Wrigley Field Seating Guide – Best Seats, Shade + Obstructed Views

Search no more friends…this is your complete Wrigley Field seating guide, with all the info you need…including about avoiding obstructed views to how to truly do the bleachers. I’m here to help you find the best seats at Wrigley Field, whatever your budget size!

As much as I love Wrigley, I wish I’d read what you’re about to read before I went to my first few games there. Your choice of seat definitely matters at the Friendly Confines, for reasons like proximity to Wrigley Field food stuffs, Chicago weather, and the best unobstructed view.

To the best of my knowledge, all the info here is up to date. I’ve also got plenty more Wrigley info for ya…check out my guides to parking, food, and scoring the best deals on Cubs tickets!

Even this seat isn’t so bad, but I’ll help you pick out a better one.

Here is the breakdown:

The Cubs Seating Chart – New Section And Seat Numbering
Wrigley Field Lower Level Seating – Premium, Club, Field and Terrace Seats
Wrigley Field Upper Level Seating – Upper Box and Reserved
Avoiding Obstructed Views at Wrigley
Home Of The Bums: The Wrigley Field Bleachers
Wrigley Field Standing Room Options
Finding Shade, And Other Stuff About Wrigley Field Seating

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2015, I know. But it’s only obsolete if you squint to see the section numbers.

The Cubs Seating Chart – New Section And Seat Numbering

The Cubs website has their perfectly nice seating map, which when buying tickets shows you some nice views. The team recently reconfigured the seat and section numbering at Wrigley, and this is a good thing.

The bleachers are now the 500 sections instead of 300, and the 400 and 500 upper levels are now the 300 and 400 levels, respectively. The Cubs’ comical reasoning for this was that people don’t fully appreciate the excellent view from the now 300 level. Certainly a lower first digit will convince the masses otherwise.

I’m joking. The 300 level seats truly are excellent, and are among the best upper level seats in baseball. But they aren’t any closer with the new section numbers.

A hundred years ago, seat numbering like this seemed like a good idea. Don’t knock them – our generation contributed the DH.

With the new seat numbering, it’s now a low number at one end of a row and a high number at the other end. As you would expect. It definitely makes the seating much less confusing, especially without having seat 15 next to seat 115 in a row. Never understood that.

Also, in the upper level, section numbers have an L or R after them; this designates what side of the field you’ll be on, e.g. L is left field.

Even in a ballpark 100+ years old, you need cup holders.

Wrigley Field Seating, Lower Level – Premium, Club, Field and Terrace

First we’ll talk about what is now premium seating at Wrigley. These are only available as part of season ticket packages, so to score one for an individual game you’ll need to go third market. (This post can help you with that.)

The American Airlines 1914 Club seats are the first three rows in Sections 13-22; the recently added W Club and Maker’s Mark Barrel Room seats are on the outer side of both teams’ dugouts. All of these go for a very premium price and each section has its own high end club. More importantly, they are cushioned and have cup holders.

These seats are so close to the action that you may hear dugout conversations (although ballplayers don’t usually say anything interesting). They are also so expensive that they are not likely to attract those who offer discouragement to opposing players; but should you be so inclined, the visiting team dugout is on the first base side.

Club seats no longer offer a sporty view of the bullpen. Nor do any other seats.

Club Box seats are the rest of the seats behind the 1914 and Bullpen Box sections. Club Box seats are more expensive between the bases, but are next to the field once you get past the Bullpen Box seats.

Club and Field Box seats heading down the foul lines begin to rise along the outfield wall; this can cause you to miss balls hit in areas close to you (which isn’t a big deal). Club Box seats are turned towards home plate as you get further out though, sparing you neck strain.

The dark, ominous Bartman seat is no more.

I’m hearing your question. Where’s the Steve Bartman Seat?

The Bartman seat, for better or for worse, is no longer here. I spoke with an usher about it and he told me they replaced the existing club seats in that area with more comfortable premium seats. Conveniently, that included removing a seat marking one of the darkest moments in Cubs history.

