TicketAmerica Blog

Are you planning to attend a Chicago Cubs game anytime soon?  Though just about any seat at Wrigley Field is a good one,  here is a guide to help you in your decision.  I will give each section a rating from 1 to 5 stars that will further gauge each location.

I.  Upper Deck Seating
     A.  Includes sections 503-538
     B.  There are 9 rows total in the upper deck
     C.  Upper deck rating:  3 Stars

Compared to many Major League ballparks, Wrigley Field in one of the smallest which makes it’s upper deck section not so bad.  For starters, the prices for these seats are usually the cheapest, especially if you choose to sit in the far corners.  As common sense would tell you, the closer you sit to the diamond, the better, so keep that in mind when deciding.  The upper deck really gives you a Birdseye view of the entire field and every play is easily seen.  The third base side of the upper deck has a good and bad aspect to it.  The good aspect is that a fan can keep cooler if the weather is warm and the breeze is coming off of Lake Michigan.  You’ll also get a view of the many sailboats as well.  The bad aspect is if it’s late in the season and the wind starts blowing in from the lake, those seats can become quite frigid.  The entire upper deck has a canopy overhead so it does give relief on hot sunny days or during rain delays.  Furthermore as with any canopy, there are support posts.  Good thing is that these poles are smaller in diameter compared to the terrace reserve, and the obstruction isn’t bad.  As far as food and drinks, walking vendors are in abundance and if you need a break from the game, there is also a food patio court that is located in the upper deck that is behind home plate.  You can view the downtown area from this patio and also purchase food and drinks here as well. 

II.  Upper Deck Box Seating
     A.  Includes section 401-437
     B.  There are 10 rows total in the upper deck box section
     C.  Upper deck box rating:  3 1/2  Stars 

Upper deck box seating are closer to the field than upper deck.  These seats are more expensive, and depending on the section and row, can be just as expensive as a terrace box.  The best upper deck boxes are between the bases and 1st row is a real treat.  These sections have access to numerous foul balls and give fans a close view of the press box.  There are no overhead canopies for sun and wind protection, but that also means no obstructions!  Fans sitting in these seats have the same access to food and beverage vendors as well.

III.  Terrace Level Seating
      A.  Includes section 201-240
      B.  There are 23 rows in the terrace level section
      C.  Terrace level rating:  3 Stars

The terrace level section is considered field level and is located under both upper deck sections.  Depending on the location, these seats usually cost the same as an upper deck box.  The view is good from these seats especially in sections that are between the bases.  Even the highest row of the terrace offers a full view of the field, but you will miss pop-fly balls.  A draw back of the terrace level sections is the obstructions. Any seat behind the 5th row may have a possibility of this, but there are remedies in place.  TV monitors and scoreboards have been placed in various locations above the terrace seats to keep fans updated on the action.  Though obstructions can be a problem in the terrace, there are many seats where there are no obstructions.  Because may seats are not marked limited view, it is a good idea to inquire about obstructions before you obtain them.  Like the upper deck seating,  the terrace offers shelter from the hot sun and the rain delays, and food and beverage vendors are plentiful.

IV.  Terrace Box Seating
      A.  Includes section 201-240
      B.  There are 5 Rows in the terrace box section
      C.  Terrace box rating:  3 1/2 Stars

The terrace box sections consist of the first five rows of the terrace section.  These seats are almost identical to upper deck box, in that the cost is usually the same, and the seats have a full view of Wrigley Field.  You can expect to have a chance at foul balls, sunlight, and rain.  The first row of the terrace box allows for some great people watching as well.

V.  Field Box Seating
     A.  Includes section 110-134
     B.  There are 15 rows in the field box sections
     C.  Field box rating:  4 Stars

Field box sections are great.  These seats can get expensive, but they are close to the action.  Fans can expect to have full views of the entire field, sun, moon, and sky.  These seats can get peppered with foul balls, so fans have to pay attention to the game.  The sections between the bases are the best and during select Cubs games, these sections get a great view and throwback sound of a trumpet, trombone, and clarinet trio as well.  The trio plays 1920’s era melodies that remind you of how long Wrigley Field has been around.  Of course, there are plenty of food and beverage vendors as well.

VI.  Club Box Seating
       A.  Includes section 3-36
       B.  There are 10 rows in the club box sections
       C.  Club box rating:  5 Stars

Club box seating are considered the crème del a crème sections at Wrigley Field.  These sections command some of the most hefty prices but if you want to see the color of a Cubs player’s eyes, than these are the seats for you.  As with field boxes, these seats not only get peppered with foul balls, but with broken bats as well.  Also, players always throw a baseball into the club sections behind the dugouts at the end of every inning, so be ready.  Another aspect of the club sections are the Birdseye views of the bullpens. These sections are located down the line, directly in front of sections 7 and 8 for the Chicago Cubs, and sections 34 and 35 for the visiting team.  These sections allow fans to watch pitchers warm up during the game.  Again,  food and beverage vendors are everywhere.

