Fall Out Boy To Perform Prior To Cubs Opening Night

(UPDATE 3/26/15) Chicago-based rock band Fall Out Boy will be on hand to celebrate Opening Night at Wrigley Field this year. The quartet will perform in the beloved ballpark as part of the pre-game festivities before the Cubs host the Cardinals on April 5. They'll play three songs and are scheduled to hit the stage at 4:35pm CT. The Cubs and Cardinals will hold an earlier batting practice to make room for the mini concert. Following the performance, the game's first pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.

[embedit cf="HTML2"]

--------

(12/24/14) There is a sense of excitement surrounding the 2015 Chicago Cubs. Chicago made an early statement by hiring ex-Tampa Bay Rays’ manager Joe Maddon as its new skipper, even as then-manager Rick Renteria was under contract. Chicago signed starting pitcher, Jon Lester to a lucrative six-year, $155 million contract.

As a member of the Boston Red Sox and Oakland A’s, Lester went 16-11 with a 2.48 ERA during the 2014 season. Lester will anchor Chicago’s rotation and give Chicago a viable ace for the first time in years. Chicago also signed Lester’s old battery mate from Boston, catcher David Ross. Ross signed a two-year, $5 million deal to work with Lester and help new catcher Miguel Montero. Unlike Lester, Montero was acquired in a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Montero, who made the All-Star team last year, is known for his offensive and defensive prowess. Montero is still on a five-year, $60 million deal he signed with the Diamondbacks in 2012. He’s scheduled to be a free agent after 2017, which gives the Cubs three years of team control for the catcher. The additions of Maddon, Lester, and Montero have Chicago fans talking about the Cubs again in an optimistic way. That sentiment has carried over into the secondary ticket market.

Opening Day at Wrigley Field will occur on April 5 when Chicago hosts the St. Louis Cardinals for Opening Night of the 2015 MLB season. According to TicketIQ, the average ticket price for Opening Day is $274.07 while the get-in price is $105. This year’s ticket prices easily surpass Opening Day ticket prices over the last five seasons. Opening Day in 2010 fetched an average ticket price of $124.36 while the get-in price was $38. Average ticket prices for Opening Day in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 were $124.96, $137.30, $115.78, and $110.77, respectively. The get-in ticket prices for these games were $37, $46, $13, and $8, respectively.

While Chicago must topple division powers St. Louis and Pittsburgh, sentiment is positive among Chicago fans. Lester gives Chicago a face for its new-look franchise while Maddon’s hard-nosed approach and attitude perfectly complements the Windy City.

All 2015 Chicago Cubs Home Game Tickets (Spring Training & Regular Season)

[embedit cf="HTML1"]