Wrigley Field visitor guide: everything you need to know

Chicago’s Wrigley Field is about as iconic as ballparks get. First opened in 1914, Wrigley Field has been the home of the Chicago Cubs since they played their first game in 1916, and over the years, it has seen more than its fair share of both triumph and heartbreak.

Located within the Lakeview enclave on the north side of Chicago, Wrigley Field remains a vital part of the city’s entertainment and leisure industry. Along with baseball games, the field has hosted concerts by some of the biggest names in music, from Billy Joel to Lady Gaga.

Whether you’ve come to town to take in a show and are looking for other great things to do in Chicago, or you’re a lifelong resident and diehard Cubs fan, a visit to Wrigley Field will always go much easier, no matter the event, if you know what you’re getting into beforehand. That’s why learning about the stadium’s bag policy is so important.

Plus, you can always make things easier on yourself by leaving your bags behind at a Bounce Chicago luggage storage. Traveling light will make it much easier to enjoy events at the stadium, along with everything else Chicago has to offer.

Wrigley Field bag policy

Wrigley Field bag policy is in line with what you’ll find at most Major League Baseball stadiums throughout the country. Any bag you bring into the stadium must be smaller than 16” x 16” x 8”. Backpacks of any size are not permitted, and neither are hard-sided coolers.

Unlike some stadiums, Wrigley Field does not have a clear bag policy, so as long as your bag fits the size requirements, it doesn’t need to be transparent. However, it is worth noting that all bags and personal items are subject to search by security personnel.

Wrigley Field doesn’t have much in the way of baggage storage lockers for bags that aren’t allowed inside, either. They will usually hold onto strollers while you enjoy the game, but that’s about it.

You can save yourself the hassle of dealing with security screening by taking advantage of bag storage near Wrigley Field. Bounce provides several convenient locations where you can leave any size of bags behind for as long as you want without worrying about size restrictions.

Wrigley Field food policy

Wrigley Field’s food policy does allow you to bring food inside, so long as you can fit it inside a bag that does not exceed the size requirements. Note that any food you do bring may be inspected to make sure it doesn’t break the rules. You can bring drinks inside so long as they are in sealed containers, but glass bottles and metal cans are not allowed, as they are a safety hazard. That means only soft drinks in a factory-sealed plastic bottle will be permitted. However, there are exceptions made for baby formula.

Luckily, there’s so much food at Wrigley Field that you may not have to worry about the outside food policy. You certainly won’t go hungry here. In fact, the range of food concessions on offer here is simply astounding, much like the street food scene in the rest of Chicago. Here is just a sample of where you can eat at Wrigley Field:

·        Northside Twist Pretzel

·        Marquee Market

·        Hot Doug’s Specialty Sausage

·        Wrigley Field Smokies

·        Vienna Beef Grill

·        Addison Street Grill

·        Three Fingers Bar

Together, these and other concession stands within the stadium offer an incredible variety of things to eat, from classic ballpark hot dogs to pizza to steak. You’ll also find vegetarian options throughout the stadium, so nobody needs to go hungry here. 

Wrigley Field transportation

By car

If you plan on driving to the stadium on a game day, it isn’t hard to figure out how to get to Wrigley Field by car. Just follow the crowds.

Lake Shore Drive can bring you to Irving Park Road, and if you follow that to Clark, you’ll find the stadium easily.

Parking is limited right next to the stadium, and several of the closest lots, including the Irving Park lot, the Toyota RAV4 lot, and the Toyota Camry lot, are reserved for season-ticket holders on game days. The Camry lot, located at 1126 Grace Street, is the largest lot and is only a couple of blocks from the stadium. You can save yourself a lot of hassle on game day by purchasing your parking in advance so that you know exactly what lot you will be in.

There is also remote parking at 3900 N. Rockwell Street. It’s free to park in this lot, and there is also a free shuttle bus that will take you from your car to the stadium itself.

Public transit

If you’re planning to take advantage of Wrigley Field public transportation, the Chicago Transportation Authority or CTA has you covered. The Red Line runs to Addison Station, close to the stadium, and you can board Red Line trains at the State Street subway station in downtown Chicago or from Howard.

Several bus routes also serve the stadium, with service increased to match demand on game days and nights. Bus routes 8, 22, 152, and 80 all provide enhanced service to Wrigley Field during games.

Wrigley Field camera policy

The Wrigley Field camera policy does allow you to bring a camera to record images of the game for your own personal use. What you are not allowed to do, however, is bring professional equipment to create commercial images.

It’s also worth remembering that any kind of photographic equipment, such as tripods and monopods, will not be allowed inside the stadium. Therefore, if you have a large camera with a telephoto lens that even looks like it might be professional grade, it’s probably better to leave it at a nearby luggage storage to make sure you don’t break any rules.

Wrigley Field rules

• Prohibited items at Wrigley Field include backpacks (even transparent ones), aerosol cans (including aerosol sunscreen), selfie sticks, alcohol brought from outside, umbrellas, skateboards, and full-size baseball bats.
• Fans are requested to be courteous and respectful and refrain from using abusive language or wearing clothes with obscene images or slogans on them.
• Illegal drugs are not permitted in the stadium. Nor is marijuana or smoking of any kind.
• Signs and banners that may obstruct the view of people behind you are not allowed.
• Face masks are not required at this time. However, the rules and regulations at Wrigley Field regarding outbreaks follow the Covid rules established by the Illinois health authorities and so are subject to change.

Breaking any of these rules may see you ejected from the stadium.

Conclusion

Visiting the historic ballpark of Wrigley Field is one of the must-do attractions in Chicago. Along with the many great free things there are to do in the city, the family-friendly activities, and the excellent nightlife, Wrigley Field provides a wonderful experience of Chicago culture.

But to give yourself the best possible time, don’t forget to leave your bags behind in a convenient Wrigley Field luggage storage. That way, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the game without breaking any of the rules.