On a Friday night in June, with post-game fireworks on the schedule and the Highway 17 Bypass already stacking up by 5:30 PM, Pelicans Ballpark (1251 21st Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577) is where half of the Grand Strand wants to be — and where the other half is sitting in traffic trying to get there. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans play 66 home games across the 2026 season, April 14 through September 6, in a 6,599-capacity stadium that just came out of a $20 million renovation. Every one of those summer Friday and Sunday fireworks nights drops right into the same corridor that moves 20 million annual visitors up and down a 60-mile stretch of South Carolina coast.
One charter bus or party bus changes the whole equation — everyone leaves from the same spot, arrives at the same gate, and gets picked up when the last firework fades. No group chat chaos, no $10 parking fee multiplied by eight separate cars, no scrambling for rideshares on 21st Ave North after midnight.
Whether you're putting together a 22-person birthday outing, a company summer event, a bachelor weekend that pairs the beach with a ball game, or a school trip to watch the Cubs' Single-A affiliate, the first-timer questions are the same: where does the bus drop, where does it stage during the game, what nights fill the lot fastest, and how early does your group need to be moving? The answers follow — built from the Pelicans' own published policies and verified 2026 season details. Call 854-233-7065 any time for a free quote on Myrtle Beach sporting event transportation, or use the quick online form for pricing in under 30 seconds.
Why Rent a Party Bus or Charter Bus to Pelicans Ballpark?
The parking situation at Pelicans Ballpark changed for 2026 in a way that makes the per-head bus math worth running immediately. Game-day parking is now $10 per car — a new fee tied to the stadium's $20 million renovation project, per the team's official announcement. A group of 30 people coming in 8 vehicles pays $80 in parking before anyone buys a concession.
Multiply that across a full summer of Pelicans visits, or factor it into one big group outing, and the cost of coordinating your own cars climbs faster than the Bypass does after 5:00 PM.
Then there's what happens on the road. The Grand Strand runs 60 miles from Little River to Pawleys Island, and on a summer Friday evening, both Highway 17 and US-501 — the two main corridors into Myrtle Beach — slow to a crawl. The US-501 stretch between Conway and Myrtle Beach is one of South Carolina's most consistently congested summer roads, particularly between 4:00 and 7:00 PM on weekdays.
Highway 17 Bypass has seen enough development over the years that it's lost much of its shortcut value on peak-season evenings. Those back-ups are the exact problem for a group trying to hit a 7:05 PM first pitch. A charter bus navigates all of it once, on a firm departure schedule — rather than 10 separate cars making 10 separate decisions about when to leave.
And if public transit was in the backup plan: the Coast RTA's seasonal Entertainment Shuttle, which historically covered the Broadway at the Beach area on summer evenings, was discontinued as of June 2026, with that service folded into Coast RTA's expanded fixed-route system. Coast RTA Route 10 does serve Broadway at the Beach — 0.4 miles from the ballpark gate — but only until 8:00 PM. There is no public bus running home after a 7:05 PM game, and none after fireworks.
For any evening game at Pelicans Ballpark in 2026, a private party bus or charter bus rental is the only option that handles both directions reliably.
The parking math for a group of 30 people coming in 8 cars: $80 in parking fees, no designated return transportation, and nobody on the same rideshare queue at the end of the night. One bus covers everyone for a single predictable rate — and the parking fee drops to zero.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Parking and Drop-Off at Pelicans Ballpark
This is the one detail that shapes your entire game-day logistics plan. The Pelicans' official directions and parking page states it clearly: all general parking — including handicap permits and season ticket member passes — must enter off of Robert M. Grissom Parkway. The 21st Avenue North entrance is reserved exclusively for suite holders and media.
A charter bus or party bus accessing the ballpark follows the same Grissom Parkway approach as all general vehicles, with the bus staging in the elongated lot behind the stadium during the game. Confirm your group's specific drop-off positioning with the Pelicans group experience team at (843) 918-6000 when you book group tickets — the team's coordinators can advise on where the bus should position for loading and unloading near the main concourse.
The parking lot opens two hours before first pitch, gates open one hour out. For a standard 7:05 PM game, that's lots opening at 5:05 PM and gates at 6:05 PM. On the biggest nights — Pete Crow-Armstrong Bobblehead Night on September 5 (first 1,000 fans), Red, White & Blue Weekend July 3–5, and any Friday fireworks night in July — the Grissom Parkway lot fills early.
