Shaded Seats at Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is arguably the most iconic stadium in Major League Baseball. Located on the north side of Chicago, the Cubs have called it home since 1916. It’s best known for ivy-covered walls, crazy wind, and the site of many day games. This historic park is second oldest in the majors, with only Fenway claiming a longer history. Use this guide to find the Wrigley Field shaded seats and actually enjoy those day games!

Where are the shaded seats at Wrigley Field?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Wrigley Field are located:

• On the 3rd base side of the park
• Farther back in that section under an overhang
• In the back half of the 400-level under the roof

Day games at Wrigley Field usually start at 1:20 p.m. and evening games at 7:05 p.m. For specific details about sections and different start times, read on.

Wrigley Field Orientation to the Sun

Wrigley Field is situated with home plate facing to the northeast. During the summer months, the sun rises every morning from beyond the center field wall, slowly working its way across the southern side of the stadium during the course of the day. In the process, the sun drenches the playing field and much of the stands with its rays. Unlike the newer ballpark on the south side of town, between the large number of exposed seats and the stadium’s support beams, finding a shaded seat with a good view of the field can be a challenge for those who are new to Wrigley.

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

Click or tap here to open an interactive seating chart at Wrigley Field.

Seats in the Shade at Cubs Afternoon Games

At the start of a 1:20 game at Wrigley Field, the Chicago sun will be almost directly behind home plate. This makes it easy to find shade in a majority of the stadium’s 300-level and 400-level seats, as the overhang of the stadium will cast a shadow over many seats. However, there’s less of a guarantee to escape the sun for fans seated in the lower levels. Seating further back in these sections will increase the likelihood of spending large portions of the game in the shade. However, the closer you are to the field, the more likely you are to feel the sun’s heat, even if the sun is at your back.

It’s also important to keep in mind that as the game moves along, those sitting along the 3rd baseline get more protection from the sun. Seats between home plate and midway down the 3rd baseline are ideal if you’re looking to stay in the shade all game. In the lower levels, sections 106-117 and 207-216 are among the best at Wrigley. Fans in the right field corner, sections 29-32, 129-134, and 229-233, will be in a tough spot as the game progresses. Also, fans on the 1st baseline close to the field should expect to get some sun in the mid-to-late afternoon hours. Meanwhile, most seats in the outfield, particularly right field, will likely battle the sun for the entire game.

Seats in the Shade at Cubs Evening Games

Even on the longest days of the Chicago summer, the sun will rarely set after 8:30 p.m. However, most nights there is at least an hour of sunlight following a 7:05 start. For that hour, most fans on the 3rd base side of the stadium should be in a good spot with the sun at their back. However, almost the entire 1st base side of the stadium will be exposed. Fans sitting in the back rows of a section with an overhang above them may get some protection. But the rest of the 1st baseline will have to deal with the sun for an hour or so once the game starts. The same can be of the outfield seats at Wrigley Field, specifically sections 511-518 in right field.

Ready to buy shaded seats at Wrigley Field?

Use the individual game links on the side (or bottom of the page on mobile) or click or tap here to see the Cubs upcoming game list. Learn about why we recommend buying MLB tickets on Seatgeek.

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