Blue Jays tickets now on sale ahead of team's homecoming next week
Members of the general public are getting their first chance to snap up tickets to watch the Blue Jays in Toronto ahead of the team’s homecoming next week.
The Jays are returning to the Rogers Centre on July 30 for the first game in Toronto in 22 months and 15,000 fans will be allowed inside the stadium.
Tickets for the first 10 home games from July 30 to Aug. 8 officially went on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Toronto is scheduled to begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at the Rogers Centre next Friday.
“The Blue Jays have reconfigured the ballpark manifest to ensure there are a variety of ticket options, while continuing the highest standard of operations under the current health and safety protocols,” a news release issued by the club read.
Seats in the 500 level will not be open during the first homestand. The dome will remain open during games but will be partially closed in the event of rain.
“Standard traditional seats are located in the 100L and 200L infield with fans seated directly next to one another,” a spokesperson for the Blue Jays confirmed.
“For fans that are more comfortable sitting only with their own group, physically distanced seating pods of up to four seats are available in the 100L and 200L bases and outfield as well as private suites.”
Some tickets available online on Thursday morning could be purchased for as low as $29. As of 10:45 a.m., all tickets to the July 30 game were sold out.
Earlier this month, the federal government granted the team a National Interest Exemption, allowing players to cross the border for games under modified quarantine rules.
Prior to the exemption, the team played home games in Buffalo and in their spring training home in Florida due to border restrictions.
“It is a huge moment in I guess history for the city, the country. It has been sad to see our team playing abroad and not have the support of their home fans. So it will be a big deal that now they are coming home and we can cheer them on. It will be a good time for everyone,” one fan told CP24 on Thursday morning.
Another fan said news of the team's return brought tears to his eyes.
“It was really satisfying to know they are coming home finally after all everyone has been through."
Anuk Karunaratne, executive vice-president of business operations with the Blue Jays, said returning home will be an exciting and emotional time for fans and members of the organization.
“It has been 670 days since we were last able to play in front of our fans and I think it will be an emotional reunion," he said. "We’re really excited about it and I think the fans are really excited about it too."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.