Going to a Chicago White Sox game? Here’s what to know if you’re headed to Guaranteed Rate Field this season.

Welcome back to another Chicago White Sox season at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Groundskeeper Roger Bossard — aka “The Sodfather” — will have the playing field ready, consisting of bluegrass sod with eight blends of grass. The Sox enter the season with new manager Pedro Grifol and are aiming to bounce back after finishing at .500 in 2022 — injuries were a big part of the disappointing 2022 season. Regulars missing time during the year included Tim Anderson, Yasmani Grandal, Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jiménez and Yoán Moncada. Moncada and Grandal are among those looking to return to form offensively. They are joined by Oscar Colás, one of the most talked about players during camp.

Here’s what to know if you’re going to a White Sox home game this season. Para leer en español, haga clic aquí.

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Planning your trip to the ballpark

What’s the White Sox’s 2023 schedule?

The Sox open the regular season Thursday against the Astros in Houston, with their home opener on Monday against the San Francisco Giants. Here’s the full schedule — and here’s our guide to watch or stream all the games.

What’s the ticket policy?

White Sox tickets are exclusively mobile tickets. Fans are strongly encouraged to have their game tickets downloaded on their smartphones to present them at the gates for entry. Those with technology issues can go to any ticket window for help. For rainouts and game rescheduling, specific information will be provided on a game-by-game basis.

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Can I use cash at the team store and concessions stands?

No. Fans who are holding cash and do not have credit cards can purchase White Sox gift cards at retail locations or at the Chicago Sports Depot.

What promotions will be given away this season?

There’s a long list of items, from a White Sox hockey jersey to an Eloy Jiménez “Hi Mom” talking bobblehead to a Los White Sox belt bag.

What time does the ballpark open before games?

On the day of the home opener only, parking lots open three hours prior to first pitch and gates open two hours prior to first pitch.

Otherwise, gates open 90 minutes before games, and any adjustments to that will be announced on social media. Here’s a map of the various gates in relation to parking lots and seats.

When can I hear the fireworks?

That all depends on the White Sox lineup. After a Sox home run, 20 fireworks will ignite from the scoreboard in center field. So swing away, batters.

There are also full-length fireworks shows after some games.

What’s the bag policy?

Small clutch purses that are less than 9-by-5-by-2 inches in size and clear tote bags that are 12-by-12-6 are approved, but no other bags are allowed into Guaranteed Rate Field. Some exceptions are made for medical and diaper bags when an infant is present. All bags will be inspected before entry.

Here’s what to leave at home:

• Weapons of any kind, including pepper spray
• Selfie sticks
• Aerosol spray cans (hair spray, sunscreen, etc.)
• Bottles, cans, hard-sided coolers and any type of alcohol
• Tobacco products of any kind
• Drones

Can I bring an umbrella into Guaranteed Rate Field?

Yes, but it must be small and compact — no golf-size umbrellas allowed — according to ballpark guidelines. When opened, the umbrella cannot obstruct the view of anyone around you.

You can also bring these items into the ballpark:

• Food in a small, clear plastic bag
• One sealed plastic bottle of water, one liter or smaller in size. But no other beverages of any kind are allowed to be carried inside.

What’s the best way to get to the ballpark?

Guaranteed Rate Field is located at 333 W. 35th St. in Chicago’s Armour Square neighborhood.

Public transportation is easy and cheap to get to White Sox home games, and on- and off-site parking is also available.

Chicago Transit Authority

Check out transitchicago.com for fare information, route schedules and maps. Cost is $5 for a one-day unlimited ride pass. Extra service is planned before and after home games.

Plan to buy tickets in advance using the Ventra app.

By CTA bus

Use Nos. 1/ Bronzeville/Union Station (during rush periods only Monday through Friday), 4 Cottage Grove, 24 Wentworth, 29 State, 31 31st (which runs until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday), 35 35th (connects with Orange and Green lines), 39 Pershing (which connects with Orange and Green lines) or 44 Wallace/Racine.

By CTA “L” train

• Red Line: Exit at the Sox-35th station, which is one block west of Guaranteed Rate Field.
• Green Line: Exit at the 35th-Bronzeville-IIT station, which is three blocks east of the ballpark.

Metra

Check metra.com for route schedules and maps. Plan to buy tickets in advance using the Ventra app.

Day passes — available only in the Ventra app — cost $6 or $10, depending on distance traveled.

• From Rock Island Line: Exit at 35th Street/”Lou” Jones station, then walk west on 35th Street to Guaranteed Rate Field.
• From Union Station: Walk east on Jackson Boulevard. Turn right (south) on Wells Street. Then turn left (east) onto Ida B. Wells Drive. Enter LaSalle Street Station and take the Rock Island Line. Exit at 35th Street/“Lou” Jones station, then walk west on 35th Street to Guaranteed Rate Field.
• From Ogilvie Transportation Center: Walk east on Madison Street. Turn right (south) onto Wacker Drive. Then, turn left (east) onto Van Buren Street. Enter LaSalle Street Station and take the Rock Island Line. Exit at 35th Street/“Lou” Jones station, then walk west on 35th Street to Guaranteed Rate Field.

Pace

The Guaranteed Rate Field Express bus will not operate during the 2023 regular season because of a driver shortage. Fans can sign up for email updates to be notified if service returns.

