Shaded Seats at Rate Field

Rate Field (formerly Guaranteed Rate Field) is home to the Chicago White Sox. Unlike the Cubs home across town, the White Sox play in a modern ballpark with plenty of pros and cons, especially when it comes to finding shade. Chicago has lots of hot and humid summer days. White Sox fans can use this guide to identify the best Rate Field shaded seats.

Where are the shaded seats at Rate Field?

Generally, the seats in the shade at Rate Field are located:

• 1st Base Line: Becomes shaded in the afternoon
• Behind Home Plate: Shaded during late afternoon and evening games
• Under Cover: 500-level seats in back rows are under the roof

In the 2026 season, the White Sox play a mix of day games (1:10 p.m.), late afternoon games (3:10 p.m.), and evening games (6:10 p.m. or 6:40 p.m.), with a handful of other start times mixed in as well. For specific details about shaded sections at various start times, please continue reading.

Rate Field Orientation to the Sun

Rate Field is oriented to the southeast. Each morning, the sun rises over the left field wall, curves around the right field foul pole around midday, and eventually dips behind the 1st base side of the park, setting behind home plate. This configuration makes the 1st base side of the park the “shade side,” although the exact sections and rows that are shaded will depend on the hour of the day.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on July 1st (halfway through the MLB season).

See an interactive seating chart for the next event at Rate Field

Seats in the Shade at White Sox Afternoon Games

At the start of a 1:10 p.m. game at Rate Field, the Chicago sun is high above right field, and shade is sparse. Your best chance to avoid the sun may be the upper rows in the 500-level sections of the stadium. These might not be desirable from a view perspective, but there is a small roof that provides some sun relief. Additionally, there is a stadium overhang that shields seats in the back rows of the 100-level sections.

Over the course of the game, the sun will gradually move toward home plate, behind the 1st base side of the stadium. Those on the 1st base side will have their backs to the sun. Shade will cover rows from top down, shielding the upper deck first, club level next, and field level last. Sections 510-528, 311-330, and 110-129 should receive at least some sun protection over the course of the game. Meanwhile, shade seekers should avoid any seat along the 3rd base line or in the left field corner, as well as other uncovered outfield sections.

During an afternoon game, the 1st base line is the “shade side” while the 3rd base line and outfield sections are in the sun.
Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire

Seats in the Shade at White Sox Evening Games

The sun at Rate Field sets behind home plate. On the longest days of summer, sunset in Chicago isn’t until 8:00 or 8:30 p.m. With many White Sox games starting relatively early and ending quicker due to MLB’s new pace-of-play rules, the sun will be a factor during night games.

Seats on the 1st base line are reliably shaded for evening games. The best combination of a quality view and shade is in field-level sections 120-136. If you’re okay with the nosebleeds, the stadium roof also makes almost any seat in the 500-level a shaded option, although you should stay as close to home plate as possible for a decent view of the game.

The sunniest seats are in the outfield, specifically in left field. Unless there is a specific reason for choosing an outfield seat, shade seekers should stick to the base lines if possible.

Ready to buy shaded seats at Rate Field?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see the White Sox upcoming game list. Learn about why we recommend buying MLB tickets on SeatGeek.