CLEVELAND — The Guardians will again open the doors to Progressive Field on Monday, shortly after the total solar eclipse casts its shadow across the region. But the ballpark will look a bit different, and it's not just because of the cosmic phenomenon.
The Guardians unveiled a round of new ballpark renovations, food and beverage options, ticket offers and more at a "What's New" event at Progressive Field Thursday afternoon. They'll face the Chicago White Sox in their 2024 home opener at 5:10 p.m. Monday , a few hours after the total solar eclipse is observable overhead.
On the field, the Guardians started 6-2 in their first eight games.
Here's what we've learned so far .
Here is what Guardians fans need to know heading into the 2024 season at Progressive Field.
You can also check out the full Guardians promotional and game schedules here .
The Guardians unveiled their Progressive Field Reimagined renovation project in January last year, and the first round of changes will be viewable to fans beginning Monday. Several more ballpark renovation projects remain in their plans before Opening Day 2025 .
The upper decks in right field and left field represent the largest ballpark alterations that are able to be viewed for Monday's home opener. These enhancements include the open-air Terrace Garden space in left field, which is said to provide "improved sight lights to the city and expansive views of the ballpark, as well as open patio-style seating and drink rails for Standing Room Only purchases," according to the team.
The upper deck in right field is now the Paul Davis Pennant District, which also features an open-air space available for hosting group outings. That space will also host ticketed events throughout the year, including an Oktoberfest and Halfway to St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Previously, the upper deck along foul territory in left field was traditional seating, and the area in the upper deck in right field included the large boxes with advertisements on them. Both areas are now open-air sections.
Progressive Field's lower bowl now features blue seating, which is a switch from the forrest green seating that has been present around the ballpark. The entire stadium is expected to have all blue seating by the start of the 2026 season.
Due to on-going renovations around the ballpark in other areas, the Guardians Team Store has been re-located to the Gateway Plaza just outside the left-field gate for the 2024 season.
Beginning with Monday's home opener, Progressive Field will become an entirely cashless venue. All purchases inside the ballpark will be need to made with a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or via the Guards Wallet in the MLB Ballpark App.
Fans will be able to convert cash to a prepaid card via reverse ATM machines that can be used for purchases inside and outside the ballpark. These reverse ATM machines will be located near the Lower and Upper Level Fan Services (behind sections 153 and 550), the left field gate and right field neighborhood area.
But, really, it's all about the ballpark food, isn't it?
The new food options available at Progressive Field in 2024 includes a few notable items, including:
"The Heater"— A Montgomery Inn pulled pork sandwich with special Heater hot sauce topped with Flamin' Hot Cheetos and jalapeño on a Kaiser bun, available at Throwin' Smoke BBQ.
"Big Mozz" Mozzarella— Crispy mozzarella sticks with marinara dipping sauce, available at Fry Box.
A "Cuban Dog"— Montgomery Inn pulled pork, diced ham, white cheese sauce and a pickle spear with a vegetarian sausage on a hot dog bun, available at Happy Dog.
Choolaah Bowls— Indian BBQ concept Choolaah, featuring basmati rice, a choice of chicken or paneer and a choice of tikka masala sauce or yellow lentil dal, available on the concourse near first base.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Fries— French fries served with diced chicken, crumbled bacon and drizzled with ranch and yellow queso, available at Fry Box.
Fried Chicken and Jojos— Midwest-style fried chicken drumsticks with schmaltzy za'atar served with magic salt jojoba, available in the right field district.
Chicken bites— Boneless wings served with a choice is sauces, including smoky BBQ and extra medium, available at Fat Head's.
The Guardians announced the Progressive Field Ballpark Pass, a new ticket option. For $49 per month, the Ballpark Pass includes a mobile Standing Room Only ticket for every Guardians home game in that month. Fans can sign up at CLEGuardians.com/BallparkPass .
The Guardians also announced a Wendy's Trigger Promotion, which allows home fans to score a free small frosty at participating Northeast Ohio Wendy's locations whenever the Guardians win. Participating fans will need to show the Guardians social post after the game and throughout the following day to redeem their free small frosty.
The Guardians also have a partnership with McDonald's for 2024, giving fans a free double cheeseburger with a $2 or more purchase on the McDonald's app whenever Cleveland hits a double.
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Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians 2024 Progressive Field renovations, new food items