When it does, overflow fans walk to the Broadway at the Beach lots directly across 21st Avenue; the guide to that neighboring destination covers Broadway at the Beach group transportation. A bus staged in the main lot skips the overflow walk entirely.
Rideshare Pickup vs. a Staged Charter Bus After the Game
The Pelicans designate 21st Avenue North as the rideshare pickup zone after games. On a Tuesday in April with 3,000 fans, that's a manageable inconvenience. On a July Friday fireworks night with 6,000 fans exiting at once — Pelicans Ballpark's full capacity — the rideshare demand at 21st Ave North spikes, wait times stretch, and surge pricing hits on the same night your group is trying to get back to a North Myrtle Beach hotel.
A charter bus or party bus has none of that problem: it's staged in the Grissom Parkway lot during the game, your group sets a specific pickup window before the first inning, and the bus is right there when you exit. No surge, no 30-minute wait, no splitting 28 people across six separate rideshare confirmations.
Getting to Pelicans Ballpark: Every Option Side by Side
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off point | After-game pickup | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Grissom Pkwy lot, near main concourse | Staged nearby — ready when you exit, no surge | 15–56 |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge on fireworks nights | No — multiple cars, staggered ETAs | 21st Ave N (rideshare zone) | 21st Ave N wait zone — surge and wait times on fireworks nights | 1–4 per car |
| Personal cars | $10 parking per car + gas | Only if the whole group carpools | Grissom Pkwy lot — $10/vehicle | Walk to car, wait in exit traffic on Grissom | 1–5 per car |
| Coast RTA Route 10 | Fixed transit fare; Broadway at the Beach stop, 0.4 mi walk to gate | No — public route | 0.4-mile walk from Broadway stop to gate | Route ends at 8:00 PM — no service after evening games or fireworks | Not practical for evening games |
For a couple at a nearby hotel who's already parked on 21st Ave North, the $10 parking fee and a short walk aren't a dealbreaker. That's not the situation this guide is written for. The moment your party climbs past two or three cars' worth of people — coordinating departures, handling different hotel pickup locations, finding each other on 21st Ave North after midnight — the single bus is both simpler and often cheaper per head once the parking and post-game transport are factored in.
What Size Bus Does Your Group Need for a Pelicans Ballpark Trip?
The Pelicans offer group experiences starting at 15 people — contact the group team at (843) 918-6000 to coordinate seating blocks and food voucher packages. Groups of 75 or more can book the Beach Rental, sand seating down the third-base line directly next to the visitors bullpen, with an all-you-can-eat buffet starting at $38.70 per person. The new Diamond at Pelicans Ballpark — a 9,380-square-foot event space accommodating up to 625 people, completed as part of the 2026 renovation — opens the door for corporate groups pairing a private event with the game.
Whatever the occasion, the full vehicle lineup maps to your headcount.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Luggage/gear | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van | Up to 14 | Modest — bags, beach gear | Small groups, VIP or executive outings | Climate control, premium leather, USB at every seat |
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Modest | Small celebration groups, VIP arrivals | Tinted windows, individual climate, premium leather |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Lighter, onboard | Birthday groups, bachelor/bachelorette, celebration nights | Color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Overhead bins, some underfloor | Corporate outings, family groups, school trips | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, overhead storage |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Excellent — deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, corporate shuttles, The Diamond event tie-ins | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, onboard restroom, Wi-Fi, undercarriage bays |
For summer game nights — 36 of the Pelicans' 66 home games fall in June, July, and August, the heart of Grand Strand peak season — the practical argument for a minibus is climate control as much as logistics. Pelicans Ballpark is an open-air venue, and Myrtle Beach July afternoons routinely push past 95 degrees. A climate-controlled bus makes the pregame ride noticeably more comfortable than sitting on the Bypass with the AC competing against the sun.
For groups of 40 or more — a company outing to The Diamond, a large fan group making a weekend of it — a full-size charter bus adds deep undercarriage bays for beach chairs, a cooler, or anything the group brought along for the day before the game. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the Partybusmyrtlebeach.org network; just note the need when you request a quote.
Myrtle Beach Party Bus Rental Prices for a Pelicans Ballpark Run
Partybusmyrtlebeach.org shows pricing in under 30 seconds online — no account, no obligation. What shapes the number in a Pelicans game quote:
- Vehicle type and size — a 56-passenger charter bus and a 20-passenger party bus are materially different rates, and the right vehicle depends on headcount and whether you're hauling gear.
- Total hours — the bus is reserved as a block of time, from pickup through the post-game staging window. Build in enough runway for the game itself plus post-fireworks pickup on nights when the exit takes longer.
