Wrigley Field Tour vs Game Day: What's Different
Should you tour Wrigley Field, catch a game, or do both? That depends on what kind of experience you're after. Both put you inside one of baseball's most iconic ballparks, but the similarities pretty much end there.
A tour gives you behind-the-scenes access and Cubs history. A game gives you hot dogs, 40,000 fans singing "Go Cubs Go," and the crack of a bat echoing off century-old walls. Here's a clear comparison so you can decide which one fits your trip, or why you might want to do both.
What You See on a Wrigley Field Tour
The guided Wrigley Field tour lasts 75-90 minutes and takes you into spaces that regular game tickets never reach. Non-gameday tours offer the widest access.
Non-Gameday Tour Stops
When the Cubs aren't playing at home, the tour typically includes the seating bowl, Budweiser Bleachers, press box, visitors' clubhouse, Cubs dugout, and a chance to step onto the outfield near the iconic ivy wall. Walking through the same dugout where Ernie Banks sat and looking up at the hand-operated scoreboard from field level hits differently than watching from the stands.
Gameday Tour Stops
On days when a game is scheduled, the tour adjusts. You'll see the seating bowl, Budweiser Bleachers, Upper Deck, and field, but areas like the dugout and clubhouses are typically off-limits since teams are preparing. Gameday tours end with enough time for you to grab food, find your seat, and settle in before first pitch.
The Tour Atmosphere
Tours are quiet, educational, and personal. Groups are small enough that you can ask questions and hear stories from the guide. The pace is comfortable, and there's time to take photos at each stop. If you care about architecture, baseball history, or just seeing what a 1914 ballpark looks like from the inside, the tour delivers.
What You Get on Game Day
A Cubs game at the Friendly Confines is a completely different animal. The focus shifts from history and architecture to atmosphere and energy.
The Gameday Experience
Once the gates open (90 minutes before first pitch for most games, two hours for Saturday games and special occasions), the ballpark fills with fans. The seating bowl, concourses, and Budweiser Bleachers come alive with the sounds and smells that define baseball. Chicago-style hot dogs, the seventh-inning stretch, and the ivy-covered outfield wall create a sensory experience that no tour can replicate.
Concessions, Crowds, and Community
Gameday opens up the full range of Wrigley Field dining. Mobile ordering through the MLB Ballpark app is available, and all purchases are cashless.
Sitting with 40,000+ fans watching Cubs baseball is something you can't manufacture. The energy during a close game, the roar after a home run, and the entire ballpark standing for the seventh-inning stretch are uniquely Wrigley Field moments.
Cost Comparison: Tour vs Game
Public tour tickets cost approximately $30 per adult. Children two and under are free. Private tours run $2,000 plus tax for groups up to 50.
Game tickets vary widely. Upper Deck seats might start around $30-50 for a weekday game, while premium seats and rivalry matchups run well over $100. Add food, drinks, and parking, and a full gameday for two can easily reach $200-300.
When to Choose a Tour Over a Game
A few situations make the tour the clearly better option. History buffs and architecture fans get more from the tour, which covers the ballpark's 1914 origins and National Historic Landmark designation. No game ticket gets you into the press box, visitors' clubhouse, or onto the field, but a non-gameday tour does. And at about $30 per person, the tour offers exceptional budget value.
When Game Day Is the Way to Go
Sometimes, nothing beats actually watching baseball live.
You Want the Full Wrigley Field Atmosphere
The atmosphere at a Cubs home game during summer, especially a day game with sunshine in the Budweiser Bleachers, is one of the best experiences in all of sports. A tour can show you the ballpark. A game lets you feel it.
Families and Groups
Games accommodate larger groups easily with group pricing for 15 or more. On select Cubs Kids Sundays, children 13 and under can run the bases after the game with a wristband from Gallagher Way (typically limited to the first 1,000 participants).
Why Not Do Both?
A non-gameday tour early in the weekend gives you the full behind-the-scenes experience. A game the next day lets you watch baseball with all the context still fresh. If your schedule only allows one day, a gameday tour before first pitch, followed by the game, covers both back-to-back.
Plan Your Wrigley Field Visit with the Chicago Cubs
Whether you pick a tour, a game, or both, the Chicago Cubs make booking easy through Cubs.com. Visit Cubs.com/Tours for tour schedules and Cubs.com for game tickets and special offers. For help planning, contact Fan Services at 773-388-8270.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do a Wrigley Field tour and attend a game on the same day?
Yes. Gameday tours are scheduled before first pitch and end with enough time to enter the ballpark for the game.
What does a Wrigley Field tour include that a game doesn't?
Non-gameday tours include the press box, visitors' clubhouse, Cubs dugout, and field access, which are all off-limits during games.
How long is a Wrigley Field tour compared to a game?
Tours last 75-90 minutes. A typical baseball game runs about 2.5 to three hours or more.
Is a Wrigley Field tour worth it if you're not a baseball fan?
Absolutely. The tour focuses on architecture, history, and the story of the ballpark itself. Many non-baseball fans rate it as a trip highlight.
Are Wrigley Field tour tickets cheaper than game tickets?
Generally yes. Tour tickets are about $30 per person, while game tickets vary from about $30 for Upper Deck to $100+ for premium seats.
Can kids run the bases during a Wrigley Field tour?
Running the bases is a gameday program on select Cubs Kids Sundays, not part of the standard ballpark tour.