By bike

Racks are located outside Gates 2 and 3 and along 35th Street near Gate 5.

Riding a Divvy? There’s a docking station near Gate 6 on 35th Street.

By rideshare

Fans can be dropped off and picked up in Lot A on the Wentworth Avenue side for pick-up and drop-off. Fans arriving by a rideshare service should enter and exit the ballpark through Gate 5. The lot will be open until one hour after the conclusion of home games.

How much is parking and where is the best spot?

There are a variety of parking lots to choose from that surround the ballpark. Some spots can be purchased in advance through Spothero and StubHub.

What about on-site parking?

Parking lots open two hours before the start of every game (except for the home opener). All parking transactions with official staff are conducted within the parking lot and not prior to entry or outside of any parking lot or on city streets. In addition, all official staff conduct transactions with credit/debit cards only.

• Lots A, B, C and G: Located on the north side of the ballpark, these areas offer parking paid for in advance. Cost is $27 for Monday-Saturday games; $17 for Sunday games. Fans holding prepaid parking passes traveling from the north should exit at 31st St. and fans who are traveling from the south exit at 35th St.
• Lot B: Accessible parking for cars displaying state-issued disability placards or license plates is available on the north side of the ballpark in Lot B (adjacent to Gate 5). Fans arriving after the gates open or closer to the start of the game are encouraged to proceed directly to the overflow lot located at McCormick Place (Lot B). Free shuttle service will be available from the overflow lot.
• Lot D: VIP parking
• Lot E: Tailgate area with reserved parking
• Lots F and L: Credit or debit cards accepted for parking on day of game in these areas located on the south side of the ballpark. Cost is $30 for Monday-Saturday games; $20 for Sunday games. Prepaid parking passes should be displayed before vehicles enter these lots. Day-of-game credit card customers traveling from the north should exit at 35th St., follow Wentworth Ave. to 37th St. and turn right. Those traveling from the south should proceed to 39th St./Pershing exit, follow LaSalle St. to 39th St. and turn left onto 39th St. to Princeton Ave.

What about street parking?

Check ParkChicago to find the nearest metered parking areas and restrictions.

Can I tailgate?

Oh, yeah — and don’t forget the brats and the bags.

“It is my favorite tradition at the Sox game,” said Erin Gorecki, of Tinley Park. “Everybody is so nice. You meet so many cool people.”

Fans can tailgate in the parking lots and can purchase reserved tailgating spaces in Lots B and E, which includes a dedicated tailgate space, early access and close proximity to gates.

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Ian Echols of Crown Point, Indiana, smokes a cigar while tailgating with his brother, Ivan, outside of Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 30, 2021. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Once you’re at the ballpark

Where should I sit?

That’s up to you — and your wallet. But if you’re concerned about foul balls (or flying bats), the netting extends to the outfield edge of each dugout. Here’s a map of Guaranteed Rate Field so you can scope out your vantage point ahead of time.

Can I mobile order food?

Yes, you can. Make sure to download the MLB Ballpark app (we recommend doing so before leaving for the game) to see the full list of food and drinks at your disposal.

What should I eat?

Oh, man, where do we even begin? New food options this season include:

• “Gonzo garbanzo” sandwich filled with seasoned chickpeas, red-pepper hummus, avocado, arugula and a massive tomato slice wrapped between two pieces of wheat berry bread. The sandwich is a vegan option for fans.
• Colossal potato wedges served with loaded baked potato dip
• Slow-smoked rib tips, covered in Hog Wild barbeque sauce and served with fresh coleslaw and a cornbread muffin. The Sox recently started working with Hog Wild, whose sauce also can be found on the new pulled pork sandwich.
• cassic ballpark corn dog got a makeover: this new item is smothered in creamy queso fresco and topped with fresh jalapenos, grilled corn, cilantro and cotija cheese.
• Pan-seared pierogi are served with caramelized onions, charred Polish sausage and fresh-chive sour cream
• “Mangonada,” a mango sorbet incorporating fresh mango chunks, chamoy and fiery chili powder
• “Authentic sandwich” features turkey, ham, cheddar, swiss, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion and Louie dressing

And what can I drink?

Anheuser-Busch products are out, Molson Coors is in.

But it won’t be Miller Lite all the time. You’ll be able to find 75 craft beers from 50 breweries. The deal also includes naming rights of multiple spaces across Guaranteed Rate Field, including the Miller Lite Landing in right field (previously The Goose Island), Leinenkugel’s Craft Lodge (formerly the Goose Island Craft Kave) and the Vizzy View Bar (formerly the Revolution Sox Social Tap Room).

We’ll miss you the most, 10-foot goose head in the right-field bleachers.

Who is that voice I hear?

“Sox fans, ON YOUR FEET.”

That would be Gene Honda, the public-address announcer for the White Sox. And also the Blackhawks, Illinois football, DePaul basketball, the Final Four, the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament, the Maui Invitational and the Chicago Marathon.

What else should I check out while at Guaranteed Rate Field?

If you want to meet some White Sox legends in statue form, there’s Charles Comiskey, Minnie Miñoso, Carlton Fisk, Billy Pierce, Harold Baines, Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko on either side of the Fan Deck in center field. There’s also a big 2005 display to honor that World Series championship team outside Game 4.

And for those hot Chicago days, cool down with a stop in the shower from Old Comiskey Park, located near section 161.