How to Get Chicago Cubs Cheap Tickets

Here's how to score some great value tickets to a Chicago Cubs game while you're in town. From when to aim for to special deals, here are our top tips to get you in.

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
Chicago Cub tickets

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.

Wrigley Field

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

baseball-batter-walking-home-plate-stadium

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 

Chicago Cubs game

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

wrigley-field-first-base
  • 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!

☀️Compare Chicago passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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From the majestic Bean statue to the Crown Fountains and Lurie Park's dazzling flower displays, Millennium Park is the perfect place to start a day in Chicago.
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Chicago in March

The long winter may be coming to an end, but there's still a chill in the windy city. March in Chicago can be cold, but boy, can it be fun. Don't believe us? How dare you. We will not stand by this insolence. Let us show you why you are wrong. Read on, and discover just why Chicago in March can be a magical time to visit the city! Featuring: St Patrick's Day Museums The aquarium Ice skating Art galleries and more! Chicago in March: What to Expect May is when temperatures will start to climb. Generally, you'll find tops of around 45°F, or 7°C, and dips of around 28°F, or -2°C. So, it's going to be cold. Pack some big warm coats, hats, and boots. This is compounded by rainfall and some snow too. So, maybe make sure that warm jacket is waterproof too! Chicago in March: What to Do St Patrick's Day Let's kick things off with the luck of the Irish. Of course, we're talking about St Patrick's Day! One of the many times when people get together, eat, drink, and be merry. While it falls on the 17th of the month, Chicago dedicates around a fortnight to the St Paddy's celebrations. It starts with the Chicago River turning green, because of course it does. And, between the bars and restaurants flying the green flag, the festivities culminate with the Downtown St Patrick's Day Parade and the South Side Parade, where everyone shares the love and the laughs. St Paddy's is a busy time of year in Chicago, so expect crowds all over the shop. However, if you can get past all that, you're in for a grand old time! Museums As the weather can be unkind this time of year, why not step inside and warm yourself with the fire of history and learning? Chicago has plenty of fantastic museums you should visit. The Field Museum has the world's most famous Tyrannosaurus Rex housed within. Dare you face the beast? It also contains plenty of historical artifacts from Ancient Egypt and China, so go see what all the fuss is about! Or, swap history for science at the Museum of Science and Industry. It's the US' largest science museum, and you'll find a huge amount of fun and intrigue inside. Control a tornado, see your heartbeat on a giant 3D-modeled heart, and explore the history of scientific breakthroughs and discoveries. If, however, you want to learn more about the city itself, head on over to the Chicago History Museum! Learn about Chicago's history on the national and international stage, read about the Great Fire that tore through the city in the 19th century, and all about one of the country's best presidents, Abraham Lincoln. All that and much more awaits you, so go there and enjoy the learning. Shedd Aquarium Another indoor adventure worth experiencing is at the Shedd Aquarium. Through its doors, you'll find another world of underwater wonder. Come face to face with exciting creatures like sharks, stingrays, and fish you've never seen before. At the Waters of the World exhibition, you'll discover the diverse ecosystems that call the ocean home throughout the world. Plunge into the Caribbean Reef, and meet the sea turtles, sharks, and eels that call it home. In Amazon Rising, you'll learn about the species that live in the river, and how seasonal climate shifts affect their lives. And, for the little ones, the Polar Play Zone lets kids live out their polar fantasies by zipping up a penguin suit and living a day in the life of their favorite birds! Ice skating As winter makes way for spring, the city's waters inevitably begin to thaw. However, if temperatures don't pick up too much, it's the perfect time to check out Chicago's excellent ice skating! Makeshift rinks pop up all over the city, so take your pick. There's the Maggie Daley Park skating ribbon, a huge ribbon-shaped course that gives you plenty of space to stretch your skates, pirouette, or frantically try and stay upright as your weak legs struggle to find balance. 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While they have a number of mainstay exhibitions, they also have a seasonal rotation of awe-inspiring exhibits, so be sure to check what's on before venturing forth. Alternatively, check out the Museum of Contemporary Art. Out with the old and in with the new is the mantra here. See works from the 20th century all the way to today, with over 2,500 pieces on display. Much like many modern art institutions, you'll find a mix of media here, from film to canvas and sculpture too. And, this museum also doubles as a performing arts venue, with a massive amphitheater featuring acts from across the globe! When you've had enough art for one day, or you want to give your legs a rest, go grab a bite to eat at the museum's onsite restaurant, Marisol. Check out the Planetarium And finally, for the scientifically-minded and cosmos-curious, we end today's list with the perfect answer to Chicago's cold March. The Adler Planetarium helps visitors travel time and space itself, as they learn about the big black we see in the night sky. Through interactive exhibits, you'll explore the greatest hits of our galaxy, all 91 billion light-years of it, and get hands-on with replica space technology used today. Chicago's Night Sky is a massive exhibit that showcases how we as humans have related to the night sky throughout history. The Universe: A Walk Through Space and Time gives you insight into the beginning of everything, and how galaxies have changed throughout the history of the universe. And for the little ones, there's Planet Explorers, which gives them the chance to understand space in fun and unique ways. And that's what you need to know about Chicago in March!
Dom Bewley
Three friends enjoy a walk in Chicago
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Best walks in Chicago

