The Chicago Cubs will have to play the first week of their regular season on the road, but when they return to Wrigley Field, the team will have some new offerings and promotions for their fans to enjoy.
The Cubs will play their home opener at night, playing the Cincinnati Reds on April 11. At that game, they will welcome Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, and Billy Williams to the ballpark, where they will all throw out first pitches and sing the seventh inning stretch for fans at the game.
The rest of the week will feature several special guests performing the stretch, including Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller and former Chicago Blackhawks center Jamal Mayers.
As for the ballpark itself, the team will be bringing out the big guns when it comes to serving fans food. Hot Doug’s will return to the bleachers at the ballpark, bringing along a wide variety of dishes. Giordano’s will also be back in the ballpark as the official pizza of the team, and High Plains Bison hot dogs will be available in the main concourse.
In terms of new food, the Cubs will bring aboard Gilbert’s Craft Sausages this season, and they will also offer Italian beef sandwiches in the ballpark, with Buona Beef providing the iconic Chicago sandwiches.
The Cubs will also open several new attractions, including a rebranded Fannie May Bleacher Sweet in center field and the Marquee Grill, located on the main terrace underneath the iconic sign at the ballpark.
All of these amenities and new features will only be available after an extended security procedure this season. The team is recommending fans arrive at the ballpark a half hour earlier than they used to to deal with the new features, and with sellouts expected throughout the season, delays will be inevitable as the team enacts new procedures laid out by Major League Baseball.