Soldier Field: A Practical Venue Guide

What Soldier Field is and what to know first

Soldier Field's address is 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605. The stadium sits on the Museum Campus, and its historic colonnades are open year-round to the public.

Patrons entering the stadium must abide by Chicago Park District Rules and Regulations. Two details catch visitors out before they reach a gate: the stadium is a cashless venue, and fans are not permitted to exit and re-enter, with no re-entry passes issued.

Free Wi-Fi is available inside the stadium. Connect to "Soldier Field Free Wi-Fi" or, on game days, "Bears Wi-Fi".

If something goes wrong during an event, Soldier Field publishes separate text lines. On Chicago Bears gamedays, text (815) 880-1920. For Chicago Fire match days and major event days, text (312) 262-4151, a line that does not operate on Bears game days. Lost and Found is located at Gate 1 during an event.

SeatCommons lists events at this venue, and browsing there is the place to start planning your trip.

• Address: 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
• Cashless venue: bring a card or contactless payment
• No re-entry: once you leave, you cannot come back in, and no re-entry passes are issued
• Free Wi-Fi: "Soldier Field Free Wi-Fi" or "Bears Wi-Fi" on game days
• Lost and Found: Gate 1 during an event

Getting to Soldier Field by train, bus and rideshare

The CTA Red, Green and Orange Lines stop at Roosevelt Station, between State Street and Wabash Avenue. From there, the official directions list two options: transfer to the #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express bus, or walk east on Roosevelt Road through Museum Campus to the stadium. The directions page puts the walk from Roosevelt Station to the stadium entrance at 3/4 mile, and notes that the #146 connects Roosevelt Station to the stadium entrance on McFetridge Drive.

Two other bus routes are named. The #128 Soldier Field Express runs on Chicago Bears gamedays only. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the #130 Museum Campus route serves Soldier Field, Adler Planetarium and Northerly Island from downtown Metra stations.

To leave after the game, fans can board the #128 (Bears gamedays only) and #146 buses along the west side of the Transportation Center ("East Museum Lot") at the corner of McFetridge and Special Olympics Drive, just northeast of the stadium.

By Metra, the Soldier Field stop is the 18th Street Station, described as a short walking distance from the stadium.

Rideshare drop-off for all events is at the 18th Street drop-off west of Soldier Field and Lake Shore Drive. Rideshare pick-up after an event moves to the corner of Balbo and Columbus for one hour, after which pick-up can resume on campus at the stadium.

For taxi cabs, limousines and buses, the rules are tighter. Designated pregame drop-off points are the 18th St. turnaround just west of Lake Shore Drive and Balbo Dr. at Columbus Dr., and postgame pick-up is only on Balbo Drive at Columbus Drive north of Soldier Field (subject to change). Buses may drop off and pick up guests on Columbus Drive north of Balbo and cannot do so on any other area roadway. Taxi cabs, limousines and buses cannot enter the Soldier Field Campus starting 90 minutes after kick-off, and the campus reopens to incoming vehicles one hour after the event is over.

If you drive, the published routes are specific: from I-55 northbound, take Lake Shore Drive/Highway 41 North to the 18th Drive exit. From I-290 east to Congress Parkway, take Congress to Columbus Drive, turn right and follow Columbus south to the 18th Drive exit. From I-90/94 north, take the Lake Shore Drive/22nd street exit, stay right and exit to LSD, then take LSD/Highway 41 north to the 18th Drive exit.

Bike racks are located on the east end of the stadium near Gate 14, and on the north end near the Children's Garden and behind the Kennedy Bas Relief.

• CTA: Red, Green and Orange Lines to Roosevelt Station, then the #146 bus or a 3/4 mile walk east on Roosevelt Road
• CTA buses: #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express; #128 Soldier Field Express on Bears gamedays only; #130 Museum Campus from Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Post-game buses: #128 and #146 board along the west side of the Transportation Center at McFetridge and Special Olympics Drive
• Metra: 18th Street Station, a short walk from the stadium
• Rideshare drop-off: 18th Street, west of Soldier Field and Lake Shore Drive
• Rideshare pick-up: Balbo and Columbus for one hour after the event, then on campus
• Bike parking: east end near Gate 14 and north end near the Children's Garden

Gates, levels and finding your seat

The official pages describe the stadium by named gates and levels rather than by a full gate-by-gate seating map, so check your ticket for the gate and level printed on it.

