New Wrigley Field bleachers will open Monday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Cubs fans will be returning to the Wrigley Field bleachers on Monday, May 11, as the left and center field bleachers will be ready ahead of schedule.

The right field bleachers remain on track to open June 11. The entire project is expected to finish by July. A celebration is planned for July 3.

Construction delays prevented the bleachers from being ready on time for opening day. The work still continues at a frenetic pace. Renderings released by the Chicago Cubs show what the bleachers section will look like when it's finished.

PHOTOS: New bleachers at Wrigley Field

"It will be a lot of the same things that fans love," said Colin Faulkner, Vice President of Sales and Partnerships for the Cubs. "The pitch of the seats, the benches, all of it experience-wise, but there will be more food and beverage options, more room on the concourse and more restrooms out on the bleachers."

Cubs officials say the completed Budweiser Bleachers will feature new group spaces, new concessions with new offerings and shorter wait times for food and drinks. Fans seated in the new bleachers will also get to see game and player stats, replays, historical team footage and behind the scenes interviews on Wrigley Field's new video boards.

Groups that would like to sit together in the Budweiser Bleachers can choose from the Budweiser Patio, Budweiser Bleacher Suite, Left Field Porch, Right Field Porch and Left Field Well. Faulkner said he's excited for these new spaces, like the Left Field Porch, which will hold up to 100 fans.

"It's a really great view," Faulkner said. "It's a cool experience, and I think once fans get up there to see it themselves they're really going to like it."

Affectionately known as the "Bleacher Preacher," Jerry Pritiken has been sitting in the Wrigley Field bleachers since his first game at the age of 8 in 1945. He's secured a ticket for May 11.

"I've been waiting to get to the promised land," Pritiken said. "These bleachers are no longer what I remember them as, but I thought just to remind myself of the good old days I wanted to be here for the first bleacher game this year."

BUDWEISER BLEACHER FRIDAYS

For Cubs fans who want the ultimate bleacher experience at Wrigley Field, a number of Budweiser Bleacher Fridays are scheduled for the 2015 season.

On July 10, Fitz & The Tantrums will headline a post-game Extra Innings Show for everyone at the game. Fans seated in the Budweiser Bleachers will get an Extra Innings Concert Koozie.

Other Budweiser Bleacher Fridays events include the Beach Bash on May 29, Country Day on June 12, Red White and Brew on July 3, 90's Day on Aug. 21 and Singles and Doubles Day on Sept. 18.

Budweiser Bleacher tickets are available at www.cubs.com/bleachers, by phone at 1-800-THE-CUBS (1-800-843-2827) or at the Wrigley Field Ticket Windows.