Opening Day returns to Wrigley Field on Thursday, as the Cubs welcome the Washington Nationals for a 1:20 p.m. first pitch. Fans can bank on a big crowd, gates opening early, and a pregame military flyover roughly 20 minutes before that first pitch. Add in a fresh crop of restaurants and bars around Gallagher Way and a forecast that could turn wet, and you are looking at a very busy afternoon on the North Side.
The opener’s start time and opponent are locked into the season calendar: first pitch is set for 1:20 p.m. at Wrigley Field against the Washington Nationals, according to Sports Illustrated.
What To Know Before You Go
Gates and logistics are pretty familiar, with a few tweaks. Wrigley typically opens its gates 90 minutes before first pitch for most games and two hours early for Saturdays and special occasions, and the club has updated its parking and shuttle options for this season. The team’s “Know Before You Go” page outlines a new remote parking lot and shuttle service that begins two hours before select games, according to MLB.com. If you are biking in, the Cubs operate a free bike valet in the alley east of the Addison Red Line entrance that opens three hours before games and holds bikes until one hour after the final out, per MLB.com.
Weather And A Flyover
Chicago’s forecast is very much part of the storyline. Temperatures could climb into the 60s before an afternoon line of showers moves through, with the possibility of heavy rain and even hail. Overhead, a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 flyover is scheduled for about 1:02 p.m., shortly before first pitch. Axios reports both the forecast and the flyover detail.
Where To Eat And Drink
Wrigleyville’s food and drink scene has been busy this offseason, so there are new stops if you are planning your pregame. Kincade’s opened a second location across from Gallagher Way and is advertising game-day specials on its site, Kincade's. Galata Mediterranean Grill now occupies the former PS Bangkok space and is listed online at Galata, and Mordecai on Clark has relaunched with a more family-friendly menu, according to its website Mordecai. Expect long lines before games, so if you are planning to eat nearby, give yourself extra time to lock down a table.
Transit And Getting There
Public transit is still the quickest way to the ballpark. The CTA Red Line’s Addison stop drops you just steps from Wrigley, and the #152 Addison bus serves Clark and Addison, with extra runs before and after games. Preseason previews and local reporting note that additional #152 trips typically run two hours before and one hour after games to handle the surge of fans. For parking, the team’s remote lots and shuttle service are in effect on busy dates, so build in extra time and keep an eye on official advisories. Axios summarized local transit and parking plans for the opener.
The Team
The Cubs hit Opening Day after a busy winter of roster moves. The club agreed to a six-year, $115 million extension with center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, per CBS Sports, and the roster added veterans, including Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera, per ESPN. Justin Steele, recovering from elbow surgery, continues to progress in his rehab and remains a midseason return candidate, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Whether you are in for the seventh-inning stretch or just swinging by Gallagher Way, it is wise to give yourself extra time, pack for possible showers, and follow the team’s gameday channels for updates. With gates opening early and extra transit service in play, Opening Day figures to be as much about neighborhood energy as it is about baseball.
