Wrigley Field is one of baseball’s most iconic ballparks. It’s in Chicago’s lively Lakeview neighborhood. Built in 1914, this historic stadium is home to the Chicago Cubs. Millions of visitors come here each year to experience America’s pastime in a genuine setting. The ivy-covered outfield walls and classic scoreboard create an atmosphere that takes fans back to baseball’s golden era.
Before you visit, know that Wrigley Field has storage options for your belongings during the game. Understanding the rules will help your first visit go smoothly.
This legendary venue offers much more than just baseball. The Wrigleyville neighborhood around it has bars, restaurants, and shops that create a party atmosphere on game days. Inside the ballpark, you’ll find the historic manual scoreboard, which was built in 1937 and is still operated by hand. There’s the famous red marquee at the main entrance. You’ll see statues of Cubs legends like Ernie Banks and Harry Caray.
The ballpark also has rooftop seating on buildings across the street. These offer unique viewing experiences. Walk through the concourses and explore Cubs history through displays and memorabilia. The intimate seating means you’ll feel close to the action wherever you sit.
Wrigley Field Bag Policy
Knowing what you can bring into the stadium is essential. The Chicago Cubs have specific bag rules to keep everyone safe and comfortable while making entry faster.
Types of Bags Allowed
Wrigley Field allows bags that don’t exceed 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches, with the important exception that backpacks are not permitted, including clear backpacks. Permitted bags can include wallets, purses, drawstring bags, fanny packs, lunch bags, briefcases, and soft-sided coolers that meet the size requirements.
Wrigley Field does not require bags to be clear. Clear bags can be used if they otherwise comply with the policy and are not backpacks, but there is no separate clear-bag requirement.
Diaper bags that accompany guests with young children are permitted as an exception. Medical bags are also allowed. All bags are subject to inspection.
Types of Bags Not Allowed
The ballpark strictly prohibits several types of bags. Backpacks of any kind, including clear backpacks, are not permitted. Bags larger than 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches are also prohibited.
Luggage and suitcases cannot be brought inside. Hard-sided coolers, regardless of size, are prohibited as well. Other bags such as drawstring bags, fanny packs, briefcases, lunch bags, and soft-sided coolers can be permitted as long as they meet the size requirement and are not backpacks.
If you arrive with a prohibited bag, you’ll need to return it to your vehicle or find alternative storage. The Cubs do not offer large bag or luggage storage at Wrigley Field.
Wrigley Field Lockers
Unfortunately, the Chicago Cubs do not offer large bag or luggage storage at Wrigley Field. This means you must plan ahead about what you bring to the game.
The venue expects guests to leave prohibited items at home, in their vehicles, or at their hotels before arriving. Security personnel cannot store prohibited personal items for guests. This makes it important to review the bag policy carefully before your visit.
This limitation has led many visitors to seek alternative storage solutions in the surrounding Wrigleyville area. Several third-party luggage storage services operate near the stadium and can be useful for tourists and out-of-town visitors carrying bags before or after the game.
Planning your storage needs in advance prevents disappointment at the gates. You won’t have to miss innings while finding a place for your belongings.
Wrigley Field Transportation
Getting to the historic ballpark is straightforward. Chicago’s extensive public transportation network and the stadium’s location give you multiple options.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line provides the most direct public transit route. Exit at the Addison station, which serves Wrigley Field directly. From there, the ballpark is a short walk west along Addison Street. This train runs frequently throughout the day and evening and is convenient for both day and night games.
Expect crowded trains immediately before and after games. The Cubs strongly encourage visitors to use public transportation when possible.
CTA bus routes also serve the Wrigleyville area. The #22 Clark and #152 Addison buses both stop at the intersection of Clark and Addison streets. The #8 Halsted also serves the surrounding area, along with routes such as #36 Broadway, #80 Irving Park, and #151 Sheridan. On Cubs game days, the #152 Addison provides additional service, with more frequent buses before and after games.
These buses connect with various neighborhoods throughout Chicago. They can be particularly useful if you’re coming from areas not directly served by the Red Line.
