Chicago Baseball Stadiums Allowed to Reopen
Yesterday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that Wrigley Field and Guaranteed Rate Field are permitted to reopen at reduced capacity for the 2021 season. Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox fans can cheer on their teams at 20% capacity starting on their respective opening days. Both North and Southside teams will have the opportunity to increase capacity depending on future City and State approvals.
The Cubs’ opening day is April 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In a press release, the Cubs announced that season ticket holders have priority access to the Friendly Confines for the 2021 season. However, nonseason ticket holders can still score a ticket through the “Return to Wrigley Presale Access Program.” This program set to launch soon will allow fans to enter into a lottery to secure tickets for the regular season. Wrigley rooftops are also set to reopen and as long as they operate under the latest guidelines for bars and restaurants in Chicago.
Wrigley Field’s normal capacity is 41,374 fans. Therefore, with 20% capacity, 8,274 fans per game will be allowed in each of the 81 home games this season. Last year, the Cubs successfully finished their entire season without a single Cubs player testing positive COVID-19.
On Opening Day, the Cubs will give bleacher tickets to vaccinated health care workers from Advocate Aurora Health to honor and thank them for their continual heroic work and efforts during the pandemic. All other fans can enter the lottery for Opening Day tickets on March 19, and those selected can buy their tickets on March 23. Any remaining single-game tickets will go on sale on March 24.
According to the Cubs, tickets will be sold in a pod system of one to six people to ensure social distancing. Additionally, all fans over the age of two will be required to wear a mask in Wrigley Field at all times. All concessions and retail will utilize cashless payment, and all tickets will also be touchless as mobile tickets. The team has also said they will increase sanitation procedures at all games.
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