Parking lots open at 3:45 p.m. before Baltimore Ravens fans experience a packed evening of entertainment ahead of a Monday Night Football matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
While the team seeks a victory under the lights, the atmosphere outside the stadium begins hours earlier. Hip-hop artist Ja Rule will pull double duty as both a pregame bartender and a performer.
“He’s actually going to be a guest bartender here in The Talon before his performance,” said Brad Downs, the Ravens’ senior vice president of marketing.
Downs added that the musician will pour drinks at The Bud Light Talon before taking the stage for an extended set.
“He’s going to do a longer performance out here, about a 40-minute set at the Bud Light Talon, and then, he’s going to perform inside at halftime,” Downs said.
Team organizers have urged supporters to take their seats early as kickoff approaches. The pregame ceremony known as The Uprising is scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m.
“Our leader of The Uprising is Chef José Andrés, who lives in the area and is a Ravens fan,” Downs said.
Following the opening ceremony, the stadium will transition into its themed presentation. Spectators can anticipate a striking visual display during the “Darkness Falls” sequence.
“We’ve really enjoyed being able to turn out the lights and adding fireworks and light shows,” Downs said.
For the primetime matchup, the players will debut the new Darkness Falls uniforms on the field. Special merchandise supporting the theme, including a new mini helmet and an exclusive Under Armour apparel line, is being sold exclusively at the team store.
“We want all of our fans to wear black to the game, so if they need some new gear, they’ve got plenty of ‘Darkness’ options,” Downs said.
Before the action gets underway on the field, Samantha Pollino, a Broadway actress and Maryland native who is a prominent supporter of the franchise, will perform the national anthem.