Driving and parking is possible but requires patience and planning. The stadium sits in a dense neighborhood with limited parking. The Cubs offer several parking options, and visitors can also reserve parking in advance through SpotHero. Parking prices vary by lot, game, and availability.
For night and weekend games, the Cubs currently offer a free remote parking lot at 4650 N. Clarendon Ave., with complimentary shuttle service to and from Wrigley Field. Shuttle service begins two hours before first pitch, with return shuttles operating for approximately 90 minutes after the game ends.
Street parking in surrounding neighborhoods can be difficult and may be restricted. Using public transportation or reserving parking in advance can help you avoid unnecessary delays.
Wrigley Field Camera Policy
Photography enthusiasts will be pleased to know that Wrigley Field permits cameras designed for personal viewing. Both still and video cameras can be brought into the ballpark as long as their use does not interfere with the game or other guests’ enjoyment.
Smartphones, personal still cameras, and personal video cameras can therefore be used to capture memories of your visit. Any other use, distribution, or commercial use of game footage or images is prohibited without authorization.
However, the policy prohibits professional-grade video and still cameras, including cameras with extended or removable lenses and camera attachments such as microphones. Tripods, monopods, other professional camera equipment, and selfie sticks are also prohibited.
There is no current general rule setting a specific six-inch lens limit. Instead, extended and removable lenses are included in the professional-grade equipment restriction.
Rules may differ for concerts and other non-baseball events at Wrigley Field, so check the specific event information before bringing camera equipment.
All photography must respect other guests’ experiences. Don’t interfere with their views or enjoyment of the game. Standing in aisles or walkways to take photos can create congestion and should be avoided.
Wrigley Field Food Policy
Wrigley Field allows more outside food than many stadiums. Guests may bring a personal amount of food in a small, disposable bag into the ballpark.
Factory-sealed plastic bottles may also be brought into Wrigley Field. In addition, non-factory-sealed plastic bottles are permitted if they are empty. There is no current published one-liter maximum in the general Cubs policy.
However, glass, metal, or aluminum containers, bottles, and cans are prohibited. This includes tumblers, thermoses, and flasks. Alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into the stadium, and hard-sided coolers are prohibited regardless of size.
Guests with dietary restrictions are also welcome to bring food prepared at home into the ballpark in appropriate bags or containers that comply with stadium rules.
The ballpark offers a wide variety of concession options. You’ll find traditional ballpark fare like hot dogs and peanuts, along with gluten-free, kosher, vegan, and vegetarian options at selected locations. All purchases at Wrigley Field are cashless, with credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets accepted.
Other Wrigley Field Rules & Information
Beyond bags, cameras, and food, several additional regulations govern behavior and items at the historic ballpark. Smoking and tobacco use are prohibited throughout the entire Wrigley Field campus, including Gallagher Way. This includes cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vapes, and smokeless tobacco products. There are no designated smoking areas on the Wrigley Field campus.
Weapons of any type are strictly forbidden. This includes firearms, knives, and other weapons. Full-sized baseball bats, brooms, poles, staffs, and sticks are also prohibited.
Air horns and other distracting noisemakers are prohibited. Inflatables, including beach balls, laser pointers, drones, fireworks, and other dangerous or disruptive items are also banned.
Banners, signs, and flags are permitted under certain conditions. They cannot contain inappropriate, commercial, political, or disruptive messages or obstruct another guest’s view. They may only be displayed before the game, between innings, and after the game, and they cannot be mounted on sticks, wooden frames, or similar objects or attached to railings, seats, or walls.
Guests are expected to remain in designated seating areas. Don’t attempt to access the field, dugouts, or restricted areas without authorization. Throwing objects onto the field or otherwise disrupting the game can result in removal and possible legal consequences.
Fans age 2 and under are admitted to regular-season Cubs games without a ticket as long as they sit on the lap of a parent or guardian. Fans age 3 and older need their own ticket.
Wrigley Field is accessible to guests with disabilities. Accessible seating sections are located throughout the ballpark near elevators, lifts, or ramps, and accessible restrooms are available throughout the venue. Complimentary wheelchair assistance and assistive listening devices are also available. Service animals recognized under federal law are permitted, while pets and emotional support animals are not.