VII.  Bleachers
       A.  Includes all sections between foul poles
       B.  Bleachers are all General Admission bench seating
       C.  Bleacher rating: 3 to 5 Stars

Some people love the bleachers and some don’t.  If your in the mood to get a tan, get drunk, or check out some fellow scenery, then the bleachers are for you. Depending on who the Chicago Cubs are playing, the bleachers can get expensive, especially on Saturdays.  These sections offer a great view of Wrigley Field but sometimes you can’t follow the ball while it’s in play.  Of course a great aspect of the bleachers is the possibility of a home run ball.  Careful though?, Cubs fans expect you to throw it back onto the field if the home run was hit by the opposing team.

So there you have it!  There are an array of choices for seating to see the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.  Whether you sit high up, underneath, or close to the action, your sure to have a great time at the friendly confines!

Gary Ketchum
CEO TicketAmerica.com

E tickets are a form of ticketing that ticketmaster and other such primary source ticket sellers have been using for the past three years.  E tickets are an option that is given to original ticket buyers when purchasing tickets.  For example, when a person goes to buy tickets, he can usually opt to receive tickets in a number of ways:

1. Hard tickets via standard mail.
2. Hard tickets via shipper( Fed Ex or UPS).
3. Tickets left at Will Call
4. E tickets

If the ticket buyer selects the e ticket option he will simply receive an email from the ticket seller with an attachment.  The attachment can be opened and the tickets will become available for print on any standard printer. 

There are several advantages to e tickets, which include the ability for the tickets to be reprinted.  This comes in handy when tickets are lost.  Instead of the old method of calling the ticket seller and spending 30 minutes on the phone and providing purchase information, e tickets provides a hassle free solution.  E tickets are great for the ticket seller as well, in that e tickets are totally automated which cuts employee costs.  E tickets are also excellent for the environment.  With e tickets simply being wired through the internet, there is no need for traportation costs which cuts down on natural resource consumption.

In deed there are many advantages to e tickets, there are some disadvatages as well.  Because these e tickets can be printed an infinite # of times, the aspect of fraud comes into play.  For instance, a person could simply by an e ticket,  make several copies and then sell it over the internet or at the venue several times over.  Unsuspecting buyers can no doubt, be scammed.  A remedy to any of these unwanted outcomes would be to simply purchase tickets from a ticket broker, where buyers have recourse! 

If you have any questions regarding e tickets or need a second opinion before buying tickets, feel free to contact our office.

Gary Ketchum

Ceo TicketAmerica.com

Have you ever had a bad ticket experience when purchasing events to a show?  Whether it’s through primary sources such as ticketmaster, or  secondary sources that compromise various ticket brokers and street sellers, problems can arise. So here are a few tips to help ease the pain and frustration. 

Since ticketmaster is the original source for most events, problems are minimal.  When purchasing tickets through ticketmaster make sure that you have your credit card, and all of it’s billing address info ready. Ticketmaster is simple to use but because it runs on timers, you can sometimes lose your tickets if too much time is taken entering information!  This is very important especially when the event has just gone onsale and 1 million other fans are trying to buy the same event. 

When buying through ticketbrokers, the buying experience can be a little more trivial, but with companies like ticketamerica.com worries can be virtually eliminated.  Here is a list of things to look for when purchasing through ticketbrokers:  

• Make sure that the company has been in business for at least 2 years. 
• Make sure that they are a member in goodstanding with the Better Business Bureau or the National Association of Ticketbrokers.
• Make sure they have a physical office with an 800# where a live agent can be reached. 
• See what guarantees they offer to insure your ticket purchase.

 When buying from street sellers, be careful!!!  Most street sellers are simply trying to hustle a fast buck.  They basically try to buy low from people with extra tickets and then resell them at a profit.  They may also be ticket brokers that are selling any extra tickets that did not previously sell. Worst of all there are the theives.  These little rats are basically selling fake tickets to unsuspecting fans!  Here are a couple of tips when buying tickets on the street: 

• Look at the tickets front and back, making sure their is print on both sides. 
• Make sure that there is some slight sheen appearence and feel to the tickets. 
•  Check to make sure that all the info on the ticket is correct, such as Date, Time, and consecutive seat #’s. 
• Have the ticket seller walk with you to the gate entrace and verify ticket authenticity. 

 If you have any questions regarding a ticket purchase or need an opinion about buying tickets, feel free to contact our office.

Gary Ketchum
CEO TicketAmerica.com