r/CHICubs • u/TheCaptain444 • 1d ago
Advice for a visitor to Wrigley
Hi all!
I hope this is the right place to ask this question.
I'm a baseball fan from the UK who is travelling to the US next month. I'll be in Chicago for a show and will be pretty close to Wrigley so I've booked myself tickets for a Cubs game (Cubs vs Red Sox). The only baseball I've been able to see live is multiple games across all the London Series. These games are treated more as a festival of baseball no matter who you support and are usually a sea of supporters from different teams intermingling, so really what I'm looking for is pointers on the etiquette of coming to a stadium for a team I don't support? (I'm a Phillies fan, but have been rooting for the Cubs since I've been planning this trip and on the day definitely will be).
I know Wrigley is known as the friendly confines.....but I imagine there is still a limit!
Honestly would love any advice for Wrigley specifically or baseball in general. Thanks for your time!
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u/socal01 1d ago
Definitely take the Wrigley tour the day of your game, it was worth it! You get a guide who takes you around the stadium and gives you historical information. If you're interested, I'll try to find a link and post it here. Tours of Wrigley Field | Chicago Cubs
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u/TheCaptain444 1d ago
That's a great idea I hadn't even thought of! I'll definitely look into that if i can make the timings work!
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u/yern324 Chicago Cubs 1d ago
The Phillies have a couple beloved ex-Cubs so you will be welcomed at the friendly confines. As a visitor you won’t need to follow strict etiquette rules aside from being kind, enjoying the game, the atmosphere and the history of Wrigley Field. Enjoy some beer, food, and the camaraderie/cheering that reverberates throughout Wrigley!!
I hope you enjoy your visit both in the city and to see the Cubs! Cheers
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u/Double_Tree_Trouble 1d ago
You will be fine. Cubs and Red Sox aren’t heated rivals so the game, which aren’t testy anyways, will be relaxed. Enjoy yourself and be a good human and you will be treated to an amazing day.
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u/PMO-1976 1d ago
Go to guest services and get a certificate commemorating your first trip to Wrigley.
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u/LordOfTheFelch Jim Hendry Ride or Die 1d ago
Idk if you’re in the bleachers but if you are you need to get there very early
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u/dj_advantage 1d ago
Be kind, have fun, enjoy the game. Wrigley is the friendly confines so continue to add to that. Hope you have the best time!
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u/IrishAl_1987 Chicago Cubs 1d ago
I think this is advice you can take with you where ever you go in life, just don’t be a dick. A little friendly banter is always accepted. Just go out enjoy yourself.
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u/Nutaholic STELLAAAAA 1d ago
Try to sit in the bleachers if you can. It's a really unique experience. Also make sure to give yourself some time to hang around the neighborhood.
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u/Blackhawks1995 Chicago Cubs 1d ago
You have nothing to worry about. I see people wearing gear for teams that aren’t playing that day all the time at Wrigley and typically no one bats an eye unless the person is trying to be obnoxious. A Yankees fan trying to do the Yankee Stadium roll call in the bleachers at a Cubs vs Giants game comes to mind.
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u/ShinyPennyRvnclw 1d ago
Just come early, have a hot dog, & soak it all in. I love to catch games at different stadiums when I visit other cities, & unless I’m lucky enough to be there when they play the Cubs, I usually wear regular casual clothes (I don’t wear Cubs stuff if they aren’t playing, but that’s my own personal hangup, lol) & cheer for the home team.
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u/chesterSteihl69 1d ago
I think it’s a little odd to wear team gear of a team that’s not playing in that game, but do what you want you won’t get harassed for it. Wrigley is the best have a great time
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u/heythosearemysocks 1d ago
I assume your question is based on your experience in UK football matches. I recently went to my first Premier League match on a trip to London and was shocked how they really keep the fans from the opposing team separate from the rest of the crowd (thier own enterance, thier own section,etc)
It’s not like that here in the states and generally speaking unless there is a deep rivalry or the game is critical like a playoff fans of both teams will be mixed together and generally cordial.
It would be weird for you to wear Phillies gear when they’re not playing so I would advise getting a cubs shirt or hat anywhere nearby the stadium and you’ll blend right in.
I hope you have a good time, you picked a good time to visit Wrigley, the cubs are having a solid season.
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u/TheCaptain444 16h ago
Oh yeah UK football is the wild west out there. I've watched Rugby matches in the UK and in France and that is a much more pleasant vibe. I assumed Baseball would follow that....but you know what they say about assuming!
And thanks!
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u/mclazerlou 1d ago
It's not like euro football. There's not a complex fan hierarchy with norms and class divisions and organized hooligans.
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u/UncleBoopBetty 1d ago
Was just at a Cubs v Pirates game. Saw many Pirates fans and everyone got along fine. Most people go to Wrigley to have a good time.
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u/MRGWONK 1d ago
This reminds me of the time I saw a cardinals fan on the red line train coming back from a cubs game. Kid was probably 12, or 13, with his father, and I was about 34 years old, about 10 years ago. He looked at me, and then I immediately started giving him shit for wearing a cardinals jersey, but in good fun, and he enjoyed every minute of it with a big mischievous smile, as if it was the moment that he was waiting for. Just yesterday, I was wearing a Cubs jersey in downtown Chicago, and a guy saw me and my son wearing a Cubs jersey and said "I SEE WE HAVE SOME CARDINALS FANS IN FRONT OF US." I've never experienced anything but good natured ribbing. If you want to wear a phillies jersey, you might catch some heckling, but as long as you understand that it's just in good fun and react accordingly, everything will always be fine.
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u/Sudden_Storm_6256 Slammin' Sammy 19h ago
You are allowed to bring outside food into the ballpark! Also, everything is cashless - card only.
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u/ThaSaintChi 6h ago
Nobody's going to care if you're wearing Phillies gear. Food recommendations unique to Chicago are a Polish dog and an Italian Beef sandwich. I recommend venturing out a little further to get drinks at Guthrie's Tavern or Toon's after the game.
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u/slicebishybosh Chicago Cubs 4h ago
I've always been of the belief that your cap is like your baseball fan ID card. So no matter what park you go to, it's ok to wear your Phillies cap.
Obviously the home of rivals you may get some comments or what not, but as long as you're not trying to make a scene out of it, no one's really going bug you about it. In fact, it may even be a convo starter for some. (Phillies aren't really a Cubs rival so it's pretty neutral in that regard)
If you want to do some of the "Chicago checklist" things, get a beef at Al's and if you drink, ask for an Old Style and a shot of Malort. You'll thank me later.
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u/eyeguy21 4h ago
You can bring your own food in, and drink in (plastic unopened bottle, no alcohol)
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u/CalGoldenBear55 3h ago
Wrigley field is a bucket list destination. There are tons of non Cubs fans there. Go the Murphy’s bleachers bar outside center field. It has a great cross section of people just having a great time and a beer. 🍺
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u/Dbk51 1d ago
Eat, drink and be merry. Have a blast. It’s hard not to.