Chicago White Sox 2021 season advisory
CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox are sharing the following recommendations to fans attending games this coming baseball season at Guaranteed Rate Field, including the opening series against the Kansas City Royals beginning on Thursday, April 8:
Game Times/Gate Opening Times
First pitch of the home opener is scheduled at 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, April 8. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats no later than 2:20 p.m. for Thursday’s opening ceremony.
For the opening series against Kansas City (April 8-11), parking lots and gates will open two (2) hours prior to first pitch. For the remainder of the homestand (April 12-15), parking lots and gates will open 90 minutes prior to first pitch.
Mobile Ticketing and Seating Pods
Mobile tickets provide contactless entry into the ballpark and are the only method of entry to Guaranteed Rate Field. Print-at-home (PDF) tickets are no longer accepted.
All individuals (including infants) attending a game at Guaranteed Rate Field are required to have a ticket for entry in accordance with the City of Chicago COVID-19 Reopening Risk Matrix and contact tracing guidelines.
For their own safety, fans will be required to stay within pre-assigned zones, which include designated concession, retail and restroom areas. Fans will not be able to move between levels, suites or outside their zones. Tickets will include a color-coded and numbered zone associated with each seating pod. Fans should refer to their ticket to determine their pre-assigned color-coded and numbered zone.
In accordance with the city and state physical distancing measures, seats will be sold and distributed in physically distanced pods, ranging from one to six seats in a group. Pod seating allows fans to buy tickets as a group. Gameday staff will be present to remind guests to stay in their seats and pods.
Fans are strongly encouraged to have their game tickets downloaded to their smartphone in advance through the MLB Ballpark app or online through the White Sox Account Manager page (whitesox.com/myaccount under “Account Manager”).
As an extension of the City of Chicago’s COVID-19 Reopening Risk Matrix and in conjunction with State of Illinois guidelines, the White Sox have agreed to gather contact information for fans attending games at Guaranteed Rate Field.
We recommend all ticket transfers be done through the White Sox or Ticketmaster system. Upon request, the White Sox will provide the last known ticketholder information to city and state health officials. The last known ticketholder will likely be contacted as part of the government official contact tracing process, should it be necessary due to public health concerns.
If you are transferring your tickets outside of the White Sox ticketing system, please complete the Contact Tracing Form at whitesox.com/tracing.
For more information about mobile ticketing and managing tickets on a smartphone, visit whitesox.com/mobiletickets.
Public Health Safety and Security
A mandatory mask policy will be enforced for all fans ages 2 and over. Everyone will be required to wear a Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-approved face mask covering the nose and mouth throughout the ballpark property, including the parking lots, unless they are actively eating or drinking in ticketed seats. Masks must be worn properly covering the nose and mouth.
Face protections, such as neck gaiters, bandanas, and masks with valves will NOT be permitted. Fans arriving at the ballpark without a CDC-approved face covering will be provided with a disposable face mask for the game.
Fans will not be allowed to congregate in any spaces of the ballpark. Gameday staff will be present to provide guidance on wayfinding.
Fans will be asked to follow the standard physical distancing practices throughout the ballpark.
Bags will not be allowed. Exceptions will be made for medical bags, small clutch purses and diaper bags when infants are present.
Fans are permitted to bring in select essential items that do not need to be searched or carried in a bag, such as blankets or binoculars (not in a case), small umbrellas and baseball gloves.
Consistent with Illinois state law, Guaranteed Rate Field, along with all ballparks and other sporting venues in Illinois, is a gun-free zone. It is illegal for anyone to enter or attempt to enter the ballpark with a firearm, regardless of permit. Additionally, no knives, pepper spray or weapons of any kind are allowed in the ballpark.
Gameday Experience
Due to health and safety concerns, Guaranteed Rate Field will be cashless. Fans who are holding cash and do not have credit cards can purchase White Sox gift cards at retail locations in their zones or at the Chicago Sports Depot.
Fans will be able to purchase their favorite ballpark food from concession areas within their designated zones. To maintain health and safety, mobile ordering will be available through the Ballpark app.
CDC-approved, hospital-grade cleaning supplies and disinfecting protocols will set the new standard at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Guaranteed Rate Field has a modern LED field lighting system that features a sequence of flashing lights that may affect guests who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or other photosensitivities.
Giveaways and season-long promotions, such as $1 Hot Dog Wednesdays and Post-Game Fireworks, have been postponed until further notice.
Parking Information
New this season, game tickets will be connected to pre-assigned parking lots and a designated gate for safe entry based on color and zone. Vehicles will be parked in physically distanced spaces.
Tailgating is not permitted at this time due to COVID-related concerns for fan safety.
For the opening series against Kansas City (April 8-11), parking lots and gates will open two (2) hours prior to first pitch. For the remainder of the homestand (April 12-15), parking lots and gates will open 90 minutes prior to first pitch.
Fans holding prepaid parking coupons should display the coupons prominently as they approach the ballpark.
Fans with prepaid parking coupons on their smartphones are strongly encouraged to have their coupons downloaded onto their smartphones to avoid delays.
Parking lots will be cashless and will accept prepaid parking coupons and major credit cards. Parking will cost $20 in advance and $25 on day of game.
Fans planning to use rideshare services can head to Lot A for pick-up and drop-off. The designated area is on the east side of Lot A along Wentworth Ave. For access to the designated lot, drivers should head south on Wentworth Ave. and enter Lot A between 33rd and 35th Street. Fans should follow the signs and staff to enter through their pre-assigned gate. The lot will be open for one hour following the conclusion of home games.
Public Transportation
The CTA Red Line stops near the ballpark at the Sox-35th Street station, and the Green Line is available just two blocks east at the 35th Street station.
A Metra stop at 35th Street is conveniently located just east of the Dan Ryan Expressway, along the Rock Island line. For the most up-to-date game day service information, including weekend inbound train schedules to meet the various scheduled first pitch start times, check metrarail.com.
The White Sox recommend that fans visit each public transportation service website to learn more about their COVID-19 guidelines.
Additional Fan Information
ChiSox Bar & Grill restaurant near Gate 5 of Guaranteed Rate Field will be closed at this time.
Fans will not be able to leave the ballpark and re-enter for any reason, including access to smoking sections.
Fans should only purchase tickets through authorized White Sox ticket agents. Purchasing tickets through the White Sox Ticket Office, whitesox.com, StubHub or Ticketmaster are the best ways to guarantee valid purchases.
Fans can watch the White Sox on NBC Sports Chicago and follow the play-by-play on ESPN 1000, the White Sox flagship radio station, as well as WRTO-AM 1200/Univision Radio, the Spanish-language radio home of White Sox baseball.
Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and enjoyable fan experience at Guaranteed Rate Field. Any person using derogatory language or demonstrating unruly behavior or action will be subject to ejection from the ballpark.
Smoking will not be permitted in any zone or area of the ballpark for the 2021 season.
To reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, you must follow all posted signs and instructions and comply with all applicable directives from the CDC, other government entities, MLB and the Chicago White Sox.
The White Sox ask fans to be respectful of the neighborhood and homes surrounding the ballpark before and after games.
Finally, information is subject to change as city and state public health guidelines are updated throughout the season.
For the latest information, visit whitesox.com or download the MLB Ballpark app.