Spring is right around the corner and that means a new season of Chicago Cubs odds with high hopes and fresh faces all over the roster. It also means fresh opportunities for customers who love to bet on baseball via one of the seven legal Illinois sportsbook apps.
The Cubs have been trending in the wrong direction the past few years. The North Siders have finished below .500 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014.
But team president Jed Hoyer had a busy offseason. The Cubs made some splashy player acquisitions that are sure to bring excitement back to Wrigley Field.
Below is your guide to attending a game at the Friendly Confines in 2023.
Illinois sportsbook at Wrigley Field is new this season
All around Wrigleyville, restaurants and bars are being updated and modernized. But this season, a new feature is being added to the ballpark itself.
On the corner of Addison St and Sheffield Ave, a new Illinois sportsbook is opening soon. No grand opening date has been announced, yet, for the new DraftKings Sportsbook. But, the sports betting parlor is expected to welcome guests sometime in 2023.
This is a trailblazing venture for the Cubbies and Illinois. It will be open year round and can welcome up to 1,000 guests.
Fans watching the game will also notice a lot of new players on the field, too. The Cubs most notable acquisition was the signing of Gold Glove SS Dansby Swanson. Other fresh faces include: P Jameson Taillon, CF Cody Bellinger, 1B Eric Hosmer, DH Trey Mancini and others.
Also new for 2023 is Coca Cola. For the first time in 42 years, Coke products will be sold at Wrigley Field. This after the Cubs signed a new Legacy Partnership with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling.
Best advice for getting to Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field has been the Cubs’ home stadium since 1914. Only one venue in MLB is older and that’s Fenway Park.
It’s well known that Wrigley Field has tons of charm. What’s not to love about a baseball field sitting in the middle of a neighborhood? There’s no other professional stadium like it.
But getting to the park can be challenging. If you plan to drive and park nearby, there’s plenty of locals with alleyway parking that are looking to sell you a space. Just be prepared to be boxed in by other cars, or pay a bit extra for an easy out spot.
You can also visit the Wrigley Field parking page of the Cubs’ website to find Spot Hero users that are selling spots on a given day.
Otherwise, you can utilize the CTA to make it on time for first pitch. The top option is the red line train which has a stop on Addison that is less than one block from the park.
To minimize crowds on the CTA and street traffic, the Cubs encourage biking to the game. The team even has a free bike valet service near the Addison red line stop that opens three hours before first pitch, and closes one hour after the game.
Chicago Cubs 2023 promotions
The Cubs promotional schedule is split into three categories:
- Ballpark celebrations
- Gate giveaways
- Special ticket offers
All of which involve an item giveaway to fans attending the game. For more information, visit the Cubs promotions and special offers page.
Here’s a look at the promotional schedule:
| Date and Time | Promotion | Available to |
|---|---|---|
| March 30, 1:20 p.m. | Opening Day Pin | up to first 10,000 fans |
| April 2, 1:20 p.m. | Picnic Blanket | up to first 10,000 fans |
| April 8, 3:05 p.m. | Winter Hat | up to first 10,000 fans age 21+ |
| April 21, 1:20 p.m. | London Series Luggage Tag | up to first 10,000 fans |
| May 6, 1:20 p.m. | Fergie Jenkins Statue Bobblehead | up to first 10,000 fans |
| May 27, 6:15 p.m. | Billy Williams Statue Bobblehead | up to first 10,000 fans |
| May 28, 1:20 p.m. | Fanny Pack | up to first 10,000 fans age 21+ |
| June 13, 7:05 p.m. | Pride Celebration | All |
| June 29, 7:05 p.m. | NASCAR Night | All |
| July 2, 1:20 p.m. | Rookie of the Year 30th Anniversary Day | All |
| July 17, 7:05 p.m. | Hawaiian Shirt | up to first 10,000 fans age 21+ |
| July 18, 7:05 p.m. | Marvel Super Hero Night | All |
| July 19, 7:05 p.m. | Ernie Banks Statue Bobblehead | up to first 10,000 fans |
| Aug. 2, 7:05 p.m. | Star Wars Night | All |
| Aug. 20, 1:20 p.m. | Ron Santo Statue Bobblehead | up to first 10,000 fans |
| Aug. 28, 7:05 p.m. | WWE Night | All |
| Aug. 29, 7:05 p.m. | HBCU Celebration | All |
| Sept. 8, 1:20 p.m. | Replica City Connect Jersey | up to first 10,000 fans |
| Sept. 9, 1:20 p.m. | Harry Caray Statue Bobblehead | up to first 10,000 fans |
| Sept. 19, 6:40 p.m. | Hispanic Heritage Celebration | All |
| Sept. 24, 1:20 p.m. | Sesame Street Day | All |
Top IL sportsbooks for betting on the Cubs
The seven licensed mobile sports betting operators in Illinois are:
Each of which has its own unique welcome bonus for new users. So it’s wise to shop around and see which one suits you best before opening an account.
Each sportsbook offers common baseball wagers like moneylines, totals and player props. You can also find action on futures, like the Cubs to win the NL Central or the World Series.
