Going to a Chicago Bears game? Here’s what to know if you’re headed to Soldier Field this season.

Welcome back to another season of Chicago Bears football at Soldier Field.

No, there’s no dome yet (but here’s what that would look like). And no, we don’t know how long the team will be playing by Lake Michigan (more on that here). But we do know that there’s a new head coach, new general manager ... and new expectations for quarterback Justin Fields.

Here’s what to know if you’re going to a Bears home game this season.

Planning your trip

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A Chicago Bears fan takes his seat early before a game at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

What’s the schedule?

There are 17 regular-season games this season — with nine at home. Here are season predictions from our Bears writers.

What’s the ticket policy?

Only mobile tickets will get you into Soldier Field. Purchasers can manage their tickets on their mobile device or online, including the ability to share tickets or post tickets for resale. Here’s how to do that.

We recommend adding your ticket to your phone’s digital wallet before heading out (in case of weak signals or slow Wi-Fi on site). Screenshots of tickets are not valid for entry.

If you’re new to Soldier Field, here’s a seating chart — and how the field looks from that view.

[ Chicago’s Soldier Field: A timeline of events since 1924, including hosting the world’s athletes, congregations, politicians and performers ]

Game times could shift starting in Week 5, thanks for flexible scheduling by the NFL (and for TV reasons). So check those tickets. If a game is canceled and not replayed because of COVID-19, tickets purchased through Ticketmaster will automatically receive a full refund.

What time do the gates open?

Gates open two hours before kickoff (so that’s 10 a.m. for noon starts). With increased screening and metal detectors at all games, arriving early is strongly encouraged.

What’s the bag policy — and what is prohibited?

One bag per person is allowed, but ... that bag must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC not exceed 12 by 6 by 12 inches. If you don’t have a bag that fits that requirement, a one-gallon resealable clear freezer bag or clutch purse no larger than 4½ by 6½ inches is acceptable. Medical bags are allowed as well.

Leave these items at home

• Weapons/firearms
• Aerosol cans (mace, pepper spray, hair spray, etc.)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Seat cushions with zippered covers, pockets or flaps
• Balloons and beach balls
• Cameras with lenses that exceed 6 inches when fully extended
• Cans, bottles or other beverage containers (including sealed plastic water bottles)
• Clothing or signage with offensive or vulgar language or that blocks fans’ view
• Confetti
• Fireworks or smoke bombs
• Illegal drugs
• Laser pens and pointers
• Noise-making devices (horns, whistles, etc.)
• Poles of any kind, including selfie-sticks
• Strollers
• Umbrellas
• Video or movie cameras
• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaping, using smokeless or e-cigarettes and chewing smokeless tobacco
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Any coolers and ice chests (including soft-sided)

Anything else new to know about?

Aside from the new Bermuda grass, everything inside Soldier Field will be cash-free. So that means credit, debit or prepaid card or mobile payment is what you’ll need for concessions, retail gear and roving food and beverage vendors. Fans can transfer cash to a Visa prepaid card for no fee at the ticket office window at Gate 8, the Gate 0 pro shop, the “Water Wall” pro shop and pro shop in the Club 100 Level.

What’s the best way to get to Soldier Field?

Soldier Field is located at 1410 Special Olympics Drive in Chicago.

Chicago Transit Authority

Check out transitchicago.com for fare information, route schedules and maps.

• By bus: Use 128 Soldier Field Express or 146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express. The Soldier Field Express operates for every Bears home game this season (view Bears schedule here) and has buses that leave Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station starting about 2½ hours before game time until 30 minutes after kickoff, and resume for an hour after the game on a load-and-go basis.
• By “L” train: Take the Red, Green or Orange lines to Roosevelt Station, which is less than a mile walk to the stadium entrance. Don’t want to walk? Then take the 146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express from Roosevelt Station to the stadium (drop-off and pickup at the corner of McFetridge and Special Olympics drives).

Metra

Six Metra lines connect to Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center:

• BNSF Railway, Milwaukee North and Milwaukee West lines arrive and depart from Union Station.
• Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines arrive and depart from Ogilvie.

Metra offers two weekend-pass options. Unlimited rides on Saturday or Sunday are $7. Up to three children age 11 and under can ride free with each fare-paying adult. A weekend pass includes unlimited rides for $10, available only in the Ventra app.

Heading to a weeknight game? There are two all-day pass options available only in the Ventra app. The $10 Day pass allows unlimited rides across the entire Metra system while the $6 Day Pass allows unlimited rides within three fare zones. Fares may be purchased in advance.

Check metra.com for route schedules and maps.

• From Ogilvie Transportation Center (southbound on Clinton Street at Madison Street) and Union Station (bus stop on Jackson Street east of Canal Street): Take the nonstop 128 Soldier Field Express to the stadium. The roundtrip bus fare is $5 for adults or $2.50 for seniors and children ages 7-11. The express service is available starting about 2½ hours before game time until 30 minutes after kickoff, and resumes for an hour after the game on a load-and-go basis.
• South Shore Line: Runs on the Metra Electric Line tracks from South Bend, Ind., to downtown Chicago. Select trains will stop at Metra’s 18th Street Station, which connects passengers directly to the stadium’s entrance via a pedestrian walkway. As 18th Street Station is not a regularly scheduled stop, passengers utilizing it on these days should purchase tickets for Museum Campus/11th Street.
• Metra Electric Line: Will provide extra service during Bears home games with trains stopping at the 18th Street Station and the Museum Campus/11st Street Station, which is near Soldier Field.

Pace

A limited number of Pace buses will be available at each boarding location — on Routes 236, 768, 769 and 776 — for transportation to Soldier Field during Saturday and Sunday home games only during the Bears’ regular season. All riders will be seated on a first-come-first-served basis. Buses begin boarding up to 30 minutes before departure. Cost is $4.50 each way. Check pacebus.com for the latest information.

