Everything Cubs Fans Need to Know Before Going to an NLCS Game at Wrigley Field

Chicago is bracing for a flood of Cubs fans as the team returns home one win away from the World Series, but there are some things fans need to know before heading to a game at Wrigley Field this weekend.

Parking restrictions, transportation changes and extra security measures will all be in place ahead of the weekend events.

Here’s what Cubs fans need to know before heading to Wrigleyville:

GETTING TO AND FROM THE GAME

Officials are urging people to arrive at least two and a half hours before the game begins if they want to see the first pitch.

They’re also advising fans to use public transportation.

Fans can be dropped off or picked up by limousine and car services, including Uber and Lyft, Irving Park Road between Clark and Seminary (east of Clark).

The Chicago Transit Authority is advising fans to take the Red Line to the Addison station or the Sheridan stop just blocks from the park, adding that additional train service will be provided leading up to the first pitch. Loop-bound Purple Line Express trains will also make stops at both of those stations during weeknight evening rush periods.

Yellow Line trains will operate from Howard to Skokie until midnight during night games as well. On Friday, the trains will continue until 1 a.m., however.

CTA also plans to add extra service on the No. 80 Irving Park bus and No. 152 Addison bus routes. The No. 8 Halsted and the No. 22 Clark routes will also take fans to Wrigley Field.

For fans taking Metra, the rail service recommends fans take the CTA from either Ogilvie or Union Station in Chicago.

PARKING

Parking restrictions will be in place beginning Friday at noon until Sunday at 4 a.m.

The Cubs will offer free remote parking at 3900 N. Rockwell St., just east of the Chicago River. The lot includes free shuttle service to and from Wrigley Field, beginning three and a half hours before the first pitch until one hour after the end of the game.

Here is the list of streets where fans cannot park:

Clark from Aldine to Irving Park

Sheffield from Grace to Roscoe

Addison from Halsted to Southport

Racine from: Clark to Roscoe

Irving Park from Clark to Seminary

Eddy from Clark to west alley of Clark

Cornelia from Clark to west alley of Clark

Newport from Clark to west alley of Clark

**If your car is towed, call 311 for help

SECURITY

A Cubs hotline is in place for fans to report problems or issues.

The hotline is open one hour before a game begins until two hours after the games end. Residents are being told to call either the Night Game Hotline at 1-866-427-3869 to report problems or issues in the area or call 911 for “any immediate threats.”

Officials are reminding fans and area residents “if you see something, say something.”

"Please remember in the times that we are at, see something say something's never more important,” said Deputy Chief Al Nagode with the Chicago Police Department. “We are going to have enough resources working with our federal Partners to make sure we are safe on all levels."

Fans are urged to call 911 or notify on-site security if they notice any suspicious activity.

In addition, Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said the city will have extra personnel in the area. 

Street closures may be put in place for public safety if needed, officials said.

TICKETS

Tickets to the games range from as low as $300 to more than $6,000, according to resale site Vivid Seats.

Officials from the Cubs advise attendees to treat their tickets like their cash, and are warning fans not to post photos of them on social media.

“Those who want to sell and engage in counterfeit ticket selling will use those images and create additional tickets,” said Julian Green, vice president of communications for the Cubs.

Here are other ways to avoid buying counterfeit tickets.

Chicago is bracing for a flood of Cubs fans as the team plays its first games of the postseason this weekend at Wrigley Field, but there are some things fans need to know before heading to the game.

Parking restrictions, street closures and extra security measures will all be in place ahead of the weekend events.

Here’s what Cubs fans need to know before heading to Wrigleyville:

GETTING TO AND FROM THE GAME

Officials are urging people to arrive at least two and a half hours before the game begins if they want to see the first pitch.

They’re also advising fans to use public transportation.

Fans can be dropped off or picked up by limousine and car services, including Uber and Lyft, Irving Park Road between Clark and Seminary (east of Clark). 

The Chicago Transit Authority is advising fans to take the Red Line to the Addison station or the Sheridan stop just blocks from the park. Loop-bound Purple Line Express trains will also make stops at both of those stations during weeknight evening rush periods.

Yellow Line trains will operate from Howard to Skokie until midnight during night games as well. On Friday, the trains will continue until 1 a.m., however.

CTA also plans to add extra service on the No. 80 Irving Park bus and No. 152 Addison bus routes. The No. 8 Halsted and the No. 22 Clark routes will also take fans to Wrigley Field.

For fans taking Metra, the rail service recommends fans take the CTA from either Ogilvie or Union Station in Chicago.

PARKING

Parking restrictions will be in place beginning Friday at noon until Sunday at 4 a.m.

The Cubs will offer free remote parking at 3900 N. Rockwell St., just east of the Chicago River.  The lot includes free shuttle service to and from Wrigley Field, beginning three and a half hours before the first pitch until one hour after the end of the game.

Here is the list of streets where fans cannot park:

Clark from Aldine to Irving Park 

Sheffield from Grace to Roscoe 

Addison from Halsted to Southport 

Racine from: Clark to Roscoe 

Irving Park from Clark to Seminary  

Eddy from Clark to west alley of Clark 

Cornelia from Clark to west alley of Clark 

Newport from Clark to west alley of Clark 

**If your car is towed, call 311 for help

SECURITY

A Cubs hotline is in place for fans to report problems or issues.   

The hotline is open one hour before a game begins until two hours after the games end. Residents are being told to call either the Night Game Hotline at 1-866-427-3869 to report problems or issues in the area or call 911 for “any immediate threats.”

Officials are reminding fans and area residents “if you see something, say something.”

"Please remember in the times that we are at, see something say something's never more important,” said Deputy Chief Al Nagode with the Chicago Police Department. “We are going to have enough resources working with our federal Partners to make sure we are safe on all levels."

Fans are urged to call 911 or notify on-site security if they notice any suspicious activity.

TICKETS

Tickets to the games have a median price of about $366, according to resale site Vivid Seats.

Officials from the Cubs advise attendees to treat their tickets like their cash, and are warning fans not to post photos of them on social media.

Those who want to sell and engage in counterfeit ticket selling will use those images and create additional tickets,” said Julian Green, vice president of communications for the Cubs.

Here are other ways to avoid buying counterfeit tickets. 

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