The Polar Vortex will briefly and slightly ease its grip on Detroit on Saturday morning — the high is forecast at 27 degrees downtown — as Detroit Tigers fans queue up for Opening Day tickets at the Comerica Park box office.
But to be one of the 1,000 fans permitted to buy single-game Opening Day (or other game) tickets at the ballpark, fans must pick up a numerical wristband by 3 p.m. today at Comerica Park’s Tiger Club lobby off Witherell Street.
The Tigers will randomly draw a number between 8:15-8:30 a.m. Saturday, and the fan with that wristband number will be the head of the ticket-buying line.
Wristbands don’t guarantee tickets. Fans must be in line by 9:30 a.m. Saturday, and anyone who arrives after that time, even with a wristband, will have to go to the end of the line.
Tickets will be sold by cash or credit card and are limited to four per fan for Opening Day. Fans must present identification for credit card sales.
Fan who don’t want to risk not getting tickets after standing in the cold also can buy them at Tigers.com or by calling (866) 668-4437.
The Tigers open the season against the Kansas City Royals at 1:08 p.m. March 31.
This is the first year Tigers tickets will be dynamically priced, meaning there is a base price on Saturday that will go up or down starting March 3 based on demand. Starting single-game ticket prices this season range from $9 to $95. Each seat section is priced higher for Opening Day, ranging from $50 to $135.
The Tigers last season implemented a three-tier pricing system for the expected popularity of a game. Popular opponents such as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees were the most expensive, and there were two cheaper tiers for other games.
Those tiers remain in place this season as starting prices for seats.
Ticket prices have no cap in how much they can increase in price, but they can never dip below the discounted rate that season ticket holders pay for a seat.
Season tickets already are on sale. Details are at tigers.com/tickets.
Monday’s edition of Crain’s Detroit Business will feature a story explaining the inside details of dynamic ticket pricing for pro sports teams, and how what Detroit’s four teams (and the University of Michigan) do with their seats.
Bobbleheads, posters and other giveaways
The Tigers have schedule 32 promotional giveaways for adults, kids or both this season at Comerica Park. Here is the schedule and the number of items to be distributed:
• Monday, March 31: Rally towel (20,000)
• Saturday, April 5: 2014 magnet schedule (10,000)
• Sunday, April 6: Miguel Cabrera Back-to-Back MVP poster (all kids)
• Wednesday, April 16: “April in the D” logo gloves (10,000)
• Sunday, April 20: Torii Hunter Silver Slugger mini bat (all kids)
• Wednesday, April 23: Anibal Sanchez 17-K game DVD (10,000)
• Friday, May 9: Miguel Cabrera 3-time batting champion trophy (10,000)
• Saturday, May 10: 2014-15 wall calendar (10,000)
• Sunday, May 11: “Mommy and Me” Mother’s Day photo frame (all kids and moms)
• Saturday, May 24: Detroit Stars replica hat (10,000)
• Sunday, May 25: Tigers starting rotation poster (all kids)
• Wednesday, June 4: Tigers grocery tote (10,000)
• Thursday, June 5: Max Scherzer 2013 Cy Young Award bobblehead (15,000)
• Sunday, June 8: Joe Nathan Fathead (all kids)
• Sunday, June 15: “Dad and Me” Father’s Day photo frame (all kids and dads)
• Tuesday, June 17: Justin Verlander-themed floppy hat (10,000)
• Monday, June 30: 1984 30th anniversary replica road jersey (20,000)
• Friday, July 4: Tigers Stars and Stripes tumbler (10,000 adults)
• Sunday, July 6: Player poster (all kids)
• Sunday, July 20: Player poster (all kids)
• Saturday, Aug. 2: Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez figurine (15,000 adults)
• Sunday, Aug. 3: Paws “Pop-Out” figurine (all kids)
• Thursday, Aug. 14: Justin Verlander mini-bobblehead (10,000)
• Friday, Aug. 15: Miguel Cabrera three-time MVP bobblehead (10,000)
• Sunday, Aug. 17: Strike Out Cyber Bullying wrist band (all kids)
• Thursday, Aug. 28: Detroit Tigers All-Star poster (10,000)
• Sunday, Sept. 7: Back-to-school lunch box (all kids)
• Sunday, Sept. 14: Back-to-school sandwich case (all kids)
• Thursday, Sept. 25: Halfway-to-St. Patrick’s Day green Tigers hat (10,000)
• Friday, Sept. 26: 2015 magnet schedule (10,000)
• Saturday, Sept. 27: Tigers mouse pad (10,000)
• Sunday, Sept. 28: Miguel Cabrera poster (all kids)
Promotions schedule is subject to change, and buying a ticket doesn’t guarantee an item.
When is “Star Wars Night”? (And other special event details)
The gem of the Detroit Tigers’ 2014 season special event lineup will be a tribute to the 1984 World Series team on June 30.
The first 20,000 fans get a commemorative 1984 replica road jersey, and members of the 1984 team will be honored in a pre-game on-field ceremony.
In addition to theme nights and events there will be 10 Friday night and six Saturday night post-game fireworks shows between May 23 and Sept. 27 (weather permitting).
The Tigers also will again allow kids 14 or younger to run the bases after Sunday games, among other treats for Sunday Kids Days.
Other events:
• Monday, March 31: Opening Day
• Wednesday, April 2: Career Day
• Thursday, April 3: Math Day
• Sunday, April 6: Kids Opening Day
• Tuesday, April 15: Jackie Robinson Day
• Thursday, April 17: Journalism Day
• Thursday, May 8: Space Day
• Saturday, May 10: Pre-Game clinic
• Sunday, May 11: Mother’s Day
• Thursday, May 22: Weather Day
• Fri-Sun, May 23-25: 12th Annual Negro Leagues weekend
• Saturday, May 24: 20th Annual Negro Leagues tribute game
• Sunday, June 8: On-field photo day
• Friday, June 13: 44th Annual Polish-American night
• Saturday, June 14: 4th annual classic car show
• Sunday, June 15: Father’s Day
• Wednesday, June 18: Softball 360 Stadium Power Tour
• Monday, June 30: 1984 30th anniversary celebration
• Friday, July 18: Motown night
• Sunday, July 20: Scout parade
• Tuesday, July 29: Christmas In July
• Saturday, Aug. 2: 9th annual ¡Fiesta Tigres!
• Friday, Aug. 15: Country night
• Saturday, Sept. 13: Star Wars night
• Fri.-Sun., Sept. 26-28: Fan appreciation weekend
• Sunday, Sept. 28: “Shirt Off Our Back” giveaway