By bike or personal scooter

• Pregame drop-off: Locations are at the 18th Street turnaround just west of Lake Shore Drive and on Balbo Drive at Columbus Drive.
• Postgame pick-up: Balbo Drive at Columbus Drive.

How much is parking — and where’s the best spot?

It varies.

At the stadium

• All parking areas surrounding the stadium require a prepaid parking pass, which will be sent to fans electronically after purchase. Fans can either print their pass and display it on the rearview mirror of their vehicle or have it scanned from the Bears app.
• These lots open four hours before kickoff and close two hours after the game.

Off-site parking

• Some off-site lots — including Museum Campus, Millennium Garages and McCormick Place Lots B, C and D — allow fans to purchase passes in advance.

Lots that accept cash for drive-up parking on game day

• Grant Park South (entrance is on Michigan Avenue between Jackson Boulevard and Van Buren Street): Regular daily posted rate if not purchased in advance. No tailgating allowed. No shuttle service.
• McCormick Place Lakeside Garage Lot C (entrance on Fort Dearborn Drive): No tailgating allowed. No shuttle service.
• Burnham Harbor Lot (entrance located on Waldron and Special Olympics drives): Available beginning in November, after boating season. Tailgating is allowed.

Lots with shuttle service to Soldier Field

• 31st Street McCormick Place Lot B (3050 S. Moe Drive): Shuttle operates two hours before kickoff through two hours after the end of the game with limited return service available during the game. Tailgating is allowed.
• Grant Park North (entrance is on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe streets): Free shuttle departs from lower Randolph Street and arrives at 18th Street. Service begins three hours before kickoff and ends two hours after the end of the game. No tailgating. Regular daily posted rate if not purchased in advance.
• Millennium Garages (entrance is located off Columbus Drive between Monroe Street and Randolph Street): Free shuttle departs from lower Randolph Street and arrives at 18th Street. Service begins three hours before kickoff and ends two hours after the end of the game. No tailgating. Game-day, drive-up and advance, prepaid parking are available.

Alcohol-free, family-friendly lots

• No alcohol consumption is allowed in the lot south of the Adler Planetarium (1300 S. Lynn White Drive), 18th Street Lot (1832 S. Lake Shore Drive) and 31st Street Beach Lot (548 Fort Dearborn Drive). More information available at soldierfield.clickandpark.com.

Residential areas

• No parking is allowed within this area surrounding Soldier Field during Bears home games. Violators could be ticketed and towed.

Pregaming and photo ops

Can I tailgate?

If you go to a Bears game but don’t tailgate, did it really happen?

Fans can tailgate on all surface lots of the Museum Campus, the upper level of the Waldron Deck and the Southwest Parking Facilities (McCormick Place 31st St. Lot B, D and E only) — but keep the setup to your parking spot. Tailgating during the games or after night games and consuming alcohol in the “Family Friendly” No Alcohol lots are all prohibited.

Leave these items — or behaviors — at home

• Advertising banners or displays
• Disorderly conduct
• Deep fryers or any oil-based cooking or frying
• Picketing or political campaigning
• Tents or canopies of any size
• Tethered blimps, balloons and other oversized inflatables
• Fire pits, open fires and open flame heaters
• Propane tanks larger than 19 pounds
• Fireworks
• Setups or games utilizing sidewalks and/or streets

Any recommendations?

Keep it simple, says a Bears die-hard tailgater.

“By the time I get in and set up and get everything rolling, it’s time to get in for the game,” said Ken Michalski, who has faithfully tailgated at Chicago Bears games for 38 years and was inducted into the Tailgating Hall of Fame in 2021. “It’s very limited on time.”

Pre-cook food in foil pans that can be heated up quickly on the grill, or stick to simple entrees such as hot dogs and hamburgers. Michalski also recommends streamlining what you bring, so breakdown is easier before you head into the game.

Everyone knows the old-guard options of how to fill that cooler: Bud Light, Miller Lite, Modelo and, of course, welcome to the club, White Claw. But a tastier tailgate can be had. Here are 10 recommendations.

What about eating around the South Loop?

There are spots — both indoors and outdoors — where non-tailgaters can grab some pregame grub (and a few bars too).

What else to see before the game

Statues of George Halas and Walter Payton were unveiled outside Soldier Field in 2019. The two 12-foot, 3,000-pound creathions are both Gate 0, the entrance on the stadium’s south side.

A doughboy statue to honor World War I servicemen can be found in the courtyard inside Gate 0. There is also a sculpture to celebrate Special Olympics, which started in 1968 at Soldier Field, between the Field Museum and the north end of the stadium.

Those entering the stadium from the north can walk into the stadium past the Memorial Water Wall, 250-foot long granite wall adorned with eight medallions and seals to honor each branch of the armed services.

Once you’re at the game

Soldier Field features

Well, first of all, it’s in Chicago — so there’s nice views of the downtown to the north, Lake Michigan to the east and a backed up Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive to the west.

A walk along the upper southern wall of the old the stadium not only gives a sense of scale to the huge new structure as well as the far smaller old one, but it is adorned with memorials.

Soak it in all, Bears fans. Because a move to Arlington Heights appears like a foregone conclusion.

What’s that I hear?

Among the longest-running traditions in the Bears’ long history is their fight song, “Bear Down, Chicago Bears.” The song, which is played every time the Bears score at Soldier Field, was created in 1941 by composer Al Hoffman, under the pseudonym Jerry Downs.

Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;

Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.

We’ll never forget the way you thrilled the nation, with your T-formation.

Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you’re wearing the crown.

You’re the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.