Chicago Cubs

By far the local favorite, the Cubs play at Wrigley Field. Tickets are available at the box office, through the team’s website, or by calling 800-843-2827 (within Illinois) or 866-652-2827 (from out of state). The cheapest tickets (about $18) are the ‘upper deck, restricted view’ ones, and they’re not bad. But know this: unless you plan waaaay ahead (like in March), the game you want likely will be sold out. No big deal – you still have options. First, try the box office for standing-room tickets ($12). They release these about two hours before the game if it’s a sell-out. Next, try the rather frightfully named ‘scalpers.’ These guys stand across from the ballpark entrance (ie on Clark St’s west side and Addison St’s south side). They typically charge above face value for tickets – until the 4th inning or so. Then tickets can be yours for a pittance. Private fans also try to unload tickets they can’t use, usually at face value. Look for the sad-faced people walking around and asking, ‘Anyone need tickets?’ Finally, you can enquire about rooftop seats (ie those not in the park, but rather on the rooftops of the surrounding houses on Sheffield and Waveland Aves). They’re usually booked out by groups, but not always, and they include food and drinks as part of the deal; check www.ballpark rooftops.com.