Guests generally may not exit and re-enter Wrigley Field after their ticket has been scanned. However, ticket holders can access Gallagher Way during games through the Gallagher Way Gate beginning during the first inning, with re-entry from Gallagher Way closing at the bottom of the eighth inning. Alcohol cannot be taken between Gallagher Way and Wrigley Field.
Tips for Visitors
Before heading to the ballpark, check the official Chicago Cubs website for the most current policies and any special event information. The team occasionally updates regulations and implements different rules for concerts and other non-baseball events. The website provides details about promotional giveaways, theme nights, transportation, parking, and gate opening times.
You can also find information about weather policies and rain delays. This is particularly useful given Chicago’s unpredictable weather patterns. The site offers an interactive seating chart that helps you understand exactly where your seats are located.
Purchasing tickets directly through official channels ensures authenticity and provides customer service support if issues arise. Popular games may sell out, so booking ahead can be useful.
A practical strategy for avoiding bag policy complications is to bring only a small bag that is not a backpack and stays within the 16" x 16" x 8" limit. Wrigley Field does not require a clear bag, and clear backpacks are specifically prohibited.
A small purse, fanny pack, or drawstring bag that meets the size limit can hold essentials like your phone, wallet, keys, sunscreen, and perhaps a small portable charger while remaining compliant with the general Cubs bag rules.
Wear clothing with secure pockets for items you want to keep readily accessible. Keep your phone for photos and your ticket for scanning handy. Layer your clothing rather than bringing extra items you do not need. Chicago weather can change throughout a game.
If you’re visiting Chicago as a tourist or arriving with luggage before or after your game, don’t let heavy bags ruin your Wrigley Field experience. Rather than attempting to bring luggage or a backpack that will be denied entry, use Qeepl luggage storage near Wrigley Field. Storage costs US$7.39 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of US$1,000.
This convenient service allows you to drop off backpacks, suitcases, and other large items before heading to the ballpark. You can book online in advance and leave your belongings while you enjoy Wrigleyville and the game.
This practical solution means you can arrive in Wrigleyville before game time, explore the neighborhood’s bars and restaurants freely, enjoy the game without worrying about prohibited luggage, and retrieve your items afterward.
FAQ
What is the clear bag policy at Chicago stadium?
Wrigley Field does not require clear bags. Bags such as purses, drawstring bags, fanny packs, lunch bags, briefcases, and soft-sided coolers are permitted as long as they meet the 16" x 16" x 8" size limit. However, backpacks are prohibited, including clear backpacks. All bags are subject to inspection.
Can you bring an empty water bottle into Wrigley?
Yes. Empty plastic bottles are permitted at Wrigley Field. Factory-sealed plastic bottles are also allowed. Glass, metal, and aluminum bottles or containers, cans, thermoses, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Can I bring my own snacks to Wrigley Field?
Yes. Wrigley Field allows guests to bring a personal amount of food in a small, disposable bag. Guests with dietary restrictions may also bring food prepared at home, provided the bags or containers comply with ballpark rules.
Are crossbody bags allowed in stadiums?
Bag policies vary by stadium. At Wrigley Field, a crossbody bag can generally be brought inside as long as it is not a backpack and does not exceed 16" x 16" x 8". The bag does not need to be clear.
What is not allowed in Wrigley Field?
Wrigley Field prohibits backpacks, including clear backpacks; bags larger than 16" x 16" x 8"; luggage; hard-sided coolers; alcohol; glass, metal, and aluminum containers; weapons; fireworks; full-sized baseball bats; air horns and other distracting noisemakers; professional-grade cameras with extended or removable lenses; tripods; monopods; selfie sticks; drones; laser pointers; and smoking or vaping. The Cubs do not offer large bag or luggage storage at the ballpark.
How early should I arrive at Wrigley Field?
For most Cubs games, gates open 90 minutes before first pitch. Gates open two hours before first pitch for Saturday games and special occasions, unless otherwise specified. If you are driving or bringing a permitted bag that needs inspection, allow additional time. Public transportation is strongly recommended.
