Soldier Field Parking Tips Guide in Chicago

Soldier Field is one of the iconic stadiums in the National Football League. While the stadium hosts many other great events during the year, Chicago Bears games are the highlight of the schedule for millions of people in the region. 

We have created the detailed guide below to help you find parking for upcoming events at Soldier Field. Our Soldier Field parking tips include:

• Official lots
• Cheaper options for parking near Soldier Field
• Free parking options in the area
• Public transportation information
• Handicap parking options
• Soldier Field parking tips and strategies

Parking is always at a premium around large venues, and that’s certainly the case in the middle of a big city like Chicago. Use the information below to plan your parking strategy and have one less headache on game day. 

Official Soldier Field Stadium Parking Lots

Space is at a premium in the area around Soldier Field. Within only a bit of land between the stadium and Lake Michigan, there isn’t a lot of room for parking lots.

A few lots have been squeezed into this space, so parking options are available within easy walking distance of the entrances if you are proactive.

Main Parking Lots 

The lots you can use when attending a Bears game at Soldier Field will depend on whether or not you have a full-season parking coupon. These coupons give holders access to various lots, with the color of the coupon coordinating with the lot you’ll be able to use. 

For those who will just be paying a one-time parking fee, there are other lots available, including:

• Grant Park North and South
• Millennium Garage and Millennium Lakeside Garage
• 31st Street McCormick Place Lot B
• 18th Street Lot
• Adler Planetarium Lot

Parking in these lots is usually around $40, and you’ll usually save a couple of dollars by purchasing ahead rather than in person on the event day. 

Premium Parking Lots

Premium parking is available at the north end of the South Lot. This location offers easy access to the stadium and a short walk to the beautiful Burnham Harbor if you’d like to take in the waterfront sights before heading into the stadium.

The East Museum Lot north of the stadium is also considered premium parking for Bears games.

One nice feature is that traffic in and out of the north and south lots are one-way before AND after the game. This helps traffic flow quickly in and out of Soldier Field.

The biggest drawback to parking at Soldier Field is that there isn’t enough of it.

EV Parking at Soldier Field

To charge your electric vehicle while parked at the game, look to the McCormick Place parking options south of the stadium, where there is a ChargePoint Charging Station. 

Accessible Parking Spaces

There are accessible spaces available in all of the lots offered for Soldier Field. It will be necessary to have a pre-paid parking coupon to secure entry into those lots. 

Visitors who don’t have a pre-paid parking coupon should consider using the ADA-accessible shuttles that drop off at the ADA turnaround of Gate 14 at Soldier Field. This shuttle can be taken from 31st Street McCormick Place Lot B or the Millennium Park Garage. 

Third-Party Parking Options at Soldier Field

While plenty of official lots are available, you might find the pricing and convenience of third-party parking too good to pass up. Most third-party options for Soldier Field will require a bit of a walk to the stadium. If that doesn’t bother you, excellent choices are available. 

Using the SpotHero widget below will make it easy to pick out the right parking lot for your needs.

One of the best picks is the 1130 S Michigan Avenue Valet Garage. It is less than a 20-minute walk to the stadium from this location. It’s important to be aware that your parking will expire one hour after the game ends, so heading back to the garage promptly is important. 

Other good lots to check out on SpotHero include 1705 S Michigan Avenue and the Park Michigan Garage at 1212 S. Michigan Avenue. 

Free Parking at Soldier Field

It will be difficult to find free parking around Soldier Field on the day of an event. There won’t be any free parking available near the stadium.

If you find street parking that is available to the east of Lake Shore Drive, you’ll need to walk quite a distance to get to the stadium. Avoiding parking charges is more easily accomplished by using public transportation. 

Soldier Field Public Transportation Options

Consider riding the Metra Commuter Trains for a convenient and affordable solution to your Soldier Field transportation needs. You can get off and walk to Soldier Field in four downtown stations. Any of those downtown stations will work, but the LaSalle Street station is a particularly good option if it is available.

From the station, you can simply walk a short distance east toward Grant Park, and then south to the stadium. 

You can also ride the bus to get to Soldier Field. The two buses you’ll want to look for are #128 – the Soldier Field Express – and #146. 

Ridesharing to Soldier Field

In a big city like Chicago, plenty of rideshare drivers are usually available to take you to and from big events. Using a rideshare service is a great option for Soldier Field events and will allow you to get around the hassle of driving and the cost of parking. 

For rideshare drop-offs and pickups, use Balbo and Columbus Drives to the north of Soldier Field. These areas are designated specifically for this use and will leave you with only a modest walk past the Field Museum to reach the stadium. 

Soldier Field Tailgating

Tailgating is allowed in many of the lots that serve Soldier Field, including those on the Museum Campus and the top level of Waldron Deck. There are rules to maintain order during the tailgating experience, including the requirement to keep tailgating activities within a single parking space.

There is also no tailgating allowed when the games are going on, and you won’t be allowed to continue tailgating after a night game has ended. 

Soldier Field Events

This iconic stadium stays busy throughout the year, so look for events in the table below that you might want to attend. Below the events list, we’ll offer even more parking advice for Soldier Field.

Soldier Field Parking Tips for a Great Outing

Everyone who attends big events has a horror story about a parking nightmare that caused them to miss the start of the game or concert. Or, if you got in on time, it might have taken you hours to leave after it was over.

Let’s review some basic parking tips to ensure that doesn’t happen to you at Soldier Field. 

Arrive Early and Beat Traffic

Traffic is notoriously difficult in Chicago – and that only multiplies on a game or concert day. Plan your day to get to the stadium early and secure parking before it gets crazy. Simply check to see when the gates will open, and you can arrive early to enjoy as much time inside the facility as possible. 

Know What You Can Bring

Like all other stadiums, Soldier Field in Chicago has specific policies regarding what can and can’t come into the building. Check these rules in advance so you don’t have to leave things in the car. 

Remember Where You Parked!

In the aftermath of a big game or concert, you don’t want to scramble to figure out where you parked. With such a massive parking area to cover, you don’t want to be searching for your vehicle at the end of the day. Consider snapping a quick picture of your car’s location on your phone so you can get back to it without any trouble. 

Look At a Map

This might sound a little old school in the age of GPS, but looking at the map of the area around the stadium before you leave can help you understand where you’ll be going and how everything is laid out. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, parking around Soldier Field in Chicago, especially during events, can be challenging. This guide has outlined different parking options and tips for visitors attending events at Soldier Field, including official lots, premium parking lots, EV parking, accessible parking spaces, third-party parking options, public transportation, and ridesharing. 

Visitors can also find tips for tailgating at the stadium. It is recommended to plan ahead, arrive early, and consider using public transportation or ridesharing to avoid parking hassles. Using the information provided in this guide, visitors can enjoy a stress-free experience while attending events at Soldier Field.

Frequently Asked Questions for Parking at Soldier Field (FAQs)