Wrigley Field facts for kids
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The Friendly Confines
Cubs Park |
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Wrigley Field in 2022
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 Wrigley Field
Location in Chicago
Wrigley Field
Location in Illinois
Wrigley Field
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Weeghman Park (1914–1920) Cubs Park (1920–1926) |
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| Address | 1060 West Addison Street |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois, United States (60613-4397) |
| Coordinates | 41°56′53″N 87°39′20″W / 41.94806°N 87.65556°W |
| Public transit |  Red at Addison |
| Owner | Ricketts family |
| Operator | Chicago Cubs |
| Capacity | 41,649 |
| Record attendance | 47,171 (August 31, 1948 vs. Brooklyn Dodgers) |
| Field size | Left field – 355 ft (108.2 m) Left-center – 368 ft (112.2 m) Center field – 400 ft (121.9 m) Right-center – 368 ft (112.2 m) Right field – 353 ft (107.6 m) Backstop – 55 ft (16.8 m) Outfield wall height: Bleachers – 11 ft 6 in (3.5 m) Corners – 15 ft (4.6 m)  |
| Surface | Merion bluegrass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | March 4, 1911 |
| Opened | April 23, 1914 |
| Renovated | 1937, 1988, 2014–2019 |
| Expanded | 1922, 1927, 2006 |
| Construction cost | US$250,000 (US$7.3 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Zachary Taylor Davis |
| General contractor | Blome-Sinek Company |
| Tenants | |
| Chicago Whales (FL) (1914–1915) Chicago Cubs (MLB) (1916–present) Chicago Tigers (APFA) (1920) Hammond Pros (NFL) (1920–1926) Chicago Bears (NFL) (1921–1970) Chicago Cardinals (NFL) (1931–1939) Chicago Sting (NASL) (1977–1982, 1984) |
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| Designated: | February 1, 2004 |
| Designated: | September 23, 2020 |
| Designated: | September 23, 2020 |
| Reference #: | 100005739 |
Wrigley Field is a famous ballpark in Chicago, Illinois. It is the home of the Major League Baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. The stadium first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park.
Wrigley Field is known as "The Friendly Confines." It is the second-oldest baseball park in the major leagues. Only Fenway Park in Boston is older. The stadium became a National Historic Landmark in 2020.
This historic park is famous for its ivy-covered brick outfield walls. It also has a unique hand-turned scoreboard and a bright red sign over the main entrance. For many years, it was the only MLB park without lights for night games. Lights were finally added in 1988. Besides baseball, Wrigley Field was also home to the Chicago Bears football team for 50 years.
Contents
History of Wrigley Field
The ballpark was designed by architect Zachary Taylor Davis. It opened on April 23, 1914. The first team to play there was the Chicago Whales. They won the Federal League championship in 1915.
After the Federal League closed, Charles Weeghman bought the Chicago Cubs. He moved the Cubs to his new park in 1916. In 1921, chewing gum maker William Wrigley Jr. bought the Cubs. The park was called Cubs Park from 1920 to 1926. It was renamed Wrigley Field in 1927.
In 1937, ivy vines were planted on the outfield walls. This idea came from Bill Veeck, the son of the club president. In 2024, Wrigley Field started using clean energy. It partnered with Invenergy to add solar power systems.
Stadium Renovations: The 1060 Project
The Ricketts family, who own the Cubs, started a big renovation project in 2009. It was called the "1060 Project." This plan aimed to update the stadium over five years. The project cost $575 million and was paid for privately.
The renovations included many improvements. They updated the stadium's look, restrooms, and team areas. New restaurants, batting tunnels, and a large video scoreboard were added. The plan also included a hotel and a plaza next to the stadium.
The city approved the plan in 2013. However, some owners of rooftop clubs near the stadium were against it. They worried new signs would block their views. The Cubs started the renovations in 2014, even with these disagreements. Over time, the Ricketts family bought many of these rooftop properties.
Renovation Phases
The "1060 Project" happened in several stages.
- Phase One (2014): The bleachers in the outfield were made bigger. A large Jumbotron scoreboard was added in left field. A smaller video scoreboard was put in right field. New underground locker rooms for players were also built.
- Phase Two (2015): The outside of the park was restored. It brought back old design elements from before the 1960s. This included green grillwork and red roof tiles.
- Phase Three (2017): The bullpens (where pitchers warm up) were moved under the bleachers. New seats were added where the bullpens used to be. A new area for fans, called "The Park at Wrigley," opened. A hotel, Hotel Zachary, was also being built nearby.
- Phase Four (2017-2019): The team dugouts were moved further down the field. This made space for new luxury club areas. Hotel Zachary opened in April 2018.
Wrigley Field Becomes a National Historic Landmark
In 2013, the Ricketts family applied for Wrigley Field to become a National Historic Landmark. This status helps protect the stadium's history. It also allows for tax credits for renovations. The landmark status was granted in 2020. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior said Wrigley Field's history is a key part of America's favorite pastime.
Firsts After Renovations
After the renovations, some exciting things happened.
- On May 26, 2015, rookie Kris Bryant hit the new left field video screen with a home run.
- On October 13, 2015, the Cubs won a playoff series at home for the first time ever.
- In 2016, the Cubs won the World Series. This was their first championship since 1908.
100th Anniversary Celebration
In 2014, the Cubs celebrated Wrigley Field's 100th birthday. On April 23, the actual anniversary, the Cubs played a special "throwback" game. They wore uniforms of the Chicago Whales, the park's first team. Their opponents, the Arizona Diamondbacks, wore uniforms of the Kansas City Packers.
Lawsuit Regarding Accessibility
In July 2022, the U.S. government sued the Chicago Cubs. The lawsuit claimed that Wrigley Field did not properly help fans with disabilities. It said that during renovations, good wheelchair seating was removed. The Cubs stated that the stadium was more accessible than ever before.
Unique Features of Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field has a classic "jewel-box" design. This style was popular for ballparks in the early 1900s.
Ivy-Covered Outfield Walls
The outfield walls at Wrigley Field are covered in ivy. In spring, you can see the vines. As summer comes, the ivy grows thick and green. In the fall, it turns red.
The ivy was planted in 1937. It was originally English ivy, but was changed to Boston ivy. This type of ivy handles Chicago winters better. Wrigley Field is the only MLB stadium without padded outfield walls. The ivy was included in its Landmark Designation in 2004. If a baseball gets stuck in the ivy, it's a ground rule double.
Stadium Dimensions
The distances from home plate to the outfield walls have stayed mostly the same since 1937.
- Left field: 355 feet
- Left-center: 368 feet
- Center field: 400 feet (the deepest part)
- Right-center: 368 feet
- Right field: 353 feet
- Backstop: 55 feet behind home plate
The outfield walls in the corners were lowered in 2015. New advertising signs were added above them.
Rooftop Seats
Buildings across from Wrigley Field offer views into the ballpark. These "rooftop seats" became popular in the 1920s and 1930s. By the 1980s, rooftop owners started turning them into businesses. They added bleacher-style seating.
In 2004, rooftop owners agreed to share some of their earnings with the Cubs. The Cubs also expanded the ballpark's own bleachers. By 2016, the Ricketts family had bought many of these rooftop properties.
One famous rooftop sign read "Eamus Catuli!" (Latin for "Let's Go Cubs!"). It also had a counter showing how long it had been since the Cubs won a championship. After the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, the sign was updated to "AC000000."
The Yard at Wrigley Field
In January 2025, the Cubs announced a new area called "The Yard at Wrigley Field." This area offers special rental spots for fans. It includes unlimited drinks and a meal. It can hold up to 50 guests.
Seating Capacity Over Time
Wrigley Field's seating capacity has changed over the years. It started with 14,000 seats in 1914. After many expansions and renovations, it now seats 41,649 people.
Attendance Records
- 41,688 – July 12, 2015 (after bleacher renovation)
- 42,411 – Games 3 & 4 of the 2015 NLDS
- 42,445 – Game 3 of the 2017 NLDS
Unusual Wind Patterns
Wrigley Field is known for its unpredictable winds. Winds from Lake Michigan can "blow in," making it harder to hit home runs. Summer winds often "blow out," helping fly balls become home runs. Cross-winds can also cause chaos. This makes Wrigley one of the most exciting parks in baseball.
Hand-Turned Scoreboard
The scoreboard was installed in 1937. It is still operated by hand today. People inside the scoreboard manually change the numbers. It is one of the last hand-turned scoreboards in major league baseball.
The scoreboard has a clock at the top. Above the clock are three flagpoles. These poles fly flags for each team in the National League. Their order shows the current standings. A blue Cubs pennant with neon lights is on the back of the scoreboard.
In 2010, the Cubs thought about adding a video screen. But the hand-turned scoreboard cannot be moved because of the park's landmark status. Two new video scoreboards were added in 2014.
Main Entry Marquee
A large, red, art deco-style sign stands over the main entrance. It says "Wrigley Field, Home of Chicago Cubs" in white. The marquee was installed in 1934. It was originally green, then blue, and finally painted red in 1960.
