While this year's Detroit Tigers Opening Day isn't technically the team's first since 2019, for fans it may as well be.
2020's game, postponed amid the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, was ultimately held in July with no fans in the stands. In 2021, a limited number of spectators were permitted into the stadium for the team's home opener, but festivities were tamed by spiking cases and a vaccination effort still in its infancy.
Friday's event (which also almost didn't happen) marks an apparent return to "normal": Comerica Park will allow full stadium capacity and will not require masking; parties, tailgates and barbecues will again fill the city's streets and bars.
Planning to head downtown for the return of Detroit's favorite unofficial holiday? Here's everything you need to know.
When is Tigers Opening Day?
When: 1:10 p.m. Friday April 8.
Where: Comerica Park, Detroit.
TV/radio: Bally Sports, WXYT-FM (97.1; other radio affiliates).
Starting pitchers: Tigers LHP Eduardo RodrÃguez (9-3, 3.61 ERA last year) vs. White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (11-9, 3.53 ERA).
Where to get Opening Day tickets
Tigers Opening Day tickets are nearly sold out. Although options are pretty picked over, terrace and standing room tickets are still available through official vendor Tickets.com. Prices range from $55 for a standing room spot to $89 for a terrace seat.
Don't see a seat you like? Additional tickets can be found on third-party resale sites, including StubHub, where prices range from $70 to more than $300.
Opening Day weather forecast
Veterans of Detroit's past Opening Day games will be unsurprised to learn that Friday's forecast calls for a coat and an umbrella.
A high temperature of 47 degrees is predicted, with cloudy skies throughout the day and possibly some light showers, according to the AccuWeather forecast. Chance of rain is at 85%.
First Pitch and National Anthem
The National Anthem will be performed by Detroit native and 12-time Grammy Award winner Jack White. It'll be the first time performing the Anthem for the Cass Tech alum, who kicks off his 2022 tour Friday with a pair of shows at Detroit's Masonic Temple Theatre.
Following White's performance, fans will be treated to a flyover of Comerica Park by four A-10 Thunderbolt “Warthog” aircrafts from the 107th Fighter Squadron.
The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Amari Bartee, son of former Tigers player and first base coach Kimera Bartee, who tragically passed away in December at age 49.
Get to the park early! Gates will open at 10:30 a.m, and attendees are encouraged to take their seats no later than 12:40 p.m. in order to catch the pre-game action.
Early birds can take advantage of the Miller Lite Home Run Happy Hour on the Pepsi Porch, which offers $5 concessions (including beer!) from 10:30 a.m. til noon.