Gate 0 is at the south end, inside the South Courtyard, and a "Doughboy" foot soldier statue greets visitors there. Guest Services inside Gate 0 handles exchanges for wheelchair accessible seating. The north entry point holds the Veteran's Memorial water wall. Gate 10 is on the southeast corner, and the Will Call booth is at the large ticket booth across from it. Gate 14 is on the southeast, lakeside side off Museum Campus Drive, and Gate 8 is the designated service animal gate.

Getting between levels depends on the gate. To reach the United Club there are four elevators at the north end and three at the south end of the stadium, two of which are accessible from ground level inside Gate 14. Eight escalators in the United Club area serve the United Club to Club Level 200 and Club Level 300.

Elsewhere, one elevator in the southeast corner of the South Courtyard near Gate 6 runs from the Grand Concourse to the Mezzanine Level. An ADA access only elevator sits in the southwest corner of the stadium on the Mezzanine Level behind Section 131, running from the Mezzanine Level to the Media Deck and Grandstand. All elevators at Soldier Field are ADA accessible.

On Chicago Bears gameday, fans with digital ticket problems should go to the Ticket Assist tents outside Gate 10 on the south end of the stadium exterior and near Gate 47 behind the Kennedy Bas Relief on the north end.

Two stadium rules shape the end of the night. The seating bowl closes post-game approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Entering or attempting to enter the field level or a restricted access area without a proper credential will lead to arrest and prosecution, according to the stadium's published rules.

• Gate 0: south end, South Courtyard, Guest Services inside, Doughboy statue
• Gate 6: elevator from the Grand Concourse to the Mezzanine Level
• Gate 8: service animals enter and exit here
• Gate 10: southeast corner, Will Call across from the gate, Ticket Assist tents outside on Bears gamedays
• Gate 14: southeast, lakeside, off Museum Campus Drive
• Section 131: ADA access only elevator on the Mezzanine Level to the Media Deck and Grandstand
• Seating bowl closes approximately 20 minutes after the game ends

Food, drink and what you can bring in

Alcoholic beverages are sold at designated concession stands within the stadium, and the cut-off depends on the event. For Chicago Bears home games, alcohol sales end in the general seating bowl at the conclusion of the 3rd quarter. In the United Club and the Miller Lite Midway club, sales end approximately 4 hours after kick-off. For Chicago Fire FC home matches, sales end at the 75th minute.

Soldier Field is a cashless venue. If you need cash, PNC ATMs are at the Dr Pepper Patio in the South Courtyard near Gate 0, Sections 128 and 350, the North Garage near the Bears Pro Shop, and outside Gate 10 next to the Will Call Booth, with further ATMs at Sections 101, 117, 138 and 342.

Bringing your own is limited. Beverage containers, including sealed plastic water bottles, and alcoholic beverages are on the published prohibited items list. Coolers and ice chests, including soft sided ones, are prohibited unless medically necessary.

Restrooms throughout the stadium are equipped with baby changing stations, every restroom is ADA accessible, and the stadium also has family restrooms.

• Alcohol cut-off, Bears home games: end of the 3rd quarter in the general seating bowl
• Alcohol cut-off, United Club and Miller Lite Midway: approximately 4 hours after kick-off
• Alcohol cut-off, Chicago Fire FC home matches: 75th minute
• Cashless venue; PNC ATMs inside, including near Gate 0 and outside Gate 10
• No outside beverage containers, including sealed water bottles; no coolers unless medically necessary
• All restrooms have baby changing stations and are ADA accessible; family restrooms available

Accessibility at Soldier Field

Soldier Field offers wheelchair-accessible and companion seating for purchase for all ticketed events. Guests who need to exchange tickets for wheelchair accessible seating can do so at Guest Services inside Gate 0, and the stadium provides wheelchair ushering service to patrons inside the stadium and across a portion of the exterior campus.

The ADA drop-off and pick-up area during events is the Gate 14 turnaround, off Museum Campus Drive on the southeast side of the stadium (lakeside). An ADA placard or ADA license plate must be visible to police and parking attendants, and the person to whom it is registered must be an occupant of the vehicle. Post-game access to Gate 14 requires requesting an ADA return placard from security upon arrival at Gate 14.