- Date and demand — a Thirsty Thursday in April prices differently than a Friday fireworks night in July or a giveaway night in late August.
- Your pickup location — a downtown Myrtle Beach hotel pickup is a shorter run than coming from North Myrtle Beach or Surfside Beach, and that difference shows in the quote.
To give you an idea of planning ranges: a minibus for a weekend game runs roughly $200–$275 per hour; a full charter bus falls in the $200–$350 per hour range on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus on a Friday or Saturday night runs approximately $275–$375 per hour. These are planning ranges, not a quote — real pricing moves with the specific date, available vehicles, and total hours. To give you a concrete idea of how the math works: a group of 25 books a 25-passenger party bus for a Friday fireworks night in July.
Pickup at 6:00 PM from a North Myrtle Beach hotel, at Grissom Parkway by 6:45 PM, post-game pickup at 10:30 PM after fireworks wrap up — a 4.5-hour rental in the $1,238–$1,688 range total, or roughly $50–$68 per person. Five separate cars parking at $10 apiece would have cost $50, added post-game surge rideshares for anyone without a car, and left the whole group solving its own way home after midnight. The per-head cost of one bus is competitive with that math and removes every coordination headache in one step.
See the Myrtle Beach party bus prices page for the full breakdown by vehicle type, or call 854-233-7065 any time for a quote built around your specific date and headcount.
Getting to Pelicans Ballpark: Routes, Traffic, and Summer Timing
Pelicans Ballpark sits at the intersection of 21st Avenue North and Robert M. Grissom Parkway — easy to reach off-season, genuinely tricky in mid-July with summer traffic stacking up on both main corridors. The three approaches the Pelicans' own directions confirm:
- From the west via US-501: East on Highway 501 → left on Grissom Parkway → parking lot on the left. US-501 is the direct beach route from Conway and inland Horry County, and one of South Carolina's most consistently congested summer stretches — particularly between 4:00 and 7:00 PM on weekdays. That window covers every weeknight game's pre-game traffic.
- From the north via Highway 17 Bypass: South on Highway 17 Bypass → veer right onto Grissom Parkway → lot on the right. This is the standard approach from North Myrtle Beach resort hotels — the Bypass was built to relieve Business 17, but summer development has loaded it with enough stoplights and turning delays to slow it considerably on Friday evenings.
- From the south via Highway 17 Bypass: North on Highway 17 Bypass past Highway 501 → right on 10th Avenue North → left on Grissom Parkway → lot on the left. Groups coming up from Surfside Beach or Murrells Inlet use this approach.
SC-31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) offers a largely signal-free alternative for groups starting from the western Myrtle Beach suburbs or the Conway area — it connects to Highway 17 Bypass without the US-501 bottleneck and runs at 65 mph for most of its length. A bus handles these routing decisions without anyone in the group pulling up a traffic app.
| From… | Approx. distance | Off-peak drive time | Summer game-night note |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Myrtle Beach resort hotels | ~15–20 miles | 20–30 min | Hwy 17 Bypass South adds 20+ min on summer Fridays |
| Downtown Myrtle Beach / Ocean Blvd hotels | ~1–2 miles | 5–10 min | Short run, but the Grissom lot fills fast on fireworks nights — arrive early |
| Surfside Beach / Murrells Inlet | ~12–18 miles | 20–30 min | 17 Bypass North can back up south of 501 on peak evenings |
| Conway / US-501 corridor | ~15–20 miles | 25–35 min | US-501 peaks between 4–7 PM — budget extra time on weeknight games |
| Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) | ~4 miles | 10–15 min | Short straight run; see the MYR airport shuttle guide for airport-to-ballpark planning |
The 2026 Pelicans Season: Big Nights and When to Book a Bus
The 2026 Myrtle Beach Pelicans season runs April 14 through September 6, with 66 home games spread across 23 series. Thirty-six of those games fall in June, July, and August — when Grand Strand tourism peaks, hotel rates are highest, and available charter bus and party bus inventory in the Myrtle Beach area gets thinner as more groups are booking the same weekends. Per the 2026 promotional schedule, the nights that draw the biggest crowds and the most transportation demand:
- Fireworks Fridays (every Friday, April through September 6): Twenty post-game fireworks nights are on the 2026 calendar. Friday games also feature a $25 family meal deal. These are the highest-demand nights for group bus transportation — book at least 4–6 weeks out for summer Fridays, sooner for late June and July when event competition is at its peak.
