Wrigley Field Pregame Guide
Chicago Cubs · Chicago, IL
Wrigley Field has no parking lots of its own to tailgate in — it was built into the Lakeview neighbourhood on Chicago's North Side, the part now known as Wrigleyville, and the pregame is the streets around it. Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch for most games, or two hours for Opening Day, Saturdays and special occasions. The bag rule is more generous than most modern parks but has one hard edge: no backpacks at all, including clear ones, and no hard-sided coolers of any size. Anything else under 16 by 16 by 8 inches is fine. New this season, the free remote lot has moved to 4650 N. Clarendon Avenue, with a free shuttle for night and weekend games.
Tips & Fan Reports
Hard-sided coolers are refused at any size; soft-sided ones under the limit are fine.
The free remote lot moved to 4650 N. Clarendon Ave this season, with a free shuttle for night and weekend games.
Gates are 90 minutes out on a normal day but two hours for Opening Day and Saturdays.
No backpack, even a clear one — that is the rule most likely to turn you away at the gate, and a soft-sided bag under 16x16x8 is the workaround.
Where to Go Before the Game
Wrigleyville, in Lakeview
The neighbourhood the ballpark was built into on Chicago's North Side. With no stadium lots, the streets around the park are the pregame.
Known for Surrounds the ballpark · Chicago's North Side · No stadium lots
Gallagher Way
The Cubs' own entertainment plaza beside the ballpark, the club-operated pregame space rather than a parking bay.
Known for Club-operated plaza · Beside the ballpark
The remote lot at 4650 N. Clarendon Avenue
Free remote parking for night and weekend games, relocated here this season, with a free shuttle running to and from the ballpark.
Known for Free parking · Free shuttle · Night and weekend games
Rules to Know
What Wrigley Field allows, and what it does not.
- Gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch for most games, and two hours before first pitch for Opening Day, Saturday games and special occasions.
- Backpacks, including clear backpacks, and hard-sided coolers of any size, are not permitted.
- Bags larger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches are not permitted. Wallets, purses, drawstring bags, fanny packs, lunch bags, briefcases and soft-sided coolers under that size are permitted.
- Exceptions are made for medical bags and for diaper bags accompanying guests with young children. All bags are subject to inspection.
- Free remote parking is available for night and weekend games at 4650 N. Clarendon Ave., with a free shuttle to and from Wrigley Field.
- Wrigley Field has no stadium parking lots of its own, and publishes no tailgating policy.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Backpacks, including clear backpacks, are not allowed. Other bags must be smaller than 16 x 16 x 8 inches and are inspected at entry.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Guests may bring a personal amount of food in a small disposable bag and factory-sealed plastic bottles into Wrigley Field.
- A card or a phone wallet
Wrigley Field purchases are cashless and accept credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Cubs tickets are mobile-only through the MLB Ballpark app and are scanned at self-service ticket pedestals.
- A warm layer for after dark
April nights average 41°F at Wrigley Field.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
July highs average 85°F at Wrigley Field, with no roof over the seats.
- A poncho, not an umbrella
Umbrellas are on Wrigley Field's prohibited list, and May averages 4.1 inches of rain.
Chicago Cubs Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Chicago Cubs gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
Chicago Cubs official site: Wrigley Field Policies and Procedures, Security, Know Before You Go, and Parking
- Venue policies
Wrigley Field security, policies, and accessibility guides reviewed for entry, family, payment, food, and accessibility rules.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals