CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- For the first time since the 2019 season, fans will be able to watch a ballgame at Guaranteed Rate Field and Wrigley Field. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Monday that a limited number of fans will be allowed to attend Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox.
The announcement follows Governor Pritzker’s reopening plan that allows 20 percent capacity at outdoor sporting venues. The Chicago White Sox Opening Day is April 8 and 8,122 fans will be allowed in the stands, which is 20 percent of the roughly 40,000 person capacity. The Chicago Cubs Opening Day is April 1 and 8,274 fans can be in attendance, which is 20 percent of the normal capacity of 41,374.
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Following the announcement, the teams are now spelling out how they plan to allot the limited number of tickets that will be available for games this season. Both teams have said season ticket holders will have priority access to tickets.
Chicago Cubs Tickets
Cubs season ticket holders have priority access to secure tickets starting March 15.
The Cubs intend to give non-season ticket holders a couple of chances to buy tickets, including the Return to Wrigley Presale Access Program.
Fans chosen through random drawings can purchase tickets March 23, with remaining tickets offered to the general public March 24.
“To welcome Cubs fans home to Wrigley Field and bring back one of the joys of spring after a challenging year is incredibly rewarding,” Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney said in a statement. “We’d like to thank Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot for their tremendous leadership in carefully navigating this important milestone and partnering with us on our plan to safely return fans to the ballpark. As the City continues on the path to safely reopen, we’re excited to finally say, ‘Welcome home, Cubs fans!’"
The Cubs plan to release more ticket information Tuesday. They will sell tickets in pods of one to four people.
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Chicago White Sox Tickets
The Sox are giving priority to season ticket holders in order of tenure. Single-game tickets won’t be available at first for non-season ticket holders, but any leftover tickets will be available later, the team said.
For the first seven-game homestand April 8-15, tickets will be on sale to season ticket holders, and any leftover seats will go to the general public. Fans will be able to purchase tickets in groups of one to six people.
“We believe this is a moment when baseball can indeed serve our fans and our communities again as we all hope for a gradual return to normal,” Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “It’s why we applaud Mayor Lightfoot, the leadership role she and Governor Pritzker have played for our city and state, and the decision today — guided by an unwavering commitment to public health and safety — to allow fans to return to Guaranteed Rate Field for opening day.”
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Wrigley Field COVID Guidelines
The team's website has a COVID-19 guidelines and regulations plan that outlines restrictions for fans in the stadium. All guests over the age of 2 are required to wear face masks — no neck gaiters or masks with valves are allowed. If your mask is not compliant, Wrigley Field staff will provide you with a disposable mask.
Whether you're entering the ballpark, enjoying the game in your seat or grabbing food in the concourse, you must practice physical distancing and keep a safe space between you and others. Visual markers, signage and queue lines will be in place throughout Wrigley Field to ensure compliance, facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion in high-traffic areas.
Gates will open 90 minutes before the first pitch to allow for timed entry and physical distancing. Each mobile ticket will include an assigned entry gate to limit traffic and avoid congestion. A touchless screening process will keep fans from having to take personal belongings out of their pockets, but bag restrictions will remain in place — bags and purses bigger than 9x5 inches won’t be allowed.
All retail and concession purchases will be cashless, and the Cubs also are offering a mobile ordering option through the MLB Ballpark app or online through a scanned QR code.
Guaranteed Rate Field COVID Guidelines
The Sox are committed to “playing it safe” at the ballpark and have protocols.
All fans ages two and over will wear a Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-approved face mask covering the nose and mouth throughout the ballpark property, including the parking lots, unless they are actively eating or drinking in ticketed seats. Face protections, such as neck gaiters, bandanas, and masks with valves, will not be permitted. Fans arriving at the ballpark without a CDC-approved face covering will be provided with a disposable face mask for the game.
Similar to the Cubs, the Sox also encourage cashless transactions and have a no-bag policy aside from medical bags, small clutch purses, and diaper bags.
In addition to guidelines at the stadium, the Sox will conduct contact tracing before the game by submitting ticket holder information to city and state health officials. Those who are vaccinated will have to follow the same protocols outlined on the Sox website.
To avoid crowding and encourage physical distancing, game tickets will be connected to a pre-assigned parking lot, gate for entry/exit and a zone within the ballpark. Vehicles will be parked every other space. No tailgating will be allowed.
Fans will be required to stay within pre-assigned zones, which include designated concession and restroom areas. Fans will not be able to move between levels or outside their zones.
Giveaways and season-long promotions, such as $1 Hot Dog Wednesdays and Post-Game Fireworks, have been postponed until further notice.
"We feel very confident in the plans that they have but, of course, we’ll always be checking in with them to make sure that those plans are actually executed," Mayor Lightfoot said.