Do Kids Need Tickets at Chicago Sports Games? (Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Sox, Blackhawks, Fire, Sky & More)
- Erin Byrne
- 4 hours ago
- 9 min read
We all know kids are super expensive.
But one place they're actually not quite as expensive is at Chicago sports games. In most cases, young kids are free!
This is important to know now, because this is an AMAZING perk that goes away pretty quickly as kids start to get older - and all of a sudden you're stuck buying a full-priced ticket for a 5-year-old who isn't really going to pay attention anyway. So, be sure to enjoy it while it lasts.
When it comes to free tickets for kids - all of the different teams and stadiums have their own rules about the requirements. Some are by age, some are by height! It can vary both by stadium and by sport (the Cubs and the White Sox don't even have the same rules as each other!).
So what age do kids get in free at Chicago sports games?
We've gone through everything by sport and team and have compiled them all in a list below!
Please note: this list is accurate as of today (8/7/26), and we've linked to each team's policy so you can double check before you go. Have fun!
But first...
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids
Psst! Before you go to any sports game or loud event, be sure to bring noise cancelling headphones for the little ones. It both protects their ears and keeps them calmer during any unexpected cheers our outbursts.
Here are our favorite kids' headphones by age:
Baby Noise Cancelling Headphones
Lucie's son used these until age 3
Toddler Noise Cancelling Headphones
Lucie's son has these and still uses them at age 5.5
Kids Noise Cancelling Headphones
Erin's daughter has these and LOVES them! Also age 5.5
Ok, now on to all the important details!
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Cubs Games?
Chicago Cubs child ticket policy at Wrigley Field: Fans age 2 and under are admitted without a ticket, provided they sit on the lap of a parent or guardian in the adult's assigned seat. All children 3 and older need a full-price ticket - and there's no discounted kids' pricing!
Extras:
Many people don't. know this, but you can bring in outside food! You can bring a personal amount of food in a small, resealable bag (policy details here)
First Timer's Booth certificate for their first game
Free ID wristbands for young kids in case they get separated
Kids Sundays with post-game Run the Bases for kids 13 and under
You can bring in collapsible strollers that fit completely under your seat! You can also check larger strollers for free at the Cubs Bike Valet Service under the CTA Red Line Stop on Addison
Pro tip: My daughter LOVES the helmet ice cream sundae, and it always buys us at least a few innings of quiet before she's ready to get up and wander around again. If your toddler needs a little more of a reset, Gallagher Way (just outside the ballpark) has a giant video screen showing the game plus open space to run - and you can exit and re-enter the game just from here.
Double check before you go: Wrigley Field Policies and Procedures — Chicago Cubs
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago White Sox Game?
Chicago White Sox child ticket policy at Rate Field: Any child shorter than 36 inches (the height of the turnstile arm, roughly ages 2–3 depending on your child!) is admitted without a ticket, but must share a seat with the accompanying adult.
Extras:
You can bring outside food that fits inside a 1-gallon ziplock style bag, as well as 1 factory sealed water bottle (policy here)
There's a Kids Zone play area with a mini diamond, batting cages, and coaching clinics for kids 13 and under
Sox Family Sundays have activities like balloon artists and face painters, plus kids can run the bases after the game
Pro tip: The Xfinity Kids Zone is great for if your kids need to really run around and get a break from sitting at the game. For food, be sure to get an Original Rainbow Cone (FYI - you can get it in a bowl if the cone is too tricky for young kids, and/or if it's too hot out)
Double check before you go: Rate Field Policies and Procedures — Chicago White Sox
National Basketball Association (NBA) & National Hockey League (NHL)
The United Center has the same policy for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks!
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Bulls Game?
Chicago Bulls child ticket policy at the United Center: Children under 36 inches tall do not need a ticket, but must remain on a parent's lap for the entire game.
Extras:
On select dates, you can get Family Ticket Packs which bundle a ticket with a hot dog, chips, and a drink
Pro tip: There is a sensory room at Gate 2 1/2 which is a great option even for a non-sensory kid! It's a quiet, low-stimulation space to duck into if the arena noise gets to be a lot for a little one, and sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones are available there too.
Double check before you go: United Center Frequently Asked Questions
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Blackhawks Game?
Chicago Blackhawks child ticket policy at the United Center: Children under 36 inches tall are admitted without a ticket and must sit on an adult's lap - same 36-inch policy as Bulls games.
Pro tip: Hockey is loud! Especially the horn after a goal. You should bring ear protection to most of these games, but you will definitely want it here - especially if you've got a sound-sensitive toddler.
Double check before you go: United Center Frequently Asked Questions
National Football League (NFL)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Bears Game?
