Detroit Tigers 2021: COVID-19 Rules To Know Before You Return To Comerica Park

The Detroit Tigers are making a return to town this weekend! … Let’s try to keep our excitement under control, alright?

Before Mother’s Day, their 2021 MLB season appears to be almost without hope, as they face a painful rebuilding process that has been ongoing for nearly six years.

However, the performance on the field doesn’t completely spoil the enjoyment of an afternoon or evening at Comerica Park, an experience that has been unavailable to many Michiganders for over a year now.

Despite the MLB standings taking a negative turn in Michigan, there seems to be a positive shift in the COVID-19 situation.

If it suits you, spending a few hours at the ballpark is still a difficult outing to surpass.

A few weeks ago, Playinmichigan attended a chilly afternoon game to experiment with in-stadium live wagers. This emerging market is expected to thrive in the future, contributing to the growth of the sports betting scene in Michigan.

If you plan on going in 2021, there are some important details you should be aware of.

Plenty of tickets available, despite attendance restrictions

Even though only 8,200 fans are allowed due to attendance restrictions, the Tigers’ website reveals that there are still numerous tickets available for the upcoming visit of the Minnesota Twins this weekend.

Next weekend, the Chicago Cubs will be visiting our town for interleague play. As the temperatures rise, it would be wise to secure your tickets in advance.

Tickets for the Thursday afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Pirates were readily available for the cheap seats priced at $17, both by walking up to the venue and on the website, right up until the start of the game.

I want to give a special mention to my friend Doc Joe Brown, the host of the Pro Wrestling Talk for the Pistons Fan Podcast, for helping me secure tickets.

You can get May home game tickets for as low as $10.

During this homestand, it is unlikely that there will be any changes to capacity restrictions. As per the MI Vacc to Normal plan introduced by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, once 60% of residents aged 16 and above receive their first dose of the vaccine, capacity will be permitted to reach 25% for indoor sporting events. It is anticipated that outdoor sporting events will also be allowed to increase their capacity.

By Tuesday, a total of 50.6% of the residents had received at least one dose.

Before you leave: Fill out that safety survey

Are you prepared for another health survey? Regardless of your readiness, the Tigers insist that fans complete a Gameday Wellness survey within 24 hours before the game. It is recommended to do so from the comfort of your home.

Once you finish, an email will be sent to confirm your clearance for the visit. The team suggests capturing a screenshot as proof of entry.

As I reached Comerica Park, I noticed several fellow ticket-holders engrossed in their phones, diligently working on the survey they had yet to complete.

The situation wasn’t significant, and the staff had a QR code available for easy access. However, you can save yourself the trouble by doing it conveniently from home.

Other things to know for Comerica Park entry

Paper tickets are no longer accepted; you must present your ticket using the MLB Ballpark app.

If you are planning to commute, it is advisable to reserve parking in advance at tigers.com/parking. Please note that bags, purses, and clutches are not allowed.

There’s one more thing I wish I had known – despite the Tigers’ efforts to inform visitors about the prohibition on bringing outside food and water, it turns out that sealed bottles of unflavored water are actually allowed.

The security guard instructed me to discard my partially empty water bottle into the garbage bin, as he had previously mentioned.

If only I had been aware of that rule, I wouldn’t have regretted making a cashless purchase of $19 for a beer and bottle of water just moments ago.

As of mid-May, masks are still mandatory indoors at Comerica Park, despite the CDC’s lifting of outdoor mask recommendations.

They remain quite beneficial even in chilly weather.

What can you do before the game in Detroit?

A few bars have reopened in downtown Detroit, but not all of them.

The Brass Rail on Adams opens a few hours before the afternoon first pitch and consistently attracts a lively crowd. When I passed by Harry’s Detroit, located next to Little Caesars Arena, there were over a dozen fans pre-gaming for a 1:05 p.m. pitch on a Thursday.

Additionally, Tin Roof, formerly known as Cheli’s Chili Bar, offers a spacious outdoor area located directly across Witherell Street, featuring turf-covered ground. However, be cautious not to abruptly change directions if the area is crowded to avoid any potential ACL injuries.

The Elwood Bar & Grill, a beloved establishment at Ford Field and Comerica Park, unfortunately wasn’t open when I visited. However, I’ve heard that it is open on most days, except for Opening Day.

Most of the food is still available at the stadium

Given the capacity restrictions, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of food and drink establishments that were open.

Naturally, there are numerous stands offering all the classic ballpark staples, including dedicated stations for Little Caesars Pizza.

Nevertheless, a large number of the park’s distinctive products are currently unavailable.

All stands within the Big Cat Court are currently closed, meaning that all items, including the coney egg roll, are unavailable. Furthermore, both the carousel and the Ferris wheel located across the park are not in operation at the moment.

It was disheartening to discover that Comerica’s Little Caesars has once again excluded the coney pizza from their menu this year. I have been curious to taste it for quite some time, and it seems that I am not alone in this desire. According to the cashier, numerous disappointed customers have been inquiring about its absence.

Additionally, it is only allowed to consume food and beverages while seated. Prior to being aware of this rule, I was leisurely sipping my beer while strolling through the concourse. Surprisingly, no one intervened or took any action against me.

Additionally, the smoking area outside is unavailable.