The Salem RidgeYaks, Single-A affiliate of the nine-time World Series champion Boston Red Sox, will open their Carolina League season tonight at home. The newly named “RidgeYaks” will host the Delmarva Shorebirds, a Baltimore Orioles franchise, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
It should be an exciting year at the ballpark with the team promoting its new nickname. The players will still be Boston prospects but the team will take on a regional identity with lots of promotions and exciting new fun nights. Ozzie Chavez is back to manage the Sox farmhands who were arriving in Salem this week from spring training in Fort Myers, Florida.
Fans have a variety of options to secure seats and enjoy an action-packed season of baseball and family fun. Single-game tickets start at just $12 and can be purchased online or by calling (540) 389-3333. Seniors (65+), military members, and children (12 and under) receive a $2 discount. Season ticket packages remain available starting at $153.
The team recently announced the 2026 promotional schedule. Fans can look forward to a wide range of promotions, including fireworks, giveaways, theme nights, and more as the team enters its 18th season as a Boston Red Sox affiliate.
The Salem RidgeYaks game times are set for 6:35 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (Tuesday, April 21st will be a 5:05 p.m. game), and new this season, Sundays will be either a 2:05 p.m. (April 12, April 26, May 10, and September 6) or a 4:05 p.m. start (May 31, June 14, June 28, July 19, July 26, August 9, August 23).
The RidgeYaks will once again hold two morning games at 11:05 a.m. (April 22nd and May 5th) and one lunchtime game at 12:05 p.m. (June 23rd).
Debuting this season will be Trivia Tuesday as well as Two-for-One Tickets for all Tuesday home games. Back by popular demand, Thirsty Thursday’s, sponsored by Bud Light and New Realm Brewing Company make a return this season when the RidgeYaks will pull out their alternate identities, the Salem BeerMongers. Each Friday night contest (excluding 7/24) includes post-game fireworks presented by GloFiber. And Sundays, members of the Mac’s Pack Kids Club, sponsored by Cardinal Bike, will get the chance to run the bases postgame.
Bark in the Park will return this season with 12 designated dates (4/2, 4/7, 4/26, 5/6, 5/30, 6/9, 6/25, 7/19, 7/24, 8/5, 8/20, 9/5). Every weekend series will feature a player poster giveaway (excluding 4/2–4/4) thanks to State Farm Brent Hershey.
Fans won’t want to miss the 2026 RidgeYaks giveaways, each designed to make game day even more memorable. There are seven giveaways on the schedule, including: May 9 – Pickleball Paddle sponsored by Mainstay Suites, May 30 – Foam Kayak Paddle sponsored by Carilion Clinic, June 12 – Youth Hat, July 18 – Beach Towel, July 25 – Plush sponsored by Metis Holdings, August 8 – Mac the Yak Bobblehead Sponsored by Joyce and Bary Law and August 21 – Dicast Car sponsored by VA 811.
The RidgeYaks will also come out repping specialty jerseys on five designated theme nights which are: April 11 – Golf Night, May 29 – Star Wars, July 18 – Lilo & Stitch, July 25 – Nick at Nite and August 7 – Toy Story.
Check the RidgeYaks website for a full listing of 2026 season promotions.
