Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox 2024 home opener guide: How to watch the April 8 game on WKYC; what's new at Progressive Field
The 2024 Cleveland Guardians home opener at Progressive Field will air on WKYC with extended coverage starting at 2 p.m.
Baseball is back in Cleveland!
The Cleveland Guardians are set to battle the Chicago White Sox in the 2024 home opener at Progressive Field on Monday, April 8.
With the game being the same day as the total solar eclipse, first pitch is set for 5:10 p.m.
You can watch the game on WKYC with our extended overage starting at 2 p.m.
Below is a guide to everything you need to know about the home opener...
Play Ball Home Opener coverage
How can I watch?
The game will air on WKYC with coverage throughout the day as follows:
- 4:30-7 a.m. Watch our extensive sneak peek at the game with coverage from inside Progressive Field on GO! with the 3News morning team
- 2-4 p.m. Total Eclipse of the Park
- 4 p.m. Pregame
- 5:10 p.m. Play ball! Watch the game live on WKYC
- All day coverage: WKYC.com and the free WKYC app will showcase home opener coverage all day with live updates throughout the game. Download our free app (Android, Apple) for all your Cleveland Guardians coverage, weather updates, breaking news and more.
Want more? Our team will capture the sights and sounds of the home opener across all platforms, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Use #3Guardians to join the conversation.
What time is first pitch?
- 5:10 p.m.
What time do pregame ceremonies begin?
- 4:35 p.m.
Are tickets still available?
- All of the seats have already sold out, but the Guardians have announced the return of the $49 monthly Ballpark Pass, which gives fans a standing-room-only ticket to all of the Guardians home games in April, including the home opener.
What time do the gates open?
- 2 p.m.
- Due to the total solar eclipse, admittance to the ballpark will be temporarily paused at ALL GATES from 3:05-3:25
Eclipse Excitement Total Eclipse of the Park
April will 8 will mark a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many Clevelanders. On the same day as the Guardians' home opener, Cleveland will be in the path of totality as the solar eclipse moves through the area.
Here is how NASA has outlined the eclipse timeframe in Cleveland for April 8:
- Partial eclipse begins: 1:59 p.m.
- Totality begins: 3:13 p.m.
- Maximum totality: 3:15 p.m.
- Totality ends: 3:17 p.m.
- Partial eclipse ends: 4:29 p.m.
The Guardians noted that at solar eclipse totality, the eclipse won’t be visible from a significant portion of Progressive Field due to the sun’s location and ballpark architecture.
In addition, the Guardians are asking that fans download their tickets to their mobile wallets prior to arriving at the ballpark due to the "potentially chancing phone connections on April 8."
Updates at Progressive Field Renovations, new food options
Renovations
Cleveland Guardians fans will get the first chance to see new ballpark improvements at the home opener.
Below is a full list of the projects that are expected to be completed by April 8:
- The Pennant District- Upper Deck, Right Field
- Will feature a new, open-air group outing area, which can host large groups or be divided into three smaller spaces to host more intimate events. Fans will enjoy sweeping views of the ballpark and downtown.
- The Terrace Garden - Upper Deck, Left Field
- Socialize with friends on an outdoor patio similar to that of your favorite local brewery or restaurant. This energetic, upper left field destination will host a variety of seating/standing options, some with field views, and nearby food and beverage options. The beer garden is open and available, first come first serve, to anyone who has a ticket into the game.
- New E. 9th St. Building
- A new main kitchen and commissary will support food and beverage across all outdoor seating sections at Progressive Field. This building (the floors below the new Pennant District) will be a major driver in improving your experience when you come watch a Guards game at Progressive Field.
Due to the ongoing renovations, the Guardians Team Store will be temporarily located on Gateway Plaza for the 2024 season. The tent will open at 10 a.m. on April 8. In addition, the Home Run Porch Bridge, which connects the garage to Progressive Field, will also be closed during the 2024 season due to renovations.
John Adams Bleachers signage
- On Opening Day, fans will be able to see new signage at the end of the bleachers on each vomitory, branding the area as "John Adams Bleachers" in honor of the late drummer who spent nearly 50 years supporting Cleveland baseball.
New food and beverage options at Progressive Field
- “The Heater”
- Montgomery Inn pulled pork served with our special Heater hot sauce topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and jalapeño on a Kaiser bun. Available at Throwin’ Smoke BBQ (third baseline concourse) and BBQ stand (right field district).
- Chicken Bites
- Boneless wings served with a choice of signature sauces, featuring smoky BBQ and extra medium. Available at Fat Head’s (right field district)
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Fries
- Crispy french fries served with diced chicken, crumbled bacon and drizzled with ranch dressing along with yellow queso. Available at Fry Box (inner concourse between home and first base).
- “Big Mozz” Mozzarella
- Crispy, crusted mozzarella sticks served with a marinara dip. Available at Fry Box (inner concourse between home and first base).
- Choolaah Bowls
- Indian BBQ concept Choolaah, featuring their signature bowl served on a bed of fragrant basmati rice with a choice of spiced chicken or paneer (Indian-style cottage cheese) and a choice of tikka masala sauce or yellow lentil dal. Available on concourse (near first base).
- “Cuban Dog”
- A playful twist on a classic, featuring Montgomery Inn pulled pork, diced ham, white cheese sauce and a pickle spear served with a vegetarian sausage on a hot dog bun. Available at Happy Dog (third baseline concourse).
- Fried Chicken and JoJos
- A restaurant favorite from James Beard nominated chef and partner, Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia. Midwest-style fried chicken drumsticks with schmaltzy za’atar served with magic salt jojos. Available at BBQ stand (right field district).
More festivities First pitch honors and more
Who is throwing out the first pitch?
- This year's ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by Guardians alumni Corey Kluber and Michael Brantley. Both players announced their retirement from Major League Baseball this offseason and spent 10+ years in the Cleveland organization.
Who is singing the National Anthem and God Bless America?
- Chief of Staff at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Ra-Deon Sledge, will perform the National Anthem and God Bless America. Sledge is a former member of “1 of the Girls” – a Cleveland-based R&B group.
Are there any freebies for fans?
- Yes! The 2024 home opener features a magnet schedule giveaway for fans. See this year's full promotional calendar HERE.