The Chicago Cubs shed their reputation as Major League Baseball’s perennial runners-up with their 2016 World Series win, and have been pretty consistently successful in the years following. And while they’ve always attracted a rabidly devoted following of Chicagoans, the Cubs, and their historic stadium have also become a point of interest for visitors to Chicago.
In fact, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in the entire majors, coming in just behind Fenway Park in Boston. It has of course been updated in the years since then—multiple times, in fact—but it remains a fan favorite for several unique features.
Located in Chicago’s dense North Side neighborhood that takes its name from the ballpark, Wrigley is also known as “The Friendly Confines,” a nickname made popular by HOF shortstop and first baseman Ernie Banks. Some of its more notable features include an ivy-laden brick outfield wall, its manual scoreboard, and the iconic red sign welcoming guests into the park.
Because of its location, Wrigley also experiences some unusual wind patterns from Lake Michigan, making it one of the more challenging ballparks to play at and it can be chilly for fans.
The park can accommodate upwards of 41,000 people per game, and on nicer days the Cubs regularly reach capacity at Wrigley. If you’re hoping to be one of those lucky fans who get to enjoy a memorable outing at Wrigley Field, we have a few tips on how to score cheap tickets, as well as some general advice on enjoying the game...
Tips for getting Chicago Cubs cheap tickets
Because of its location, Wrigley also experiences some unusual wind patterns from Lake Michigan, making it one of the more challenging ballparks to play at and one of the chillier for fans. As for the fans, the park can accommodate upwards of 41,000 people per game, and on nicer days the Cubs regularly reach capacity at Wrigley. If you’re hoping to be one of those lucky fans who get to enjoy a memorable outing at Wrigley Field, we have a few tips on how to score cheap tickets, as well as some general advice on enjoying the game...
1. Attend a weekday game
This may sound like a no-brainer, but weekend games are pricier and harder to find tickets for. If you can work your schedule around it, opt for a weekday match. Even better? A daytime match. So go ahead—take the day off work and enjoy an afternoon at America’s favorite ballpark.
2. Buy your tickets late
No one likes to wait until the last minute — especially if you’ve got your heart set on going — but sometimes waiting pays off. The secondary market will often seem to be flooded with more expensive tickets if you look too far in advance. Conversely, if you wait until game day or the day before, you’ll find that many resellers will have dropped their prices drastically in hopes of off-loading their tickets.
3. Check out special ticket offers from the Club
If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, sometimes it can pay off to go directly to the Chicago Cubs website. They often have special ticket offers that may apply to your plans, including themed nights (with prizes and giveaways, which always make your ticket more valuable), youth and community ticket nights, and even specials for college students.
Even if the specials won’t apply to your whole party, you can still save some dough by knocking a few dollars off a ticket here and there.
4. Look through third-party sellers
We’ve already mentioned the resale market, and honestly, that’s often where it’s at when it comes to getting cheap Cubs tickets. Anything from Vivid Seats and Tickpick to Stubhub and Ticketmaster can be a smart option. Just be sure you’re buying from a verified resale market vendor to avoid hassles like fake tickets.
5. Choose a game with a less exciting opponent
Everyone wants to check out the Cubs-Cards matchup, but that’s when the ticket prices are going to skyrocket. Pick an opponent that is less of a major rival, or, even better, a poorly-performing opponent, to score cheaper seats. The game will be just as exciting, we promise!
Tips for visiting Wrigley Field
- Dress warmly or in layers. We’ve already said it, but because of the breezes off Lake Michigan that haunt the ballpark all season, you’re likely to be chilly at some point during the game even in the hottest months.
- Arrive early and budget in time to go through security. Like most major sporting venues these days, Wrigley implements some serious security including bag searches and metal detectors. Don’t bring any prohibited items to avoid holding up the line.
- Bring a hat and wear sunscreen. Many of the seats at Wrigley aren’t covered, so if you’re visiting in late spring or summer, you’re going to be sitting in direct sun. Protect your skin and be smart about drinking water.
- While you can’t bring your own alcohol to the game, you can bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages in a soft-sided cooler. Avoiding pricey ballpark bottled water is already going to save you a bundle!
- If you do want to splurge on tickets, consider the famed rooftop seats. Many of these tickets come with all-you-can-eat and drink (including alcoholic beverages), making them a great value if you were planning on spending money on beer and hotdogs anyway.
- Take the train to Wrigley. The CTA Red Line to the Addison stop is an easy ride and simple to figure out from downtown or the Loop. Then, all you have to do is walk less than two blocks to the ballpark. Parking is a nightmare, full stop, so don’t try driving.
- If you’re traveling with very small kids, be aware that it’s going to be very cramped to navigate with a stroller in an old ballpark like this. Check it across the street at the Bike Valet.
- Families with kids may also want to consider a Sunday day game. Each Sunday after the game, the first 1,000 kids 13 and under to enter the ballpark get to run the bases, weather permitting. It’s a special experience they'll never forget!
Save on Chicago Cubs tickets & other top Chicago attractions
Now that you’ve got a plan of attack for how to make the most of your Chicago Cubs tickets, you’ll also want to think about the rest of your Chicago vacation. If you were hoping to combine your Cubs game with a trip to the Museum Campus, the Art Institute, Skydeck Chicago, or any other top area attraction, then consider a Go City® Chicago pass
This easy-to-use digital pass will save you up to 50% on combined admission versus paying at the gate. Save on baseball tickets, save on attraction tickets. A win-win!
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