CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- With the State of Illinois and City of Chicago transitioning to Phase 5: Fully Reopen, the Chicago Cubs are excited to welcome fans back to Wrigley Field on Friday for “Opening Day 2.0,” when the ballpark officially opens at full capacity for the first time since September 2019.
Starting Friday, the Cubs kick off the three-game homestand against their division rival, the St. Louis Cardinals.
Opening Day 2.0 will include an on-field flag presentation with Cubs Season Ticket Holders and Cubs associates, as well as a musical performance by the Chicago Cubs Dixieland Band. JC Brooks Band also will be performing pre- and postgame at Gallagher Way.
Cubs Hall of Famers Andre Dawson, Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Lee Smith and Billy Williams will be recognized on the field pre-game for Opening Day 2.0 and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Plus, Cubs fan Bill Murray will sing the seventh-inning stretch live from Wrigley Field.
As part of the move to Phase 5, the club has amended its health and safety protocols. Starting Friday, outdoor and indoor capacity restrictions will be lifted, physical distancing will no longer be required in the ballpark, and pod-style seating will be eliminated. To support full capacity, gates will open two hours before first pitch, Cubs Season Ticket Holders will return to their season ticket seat location, and the Budweiser Bleachers will return to general admission. The ballpark’s touchless entry process and bag restrictions implemented at the start of the regular season will remain in place, as well as mobile tickets and cashless concessions and retail.
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On Saturday, June 12, the club will debut the new Nike Cubs City Connect Series uniform on field for the first time. The Nike Cubs City Connect Series uniform is a nod to Second City symbolism and Cubbie culture and features unique design elements that celebrate not only the ballpark’s surrounding neighborhood, but all 77 neighborhoods that make up the great city of Chicago.
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In addition to launching the new jersey and collection, the club also is putting the spotlight on nine local organizations and youth programs making an impact in their community as a way to further unite and celebrate the city and its residents. The first organization, Young Chicago Authors, will be recognized Saturday, June 12, at Wrigley Field through in-game programming and Interim Executive Director Demetrius Amparan will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
During Saturday’s game, the Cubs will welcome on field residents from all 77 neighborhoods who won tickets to attend the game as part of the Nike Cubs City Connect Jersey launch. The winners in attendance will wear their new Nike Cubs City Connect Jersey with their neighborhood listed on the back on field while holding a giant City of Chicago flag. Through this effort, the Cubs hope to celebrate the way baseball at Wrigley Field unites members of all 77 neighborhoods.