Anticipating a celebratory mood when the Toronto Blue Jays open up play at the Rogers Centre this season, Budweiser is working with transit operator Metrolinx to sponsor a night of free, safe rides home.

Following the Blue Jays’ home opener on April 11, the beer brand is sponsoring free GO Transit rides from 9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. the next day, as well as free UP Express rides from 9 p.m. to 11:30 a.m. This applies to all riders, as a way to ensure anyone who was at the game or enjoying watching at a bar or restaurant elsewhere in the GTA has a safe way home.

The execution ties into Budweiser’s recent “That’s What Buds Do” brand positioning, both from the perspective of friends enjoying a baseball game together, as well as making sure they get home safe afterwards.

“Budweiser is all about bringing true friends together, and with the Jays returning to Toronto next week, we are helping buds cheer on their home team, then helping them get home safely after the game,” says David Sheedy, senior director of marketing at Budweiser Canada.

Budweiser parent company Labatt has been a long-time partner of the Toronto Blue Jays. This season, Budweiser has bolstered its sponsorship, working with Rogers on big extensions into game broadcasts.