Bleacher Seats and How to Get Them
willy
past, during visits to Wrigley, I've never been able to get bleacher
seats. Are they available online, or is it day-of-game only? If so,
how long before game time should I show up to get in line? I'm
wondering for possible future visits, so any help from locals would be
greatly appreciated.
Rory Cornelius
They used to only sell them on game day. They may still hold a few for game
day, but for the most part, you need to plan ahead. As far as how early to
show up depends on how good of a seat you want. I would say at least two
hours before the start of the game if you want front row depending on the
weather.
willy <wi...@willy.com> wrote in message news:3A78E8C0...@willy.com...
Rob Petersen
1) Bleacher seats are sold like any other ticket: when they go on sale on
Feb 23rd bleacher seats are up for grabs at the box office and online.
Check www.cubs.com for the official details about ticket sales.
2) Bleacher seats for all Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays as well as the entire
months of June, July & August will sell out within a few hours of tickets
going on sale on the 23rd.
3) Bleacher seats are always available if you know where to look and are
willing to pay a couple of bucks extra for them:
3a) Forget the 'ticket broker' offices on Addison & Clark streets. These
guys are legalized scalpers and will charge you waaaay more than necessary.
Sure it's easy, but in my opinion it's not worth it. Plus, I've yet to meet
one who wasn't a total dick.
3b) Go to Murphy's across from the bleachers entrance. There's always
hustlers in there selling tickets but it's also a place where the casual fan
who gets stuck with tickets can sell. The mgmt of Murphy's turns a blind
eye to selling and buying. The old hold up your fingers in a 'V' while
walking through still means 'I need two'. If you see someone holding their
tickets out, just ask them if they are extras - they are probably too
scared of the scalping laws to outright announce that they are selling.
3c) The guys selling hats and other crap on the street corners are usually
good for tickets too. Just don't ask them loudly as it is illegal and they
will blow you off if they think a cop is nearby or you are trying to trap
them.
3d) It is illegal to sell tickets within 1000 feet (maybe 1500 ?) of the
stadium. That's why you see people on street corners 2 blocks away, but not
right across the street. Whatever you do, be cool about it. Yes, the
police are out there, but they have better things to do than bust you for
buying a ticket unless you give them no choice by being loud and obvious.
Even professional scalpers avoid the idiot who stands in front of the Cuby
Bear loudly stating "I need tickets".
3e) Have your money ready ahead of time and also know what you will spend.
If you're willing to drop $60 on a pair have the $60 all ready to go before
you approach anyone. As I said in point #3d, if you stand there counting
cash and asking your buddy for his half, etc the cops will have no choice
but to notice you. If that happens expect a chance of arrest/fine. Being
unprepared can cost you your tickets to someone else who's also looking to
buy. Because they see you strugggling to get your cash together - they
swoop in. Make it simple, make it fast and make it discreet.
4) Friday afternoons are the hardest tickets to get. Monday - Thursdays are
the easiest.
5) The front rows and right field fill up first. If you have tickets
getting there an hour before will get you a great seat. If you want the
front row or right field make that 2 hours. If you just want to join what
has become (sadly) a yuppie beer garden for the afternoon wait until the
game starts and get a ticket real cheap at Murphy's. You may stand for the
first couple of innings, but if all you want to do is socialize - who cares.
Good luck. Remember bleacher seats are up to $20 face value this year.
--
Your pal, Rob
www.robertjpetersen.com
willy
Thank you. Just what I was looking for.