From new players to a new menu, your guide to Guaranteed Rate Field for the 2024 season
Coming off a disappointing season, the White Sox are looking to rebuild. Before you head to a game, here’s what you should know.
After losing 101 games last year, the White Sox tore down their roster over the winter and appear to be focused on the future.
Diehard Sox fans will get to see how their team delivers this year, although the early season hasn’t offered much hope.
The team enters its second year with manager Pedro Grifol, but other familiar faces will no longer be on the field, including star pitcher Dylan Cease, who was traded to the San Diego Padres this month. Also gone are longtime shortstop Tim Anderson and catcher Yasmani Grandal.
While fans may not recognize a lot of names in the starting rotation, the lineup still includes center fielder Luis Robert, left fielder Andrew Benintendi, first baseman Andrew Vaughn and third baseman Yoán Moncada.
Despite low expectations for the 2024 season, the White Sox faithful and casual baseball fans will visit Guaranteed Rate Field this year. Here’s what’s new and what to know before going to the South Side stadium:
Are the Sox going to be good? After one of the worst seasons in franchise history, things aren’t looking too much better this year. Fans might want to keep their expectations low, though hope always springs eternal.
Can I bring a bag? Fans can bring a tote that’s up to 12 x 12 x 6 inches, but it must be clear — following other stadiums with similar policies. Nonclear bags must be 9 x 5 x 2 inches or smaller. No backpacks, plastic bags, briefcases, camera bags or drawstring bags are allowed in the stadium. There are exceptions for medical equipment bags and diaper bags.
What can I bring in the ballpark? Guests can bring in some outside food as long as it’s in a clear food storage bag that’s no larger than a gallon. You can also bring up to one liter of water with you in a factory-sealed plastic bottle. Strollers are allowed in the park after they’ve been searched. On rainy days, umbrellas are OK to pack, but they must be small — no golf-size umbrellas. Umbrellas cannot be open at your seat while the game is in play.
What can’t I bring to the stadium? Outside soda, alcohol, cans and glass bottles are not allowed in the stadium. Aerosol sunscreen is also prohibited.
What’s new on the menu at Guaranteed Rate Field? Looking for something other than the classic ballpark hotdog? This season you can dig into beef empanadas with fire-roasted salsa or the loaded Smoke House Smash Burger, which features a smash burger with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, beer cheese sauce and an onion ring.
If those delectable, albeit filling, options aren’t your speed, there are more than 25 other new food offerings this season. Some highlights include:
Impossible Burger and Impossible Hot Dog: for those wanting those ballpark flavors without the meat.
Bagel and Lox Deviled Eggs: deviled eggs topped with cold smoked salmon, capers, red onions and everything bagel seasoning.
“Settling a Beef:” Vienna corned beef on rye bread, topped with Swiss cheese, coleslaw and dark mustard.
The drink options, as always, are plentiful.
This year’s drink list includes a new Jack and Coke Float featuring Jack Daniel’s and Coke topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Plus, the ballpark has more than 50 craft beers available from 36 breweries, six of which are new this season. The latest additions include Chicago-based breweries like Mars Brewing and Begyle Brewing. Their selections can be found in the ballpark’s renovated Leinenkugel’s Craft Lodge, and more drinks can be found at Vizzy View Bar.
What does it cost to see a game? Tickets to a game can be as low as $6 on the team’s website for early-season games on weekdays. Pricing by game and seat can be viewed on the Sox’s website.
Families can get special ticket prices on Sunday home games, with tickets starting at $10. And, kids can run the bases after the game. Plus, there are some school offers and other discounted ticket days, such as Union Night, where union members can get reduced price tickets.
And, the team has some promotional offers on special days, including a chance to snag a clear tote bag, White Sox hockey jersey, Luis Robert Jr. bobblehead and other merch. Details here.
Can I watch games from home? Sox games air on NBC Sports Chicago, which can be found on cable and satellite packages as well as Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and YouTube TV. Fans can also tune into games on the radio at ESPN 1000 and WRTO AM-1200/TUDN.
What’s the best way to get to Guaranteed Rate Field? Public transportation will get you close on game day. On the train, take the Red Line to the Sox/35th Street stop or the Green Line to the 35th/Bronzeville/IIT stop. You can also take Metra to the 35th Street “Lou” Jones station. There are also a number of bus routes that will take you to the stadium, depending on which direction you’re coming from. See details here.
If you do drive, it’s recommended you arrive early and purchase a parking pass ahead of time. Parking can range in price from $17 to $30. All parking lots open two hours before the game.
Is tailgating allowed? Yes, and that’s one potential reason to drive, but keep in mind there are rules. Fans can only have tents and tables set up in the reserved tailgating area; kegs are not allowed and only small grills are permitted. All tailgating ends at the start of the game and there’s no tailgating after games. The parking lots close about an hour after games end.
What about the fireworks?
There will be fireworks every Friday home game, excluding April 12, April 26 and June 28.
Phyllis Cha is a digital reporter for WBEZ. Follow her @phyllischa.Courtney Kueppers is a digital producer/reporter at WBEZ. Follow her @cmkueppers.
