History & Heritage: Discover Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois

Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and has been the site of significant moments in sports history. It’s where Babe Ruth “called his shot” during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, where Ernie Banks hit his 500th career home run in 1970 and where the Cubs won the 2016 National League Pennant for the first time in 71 years, breaking the team’s fabled curse. Fan customs make Cubs games truly memorable. Join the fun by singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch and “Go, Cubs, Go” after a home win. The club raises a white flag with a blue “W” to signal a winning game to neighbors and riders on Chicago’s elevated train. The signature red and white marquee, ivy-covered outfield walls and hand-operated scoreboard contribute to the charm of this National Historic Landmark. The stadium has even appeared in classic movies such as “The Blues Brothers,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “A League of Their Own,” as well as countless television shows set in Chicago.

The Cubs play 81 regular season home games each year including the Crosstown Showdown, a series of games against hometown rival, the Chicago White Sox. If you’re visiting Chicago between late March/early April and late September/early October, there’s a good chance you can time your visit with a game, whether you want to buy tickets for the full experience or just enjoy the atmosphere of Wrigleyville. But it doesn’t have to be baseball season for you to experience Wrigley Field. The National Hockey League and the collegiate Big Ten Conference host several outdoor hockey games in the winter, and Northwestern University plays special-event football games here as well. The stadium has become a popular venue for globally recognized music artists including Elton John, Billy Joel, Phish, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga and Green Day.

Wrigley Field offers public, private and educational tours March through September, which provide guests with behind-the-scenes access and storytelling. Gallagher Way, Wrigley Field’s adjacent green space, is a bustling center of activity with events year-round. On game days, ticket holders can watch the Cubs play on jumbo screens while lounging on the grass and enjoying live music, food and drinks. The space is open to the public during community events such as film screenings, farmers markets, small outdoor concerts and holiday celebrations.

Chicago, Illinois, can be reached by two international airports, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW). The city is a train hub with many Amtrak routes starting and ending in Chicago. Wrigley Field is easily accessed by ride-hailing services, public transit using the Addison Red Line Station by train or the #152 Addison and #22 Clark buses.