Honestly I can’t say I blame them, but just in case you were wondering. The general area is between Sections 4 and 5 and up against the wall, if you want to see if you’d go for the foul ball.

Sure Braves fans, no one will be walking in front of you there…

Field Box seats are behind Club Box seats. Again, infield Field Box seats are costlier, significantly so for prime games, but the difference isn’t large for value games.

Field Boxes are separated from the Club Boxes by a walkway; in the first couple of rows this means you will have foot traffic in front of you. It’s not likely to be a big problem once the game gets going, but in early innings it can be annoying.

Otherwise though, Field Box sections are great seats – close enough to the action without the “Friends of the Ricketts” price tag.

Yes, those poles can be a problem. Stay tuned.

The Terrace level is behind the Field Box seats. There is a walkway between Terrace and Field Box, but Terrace seats are somewhat elevated to help patrons see over pedestrians. Terrace Box seats are the first six rows; these are in front of the support poles and thusly offer unimpeded views.

Most all Terrace Reserved sections are in the shade of the upper deck, which can be a good or bad thing here…bring a jacket. Only the seats down at the end of the foul lines are out in the open.

Terrace Reserved seats also risk being close to a support pole, causing the dreaded obstructed view. Stay tuned for how to avoid that.

The Cubs know to make the most of good seats.

Wrigley Field Seating, Upper Level – Upper Box and Reserved

Upper Box (300 level) seats are close to the field and offer a terrific bird’s eye view; many folks prefer these seats to Terrace Box seats (and they are priced about the same).

The Cubs recognized this, so they remade the four sections behind home plate. These are now the high end Catalina Club seats. They cost a lot more than they used to, but like the lower premium seats, they’re cushioned and have cup holders. And of course they include access to the much-coveted Catalina Club, just under the press box.

Even beyond the Catalina Club sections though, upper box seats are still great seats. Many frequent Wrigley patrons will tell you they’re the best bang for the buck, with the bird’s eye view and proximity to the field. Even if “Upper Box Midfield” is actually outfield, it’s a good deal.

Remember, the support poles are your friend!

Upper Reserved (400 level) seats also have the problem of support poles; in this case poles hold up a roof that protects patrons from the sun and rain. Upper Reserved only has nine rows, so in Row 9 you will be all the way at the top and almost leaning against that outside fence.

The Upper Reserved sections are elevated, but there is still foot traffic in front of the first row, which can be very distracting as patrons snap photos and chat and Instagram themselves at Wrigley while you’re actually trying to watch the game. You may want to avoid Row 1 of Upper Reserved.

Almost close enough to grab a beer from rooftop patrons.

Some more notes about the upper level. Past the bases, seating is not angled towards home, so the furthest seats require a minor neck twist—although they do offer great bleachers and Rooftop people-watching.

Word of advice here…getting to the upper level requires a long trek up several ramps (which are behind the Terrace seats) and up steep steps with no railing to get to an Upper Reserved seat. This can be tough on the elderly and less fit among us, especially after the game when everyone is leaving. There are elevators, but it can still be a hassle.

With the improved upper concourse, bathrooms are now much easier to find. The heated restrooms, by the way, are a good place to spend a few minutes warming up on a cold Chicago evening if you can handle the social awkwardness. There are also TVs hung from the rafters in the upper level, to keep you posted on anything you might miss.

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Well, I guess it’s better than having the upper level collapse on you.

Avoiding Obstructed Views at Wrigley

You can get really scientific about how to avoid obstructed views at Wrigley Field, but here are some basic tips:

Terrace Reserved and Upper Reserved sections have support poles in front of them, which explains their lower prices compared to the rest of the Wrigley Field seating bowl. The worst seats have “limited view” marked on the ticket, but the Cubs have a high standard for this, and the seat has to be really bad.

The Cubs also sell what they call “Terrace Reserved Preferred” seats, which are less likely to have a view problem, for a few extra bucks.

Ah, that’s the trick…get between the poles!