- Summer Sunday Fireworks (June 14 – September 6): Every Sunday game in the second half of the season includes a post-game fireworks show, with kids 12 and under invited to run the bases afterward. Sunday games combined with fireworks and family-themed promotions consistently draw near-capacity crowds.
- Red, White & Blue Weekend (July 3–5): Patriotic festivities and fireworks across the July 4 holiday weekend — a three-game stretch, full lots, peak-season rideshare demand, and zero slack in the Highway 17 Bypass. This is the single busiest transportation weekend of the Pelicans' season. If your group is coming for any July 4 game, book bus service months in advance.
- Ben Zobrist Night (July 11): 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series Champion Ben Zobrist makes an appearance at the ballpark — a natural draw for Cubs fans visiting the beach, and a game that will move tickets early.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong Bobblehead Giveaway (September 5): First 1,000 fans through the gates. Giveaway nights push earlier arrivals — groups aiming for the giveaway should be in the Grissom Parkway lot by 5:15 PM, not 5:55 PM.
- Thirsty Thursdays (every Thursday home game): Half-price beer — cans and drafts, domestic and premium — all game long. The best-value recurring night on the Pelicans' schedule, and consistently the most popular night cited by groups booking transportation.
- SC250 Wednesdays: $2.50 Hebrew National hot dogs all game long, with $1.50 cans of Budweiser. A low-cost, high-energy mid-week option for groups that want the full ballpark experience without a premium weekend rate.
For any group booking during late June, keep the Carolina Country Music Fest in mind — held each June, it pulls significant crowds into the Myrtle Beach area during the same window when Pelicans home games are running five nights a week. Charter bus and party bus inventory tightens in that window faster than at almost any other point in the season. Locking in bus service early is the practical move for any June or July weekend.
Know Before You Go: Group Tips at Pelicans Ballpark in 2026
- The venue is cashless. Debit and credit cards are the standard payment method throughout the ballpark. Guests who prefer cash can exchange it for Bird Bucks at the box office. Per the official Know Before You Go page, a limited number of box office windows also accept cash directly.
- No outside food or beverages. Bottles, cans, food, and drinks brought from outside are not permitted. The Clark & Addison Grille inside the park serves Chicago-themed items and locally made crab cakes — there's enough inside to handle the group without supplementing.
- Bags are inspected at entry — no clear-bag requirement. All bags, including diaper bags and strollers, are checked before entry. Sensory accommodation bags are available to borrow from guest services and must be returned before leaving.
- Lots open two hours before first pitch; gates open one hour out. For a 7:05 PM game, the lot opens at 5:05 PM and gates at 6:05 PM. Groups targeting the giveaway threshold on high-demand nights should aim to be in the lot by 5:15 PM at the latest.
- Smoking is restricted to specific areas. Designated smoking zones are at Gate 3 and outside Gate 1. Vapor and e-cigarettes fall under the same policy.
- Groups of 15 or more: Contact the Pelicans group experience team to coordinate seating blocks and pre-purchased food voucher packages before game day. Groups of 75 or more can book the Beach Rental — sand seating in left field next to the visitors bullpen, all-you-can-eat buffet included — starting at $38.70 per person.
- New for 2026 — The Diamond at Pelicans Ballpark: A 9,380-square-foot multipurpose event space for up to 625 people, available for private events, corporate functions, and group experiences. Corporate groups combining a Diamond event with a Pelicans game are a natural fit for a full charter bus shuttle from a downtown hotel or convention center.
- ADA-accessible seating is located near Section 103 on the main concourse. ADA-accessible parking is complimentary and uses the Grissom Parkway entrance with all other general parking. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the Partybusmyrtlebeach.org network — note any accessibility needs when requesting a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charter Bus Rentals to Pelicans Ballpark
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Pelicans Ballpark?
All general vehicle access at Pelicans Ballpark — including group transportation — uses the Robert M. Grissom Parkway entrance to the parking lot. The 21st Avenue North entrance is reserved exclusively for suite holders and media. A charter bus enters from Grissom Parkway, drops the group near the main concourse, then stages in the lot during the game.
For the exact positioning that works best for your group's size and the specific game date, the Pelicans group experience team can advise when you coordinate group tickets.
How much is parking at Pelicans Ballpark in 2026?
Game-day parking is $10 per car, starting with the 2026 season — a new fee tied to the stadium's $20 million renovation. Parking is free for Myrtle Beach residents displaying the city decal and for season ticket members with packages of 22 or more games. Accessible parking is also complimentary.
