Rate Field Pregame Guide
Chicago White Sox · Chicago, IL
Tailgating is permitted in the Rate Field lots, set up within your own parking space and clear of pathways and traffic — and the club now sells reserved tailgating spaces in Lot E, which come with dedicated tailgate room and a short walk to the gates. The clock is tight at both ends: all tailgating stops at the start of the game, none is permitted afterwards, and the lots close about an hour after the final out. Lots open two hours before first pitch, or three on the home opener; gates open 90 minutes before, or two hours on Opening Day.
Tips & Fan Reports
Tailgating before the game is a big part of the White Sox experience. Get there early and walk around the 100 level. Check out the shower that used to be in the Comiskey outfield and statues of Sox greats in center field.
Everything stops at first pitch. There is no post-game tailgating here at all.
Lot E sells reserved tailgating spaces with dedicated room beside the bay — worth it if the tailgate matters more than the walk.
Lots open two hours out, so the usable window is genuinely about two hours.
The home opener is the exception at both ends: lots three hours early, gates two.
Where to Go Before the Game
Lot E reserved tailgating spaces
Bookable spaces in Lot E that include dedicated tailgate room alongside the parking bay, and sit close to the gates. The upgrade if the tailgate is the point of the trip.
Known for Reserved and bookable · Dedicated tailgate space · Close to the gates
The general parking lots
Tailgating is permitted throughout, set up within your own space without blocking pathways or traffic. Lots open two hours before first pitch, three on the home opener.
Known for Tailgating permitted · Open 2 hours before · In your own space
The end-of-tailgate line
All tailgating in the lots ends at the start of the game, with none permitted afterwards, and the lots close roughly an hour after the final out.
Known for Ends at first pitch · No post-game · Lots close 1 hour after
Rules to Know
What Rate Field allows, and what it does not.
- Tailgating is permitted in the parking lots.
- Fans who tailgate must set up in their respective parking space and avoid blocking pathways and traffic.
- Reserved tailgating spaces are available to purchase in Lot E, including a dedicated tailgate space and proximity to the gates.
- All tailgating ends at the start of the game, and no tailgating is permitted following the conclusion of the game.
- Parking lots typically open two hours prior to the scheduled start. On the day of the home opener only, lots open three hours prior to first pitch.
- All parking lots close approximately one hour after the game.
- Gates to the ballpark open 90 minutes prior to first pitch, or two hours prior on Opening Day.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Rate Field permits clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12 x 12 x 6 inches and non-clear clutches up to 9 x 5 x 2 inches.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Single-serving food may be brought into Rate Field in an approved bag or carried by hand for security screening.
- A card or a phone wallet
Rate Field is cashless.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Tickets to all White Sox games are sent as mobile tickets by email and must be displayed on a smartphone at the gate.
- A warm layer for after dark
April nights average 41°F at Rate Field.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
July highs average 85°F at Rate Field, with no roof over the seats.
- A poncho, not an umbrella
Umbrellas are on Rate Field's prohibited list, and May averages 4.1 inches of rain.
Tailgate Gear
Lots open two hours before first pitch, three on the home opener.
- A setup that fits your own parking space without blocking a pathway or traffic lane
- A Lot E reserved tailgating space if you want dedicated room rather than just a bay
- Everything packed away by first pitch, since no tailgating is permitted after the game either
Chicago White Sox Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Chicago White Sox 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 White Sox official site: Tailgating at Rate Field, Where to Park, and Rate Field Entry Gates
- Venue policies
Current White Sox Rate Field information, disability-access, and concessions guidance reviewed for entry, family, payment, food, parking, and accessibility rules.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals