COMSTOCK PARK — The West Michigan Whitecaps have announced their 2026 promotional schedule and ticket deals as the team enters its 33rd season. The home opener is scheduled for April 7 at LMCU Ballpark against the Great Lakes Loons.
The team is looking to build on its 2025 Midwest League Championship with a calendar featuring 20 fireworks displays, several new character appearances and community-themed nights. The 2026 season includes the debut of events like Toy Story Jersey Night and Peppa Pig Night alongside returning favorites.
The opening night festivities include the first 1,000 fans receiving a replica championship ring. The team will also reveal a 2025 Championship banner and honor returning players from the previous season before the first pitch. The evening concludes with the first of 20 scheduled post-game fireworks displays sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.
Garrett Cheslek serves as the Whitecaps promotions and fan entertainment manager. He said the team has spent months preparing for the new season following the previous year’s performance. “We’re ecstatic about the mix of family and community themed nights, our lineup of fun giveaways and the weekly ticket specials we’re offering fans this season,” Cheslek said. “After a storybook 2025, we’ve been working tirelessly to take it up another notch here in 2026. All summer long, we’ll be bringing affordable family entertainment to our fans with a mix of new promotions and returning classics.”
Several new family-themed events will debut at the ballpark this year, including Toy Story Jersey Night on June 5 and Peppa Pig Night on July 10. The characters Bluey and Bingo will also appear for photos on May 8 and May 9. Other returning events for families include Princess and Pirates Night on May 22, Super Splash Day on July 7 and “If It Isn’t Neon, It Shouldn’t Be On” Night on Aug. 29.Ben Love, the Whitecaps director of marketing, teased a new event scheduled for Aug. 1. “We’ll have more information once we switch from snow boots to sandals, but it’s flocking happening,” Love said regarding the migration-themed promotion.
Community-focused events begin in May with Paint the Park Pink for breast cancer awareness on May 10 and Military Appreciation Night on May 24. The team will observe Lou Gehrig Day on June 2 to support the fight against ALS in coordination with the ALS Association. Pride Night is scheduled for June 4, followed by Grand Rapids Black Sox Night on July 29 to honor the Negro Leagues. On Aug. 12, the Kids Can Conquer event will feature children from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.The team will play as Las Calaveras de West Michigan for three games on June 7, July 11 and Aug. 16 to celebrate Latin culture. Local themes continue with 616 Night on June 16 and the return of the Beer City Bung Hammers on Aug. 14. Giveaways this season include bobbleheads of Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle on May 23, a Luchador on June 7, Izaac Pacheco on June 30, Josue Briceno on July 11, Tarik Skubal on Aug. 11 and a tandem Franky and Roxy bobblehead on Aug. 27.
A “seven Days of Deals” ticket promotion begins Feb. 10, featuring different discounts each day. These include $10 box seats for Opening Day, half-off tickets for the week of June 30 and a $44 family four-pack for themed nights. Fans can also purchase $5 box seats for any April game on Feb. 15. The team is also bringing back April Dollar Days, which offer $2 kids tickets and $1 grilled cheese sandwiches on select dates.
Weekly promotions include half-off box seats on Tuesdays with a community bulletin and Silver Sluggers discounts for fans ages 50 and older on Wednesdays. Thrifty Thursdays feature $3 hot dogs, Pepsi products and domestic draft beers. On Family Sundays, the first 1,000 kids eat free and can participate in pre-game autographs and post-game base running.
Fans can purchase individual or season tickets by calling the Whitecaps front office at (616) 784-4131 or visiting the team website. The team stated that additional promotions may be added throughout the season and schedules remain subject to change.