Phillies 2017 theme nights include ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ Charlie Brown

The Phillies are expected to take a step forward on the field in 2017, perhaps knocking on the door of contention with an ambitious and talented young club.

With an improved product on the field, the Phillies are also giving fans a bevy of other reasons (including an incredible variety of gourmet food options) to visit the ballpark this spring and summer.

Theme nights

The Phillies are holding special events at the stadium during games for fans who purchase a theme night ticket. On July 3 against the Pirates, the team will hold Game of Thrones Night at what they are calling Castle Citizens Bank for an “epic night.” Two nights later the team will celebrate the 50th anniversary of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” with a Phillies-Charlie Brown bobblehead. And on Star Trek Night — later in the season on Sept. 26 against the Nationals, the team will offer a Phillies Captain Picard bobblehead.

Giveaways

Highlights include: Nemours Opening Day Commemorative Knit Hat & Budweiser Block Party (April 7), McDonald’s Opening Night T-Shirt (April 8, fans 15 and older) and Cavity Busters Kids’ Opening Day Hooded Sweatshirt (April 9, children 14 and under). Plus, there are plenty of fun Phillie Phanatic giveaways for children, including the Citizens Bank Phanatic Birthday Cap (April 23), Community Energy Phanatic Solar Bobble Body (July 30) and the ShopRite Back-to-School Alarm Clock (Aug. 27).

Tech

Fans will be able toask astadium AIbot a simple question through an app and it will engage in conversation to inform them of the correct answer. Answers that the bot does not know will be handled in real-time conversation with a Phillies representative.In-stadium offers through iBeacon technology will continue for the 2017 season, and feature notifications with special offers for retail, concessions and more.

Food

In addition to the debut of Primo Hoagies and several new sandwich options throughout the ball park (The South Philly sharable Stak is amazing — boardwalk fries topped with roast pork, provolone, cherry pepper aioli and long hots), the team will offer self-ordering kiosks at zoom foods in section 126.