Wrigley Field
A ballpark opened in 1914, the second-oldest in U.S. Major League Baseball, known for its ivy-covered outfield wall, hand-operated scoreboard and the Chicago Cubs. Watching a day game is one of the best ways to experience American culture.
Wrigley Field is located in the Wrigleyville neighborhood on Chicago's North Side. It opened in 1914 and is the second-oldest active Major League ballpark in the United States, after Fenway Park in Boston. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs. Its signature features include the ivy planted on the outfield brick wall in 1937, which sprouts in spring and turns lush green in summer; the center-field scoreboard, which is still updated manually; the red main entrance marquee; the “W” or “L” flag raised after each game; and the tradition of the whole crowd singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in the seventh inning. Lights were not installed until 1988. Before that, games were played only during the day, and day games remain the most popular. After the Cubs broke the 108-year “Curse of the Billy Goat” to win the championship in 2016, demand for tickets has stayed high. Regular-season tickets range from US$30 to US$150. Buy them from the official website or platforms such as SeatGeek. Note that e-tickets require the MLB Ballpark app. Weekend city rivalry games against the Cardinals or the White Sox are the most expensive. The streets around the ballpark, Clark Street and Addison Street, are lined with sports bars such as Murphy's Bleachers and the Cubby Bear. On game days, the whole neighborhood becomes a party from the afternoon. Rooftop seating on the residential buildings opposite the ballpark is also available for a fee. On non-season or non-game days, you can take a 75- to 90-minute ballpark tour for about US$30, which includes the player dugout and press box. Getting there: get off at Addison station on the CTA Red Line. It is crowded on game days but runs smoothly. Do not drive, as there is almost no parking. Games last about three hours, so bring sunscreen. In the stands, you can buy hot dogs, popcorn and local beer. Cash is no longer accepted. If you want to see basketball, the Bulls play at the United Center from October to April. Chicago's sports culture is equally vibrant.
Opening hours
Match days per schedule (usually 1:20pm or 7:05pm kickoff); tour days 10am–4pm
Nearby sights
- Green Mill Cocktail Lounge
- Lincoln Park
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- North Avenue Beach
- 360 Chicago (John Hancock Center)
- Chicago Water Tower
- Magnificent Mile
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago