UPDATE: As of Aug. 30, masks are required statewide, regardless of vaccination status. As of June 25, Guaranteed Rate Field is open at 100% capacity.
The Chicago White Sox have their best team in years, and now, more fans will get to watch them in person at Guaranteed Rate Field.
As of May 24 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Guaranteed Rate Field will be open to fans at 60% capacity. That’s up from the 25% it had been previously.
So about 24,000 fans will be able to attend White Sox games for the time being. It remains to be seen when Guaranteed Rate Field will be open at full capacity, but chief revenue and marketing officer Brooks Boyer said the following regarding full crowds:
“Clearly, we’re seeing it and the city’s proving it: The more people get vaccinated, the more things are opening up. Our message: We want full crowds — this team has earned full crowds. For us, our message is going to be: Get vaccinated because we want to get to 100% capacity at the ballpark.”
Below, we’re answering questions about COVID-19 policies and protocols at the ballpark.
Are masks required at Guaranteed Rate Field?
For fans who are 2 years or older, the answer is yes. That’s unless you are actively eating or drinking.
Your mask must cover your nose and mouth.
Do the White Sox require proof of vaccination?
No, you do not need to show proof of vaccination in order to go to a White Sox game.
The only exception is that Guaranteed Rate Field will have two “vaccinated only” sections. These will be sections 108 and 109.
Masks will still be required in those sections, but physical distancing is not. Therefore, expect to see a lot of fans in those sections.
Can I get vaccinated at the park?
Yes. Beginning May 24, the Sox will have two vaccination sites at the park.
The White Sox are also giving away $25 team gift cards to any fan who gets vaccinated at the stadium before the game.
And on Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28, fans who get vaccinated will also receive a free Tim Anderson bobblehead.
Are all tickets mobile?
Yes, all tickets are mobile. The White Sox website says that “no hard tickets will be available.”
Game tickets will also be connected to pre-assigned parking lots and gates in an effort to cut down on mobilization throughout the park.
Therefore, you will be confined to specific zones once inside the park. You will not be able to stroll around the entire stadium as was allowed in previous years.
Will players still be signing autographs?
Unfortunately, no. Players will not be signing autographs before games in 2021 as they did in previous years.
Can fans still attend batting practice?
Yes. But unlike previous years, you must sit in your assigned seat for batting practice.
Of course, part of the fun of watching batting practice (for some) is going into the bleachers to try to shag home run balls. However, that won’t be allowed in 2021 unless your assigned seat is in the bleachers.
How can I bet on White Sox games?
Guaranteed Rate Field does not have a retail sportsbook, and the White Sox do not have an exclusive sports betting partner.
However, there are six online sportsbooks in the state. If you have already downloaded any of the IL sportsbook apps, you can use them to bet on White Sox games.
The six online sportsbooks in Illinois are DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars by William Hill, BetRivers and Barstool. Baseball fans can bet on the run line, moneyline over/under, various props, etc. First five betting is also popular in Illinois.
FanDuel is a frequent White Sox sponsor, and you’ve likely seen their ads at the stadium during games. Games also air on NBC Sports Chicago, whose official sports betting partner is PointsBet.
If you haven’t already created a sports betting account but would like to, it is no longer possible unless you visit a casino or racetrack.
That’s because Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker brought back the in-person registration requirement in April. Before April, online registration was available, dating back to August.