In most Terrace sections, there are 23 rows. The pole is usually at Row 6, although they are in higher numbered rows in the sections towards the outfield (where you should just shoot for a low row). In Section 230, for example, the pole is in Row 17, in front of Seat 6. In Section 205, it’s in front of Row 9, Seat 19.

Except for down the third base line in Sections 210-215, the poles are at the end of section, so seats numbered between 5-12 or so should be an okay bet. In Sections 210-215, try to get low numbered seats, especially in Sections 212-213.

If you want to keep it simple, go for something between the 10th and 15th row, where the pole isn’t likely to be much of a big deal and you can still see the video boards.

Go as high as you can and try not to look to the left.

Similarly, in the upper level, the support poles are in the first row of the Upper Reserved sections, at the end of a section. Try to avoid low-numbered, low row seats…not just to avoid the pole, but also to avoid the aforementioned foot traffic. In most Upper Reserved sections, the pole is in front of Seat 1 or Seat 22.

Again, there are only nine rows in the Upper Reserved sections, so chances are that there will be a pole in your sight somewhere. But with the angle of the seats, it’s usually not bad unless you’re in the first few rows directly behind them.

It gets worse in outer sections, however, and you may want a seat in a higher row just in case.

No, I didn’t photoshop that scoreboard into this picture. It was really there.

Aside from support poles, the highest rows in Terrace Reserved, starting at about Row 16, have the overhang blocking views of the outfield scoreboards, including the hand-operated scoreboard, one of the more striking visual aspects of Wrigley Field.

There is a mini scoreboard with vital info, and the Cubs put TVs in the rafters in case you miss anything, so it’s not all bad. But given the choice, an upper level seat would likely be a better option, especially if it’s your first time at the Friendly Confines.

Yes, someone will pay for these seats. Because Wrigley.

My Best Obstructed Views Tip For Wrigley: Hopefully my advice is useful, but you’d be reading all day if I covered everything. So try the excellent “A View From My Seat” website, that offers you excellent photos of what the view from your chosen seat, or at least a nearby one, will look like.

You can plug in your section number and see the views for yourself. It may take some work, but this is a fantastic resource. Here is their Wrigley Field page…I recommend highly using it to get a great seat at a great price.

A big scoreboard? Finally some shade!

Home Of The Bums: The Wrigley Field Bleachers

The Wrigley Field Bleachers used to be the most inexpensive seats in the park and were packed with the venerable “Bleacher Bums”. Neither is the case anymore, but even at the inflated prices the Bleachers are still the only place to be for many fans.

The Bleacher experience can be a blast or an annoyance depending on your mindset, but there’s unquestionably no baseball experience like it. That said, there’s a few things you should know:

Bleacher fans are serious about a good time.

Pick Your Seat On Game Day – When I say “get here early to pick a seat“, it has a different meaning at Wrigley. For a good spot you are looking at arriving three and a half hours before gametime at the least. People get in line very early, and the first seats to be taken are the front rows of the left field seats, where folks scramble for souvenirs during batting practice.

Sneaky Pro Tip: Speaking of souvenir baseballs, if you’re looking to snag some, try looking under seats as soon as you get in to see if any have already been hit there.

Weekday game. This is why people get in line.

If you can’t land these, at least stay away from the Batter’s Eye in center field, lest you lose a portion of the field to the protruding restaurant.

Aisle seats, by the way, make going for a dog or a brew a little easier. For the most part, fans will gladly keep an eye on your seat during the game, provided you aren’t rooting for the other team.

Once the bleachers are full, it becomes SRO for late arrivals. The Cubs reportedly sell more tickets than there are seats for prime games (and that’s most of them), but if you get there late ask an usher if there are any seats available. You might be surprised.

Keep this in mind in October: there are heaters under the scoreboard in center field.

Featuring numbered seats for Cubs playoff runs!

Bring A Cushion – Bleacher seats are metal and backless, meaning you could be sharing your seat with your neighbor’s cheek, and you should bring a cushion on a cold day (actually, it’s not a bad idea anytime).

