The Toronto Blue Jays home opener is just around the corner.
Toronto is slated to start their season this Thursday, March 27, at 3:07 p.m. against a longtime rival in Baltimore, with Jose Berrios taking the mound for the Blue Jays while Zach Elfin gets the ball for the Orioles.
Sportsnet returns as the team’s main broadcaster for the season, but everyone knows that the best way to experience the ballpark is in person.
And while the Jays’ changes around the stadium might not be as extensive as each of the last two offseasons’ major renovations, you’ll still notice several new features when you visit the Rogers Centre this season.
Club 328
Club 328 is one of two new clubs opening at the Rogers Centre this season, catering towards season ticket holders and quarter-season packages, with a limited number of single-game tickets pending availability.
The name comes from the 328 feet it takes to get from home plate to the right field foul pole. Featuring a card wall of players throughout the Blue Jays history, the club also has unique field-level views that allow fans a never-before-seen look at the game from a new angle.
The Rogers-branded Banner Club is one of the most bougie spots in the ballpark, located under the 100 level at the infield.
The club, exclusively for season seat members in some of the best seats in the ballpark, has a few fun features outside of an extensive bar setup.
The club features a new touchscreen television with a looping history of some of the best moments in franchise history, such as Jose Bautista’s iconic bat flip in the 2015 playoffs.
As well, the club has a unique view overlooking the Blue Jays’ underground batting cage, where players take a few extra swings in order to get their timing right each game.
All the ballpark classics, including t-shirts, hats and jerseys, remain available for purchase on-site, but you’ll notice a few new merch items available to fans as well.
If you’re heading down to the main Jays Shop on the concourse or any of the stands around the ballpark, you’ll see the franchise doubling down on last year’s popular City Connect alternative branding, with the “Night Mode” jerseys in a unique “pitch blue” hue based on the dark waters of Lake Ontario.
The team also has a recently launched collaboration with Peace Collective, available both in-person and online.
The team has also unveiled a menu with new food and drinks for the upcoming season, expanding the offerings at locations throughout the ballpark.
One of the most unique choices comes via the Cotton Candy Fries which is, well, exactly what it sounds like: cotton candy on top of fries.
There are also mini pancakes, Korean fried chicken wings available in sweet and spicy or soy garlic sauce, chicken gyozas, Smash Hit Burger and Vegan Smash Hit Burger, and a crispy chicken mash bowl.
On the drinks side of things, there are five new spritz flavours, the Stop Slide (a coffee-based cocktail), an exclusive “Night Mode” cocktail that goes from red to dark in the shaker bottle, as well as additional ready-to-drink flavours from Cutwater, Mike’s Hard and Nutrl.
67 of the Blue Jays home games this season will feature either a giveaway, a promo day or a specialty ticket, a new high for the franchise.
There are 16 “wearables” (including a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hockey jersey, a Chris Bassitt basketball jersey, and a Minecraft-branded team hat), seven player bobbleheads (as well as a Charlie Brown-themed one to celebrate Peanuts’ 75th anniversary), seven theme days (like Barbie Day and Salsa Night), and five specialty tickets (such as Hello Kitty and golf).
As well, there continues to be regularly scheduled Loonie Dog Tuesdays, Jr. Jays Saturdays, City Connect Fridays, and Work From Dome during afternoon Wednesday games.
Tickets are on sale now for all 81 games throughout the season.