Think of Chicago and your thoughts either go to the racier parts of the musical and movie that share the city’s name, or major downtown landmarks. After all, there’s the views from the Skydeck of Willis Tower to look forward to, alongside the photographic opportunities around the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park. However, Chicago also has a wilder side. And it’s one that’s easily enjoyed on foot. From strolls of just a couple of hours to full-day hikes, we’ve brought together the very best walks in Chicago just for you! North Shore Channel Trail A multi-use trail – meaning you’ll more than likely encounter cyclists, joggers and skaters too – the North Shore Channel Trail picks up in the Lincoln Square area of Chicago’s North Side and follows a canal-like channel dug in the early 1900s towards its outlet at Wilmette. Passing through Stokie, its easy 13 mile total length takes in the 60 artworks of Stokie Northshore Sculpture Park and Evaston Ecology Center within the Ladd Arboretum as well as the beauty of the city’s north. The 606 Providing new opportunities for hiking around Chicago, the 606 was created out of an unused rail line cutting west-east through the Humboldt Park and West Loop neighborhoods for a little under three miles. Its former life as a railroad track means the gradient is almost undetectable, making it a great pick for families with young children in pushchairs and strollers. It’s also very readily accessible thanks to several entry and exit points. Also known as the Bloomingdale Trail after the name of the former rail line, this elevated greenway and linear park may remind some of New York’s Highline, though the 606 is almost twice as long. It takes its new name from the area’s zip code numbers. Lakeshore Trail With walking boots in hand – or on foot – you won’t want to miss perhaps the most scenic walking trail in Chicago, the 18 mile Lakeshore Trail. Taking in a mix of urban splendor, parkland, beaches and lagoons, it’s a highly-rated way of exploring the shores of Lake Michigan however much you decide to walk of it. And let’s face it, with the wealth of attractions on the trail’s doorstep, from North Avenue Beach to Centennial Wheel and the Shedd Aquarium, it could easily take you two or three days to tackle its entire length, recently split between designated walking and cycling trails. Deer Grove Situated on Chicago’s northern outskirts, Deer Grove’s two adjoining segments, Deer Grove East and Forest Preserve, form a winding system of footpaths. Those closest to the main entrances are paved, and total around four miles, whilst unsurfaced trails lead about the trees, prairies and ponds for a further ten miles across 2000 acres. The birdlife here is some of the best in the region, with other species of wildlife to look out for including the white-tailed deer after which the preserve is named. Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve A thirty minute drive outside of the city, which may not sit comfortably with everyone’s idea of walking trips, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve has around 11 miles of mapped trails to choose between once you’ve arrived. Although it contains a small (artificial) cascade tumbling over some low rocks, it actually takes its name from a district board of commissioners’ president. One for nature lovers, its woodlands contain three quarters of all the plant species found in the region, alongside a long list of birds, fish, amphibians and mammals. Deep within its 2500 acres you’ll also find St Patrick Cemetery, which few others visit even on the busiest of days. The Magnificent Mile For urban exploration in its truest sense right at the heart of downtown Chicago there’s the Magnificent Mile. The honorary title given to the upper section of North Michigan Avenue, it runs from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Lined with mid-range and luxury stores, hotels and restaurants, it has some of the highest real estate figures in the US. It also boasts some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the John Hancock Center – home to the 360 CHICAGO viewing platform. On the face of it, walking its length shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes, but with so many store windows to check out and buildings to take in, it can take much longer than that. Save your stroll along the Magnificent Mile for later in the day, and if your feet are feeling tired, you can always make use of the Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing buses which ply the route instead. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Follow Route 55 southwest with the help of a motor engine and in around an hour you’ll reach Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Covering 19,000 acres of federally protected land, the prairie has over 20 miles of mixed use trails in addition to 12 miles of paths saved for hikers alone. Created out of an old army ammunition store with the aim of maintaining the region’s traditional prairie lands, since 2015 it has also been the home of one of the only wild-roaming bison herds in the country, totaling around 50 animals. They are allowed to move across roughly 10% of the prairie’s total area and are docile unless threatened. Morton Arboretum Walks If you’re a little nervous about heading into the wilds, Morton Arboretum makes for a great alternative. Forty-five minutes from the downtown neighborhoods, it has its own restored tallgrass prairie (minus the bison) as well as 16 miles of surfaced paths through burr reed marsh, woodland and landscapes of marginal lakes. Summer and fall see the arboretum host Theater-Hikes, where visitors walk between outdoor performances, whilst the Christmas period is given over to annual illuminations. Don’t miss anything with Go City The best walks in Chicago combine aspects of all the city has to offer to tourists young and old. Varying in length, difficulty and setting, they provide a different and often unique way of exploring the windy city. Travel with Go City and there’s also the chance to save when you stroll and stride. Many of the best walking trails in Chicago pass by the city’s bucket list attractions, so why not take a breather, skip the lines and save big on admission all at the same time?
Ian Packham

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