CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Bears-Packers at Soldier Field, there’s no better way to kick off the NFL regular season.
For those lucky enough to score tickets to this much-anticipated opener, here is a guide to navigating Sunday’s gameday experience.
Times to know
11:25 a.m. Soldier Field parking lots open
1:25 p.m. Soldier Field gates open
3:25 p.m. Kickoff
8:00 p.m. Soldier Field’s United Club closes
9:25 p.m. Soldier Field parking lots close
Grant Park street closures
This weekend’s Taste of Chicago will greatly impact traffic around Soldier Field.
The following streets are closed:
Columbus Drive, between Balbo and Monroe
Ida B. Wells, between Michigan and DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Jackson closed between Michigan and DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Bears gameday parking
Single game Soldier Field parking passes are no longer available for this Sunday. Fans can reserve parking at remote lots ahead of time at soldierfieldparking.com .
Remote parking includes:
McCormick Place: Lot A – 2301 S. Prairie Ave.
Lot B – 3050 S. Drive
Lot C – Fort Dearborn Drive
Millennium Park Garages: Grant Park North – 25 N. North Michigan Ave.
Grant Park South – 325 S. Michigan Ave.
Millennium Park Garage – 5 S. Columbus Drive
Millennium Lakeside – 5 S. Columbus Drive
Bears shuttles
Millennium Park Garages will begin offering shuttle service to Soldier Field three hours before kickoff and will stop at the conclusion of the first quarter. After the game, fans can board returning busses west of the pedestrian bridge at 18th Street, just west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
McCormick Place will provide shuttles two hours before kickoff. Postgame service will be located at the 18th Street shuttle turnaround, on the south side of 18th Street, just west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Public Transportation
The CTA’s #128 Soldier Field Express Bus offers a non-stop route to Soldier Field. It can be picked up at Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station. Service starts two hours before kickoff and stops 30 minutes after the game begins. After the game, fans can access the outbound buses at the East Museum Lot, at the corner of McFetridge and Special Olympics Drive, just northeast of the stadium.
The #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express bus is another option.
Pace provides Solider Field Express Buses on gamedays, with pickups in Schaumburg, Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Hillside, Palos Heights and Oak Lawn. Returning buses will leave 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Cost is $4.50 per person each way.
The CTA EL train is another option. Roosevelt (22 E Roosevelt Rd.) is the closest station to Soldier Field. You can take the CTA Orange, Red, or Green Line.
Bears tailgating
Fans can tailgate on all surface lots of the Museum Campus, upper level of the Waldron Deck and McCormick Place 31st Street Lot B, Lot D, and Lot E. Grills and table set-ups can only take up one designated parking space. The Bears warn open containers of alcohol are not allowed outside the parking lots and those in violation are subject to tickets from Chicago police.
Soldier Field bag policy
The NFL has a clear bag policy. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12) and prohibited items list (purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, cinch bags, non-approved seat cushions).
Bears gameday notes
Ticketed fans will receive rally towels.
Jim Cornelison will perform the National Anthem.
182nd Airlift Wing, based in Peoria, will be doing a flyover with two C-130’s.
At halftime, the Bears will recognize a large contingent of former players.
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