Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs
- James Clotfelter
- Jul 30
- 7 min read
Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison St.
Chicago, IL 60613
Year Opened: 1914
Capacity: 41,649
The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field
Weeghman Park, opened in 1914 as the home of the Chicago Whales. Two years later, in 1916, the Cubs moved in, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in an 11-inning thriller on April 20. A decade later, the ballpark adopted the iconic name we know today: Wrigley Field.
Throughout the years, this cathedral of baseball has preserved countless moments from America's pastime-some legendary, some heartbreaking, and some downright bizarre. There was the infamous incident in which the Cubs denied a man and his pet goat entry to the ballpark, giving rise to the legendary "Curse of the Billy Goat" and, naturally, a 108-year World Series drought. Babe Ruth famously called his shot during the 1932 World Series. Ernie Banks hit his 500th home run here, Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb’s hit record, Ferris Bueller attended a game on his day off, and in 2016, the Cubs clinched their first World Series title in 108 years with a dramatic Game 7 victory.
No matter what comes to mind when you think of Wrigley Field or the Cubs, the significance of this baseball pilgrimage is undeniable.
Food & Beverage 3
Wrigley Field keeps things relatively simple when it comes to food and beverage options while maintaining its Chicago flair. Most concessions are located along the main concourse, offering traditional ballpark fare such as hot dogs, chicken tenders, pizza, pretzels, hamburgers, candy, and more.
Chicago is known for its Polish sausages and signature Chicago-style hot dogs, and Wrigley embraces that heritage with numerous concession stands serving these local staples. If you do a little searching along the concourse, you are sure to find unique options like a pastrami sandwich and loaded waffle fries.
Beer is available at nearly every concession stand, as well as dedicated beverage kiosks throughout the stadium. Domestic favorites like Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Old Style are widely available, while premium selections such as Goose Island, Stella Artois, Mango Cart, and other craft options can be found at select beer kiosks.
The upper level also has concession stands, though the selection is more limited than on the main concourse.
Atmosphere 5
Where do I even begin? The atmosphere at Wrigley Field is everything you could want from a baseball experience. It feels as if you're stepping onto the set of a baseball movie- take your pick of any film that features Wrigley.
The iconic "Welcome to Wrigley Field" marquee outside the stadium is one of the most recognizable landmarks in professional baseball. Inside, the main concourse is lined with brick walls and exposed piping overhead, reinforcing the park's historic charm while serving as home to the majority of the concession stands. Although the main team store is located outside the stadium, plenty of official merchandise kiosks are scattered throughout the concourse. Stairs and ramps connect the different levels, and the upper concourses feel almost detached from the seating bowl. Rather than walking behind the upper-level seats as you would in most modern stadiums, fans pass directly in front of them, adding to Wrigley's unique design.
As memorable as all of that is, the heart of Wrigley's atmosphere is the traditional hand-operated center-field scoreboard and the bleachers beyond the ivy-covered outfield walls. The ivy is arguably the most iconic ballpark feature in the country, while the "Bleacher Creatures" keep the energy high from first pitch to the final out. In between innings, you can hear the infamous organ playing well-known tunes. No matter what's happening on the field, there's rarely a dull moment.
Wrigley Field is a stadium unlike any other. It feels like a living museum of baseball, preserving the game's history while continuing to create new memories for every generation of fans.
Neighborhood 5
Wrigleyville offers one of the best pre- and post-game neighborhoods in all of Major League Baseball. I had visited the neighborhood on a non-game day before and thought to myself, "This is a nice area." On game day, however, it's an entirely different world.
The buzz in the air for a Monday night interleague matchup in July was incredible. Fans packed the bars and restaurants well before first pitch, creating an electric atmosphere throughout the neighborhood. I can personally recommend Lucky Dorr for a pregame beer and Murphy's Bleachers for both food and drinks, but you really can't go wrong. With what feels like a million bars and restaurants surrounding the stadium, nearly every establishment contributes to the festive game-day atmosphere.
The main team store is located just outside the stadium near the iconic "Welcome to Wrigley Field" marquee. The two-story shop features traditional merchandise on the first floor, including hats, jerseys, shirts, and other apparel, while the second level offers premium collectibles, including game-used memorabilia.
If street vendors (hats and T-shirts) are more your style, the walk to Wrigley Field is lined with them, adding even more energy and excitement to the game-day experience.
Fans 5
I mentioned it before, but this was a Monday night interleague matchup in July- not exactly the type of game that typically draws the biggest crowd or carries the most significance on the schedule. Yet Wrigley Field was filled to the brim.
