Sans Bleachers, Wrigley Field Is Ready For Season Opener

Wrigley Field has been deemed ready to host a baseball game. At least as ready as it can be at this point. The 2015 MLB season is set to open on Sunday night when the Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals. Wrigley Field has been undergoing renovations throughout the offseason, but the planned work is behind schedule. The Cubs have announced Wrigley will be without the left field bleachers until mid-May and without bleachers in right field until mid-June. However, the 42’ by 95’ video board has been completed and will be functional on Opening Night.

@WrigleyRenovate @WrigleyBlog pic.twitter.com/C2ripLkvxf

— Drake P (@DP3P0) April 1, 2015

There were rumors swirling that the grandstand and upper decks would not be safe for fans and the opener might be moved to U.S. Cellular Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox. In a conference call on Wednesday Cubs’ spokesman Julian Green vehemently denied those rumors, calling them “wild and baseless accusations.”

While the structure is safe, fans attending games through the early parts of the season will also have to deal with things such as limited parking and closed restrooms in the left field concourse. There will also be a lack of Wi-Fi throughout the stadium for most of the season.

The missing bleachers in the outfield have boosted some prices on the secondary market, at least for Opening Night. Cubs tickets against the Cardinals on Sunday currently have an average price of $155.71. There is not another game at Wrigley with an average price above $100 until May 30 when the Kansas City Royals come to Chicago. The get-in price for Sunday night’s game is currently $74 in the 500-level.

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Chicago and St. Louis will take Monday off and resume their series on Tuesday night. The average price for that game is currently just $45, 71% below Opening Night. The get-in price, also for seats at the 500-level, is $6.

Cubs fans are clearly excited to see the first game as it will be the first for new manager Joe Maddon and starting pitcher Jon Lester, who will take the mound. Many expect the Cubs to contend for playoff position, at least a Wild Card spot, throughout the 2015 season. They have many promising young players, though the most promising prospect — Kris Bryant — will start the season in the minors.

Across the 2015 season, Cubs tickets have an average price of $79.31 on the secondary market. Wrigley may not be in ideal shape, but this is poised to be the most excitement around a Cubs season in some time.