CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs will welcome a limited number of fans back to Wrigley Field for the club’s home opener Thursday, April 1, at 1:20 p.m. CDT against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The six-game homestand April 1, 3-7, features a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates followed by a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

To ensure a safe, clean and friendly environment for fans to enjoy Cubs baseball, the club implemented extensive health and safety measures at Wrigley Field. From thorough sanitization procedures and pod-style seating for physical distancing to processes that minimize touchpoints such as a touchless entry process, mobile tickets and mobile ordering for concessions, the team’s health and safety plan adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State of Illinois, City of Chicago and MLB guidelines. In addition, Wrigley Field is set up with touch-free bathroom fixtures as well as mobile handwashing stations provided by Sloan. Wrigley Field suites, enclosed club spaces and bathrooms will have air purifiers provided by Fellowes. Advocate Aurora Health also will be providing a KN95 mask and bottle of hand sanitizer to all fans entering the ballpark on Opening Day. For more information on the club’s health and safety protocols, visit www.cubs.com/COVID-safety.

As part of the Opening Day festivities, Mayor Lightfoot will be in attendance to hand the ceremonial first pitch baseballs to Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike who will each throw out a first pitch at Wrigley Field.

As a way to thank the courageous and hardworking health care workers who have been on the front lines of this pandemic, the Cubs have reserved the Budweiser Bleachers for vaccinated health care workers and employees from Advocate Aurora Health. For Opening Day, each Advocate Aurora Health staff in attendance will receive an “Essentially Filling the Bleachers.” T-shirt to wear, created in partnership with Cubs Charities and Obvious Shirts. This T-shirt, in addition to two others (“Get Out. Stay Safe.” and “Safely at the Ballpark Right Now.”), will be available for fans to purchase Thursday, April 1, at 10 a.m. CDT, at www.obviousshirts.com. Proceeds from the sale of all three T-shirts will benefit Advocate Aurora Health COVID-19 Relief Funds.

New this year, the club will fly 24 new flags on the exterior roof for the 24 recognized Cubs inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. A 2020 flag also was added on the interior roof of Wrigley Field in recognition of the club’s National League Central Division Championship and postseason appearance.

A new concessions offering is now available at Wrigley Field for fans to enjoy – Oatly soft serve. Oatly is now a Proud Partner of Wrigley Field and its soft serve will be available at most concession stands located throughout Wrigley Field.

Returning this season for all Cubs home games, fans in Illinois can purchase Cubs Charities 50/50 Raffle tickets online starting at 11 a.m. CDT until the end of that day’s game or through a Raffle Ambassador at Wrigley Field starting when gates open until the bottom of the eighth inning. Net proceeds from the Cubs Charities 50/50 Raffle will benefit Cubs Charities and its mission to mobilize the power of sport to champion youth, families and communities.

Opening Day Details April 1:

Thursday, April 1, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:20 p.m. CDT

• God Bless America: Interoperative Care Technician for Ambulatory Services at Advocate Aurora Health Emilio Nicolasin
• National anthem: John Vincent
• Special recognition: Tribute video and moment of silence to honor Cubs ballpark associates who have passed away
• First pitch: Mayor Lightfoot will present the ceremonial first pitch baseballs to Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike who will each throw out a first pitch alongside Advocate Aurora Health MVPs
• 7th inning stretch: Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg will hand it off to the Advocate Aurora Health MVPs in the Budweiser Bleachers
• Broadcast: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

For up-to-date broadcast and schedule information for the 2021 season, visit www.cubs.com.