That seems to be the norm. The Cubs rank among the league leaders in attendance despite playing in one of Major League Baseball's smaller ballparks. More importantly, the fans aren't just there- they're engaged. Every pitch felt meaningful to the crowd. By July, the grind of a 162-game season has usually set in, and at many ballparks the energy begins to fade. That wasn't the case at Wrigley. The Cubs faithful remained invested from first pitch to the final out, never letting dog days of the season diminish their enthusiasm.
The fans are knowledgeable, passionate, and welcoming to visiting supporters, as evidenced by the strong contingent of Tigers fans who made the trip. They appreciate good baseball, regardless of the matchup, and that only adds to the experience.
Access 3
Getting to Wrigley Field can be a vastly different experience depending on your mode of transportation. The CTA Red, Purple, and Brown Lines all have stations within walking distance of the ballpark. This was my preferred way to get to the game, and I had no issues riding the train to or from the stadium. That said, if service is delayed or trains are especially crowded, the experience can become far less enjoyable.
The area surrounding the stadium is highly walkable if you're staying nearby or don't mind a bit of a stroll. Uber and Lyft also offer multiple pickup and drop-off locations throughout the neighborhood. If possible, avoid driving. Traffic around Wrigleyville can be heavy on game days, and parking is both limited and expensive. Between the congestion, finding a spot, and paying for parking, driving can easily become the most frustrating part of the trip.
Once inside, the stadium is relatively easy to navigate despite its age. The concourses and walkways can feel cramped, and most levels are connected by stairs and ramps. A limited number of elevators are available for fans who need an accessible route between levels. Signage throughout the ballpark is clear and plentiful, making it easy to find your seat.
Return on Investment 2
Compared to other MLB venues, Wrigley Field is among the most expensive in nearly every category. Tickets alone are pricier than average, with the get-in price for a weeknight game typically hovering around $45-$50 on the resale market, and on weekends it obviously only gets higher.
Concession prices don't offer much relief. Expect to pay around $10 for a hot dog, $14 for a slice of pizza, $8 for a pretzel, and anywhere from $14-$18 for a beer. Expensive? Absolutely. But it's Wrigley, and I'd recommend doing most of your eating and drinking before entering the stadium anyway. The biggest offender, however, is the $7 bottle of water. That almost feels criminal. Fortunately, water fountains are readily available throughout the ballpark, and fans are allowed to bring in one factory-sealed bottle of water, making that price a little easier to swallow.
Parking generally costs around $40 or more, but as mentioned earlier, taking the CTA or using Uber or Lyft will likely save you both money and the headache of navigating Wrigleyville on game day.
Extras 5
Wrigley Field comes with a seemingly limitless number of extras for any baseball fan and sits atop many stadium-goers' bucket lists for that very reason. From the historic ivy and the iconic "Welcome to Wrigley Field" marquee to the hand-operated center-field scoreboard, the bleachers, the rooftop seating beyond the outfield walls, and even the support beams throughout the seating bowl, every feature contributes to a ballpark unlike any other.
As memorable as those landmarks are, they still take a back seat to the history and culture preserved within these walls. Whatever baseball means to you, and whatever you think it means to others, Wrigley Field has played a role in shaping that feeling for generations. That's something only one other active Major League Baseball stadium can truly claim.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the two gentlemen sitting to my left, Michael and Joe, played a significant role in my experience that evening. It started with Joe buying hot dogs for several strangers in our row, which naturally led to sharing beers, talking baseball, discussing disc golf, and creating a genuine sense of community among people who, other than sitting next to one another, had no connection whatsoever. Amid buying rounds, Joe even made sure the young Cubs fan in our section wasn't left out by buying him a stuffed Cubs bear from the team store.
To Joe and Michael, I got the sense that this wasn't out of the ordinary. For me, though, as someone who often visits ballparks alone, I've grown accustomed to keeping to myself, relaxing, and simply taking in the game. That night reminded me what makes sports and the ballpark experience so special.
Today, we often get caught up in cutting-edge technology and futuristic stadiums. But the greatest thing a ballpark can offer isn't a massive video board or the latest luxury amenity. It's a sense of community: bringing strangers together over the course of a three-hour baseball game who otherwise may never have crossed paths, something Wrigley fosters in the best of ways.
So, thank you, Michael, Joe, and Wrigley Field, for reminding me of that.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you will pay more to experience Wrigley Field, but words cannot describe what it feels like to take your seat for the first time and simply soak in the ivy, the history, and everything this ballpark represents. Wrigley Field has been a bucket-list stadium for generations for a reason. It is more than just a place to watch a baseball game- it is a pilgrimage for any fan who wants to experience the history, tradition, and culture that make this sport so special.