Consider Your Fellow Fans – The bleachers are often full of hardcore party animals; meaning some people drink more than they should and do and say things that they shouldn’t. It may not always be the best place for kids, especially on weekends. Fans wearing opposing teams’ gear will take good-natured abuse at the least.

FORBIDDEN! Well, okay, maybe an opposing home run ball. Or an opposing team fan. But otherwise FORBIDDEN!

If you catch a home run hit by the other team, just throw it back. It’s not worth the souvenir. (Some fans keep an additional ball in their pocket to throw back just in case.)

Important note: The Bleachers are zoned off from the rest of Wrigley. You can only access the area with a Bleachers ticket. If you have a bleachers ticket you can still roam around the rest of the ballpark, which is nice. They have a walkway in the left field corner leading to the concourse.

One more thing. You will have to ascend steps to get to the bleachers; I believe they probably have an elevator somewhere, but just something to know.

Cubs fans know the value of counter space.

Part of the recent Cubs’ renovation in Wrigley is group spaces in the bleachers; including the Left Field Patio behind the left field bleachers, the Budweiser Patio in right field, and the Hornitos Hacienda, which is the well in front of the left field seats. The center field batter’s eye restaurant is also a climate-controlled suite now.

All of these spaces feature stools and counters for your drinks, but probably not enough seats for the size of the group. They’re not cheap, but they’re all-inclusive and great fun for a party if you have the means.

You can’t see the score, who’s at bat, or the scores of other games. But you can still see the ivy!

Wrigley Field Standing Room Options

The Cubs say that they make a limited number of standing room tickets available on game day, which doesn’t say much. Wrigley isn’t a great place to have a standing room ticket anyway; the lower concourse area is behind the high rows of Terrace Reserved seats that have overhang view problems to begin with.

You likely won’t find any usable space in the upper level, especially now that the pavilion behind home plate is the Catalina Club.

It wouldn’t be too bad if you could bring a barcalounger.

There is some standing room space on the outer edges of the upper level that isn’t terrible (some Cubs fan friends of mine tell me they love it), but it’s far from home plate and there’s nothing to lean on.

Wrigley is one of the tougher ballparks to poach a seat; you won’t have an easy time getting past ushers here. Chances are good you’ll get caught unless you occupy a vacant seat after the 7th inning stretch. You likely won’t get ejected, just thrown back into the concourse. But that’s embarrassing enough.

In an early April evening, savvy Cubs fans choose the “sun” spot.

Finding Shade And Other Stuff About Wrigley Field Seating

No Chicago native needs to be told this, but you should always be prepared for the weather at Wrigley, and take into account where you’re sitting.

The sun sets on the third base side, so that side will have shade first for afternoon and night games and will also cool down first. In the higher rows of Field Box seats you will see shade earlier on the third base side. To stay out of the sun, avoid the lower level seats down the right field line.

I would avoid the bleachers if you don’t like being in the sun. The bleachers now have some shaded spots, although most all of the seats are in direct sunlight. If it gets to be too much for you, you can duck under a scoreboard, but you’ll be far from home plate.

As you can see, the roof protects patrons from the sun that might actually thaw protruding body parts.

In the upper level, the roof provides shade for Upper Reserved seats especially on the third base side, but Upper Box could still see sun.

Chicago climate being what it is, you could be at Wrigley on a windy day and see people sweating in the bleachers (which are generally protected from the Lake Michigan breeze), while people in the seating bowl are bundled up trying to stay warm. I’ve shivered in the Terrace seats in June.

For April and October night games at Wrigley, fans dress extremely warmly, and with good reason. Be prepared…on a cold night you will be sitting on a metal seat for a long time. (Remember my tip about restrooms!)

Hopefully, I’ve made the job of choosing one of these a bit easier.

There you have it my friends, your complete primer on choosing a seat at Wrigley Field…compiled from my own and others’ experiences. I hope you’ve enjoyed the read and found it useful.

If you want to find the best deals on Cubs tickets, check out this post, and read this for a full primer on how to get to Wrigley. And this should help you decide what to eat. Hope it helps, and I’ll see you at the Yard!

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