White Sox fans didn’t have much to cheer about last season as the team lost 101 games and navigated through controversy after rumors of the team moving to Nashville and a shooting at Guaranteed Rate Field in August.
But the exciting prospect of a new stadium in the South Loop and the return of Sox baseball gives fans a reason to be optimistic as the team opens their season at Guaranteed Rate Field at 3:10 p.m. Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or attending your first game, here are some essential things to know if you plan on coming out to Guaranteed Rate Field this season.
What does it cost to see a game?
Tickets for Thursday’s Opening Day game are still available for as low as $26 on the team’s website. Prices are as low as $6 to $7 for select games throughout the season.
Can I bring a bag?
The stadium will be using the same bag policy as it did last season. Fans can bring a clear tote up to 12-by-12-by-6 inches, and nonclear bags must be 9-by-5-by-2 inches or smaller. Backpacks, plastic bags, suitcases or briefcases won’t be allowed in the stadium. There are exceptions for medical equipment like insulin, oxygen and epinephrine autoinjectors, and diaper bags are allowed when an infant is present.
What can I bring to the stadium?
Fans can bring food into the park in a clear food storage bag no bigger than 1 gallon and up to 1 liter of water in a factory-sealed plastic bottle. Cameras are also allowed, though no oversized or hard-sided camera bags or tripods are permitted.
What’s new on the menu?
The Sox unveiled an all-star lineup of new food options for this season. The MVP may be the Campfire Milkshake, a chocolate shake with graham crackers and toasted marshmallows served in a souvenir sundae cup. Some other highlights from the list of nearly 30 new food options:
- The “Smoke House Smash Burger” is a single burger with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, beer cheese sauce and an onion ring.
- Beef empanadas with fire-roasted tomato salsa or spinach empanadas, served with cilantro lime crema.
- “The Homerun” is a mix of Vienna corned beef, roast beef, coleslaw, Swiss cheese and Louie dressing on pumpernickel.
On top of the new menu offerings, there will be more than 50 craft beers from over three dozen breweries.
What will the weather be like on Opening Day?
Skies will be mostly sunny, and the temperature will hover right around 50 degrees with winds of 10 to 15 mph at first pitch, according to Todd Kluber, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