Parking is available in each garage with wheelchair accessible ramps, and the number of ADA spaces varies per event. Standard Parking operates a limited number of courtesy carts between the Museum Campus parking lots and the stadium, with only the disabled guest and one companion permitted on each cart.

Inside the stadium, all elevators are ADA accessible. An ADA access only elevator behind Section 131 on the Mezzanine Level runs to the Media Deck and Grandstand, and another elevator behind Section 128 on the Mezzanine Level serves the Media Deck and the West Grandstand. An elevator in The Miller Lite Midway, behind Section 138, connects the 100 Mezzanine Level to the inside of club space.

Gate 8 is the designated gate for service animals to enter and exit the stadium, and it also serves as the exit and re-entry gate if a service animal needs a relief area. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted.

ASL interpreters are provided on request by calling 312-235-7233, and complimentary hearing assistance devices are available on request at the same number. Medical bags or kits are acceptable and will be searched at the gate.

Last checked October 28, 2026.

• Accessible and companion seating: available for purchase for all ticketed events
• Seating exchanges: Guest Services inside Gate 0
• ADA drop-off and pick-up: Gate 14 turnaround, off Museum Campus Drive on the lakeside
• Gate 14 access: ADA placard or plate visible, registered person in the vehicle, ADA return placard requested from security on arrival for post-game
• Parking: wheelchair accessible ramps in each garage; ADA spaces vary per event
• Courtesy carts: limited number, disabled guest plus one companion
• Service animals: enter and exit at Gate 8; emotional support dogs are not permitted
• ASL interpreters and hearing assistance devices: request by calling 312-235-7233

Parking lots and rideshare zones

SP+ manages parking and on-site traffic operations at Soldier Field. Parking is for ticketed guests only, and the stadium and teams reserve the right to confirm guests have tickets before letting them into the parking lots.

Timing is fixed. Parking lots open approximately four hours before kickoff for Bears and Fire games or before the event begins, and lots close one hour after the conclusion of the event for night events. Overnight parking is not allowed in any Museum Campus parking lot.

Which lot you can use depends on the event. For Bears Event Days, the North Garage, Waldron Deck and South Parking Lot are reserved for season coupon holders, with coupons visibly displayed on the rear-view mirror, and cash is not accepted at those entrances. All other events are open to cash parking and pre-purchased parking. For cash parking, the published guidance points to the Adler Planetarium or Burnham Harbor lots.

Several alternatives are named. Fans without full Bears season coupons can park at the Southwest Parking Facilities at McCormick Place Lot B and take free shuttles, which run only on Chicago Bears game days and drop off and pick up on 18th St. just west of Lake Shore Drive until 2 hours after the game. Free shuttle service also runs between Millennium Garages and Soldier Field for all Bears games from Lower Randolph, accessible via elevators to Level 2.5, starting 3 hours before kickoff until 2 hours after the final whistle, with drop-off and pick-up at the 18th Street turnaround and ADA-accessible service on Level 3 of Millennium Park Garage.

Published prices cover oversized vehicles and larger rigs. Oversized vehicles and limousines can park for cash at the Adler Planetarium Lot on a first-come, first-served basis for

Bag policy, searches and prohibited items

For all events at Soldier Field, the NFL Clear Bag Policy is in place. Approved bags are limited to clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" (30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5 cm), including clear backpacks, clear fanny packs and clear cinch bags within those dimensions. No buckles, grommets, hardware or décor can conceal any part of the bag, and a logo can only be on one side.

Small, non-clear bags up to 4.5" x 6.5", with or without a handle or strap, can be taken in alongside one of the clear plastic bags. Each member of a family, including children, may carry an approved clear bag and a clutch purse. Diapers must be carried in a clear bag.

Coolers (unless medically necessary), briefcases, non-clear backpacks, non-clear fanny packs, diaper bags (unless medically necessary), non-clear cinch bags, non-approved seat cushions (unless medically necessary), luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera or binocular bags are prohibited, as is any non-clear bag larger than 4.5" x 6.5". Medical bags or kits are acceptable and will be searched at the gate.

Expect screening. Guests and their belongings may be searched on entry and guests will be asked to undergo magnetometer screening. Guests who elect not to consent to searches will be denied entry.

