Cubs Opening Day at Wrigley Field: Here's what you need to know

CHICAGO (CBS)-- Baseball season is back at Chicago's Wrigley Field as the Cubs take on the Milwaukee Brewers for Opening Day Thursday. 

The Cubs will kick off the season at 1:20 p.m. CBS 2's Ryan Baker is reporting live from Wrigley Field. 

John Vincent will sing the national anthem and Cubs Hall of Famers will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sing the seventh-inning stretch.  

To show support for Ukraine, the Cubs will Opening Day will feature a performance by the Ukrainian American Youth Association Choir of the Mykola Pavlushkov Branch in Chicago. The group will sing the Ukrainian national anthem.

There will also be a raffle benefiting Ukrainian relief efforts.

"Today we are dedicating our 50/50 raffle to support Ukraine," Alicia Gonzalez, Cubs Charities executive director, said. "If you are in the state of Illinois, you can go purchase a raffle ticket online starting at 11 a.m. all the way through the end of the game."

If you are at the field, you can purchase the tickets through the ballpark app. Money will go to local charities and the Red Cross. 

"If you want to support Ukraine, you can go online and buy your tickets today," Gonzalez said. 

The cubs are reminding fans that all purchases at Wrigley Field are cashless. All food and beverage orders can be placed through the MLB Ballpark app or a scanned QR code located throughout the ballpark.

You can buy tickets on the Cubs website. 

Wrigleyville bars and restaurants are prepared to welcome fans for Cubs Opening Day.

CBS 2's Meredith Barack reported live from Sluggers where the owner says he ready for his loyal customers to return. The bar is back to full occupancy after state COVID guidelines limited guests last year.   

Our Ryan Baker spoke with Cubs senior vice president of communications Julian Green about the excitement to be back in Wrigley at full capacity. 

"Fans are coming in. Wow, what a wonderful feeling to be the first time since 2019 to have full capacity at this ballpark," Green said. "So we're just happy to play a part to make sure people can come and have an enjoyable experience." 

If you're going to be in attendance, be sure to have a poncho handy as some rain is expected later in the afternoon for today's opener. 

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