The Chicago White Sox share the following recommendations to fans attending games this coming baseball season at Guaranteed Rate Field, including the opening series against Seattle beginning on Thursday, April 4.
Game Times/Gate Opening Times
• First pitch of the home opener is Thursday, April 4 at 1:10 p.m. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats no later than 12:15 p.m. for Thursday’s opening ceremony.
• The first pitch for all remaining games of the homestand is at 1:10 p.m.
• Gates to the ballpark open at 11 a.m. on the day of the home opener.
• For all other games throughout opening week, gates open 90 minutes before the games (11:40 a.m. for 1:10 p.m. first pitches).
Mobile Ticketing
• New this season, mobile tickets will be the preferred method of entry to Guaranteed Rate Field. Print-at-home (PDF) tickets will no longer be an option for tickets purchased online.
• Fans are strongly encouraged to have their game tickets downloaded onto their smartphone in advance through the MLB Ballpark, StubHub or Ticketmaster app, or online through the White Sox Account Manager page (whitesox.com/myaccount under “Account Manager”).
• On Thursday, fans can visit the Digital Ticket Information and Guest Relations Booths at Gates 3, 4 and 5 for technical support with their mobile tickets.
• For more information about mobile ticketing and managing tickets on your smartphone, visit whitesox.com/mobiletickets.
Ballpark Safety/Security
• Fans should allow ample time for entering Guaranteed Rate Field throughout the season. In compliance with Major League Baseball policies, and similar to procedures at other major sports venues, all fans entering the ballpark are subject to walk-through metal detector screenings and bag searches. Fans WILL NOT be required to remove watches, jewelry, shoes, jackets, caps, wallets, belts or coins; fans WILL be required to remove cell phones, cameras and keys.
• Consistent with Illinois state law, Guaranteed Rate Field, along with all ballparks and other sporting venues in Illinois are gun-free zones. It is illegal for anyone to enter or attempt to enter the ballpark with a firearm, regardless of permit. Additionally, no knives, pepper spray or weapons of any kind are allowed in the ballpark.
**Parking Information **
• On the day of the home opener, parking lots open at 10 a.m. Lots will open two hours before the start of the game for the rest of the season. Fans holding prepaid parking coupons should display the coupons prominently as they approach the ballpark.
• Fans with prepaid parking coupons on their smartphones are strongly encouraged to have their coupons downloaded onto their smartphones to avoid delays.
• Prepaid red coupons are accepted in Lots A, B, and C, and prepaid green coupons are accepted in Lots F and L only. Cash parking will be very limited when lots open (Lots G, F and L). Fans seeking cash or credit card parking should follow directional signs to available lots. Cash parking is $20 Monday through Saturday and $10 on Sundays (except on Sunday, July 7).
• Lot B at Gate 5 of the ballpark is designated for cars displaying state-issued disability placards or license plates. In addition, any guests in need of assistance will be allowed by ballpark personnel to be dropped off and/or picked up in Lot B. Fans will have access to Lot B and Gate 5 (located north of the ballpark; across 35th Street) via 33rd Street.
• Fans planning to use rideshare services can head to the Uber Rideshare Zone in Lot A for pick-up and drop-off. The designated area is on the east side of Lot A along Wentworth Ave. For access to the designated lot, drivers should head south on Wentworth Ave. and enter Lot A between 33rd and 35th Street. The lot will be open until one hour after home games conclude.
• Free shuttle service will be available on Thursday from McCormick Place (31st Street and Fort Dearborn Drive) beginning at 11 a.m. Fans arriving after the gates open or closer to the start of the game are encouraged to proceed directly to McCormick Place (31st Street and Fort Dearborn Drive). An infographic with directions is available at whitesox.com.
• Public Transportation
• The White Sox recommend that fans utilize public transportation. The CTA Red Line stops near the ballpark at the Sox-35th Street station, and the Green Line is just two blocks farther east at the 35th Street station.
• A Metra stop at 35th Street is conveniently located just east of the Dan Ryan Expressway, along the Rock Island line. For the most up-to-date game day service information, including weekend inbound train schedules to meet the various scheduled first pitch start times, check metrarail.com.
• Pace offers a direct express bus service to Guaranteed Rate Field from suburban locations on 51 select games, including the home opener. The six suburban locations include Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Markham, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights and Tinley Park. For more information, fans can call the Pace Express service line at 847-228-2416, visit the “Express to Events” information site at pacebus.com or contact the RTA Travel Information Center at 836-7000 from any Chicagoland area code.
Additional Fan Information
• ChiSox Bar and Grill restaurant near Gate 5 of Guaranteed Rate Field will be open to the public at 6:30 a.m. the morning of the home opener. ChiSox Bar and Grill will open four hours prior to first pitch on the day of all home games throughout the season.
• For the home opener game on Thursday, April 4, fans holding tickets for the Upper Level will not be able to access other levels of the ballpark. This policy ensures fans may safely and comfortably enjoy the game with access to the areas of the ballpark where they bought tickets.
• Fans should only purchase tickets through authorized White Sox ticket agents. Purchasing tickets through the White Sox Ticket Office, whitesox.com StubHub or Ticketmaster are the best ways to guarantee valid purchases.
• Fans also can watch the home opener on NBC Sports Chicago and follow the play-by-play on WGN AM 720, the White Sox flagship radio station, as well as WRTO-AM 1200/Univision Radio, the Spanish-language radio home of White Sox baseball.
• Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and enjoyable fan experience at Guaranteed Rate Field. Any person using derogatory language or demonstrating unruly behaviors or action will be subject to ejection from the ballpark.
• In accordance with the City of Chicago ordinance, tobacco of any kind (including smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes) is prohibited in all areas of Guaranteed Rate Field. There is a designated smoking area outside of Gate 2 and Gate 5. Those fans wishing to use tobacco must proceed to the ground level at the base of the ramps at Gate 2 and Gate 5.
• Finally, the White Sox ask fans to be respectful of the neighborhood and homes surrounding the ballpark before and after games.