The wider prohibited list includes alcoholic beverages and Palcohol, aerosol cans, balloons and beach balls, cameras with lenses over 6 inches, beverage containers including sealed plastic water bottles, clothing or signage with offensive language or that blocks views, coolers and ice chests, confetti, firearms or weapons, fireworks and smoke bombs, unlawful drugs, laser pens and pointers, noise-making devices, poles including selfie-sticks, strollers, umbrellas, drones, video or movie cameras, seat cushions with zippered covers, pockets or flaps, and smoking or smokeless tobacco products.

Firearms or weapons are not permitted within Soldier Field, the surrounding parkland and the parking lots, and the same applies to fireworks, smoke bombs, sparklers and any incendiary devices.

Hand-held binoculars are permitted, but cases for cameras and binoculars are not. Banners, flags and signs are allowed if they do not obstruct other guests' views, are not commercial or offensive and are not placed over official stadium signage.

No re-entry passes are issued, so pack for the whole visit. The Smoke-Free Illinois Act prohibits smoking in Soldier Field for Bears games, there are no designated smoking areas inside or outside the stadium, and re-entry is prohibited.

Tailgating rules are published separately. No open flame, grilling or otherwise, is permitted in the enclosed lot area (North Garage and lower Waldron Garage), no tents of any kind are permitted, propane tanks larger than 19 pounds are not allowed on campus, and a total tailgate including guests is limited to eight feet behind each parking space, with parking spaces not usable for tailgate equipment alone.

• Clear bags only: clear plastic, vinyl or PVC, no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" (30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5 cm)
• One small non-clear bag allowed alongside: up to 4.5" x 6.5"
• Diapers must be in a clear bag; medical bags are allowed and searched
• All guests may be searched and screened by magnetometer; refusing means no entry
• No outside beverages, including sealed water bottles; no umbrellas, strollers, selfie-sticks or drones
• No re-entry and no re-entry passes
• No smoking or vaping for Bears games, with no designated smoking areas
• Tailgating: no open flame in the North Garage or lower Waldron Garage, no tents, propane tanks over 19 pounds not allowed

Doors and start times

The general Soldier Field pages checked here do not list door times or start times for individual events. Those details belong on the official event page for the date you are attending, so confirm the gate opening and start time there before you travel.

Some timing rules around events are published and apply regardless of the event. Parking lots open approximately four hours before kickoff for Bears and Fire games or before the event begins. Limousines, taxis and buses cannot enter the Soldier Field Campus starting 90 minutes after kick/main act/event start, and the campus reopens to incoming traffic one hour after the event is over. For night events, parking lots close one hour after the conclusion of the event.

The seating bowl closes post-game approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the game.

• Door and start times: listed on the official event page, not on the general venue pages checked
• Parking lots: open approximately four hours before kickoff or event start
• Vehicle access to campus: closed from 90 minutes after kick/main act/event start until one hour after the event
• Seating bowl: closes approximately 20 minutes after the game ends

Check tickets

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Soldier Field?

Soldier Field is at 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, on the Museum Campus.

Can I bring a bag to Soldier Field?

Only an NFL-approved clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" (30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5 cm), plus one small non-clear bag up to 4.5" x 6.5". Medical bags are allowed and searched, and diapers must be carried in a clear bag.

How do I get to Soldier Field on public transit?

Take the CTA Red, Green or Orange Line to Roosevelt Station, then the #146 bus or walk east on Roosevelt Road through Museum Campus, a 3/4 mile walk to the stadium entrance. Metra's 18th Street Station is also a short walk from the stadium.

Where is rideshare pick-up after an event at Soldier Field?

Rideshare pick-up is at the corner of Balbo and Columbus for one hour after the event. After that hour, pick-up can resume on campus at the stadium. Drop-off for all events is at the 18th Street drop-off west of the stadium and Lake Shore Drive.

Can I leave Soldier Field and come back in?

No. Fans are not permitted to exit and re-enter the stadium, and no re-entry passes are issued.

Where is the ADA drop-off at Soldier Field?

During events, the ADA drop-off and pick-up area is the Gate 14 turnaround off Museum Campus Drive on the southeast, lakeside side of the stadium. An ADA placard or plate must be visible and its registered holder must be in the vehicle. Request an ADA return placard from security at Gate 14 on arrival for post-game access.