look out for $1 beer vouchers at the stadium — and Easter eggs hidden around Navy Yard with free drinks and merch.

More deals!

President Trump's ballroom project won design approval yesterday, even though an ongoing legal case has halted construction on the site.

Why it matters: The National Capital Planning Commission's sign-off won't restart construction, but it clears a final procedural hurdle for Trump's fast-tracked, $400 million plans for transforming the White House.

State of play: The commission, stacked with Trump loyalists, approved the project after a barrage of criticisms.

• Commissioners applauded architect Shalom Baranes, defending the design from critiques that it would overwhelm the existing White House. Last-minute tweaks dialed down outdoor staircases, "reducing the footprint of the ballroom," NCPC chair Will Scharf said at the meeting.
• Scharf, a top White House official, said that he believes the ballroom in time will be "every bit as much of a national treasure" as the rest of the White House.

Friction point: Phil Mendelson, a member of the commission through his position as D.C. Council chair, was the only no vote. He blasted the ballroom's height, which would rise roughly as tall as the White House.

• "It's just too large," Mendelson said, slamming a "rushed process."

Catch up fast: On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said that Trump is not the "owner" of the White House, and that construction "must stop until Congress authorizes its completion."

• The ruling came after the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit late last year.

Between the lines: Trump added a dose of intrigue when he revealed earlier this week the military is building a bunker under the future ballroom — "a massive complex."

• "The subterranean programmatic needs are serious and unmovable," said Scharf, and related to "national security" — adding that Franklin D. Roosevelt built an emergency bunker under the East Wing.

What to watch

🚗 MoCo's new speed cameras are here — and they look like "deformed Cybertrucks," per Reddit. The colossal cameras are bullet-proof, have built-in fire extinguishers and alarms, and clock speeders going 12+ mph over the limit. (WTOP)

⚽ DC United's proposed Baltimore soccer stadium hit a setback after Maryland lawmakers declined to include $216 million in state funding. Project backers say discussions are ongoing. (WTOP)

🍹Pam Bondi is out as Attorney General, so of course, "Pam Gondi"-style cocktails are in as D.C. says buh-bye in the best way we know how.

The current Nationals franchise turns 21 this season — and yes, they're ready to party.

Flashback: April 14, 2005 — a home opener that hit differently. After 34 years, MLB was back in D.C. as the former Montreal Expos made their debut at RFK.

• President George W. Bush delivered the ceremonial first pitch.
• Final score: Nats 5, D-backs 3
• Nats Park? It didn't get called up until 2008.

🎉 Fast forward: The team celebrates this Saturday with a stadium-wide 21st birthday bash as they take on the Dodgers (4:05pm).

• Join them for giveaways, live music, free cupcakes, a Budweiser Clydesdale photo-op, and of course, a beer toast.