Chicago Venue Guide: Soldier Field Parking and Tailgating Info
Going to a Bears game? Not sure whether you need to buy a parking pass ahead of time or if a lot is tailgate-friendly? You’re in luck. Here’s a comprehensive guide to All Things Soldier Field Parking. Plan ahead for your next Bears game and save yourself the time and hassle of being unprepared. You don’t want that food to spoil in the trunk of your car because you bought a pass in a non-tailgate lot now, do you? (Although with Chicago winters, you would probably be okay anyways!)
Soldier Field Parking Map
All Soldier Field parking lots open four hours before kickoff and Soldier Field gates open two hours before kickoff.
Parking Options on Game Day
On-site parking:
- Adler Planetarium Lot – recreational vehicles, campers, buses and cars (coupons and limited $46 cash payment available)
- CAMPERS & RV’S can park at the Adler Planetarium lot ($130) just northeast of Soldier Field. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Prepaid parking is also available for buses, limos, and RVs/campers at http://soldierfield.clickandpark.com/. (Important note if traveling with RV/Bus/Campers: overnight parking is not available. Entry into parking lot is not available until four hours prior to game on game day.)
- Burnham Harbor Lot – after boating season (coupons and limited $70 cash payment available)
- Soldier Field East Museum Lot (coupon required)
- Soldier Field North Garage (coupon required)
- The North Garage is split into two passes, Orange North and Blue North
- Orange North Parking Garage passes allow for entry and exit from McFetridge Drive near the Field Museum
- Blue North Parking Garage passes allow for exit only on McFetridge Drive. Entry into the Blue North Garage is on 18th Street only (entrance for all other parking locations on-site)
- Soldier Field South Lot (coupon required)
- Soldier Field South Lot Premium – first 50 spots (or so) nearest to the stadium in the South Lot (coupon required)
- Soldier Field Waldron Deck (coupon required)
Off-site parking:
- 31st Street Parking Lot (shuttle service provided – cash and coupons available)
- McCormick Place Lake Side Center Underground Garage (cash only)
- Millennium Park Garage ($30 cash or credit card) with free shuttle service to and from Soldier Field. For more information on parking at the Millennium Garages specifically for Bears games, click here.
For lots requiring a coupon, you can purchase individual game coupons at Gold Coast Tickets. If a lot says “Cash Available”, they mean cash, no credit cards.
If you plan to tailgate…
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
You can only tailgate in the space immediately behind your car and if you are planning a tailgate with more than one car, you must enter the lot at exactly the same time, one vehicle behind the other. Tents, umbrellas or anything taking up more than the space between your car is prohibited. Grills are not allowed in enclosed garages such as the lower level of the Waldron Deck or the North Garage.
Tailgating is allowed on all surface lots and on the upper level (only) of the Waldron Deck. If you plan on tailgating at the Waldron Deck parking lot, it is strongly advised that you arrive very early to get a spot on the top deck. If you do not get a spot on the top, you will not be allowed to tailgate in the lower levels of the parking garage.
You can enter the lots four hours before kickoff but there is no tailgating allowed during the game. After the game you can tailgate a little bit, but the lots will close two hours after the end of the game.
How early would you get to the waldron upper deck for a noon game and a 3pm game to get a spot.
Hi Rich,
Lots open four hours prior to game time, so it’s best to get there as early as you can. I would suggest arriving within the first hour after the gate opens. For a noon game, prior to 9AM would be preferred, and a 3PM game, before 12:00PM. With that said, there is no guarantee that even if you do get there within that hour after the gates open that there will be a spot as it is first come, first served. Hope that helps!
Hey, do you have space available for the Miami v Notre Dame Game on Oct 6th? And can you tailgate?
Hi Nancy,
Yes, we have parking available in the North Garage and Waldron Deck. There is no tailgating in the North Garage, but you may tailgate on the top deck of the Waldron Deck. Just make sure you get there early! There is no tailgating on the first two levels of the Waldron Garage, only on the top (and it’s first come, first served). Parking available here: http://bit.ly/TFrE2c
Hi – is there a huge difference between tailgating on the top level of the Waldron Deck and the South Lot – particularly for the Notre Dame game on October 6?
Thanks!
No, not at all. Both are going to be rockin’! Just make sure you get there early if you go the Waldron Deck route. Only the top deck is open to tailgating.
can you bring a charcoal grill to tailgate for the ND game
Hey Maria,
You shouldn’t have any problem with bringing that. Enjoy your tailgate!
Will the Waldron lot open up four hors before the game for the Notre Dame v. Miami night game, like it does for the Bears? So will it open at 2:30 pm?
My apologies for the late reply. Yes, they opened 4 hours prior to game time. In the future if you have a last-minute question, please call our office and we’ll be happy to help over the phone. 312-644-6446
Can you tailgate on the whole south lot?
Which lot would you recommend. Top of Waldron or south lot? And whats your policy for vehicles with trailers?
Thanks
Hello William,
To answer your first question, yes you can tailgate in the whole south lot. As far as the top of the Waldron Deck compared to the south lot, both are nice, but the Waldron Deck is closer to the stadium. In regards to your last question, we don’t believe vehicles with trailers are allowed in any of the Bears parking lots besides the RV lot (Adler lot). Hope those answers help!
You can tailgate at Bears games in any parking lot that isn’t covered. This includes the entire south lot, the top of the Waldron deck, the East Museum lot, Burnham Harbor lot, the Southwest Facilities lot, and and in the Adler lot, which is also the RV/Camper lot. You would need to purchase a parking pass for your camper or RV (or if you have a trailer) HERE.
Are there any lots around soldier field that allow you to tailgate during game??
Hi Adam,
If you do not have a ticket, you must leave the lots during game time. We are fairly certain that the rule applies to patrons with tickets also, but they may be a little more lenient about kicking you out right away if you flash them your seats and say you’re heading in soon. Soldier Field’s parking hotline is 312.235.7724 if you’d like to confirm with them.
I”m flying in for my first bears game at soldier field this weekend vs the packers. i’m walking over from the congress hotel. i’ll have beer but not food. what lot is fan friendly? i want to experience a great time before the game. is there lots where they share their food for exchange of beer? just looking for a great time with fellow bear fans. BEAR DOWN!
Hi Tim,
Sorry for the late reply. Hope you were able to find some friendly Bears fans! Let us know your findings. Thanks.