Cleveland Guardians Home Opener: Tips for Navigating Crowded Downtown

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians are set to play the Chicago White Sox for their first home game of the 2025 season on April 8. With hundreds of fans expected to gather at Progressive Field, the downtown area is likely to experience heavy congestion starting in the early afternoon.

Parking restrictions will be in effect beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until midnight on game day, according to the Cleveland Division of Police. Several streets will be impacted:

• East 9th Street: Euclid to Bolivar
• Huron Road: From Prospect to Ontario
• East 2nd Street: High to Prospect
• Prospect Avenue: Ontario to East 9th Street, and East 9th to East 14th Street
• Bolivar Road: East 9th to Prospect
• Bolivar Road: East 9th to East 7th Street
• Huron Road: East 9th to Ontario
• Sumner Street: East 14th to East 9th
• Erie Court: East 14th to East 9th

Sgt. Freddie Diaz, public information officer with the Cleveland Division of Police, emphasized the importance of these restrictions. “We obviously don’t want to tow vehicles. That’s the last thing we want to do,” he said. “Those parking restrictions are in place for a reason, right? To make sure that the areas that typically get congested are not restricted and allow for traffic to flow a little bit better.”

As for road closures, Sgt. Diaz mentioned that while there are currently no road closures planned, some roadways around Progressive Field may close down based on traffic conditions as game time approaches.

The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m., and downtown is expected to start filling up around 2:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to plan ahead, and those coming into the area should consider arriving at least an hour early to avoid traffic backups. “We just kind of remind folks to just plan ahead,” Diaz said. “Give yourself some time. Be a little bit patient because people are excited, right?”

To avoid the hassle of parking and heavy traffic, Diaz suggests utilizing ride-share services or the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA). An all-day pass on RTA is available for $5 for the home opener.

As the Guardians prepare for their first home game of the season, excitement builds among fans and the local community, making these tips crucial for a smoother experience downtown.