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From new players to a new menu, your guide to Guaranteed Rate Field for the 2024 season
Coming off a disappointing season, the White Sox are looking to rebuild. Before you head to a game, here’s what you should know.
After losing 101 games last year, the White Sox tore down their roster over the winter and appear to be focused on the future.
Diehard Sox fans will get to see how their team delivers this year, although the early season hasn’t offered much hope.
The team enters its second year with manager Pedro Grifol, but other familiar faces will no longer be on the field, including star pitcher Dylan Cease, who was traded to the San Diego Padres this month. Also gone are longtime shortstop Tim Anderson and catcher Yasmani Grandal.
While fans may not recognize a lot of names in the starting rotation, the lineup still includes center fielder Luis Robert, left fielder Andrew Benintendi, first baseman Andrew Vaughn and third baseman Yoán Moncada.
Despite low expectations for the 2024 season, the White Sox faithful and casual baseball fans will visit Guaranteed Rate Field this year. Here’s what’s new and what to know before going to the South Side stadium:
Are the Sox going to be good? After one of the worst seasons in franchise history, things aren’t looking too much better this year. Fans might want to keep their expectations low, though hope always springs eternal.
Can I bring a bag? Fans can bring a tote that’s up to 12 x 12 x 6 inches, but it must be clear — following other stadiums with similar policies. Nonclear bags must be 9 x 5 x 2 inches or smaller. No backpacks, plastic bags, briefcases, camera bags or drawstring bags are allowed in the stadium. There are exceptions for medical equipment bags and diaper bags.
What can I bring in the ballpark? Guests can bring in some outside food as long as it’s in a clear food storage bag that’s no larger than a gallon. You can also bring up to one liter of water with you in a factory-sealed plastic bottle. Strollers are allowed in the park after they’ve been searched. On rainy days, umbrellas are OK to pack, but they must be small — no golf-size umbrellas. Umbrellas cannot be open at your seat while the game is in play.
What can’t I bring to the stadium? Outside soda, alcohol, cans and glass bottles are not allowed in the stadium. Aerosol sunscreen is also prohibited.
What’s new on the menu at Guaranteed Rate Field? Looking for something other than the classic ballpark hotdog? This season you can dig into beef empanadas with fire-roasted salsa or the loaded Smoke House Smash Burger, which features a smash burger with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, beer cheese sauce and an onion ring.
If those delectable, albeit filling, options aren’t your speed, there are more than 25 other new food offerings this season. Some highlights include:
Impossible Burger and Impossible Hot Dog: for those wanting those ballpark flavors without the meat.
Bagel and Lox Deviled Eggs: deviled eggs topped with cold smoked salmon, capers, red onions and everything bagel seasoning.
“Settling a Beef:” Vienna corned beef on rye bread, topped with Swiss cheese, coleslaw and dark mustard.
The drink options, as always, are plentiful.
This year’s drink list includes a new Jack and Coke Float featuring Jack Daniel’s and Coke topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Plus, the ballpark has more than 50 craft beers available from 36 breweries, six of which are new this season. The latest additions include Chicago-based breweries like Mars Brewing and Begyle Brewing. Their selections can be found in the ballpark’s renovated Leinenkugel’s Craft Lodge, and more drinks can be found at Vizzy View Bar.
What does it cost to see a game? Tickets to a game can be as low as $6 on the team’s website for early-season games on weekdays. Pricing by game and seat can be viewed on the Sox’s website.
Families can get special ticket prices on Sunday home games, with tickets starting at $10. And, kids can run the bases after the game. Plus, there are some school offers and other discounted ticket days, such as Union Night, where union members can get reduced price tickets.
And, the team has some promotional offers on special days, including a chance to snag a clear tote bag, White Sox hockey jersey, Luis Robert Jr. bobblehead and other merch. Details here.
Can I watch games from home? Sox games air on NBC Sports Chicago, which can be found on cable and satellite packages as well as Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and YouTube TV. Fans can also tune into games on the radio at ESPN 1000 and WRTO AM-1200/TUDN.
What’s the best way to get to Guaranteed Rate Field? Public transportation will get you close on game day. On the train, take the Red Line to the Sox/35th Street stop or the Green Line to the 35th/Bronzeville/IIT stop. You can also take Metra to the 35th Street “Lou” Jones station. There are also a number of bus routes that will take you to the stadium, depending on which direction you’re coming from. See details here.
If you do drive, it’s recommended you arrive early and purchase a parking pass ahead of time. Parking can range in price from $17 to $30. All parking lots open two hours before the game.
Is tailgating allowed? Yes, and that’s one potential reason to drive, but keep in mind there are rules. Fans can only have tents and tables set up in the reserved tailgating area; kegs are not allowed and only small grills are permitted. All tailgating ends at the start of the game and there’s no tailgating after games. The parking lots close about an hour after games end.
What about the fireworks?
There will be fireworks every Friday home game, excluding April 12, April 26 and June 28.
Phyllis Cha is a digital reporter for WBEZ. Follow her @phyllischa.Courtney Kueppers is a digital producer/reporter at WBEZ. Follow her @cmkueppers.