Chicago will let baseball parks fill 20 percent capacity on opening day

Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced on Monday that the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox will be able to open their doors to fans for the first day of the baseball season, with capacity limited to 20 percent.

“As a diehard sports fan myself, I’m personally excited to have Chicago take its first, cautious steps toward safely reopening our beloved baseball stadiums to fans this season,” Lightfoot said in a statement.

On April 1, opening day for the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field will allow 8,274 fans into the stadium. On April 8, the Chicago White Sox home opener, 8,122 fans will be able to watch the game at Guaranteed Rate Field. Both stadiums normally host more than 40,000 guests.

In addition to the 20 percent capacity limit, both venues are requiring mask wearing, at least 6 feet between parties, and they are implementing cashless concessions and retail sales.

Lightfoot praised the two baseball franchises for steps they took to enable the the ballparks to open this spring — especially their close partnerships with Chicago’s public health officials.

“We’re able to do that thanks to the commitment of our city’s two great baseball franchises who continue to work in close partnership with Chicago’s public health officials to find solutions that are not only safe, but offer a path forward toward safely increasing stadium capacity as we move closer into our COVID-19 recovery,” Lightfoot wrote.

According to ESPN, at least 25 of the 30 major league teams have plans in place to allow spectators in the stands on Opening Day.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I thank Mayor Lightfoot for her shared commitment to a responsible resumption of fan attendance in Chicago, under protocols designed to promote safety,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

He continued, “The health of on-field personnel and our communities will remain the highest priority in our operations. MLB will continue to urge fans to follow best practices for health and safety in the fight against COVID-19.”