Passes can be purchased in advance or on arrival with cash or card. All general parking must enter via Grissom Parkway — the 21st Avenue North entrance is not open to general vehicles.
What's the bag policy at Pelicans Ballpark?
There is no clear-bag requirement at Pelicans Ballpark. All bags are inspected at entry, including diaper bags and strollers. Outside food and beverages are not permitted through the gates.
The current full policy is on the official Know Before You Go page — worth checking before your game for any updates.
What time does the parking lot open?
The Grissom Parkway lot opens two hours before first pitch; gates open one hour out. For a 7:05 PM game, that's lot open at 5:05 PM and gates at 6:05 PM. On giveaway nights and the July 4 weekend, the lot fills noticeably earlier than average.
Arriving at lot-open rather than 45 minutes before first pitch makes a real difference on those nights.
Where does rideshare pick up after a Pelicans game?
Designated rideshare pickup is on 21st Avenue North. On a Friday fireworks night in July, with thousands of fans exiting at once, that zone sees high demand and post-game surge pricing. A charter bus staged in the Grissom Parkway lot sidesteps the rideshare queue entirely — you agree on a pickup window before the game, and the bus is right there when your group walks out.
Is there public bus service to Pelicans Ballpark in 2026?
The Coast RTA's seasonal Entertainment Shuttle, which previously served the Broadway at the Beach area (0.4 miles from the ballpark), was discontinued as of June 2026, with that service folded into Coast RTA's expanded fixed-route system. Coast RTA Route 10 serves Broadway at the Beach on a regular schedule but only until 8:00 PM — making it unusable for any evening game. For current route information and any schedule updates, check the Coast RTA routes page.
How far is Pelicans Ballpark from North Myrtle Beach hotels?
North Myrtle Beach resort hotels sit roughly 15 to 20 miles from Pelicans Ballpark via Highway 17 Bypass South to Grissom Parkway. Off-peak, that's a 20–30 minute drive. On a summer Friday evening heading south on the 17 Bypass, add 15–25 minutes for traffic — a group departing at 6:00 PM for a 7:05 PM first pitch is cutting it close.
A bus leaves on a firm schedule and handles the routing without anyone watching a navigation app.
Can the bus stage at Pelicans Ballpark during the game?
Yes — a charter bus or party bus is reserved as a block of hours, so it stages in the Grissom Parkway lot during the game and is ready when your group exits. Set the post-game pickup window in advance — on fireworks nights, factor in 20–30 extra minutes for the exit to clear before the bus can move. Building that buffer into the total rental block when you request a quote is the practical move.
How far in advance should I book a bus for a Pelicans game?
For a regular-season Tuesday or Wednesday in April or May, two to three weeks is workable. For a Friday fireworks night in July, Red, White & Blue Weekend July 3–5, or any game in late June when Carolina Country Music Fest brings additional groups into the area — book four to eight weeks out at minimum. The Myrtle Beach vehicle supply tightens faster than most groups expect when a major Grand Strand event and a peak-season Pelicans game overlap.
The earlier you call 854-233-7065, the better the vehicle selection.
What types of groups book transportation to Pelicans Ballpark?
The most common requests the Partybusmyrtlebeach.org network sees for Pelicans games: corporate summer outings (especially groups combining a Diamond event with the game), birthday and milestone celebration groups who want the party to start on the ride over, school trips to watch the Cubs' Single-A affiliate, bachelor and bachelorette weekends that pair a beach day with a night game, and fan groups visiting from outside Myrtle Beach who want to skip the rental car and let the bus handle the whole day. The Myrtle Beach group transportation services page covers multi-stop itineraries for groups adding a Pelicans game to a longer Grand Strand weekend.
Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Pelicans Ballpark Today
A Pelicans game is one of the easier evenings the Grand Strand offers — minor-league baseball, a cool breeze off the coast, fireworks on a Friday night, and a renovated ballpark with a new video board and upgraded seats. The commute shouldn't be the hard part. But on a July Friday evening, with 6,000 fans trying to reach a 7,000-space ballpark via a two-lane approach off the 17 Bypass, the commute absolutely can be the hard part if your group is managing it across eight separate cars.
Partybusmyrtlebeach.org connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Myrtle Beach and the surrounding Grand Strand — party buses, charter buses, minibuses, Sprinter vans, and Sprinter limos, with free quotes any time, any day, in under 30 seconds online. No account needed. No obligation.
Call 854-233-7065 or use the online form to get pricing for your group right now — and if you're planning the rest of a Grand Strand weekend around the game, the quote can cover the full itinerary, not just the ballpark run.
