Guardians 2024 Home Opener, Eclipse Watch Party Sold Out
Baseball will be back in Cleveland before we know it. Those who haven't gotten tickets for the Cleveland Guardians Home Opener against the Chicago White Sox may be out of luck though.
On Saturday, the same day that the Guardians begin their spring training exhibition games, the team announced that the Home Opener on April 8 officially sold out. This is the 31st consecutive Opening Day sell-out at Progressive Field. The streak dates back to when the park opened under the Name Jacob's Field in 1994.
There are several reasons why fans are so eager to get down to the ballpark at the start of the season. First, it's always the unofficial start of spring and the hope that warmer weather is on the way.
However, there are some extra special reasons why the 2024 Home Opener will be a memorable one.
Progressive Field has been under some intense renovations all offseason. These changes include new blue seats that will completely change the overhead aesthetic of the park. The ballpark is in its first phase of these renovations which are expected to be completed next year. But the stadium will look much different this season than it did in years past.
Apr 7, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; An overall view of Progressive Field as the Cleveland Guardians play the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The other reason why fans are eager to get to the park has nothing to do with baseball. The city of Cleveland will be one of the top spots in the entire world to view the total solar eclipse which will also take place on April 8.
The Guardians typically have their Home Opener sometime in the afternoon, but their first pitch was delayed until 5:10 because of this spectacle.
Still, gates will open for fans at 2:00 pm which is just over an hour before the eclipse will peak around 3:13 pm. Watching the moon block out the sun over the diamond is a once-in-a-lifetime event that a packed stadium will get to witness.
