Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field Fan Guide


Sportsfanfocus.com has no affiliation with Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs, or MLB (info)

This is a guide to the Chicago Cubs home ballpark Wrigley Field. Going to a baseball game can be fun, but it is also a unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. There are certain policies and procedures you will want to be aware of beforehand, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.

Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Chicago Cubs tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).

In this article we will discuss:

  • What to bring to a Chicago Cubs Game
  • Chicago Cubs Ticket Information
  • Chicago Cubs Stadium Gate Information
  • Does Wrigley Field Accept Cash?
  • How Long are Cubs Games?

What to Bring to a Chicago Cubs Game?

If you are going to a Chicago Cubs game, below is a list of things you might need to bring. You will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:

  • Clear Stadium BagMany stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)
  • Parking Pass – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of Chicago Cubs parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com)
  • Weather and Sun protection – Wrigley Field is an open-air stadium, which means you will want to be prepared to face the elements when you attend a Chicago Cubs game. Things like sunscreen, hats, jackets, and rain ponchos may be needed depending on weather forecasts.
  • Bug Repellent – Because Wrigley Field is open air, bugs may be an issue during summer. Just make sure your bug repellent meets stadium safety guidelines for aerosol cans.
  • Camera – Some fans like to bring a camera into the game. Just make sure your camera meets the stadium requirements regarding cameras and video recorders.
  • Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
  • Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are slowly transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is never a bad idea.
  • Baseball Glove – Some fans like to bring a baseball glove to the stadium in hopes of catching a foul ball.

Can You Bring a Bag Into Wrigley Field?

As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, most stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. Many stadiums recommend using a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the Cubs information guide.

Chicago Cubs Ticket Information

Can You Buy Tickets at Wrigley Field?

As of this year, the Chicago Cubs use digital tickets. The ticket office windows at the stadium can provide assistance in purchasing digital tickets. You can purchase tickets directly from the team’s website or from the MLB Ballpark app as long as supplies last. You can also purchase tickets from ticket brokers such as StubHub or Vivid Seats.

  • I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Chicago Cubs tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).

If you need to visit the ticket office for assistance, the Cubs main ticket office at Wrigley Field is located near the corner of W Addison St and N Clark St (view) by gate 3. There are also ticket windows on Waveland Avenue near the Gate 5 left field entrance (view), and on Waveland Avenue near the Gate 10 Budweiser Bleachers centerfield entrance (view).

The Cubs Ticket Office at Wrigley Field is only open during the season on Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm and on the weekends from 9am to 4pm. There are extended hours for night games. Other ticket windows around the stadium will open two hours prior to game time (source).

You can also buy directly from the team by downloading the MLB Ballpark App to your mobile device. The MLB Ballpark app is MLB’s free, official app that makes it easy to access, manage, and use your tickets. This is where you can learn more about the Ballpark App.

To read more, visit our article about buying Cubs tickets at the stadium. You can also check out our article on the best places to find Cubs Tickets for a more detailed breakdown. Also, if you are interested in buying Cubs gear to wear to the game, visit our Chicago Cubs authentic jersey guide.

Wrigley Field Gate Information

Wrigley Field gates open 90 minutes prior to game time, except on Opening Day which is 2 hours prior to game time. Wrigley Field has several gate entrances conveniently located around the outside of the stadium.

Depending on where you park, and where your seats are located, one entrance might make more sense for you than the others. To read about the location of each, and what parking lots make the most sense for you, visit our Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field Gate and Parking Guide.

Fans can enter early to watch batting practice once stadium gates open. For more information, visit our article about watching batting practice at Wrigley Field .

How Long Do Cubs Games Last?

You can expect a Chicago Cubs game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to four hours depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average Major League Baseball game lasted 3 hours and 10 minutes (source).    

The length of games has become a point of emphasis for Major League Baseball as many fans site pace of play as one thing they’d like to see improve with the sport. In recent years, Major League Baseball has taken steps to help shorten the length of games, but the effectiveness of these measures is still under evaluation.

Major League Baseball games consist of nine total innings, with the exception of double header games which are only 7 total innings in length. If you are heading to Wrigley Field, planning for a 3-4 hour game is probably the safest bet. To read more, visit our article about the amount of time baseball games take.

Does Wrigley Field Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?

Wrigley Field is a cashless venue. Patrons may pay with debit/credit card or mobile payment (Apple Pay and Google Pay). Alternatively, the park has reverse ATMs that allows patrons to convert cash to a prepaid debit card (accepted anywhere that takes major credit/debit cards). These ATMs are located:

  • Wrigley Field Marquee Gate
  • Wrigley Field Gallagher Way Gate
  • Wrigley Field Left Field Gate
  • Wrigley Field Wintrust Right Field Gate
  • Main Concourse ramps to the Upper Level
  • Budweiser Bleachers Stairwells and Ramp

Chicago Cubs Contact Info

This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs, MLB, or any of the events hosted at this facility.

Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the Chicago Cubs staff. Contact information is below:

Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Chicago Cubs tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).

Joshua Lloyd

Joshua is lead content creator for basketball and golf at Sports Fan Focus. Golf is a passion of his and he enjoys both playing and watching golf in his spare time. To read more about Joshua, visit the SFF About Us page.

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