In 1982, an electronic LED message board was added. The marquee uses red neon lights at night. In 2015, a Toyota logo was placed on the lower panel. The marquee was temporarily removed and restored in 2016.
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Stadium Lights
The Cubs were one of the last teams to install lights for night games. Lights were finally added in 1988. This happened after baseball officials said the park could not host playoff games without them. Before 1988, all Cubs games at Wrigley were played during the day.
In 1942, lights were planned but were used for World War II instead. The first night game at Wrigley Field was actually an All-Star Game for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1943. The first official Cubs night game was on August 8, 1988, but it was rained out. The next night, August 9, 1988, was the first completed night game. In November 2022, Wrigley Field upgraded to LED field lights.
Wrigley Field: More Than Just Baseball
Baseball Games
Wrigley Field has been the home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. Before that, it hosted the Chicago Whales from 1914 to 1915.
Football Games
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The Chicago Bears football team played at Wrigley Field for 50 years, from 1921 to 1970. They moved to Soldier Field after that. The football field ran from left field to first base. The south end zone was very close to the visiting team's dugout. The Bears won many championships while playing at Wrigley Field.
College football also returned to Wrigley Field in 2010. The Northwestern Wildcats played the Illinois Fighting Illini. The field was set up from third base to right field. Due to safety concerns, all offensive plays had to go toward the west end zone. Northwestern football returned in 2021 and 2023. They will host two more games in 2024 and 2025.
Soccer Matches
The Chicago Sting soccer team played some home games at Wrigley Field in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The soccer field ran from right field to the third base side. In July 2012, a friendly match between two international clubs was played there. In June 2024, the Chicago Red Stars women's soccer team played a game at Wrigley Field. They set a new attendance record for the league.
Hockey Games
On January 1, 2009, the National Hockey League held its Winter Classic game at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Blackhawks played the Detroit Red Wings outdoors. The rink was set up across the field from first base to third base. The Red Wings won the game. Wrigley Field also hosted the 2025 NHL Winter Classic on December 31, 2024, between the Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues.
Concerts at Wrigley Field
Since 2005, Wrigley Field has hosted many popular concerts. Local groups have sometimes worried about noise and crowds. Famous artists like Jimmy Buffett, The Police, Paul McCartney, and Pearl Jam have performed there.
Wrigley Field Traditions
Corporate Sponsorships
Wrigley Field is named after the Wrigley Company. For many years, there was very little advertising inside the park. This changed in the 1980s. Now, there are advertisements around the scoreboard and on the field.
The Ricketts family, who own the Cubs, decided not to change the park's name. They prefer to keep the historic "Wrigley Field" name. Many companies, like Anheuser-Busch and Toyota, are "Legacy Partners" with the Cubs. Their ads can be seen inside and outside the stadium.
The Win Flag
After every Cubs home game, a flag is raised on the scoreboard. A white flag with a blue "W" means the Cubs won. A blue flag with a white "L" means they lost. This tradition started in 1937. It lets people on passing "L" trains know the game's outcome.
Fans often bring their own "W" flags to games. After a home win, the song "Go, Cubs, Go" is sung.
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
The tradition of singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the Seventh Inning Stretch began in 1982. Famous announcer Harry Caray started it. After he passed away, a guest singer leads the song. Many celebrities, athletes, and actors have had the honor.
Live Organ Music
Wrigley Field was the first Major League ballpark to have live organ music. This started on April 26, 1941. Organist Gary Pressy played for 33 years without missing a game. While many parks now use recorded music, Wrigley Field keeps its live organist.
Writing on the Wall
During the 2016 postseason, fans started writing messages in chalk on the stadium's outer brick wall. They wrote words of support for the team. The Cubs even provided chalk and extra security. This event became very popular locally and nationally.
Getting to Wrigley Field
The Chicago "L" Red Line train stops at Addison station, very close to Wrigley Field. Many fans also use the Sheridan station, which is a short walk away. The Purple Line Express trains also stop at Sheridan for weekday night games.
Two CTA bus routes, 22 Clark and 152 Addison, serve the ballpark. Biking is also a popular way to get there. Wrigley Field offers a free bike check program for cyclists.
Parking near the stadium is very limited and expensive. The Cubs offer a shuttle service from a nearby university campus to help fans.
Commemorative Stamps
In 2001, the U.S. Postal Service released stamps featuring baseball parks. One stamp showed Wrigley Field. The image was from an old postcard.
See also
In Spanish: Wrigley Field para niños
