PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Phillies fans, rejoice. It is finally Opening Day in South Philadelphia. Baseball is back, and the ballpark is going to be rocking later on Thursday afternoon when the Phillies hit the field.
What’s new?
Citizens Bank Park has a newly renovated New Era team store in Section 134, which opens at 9 a.m.
The updated store features an expanded footprint with a redesigned main concourse entrance, as well as broader merchandise options. In addition to classics from New Era, Nike and Fanatics, there will be collaborations throughout the season from Lululemon, Aviator Nation and Ralph Lauren. The Players Clubhouse on the second floor will showcase on-field Authentic Collection pieces and player gear.
Plus, a 370-foot video wall in the store ensures fans never miss a moment of the game.
The newly renovated Cadillac Hall of Fame Club “introduces a completely reimagined, modern environment for ticketholders,” the Phillies said, “with redesigned interiors and thoughtfully integrated gathering spaces that create a more interactive, contemporary game-day experience, complemented by upgrades to select suites, which offer an intimate, premium setting for both business entertaining and social occasions.”
In the Cadillac Hall of Fame Club, the Cooperstown Gallery displays a curated collection of milestones and memorabilia, including World Series trophies, retired numbers and player awards.
Cadillac Hall of Fame Club and New Era store debut
Philadelphia Phillies
Player-inspired menu items
Philadelphia Phillies
As for food, there are new player-inspired items on the menu this season:
Sánchez Sliders (Cristopher Sánchez)
Nashville hot chicken sandwich
Schwarbomb Sundae (Kyle Schwarber)
Vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce and Fruity Pebbles with a fried strawberry Uncrustable on top
The Sweeper (Jesús Luzardo)
Cheesesteak with marinara, pepperoni and provolone
Pre-game plans
For fans with tickets to Thursday’s 4:15 p.m. game, gates open at 1:45 p.m. All attendees will get a 2025 NL East champion pennant.
There will be a big block party at the Third Base Plaza.
Opening ceremonies start at 3:30 p.m., and, as is tradition, the team will make its way down from Ashburn Alley onto the field. The 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard will perform a flyover following the national anthem.
The temperature for the first pitch is forecast in the upper 70s.
Ceremonial first pitches include 10-year-old Lucas Bibro, a Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware patient, alongside his cardiologist, Dr. Mark Cartoski, caught by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner. And, 1976 and 1996 Phillies All-Star alumni Larry Bowa, Greg “The Bull” Luzinski, Mike Schmidt, and Ricky Bottalico will throw a ceremonial first pitch to current Phillies All-Stars.
(Don’t forget — the All-Star Game will return to Philly this summer.)
