How to Find and Buy Chicago Cubs Tickets

Ah, Wrigley Field, the ultimate baseball venue (sorry Fenway fans). There is nothing better than attending a game at Wrigley Field enjoying some day baseball in the bleachers. I can see the ivy and smell the hot dogs and Old Style now.

The season has started and if you haven't started planning how to get your Chicago Cubs tickets yet, now is the time to get started. Here are some ways to locate those elusive tickets.

Chicago Cubs Ticket Office

The most obvious way to buy Chicago Cubs tickets is directly from the Cubs ticket office or on www.chicagocubs.com. While it is true that Chicago Cubs tickets are very much in demand, it is also true that there are still tickets available. There are plenty of sold out games, but the majority of the games still have tickets available. If you are flexible with your schedule and can attend a game during a weekday, then chances are you can find tickets. This is especially true in April or early May.

I just went online and bought two tickets for the April 2^nd game (today is April 1^st, no foolin) in the 8^th row of the lower deck, Section 116. There are still good tickets available.

A few years ago, the Cubs introduced their new Dugout Seats. These new seats were added in 2004 and are as close to the action as you can get. The tickets will eventually sell out, but at $300/ticket, there are still plenty on hand. Their price may keep them obtainable for a little while at least.

Legal Ticket Brokers

If you are looking for specific games that are sold out, then your next option might be to contact a legal ticket broker. The Chicago Cubs official ticket marketplace is stubhub.com.

I have used stubhub.com numerous times both as a seller and as a buyer. As a buyer, your tickets are guaranteed to be authentic and on time and will be delivered to your home. As a seller, your information is never conveyed to the buyer so they can never contact you and you can be paid through Paypal.

Stubhub.com is just one option when it comes to legal ticket brokers. Googling "Chicago Cubs tickets" will return more than you can handle.

Auctions/Raffles

If you can't get the Chicago Cubs tickets you are looking for from either of the options already mentioned, keep your eyes open for local auctions or raffles that are awarding Cubs tickets.

Every year, high schools, Cub Scout packs, local clubs etc will auction off or give away tickets in a raffle. My wife is a high school teacher at a suburban Chicago high school. Last year, she purchased $100 worth of raffle tickets to get Cubs tickets. The proceeds went partially to the team and partially to a charity. Sound like a lot of money? Probably is if you lose. She didn't, we received four tickets and she threw out the first pitch. Now, that is not a bad deal.

Rooftops

Wrigley Field is unique in the sense that you don't have to be inside the stadium to catch a glimpse of the action. Part of the allure of the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field is the buildings across Sheffield and Waveland avenues. These venues offer distinctive viewpoints and are a great way to take in the game.

If you are not familiar with the rooftops, they are situated at the top of the buildings across the street from Wrigley Field. These rooftops have everything you need to enjoy the game including seats, concessions and all the post-game activity of Wrigleyville. You will not be able to see the entire field from these seats and balls hit deep in the outfield may be out of sight, but they are still a fantastic place to watch the game.

BallparkRooftops.com is a good resource for locations that are endorsed by the Chicago Cubs. They provide a list of 12 different venues so you can try to find a date and price range that you are comfortable with.

The rooftops across from Wrigley Field are very popular, especially for corporate events and even more so if the Cubs are winning, so it is best to try to plan ahead.

Group outings

There are various types of group outings that are great ways to secure Chicago Cubs tickets. One such option for group outings is the alumni club of the university you graduated from. Many alumni clubs, mostly from mid-western universities, commonly organize a yearly group outing to Wrigley Field. Contact your university if you are not already a member of your alumni club. If your alma mater doesn't already have an outing planned, you might just plant the seed for next year.

Another option for getting a Chicago Cubs ticket through a group outing is trips sponsored by local bars or taverns in your area. Trips such as these will usually include transportation, drinks and possibly food as well as the ticket. With trips such as these, the bus ride can be half the fun! And again, raising the question may just be the kick start that someone needs to organize the trip!

As a side note, if you are a current college student, watch your student newspaper for ads from the Chicago Cubs with promotion codes for half price Chicago Cubs Tickets. See here for details.

Rain out makeup games

This approach takes a little creativity and courage but it works. If you happen to be in the neighborhood during or after a game that is postponed due to rain, wait outside the stadium and offer people $5 or $10 for their ticket stub as they leave. You can then use it to attend the makeup game.

Cubs' games always attract a ton of out of towners on their one opportunity to catch a game. A rain out can be their loss but your gain. They will see the logic in getting something for a ticket they will never use and then you get a Chicago Cubs ticket on the cheap.

Good luck in your search and Go Cubs!