Chicago Bears child ticket policy at Soldier Field: Children under 32 inches tall don't need a paid ticket, but they do need a free lap pass, which you need to obtain in person on game day at the Gate 8 Ticket Office. Only one lap pass is allowed per ticket, and the child receiving it must be present when it's issued. The child also must sit on a lap and not occupy a seat.
Note: this policy is different than every other stadium in this guide, in that you have to pick up a physical pass for your child rather than just bring them in without a ticket! Be sure to allow time for this.
Pro tip: Arrive early for Staley's Corner, located in the South Courtyard. This is the designated kids' activity area with the Bears Drumline and mascot appearances starting two hours before kickoff.
Double check before you go: Chicago Bears Frequently Asked Questions
Major League Soccer (MLS)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Fire FC Game?
Chicago Fire child ticket policy at Soldier Field: Children 2 and under are free if seated on an adult's lap. All fans age 2 and up need their own ticket for entry. Unlike the Bears, you do not need a lap pass for Chicago Fire (same stadium, but a different policy per team here!).
Pro tip: A Fire match is such a fun first pro sports outing for a young kid. There are almost no breaks and no loud horns etc. so it's a great way to ease into a first stadium experience.
Double check before you go: Chicago Fire FC Stadium Policies
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Stars FC Game?
Chicago Stars child ticket policy at Martin Stadium: Children under 24 months are admitted without a ticket as long as they sit on an adult's lap. All children 2 and over are required to have their own ticket.
Pro tip: SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview is a soccer-specific venue with the field just a few yards from the first row, so it's a nice closer/smaller feel than going to Soldier Field.
Double check before you go: SeatGeek Stadium A-Z Stadium Policies
Major League Rugby (MLR)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Hounds Game?
What it is: Chicago's professional rugby team, playing in Major League Rugby (MLR) since its 2023 inaugural season.
Child ticket policy: The same SeatGeek Stadium general admission policy applies: children under 24 months are admitted without a ticket if seated on an adult's lap. This is the same rule that covers Chicago Stars FC games at the same stadium
Pro tip: The Hounds also do occasional free community days where everyone is free, not just the kids under 2! Look for these days on their schedule before buying if you just want to try it out.
Double check before you go: SeatGeek Stadium A-Z Stadium Policies
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Sky Game?
Chicago Sky child ticket policy at Wintrust Arena: Children under the age of two (24 months) do not require a ticket if seated on an adult's lap. Note: this policy is specific to Sky games at Wintrust.
Pro tip: Wintrust Arena is small compared to the United Center or Soldier Field, which makes it one of the least overwhelming venues on this list for a first pro sports game! Plus, we love to support women's sports. Every seat feels close to the action, and the crowd noise is a lot more manageable for little ears.
Double check before you go: Wintrust Arena Gameday Guide — Chicago Sky
What age do kids get in free at Chicago sports games?
In summary: here are the current age cutoffs for each stadium and Chicago sports team. In all cases, the kids do not get their own seat and must sit in the adult's lap.
Team | Kids Free |
Cubs (Wrigley Field) | 2 & under |
White Sox (Rate Field) | Under 36" tall |
Bulls (United Center) | Under 36" tall |
Blackhawks (United Center) | Under 36" tall |
Bears (Soldier Field) | Under 32" tall; needs lap pass from Gate 8 |
Chicago Fire FC (Soldier Field) | 2 & under |
Chicago Stars FC (SeatGeek Stadium) | Under 2 |
Chicago Hounds (SeatGeek Stadium) | Under 2 |
Chicago Sky (Wintrust Arena) | Under 2 |
Chicago Wolves (Allstate Arena) | Under 2 |
Chicago Dogs (Impact Field) | Under 2 |
Chicago Steel (USG Arena) | Under 2 |
Bonus: Chicago Minor and Junior League Teams
These are great first sporting events for kids! The minor league games are typically a bit smaller, less loud, and less chaotic than the major league pro sports games. The perfect first event for kids!
All 3 of these have the same rules: kids under 2 are free when sitting on an adult's lap.
American Hockey League (AHL)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Wolves Game?
What it is: Chicago's American Hockey League team (one level below the NHL)
Chicago Wolves child ticket policy at Allstate Arena: kids under 2 are free in lap.
Pro tip: Chicago Wolves is a great first game for kids. They have fun family programming, including Family Sundays for Sunday home games. It's a smaller arena and quieter for kids vs. starting with a Blackhawks game too.
Double check before you go: A-Z Guide for Chicago Wolves Games at Allstate Arena
American Association Baseball (AAB)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Dogs Game?
What it is: an independent Professional Baseball team (not affiliated with the MLB)
Chicago Dogs child ticket policy at Impact Field: kids under 2 are free in lap ("any child who hasn't yet celebrated their second birthday"
Pro tip: Chicago Dogs games are so much fun with kids! They are inexpensive for everyone and it's easy to just walk around the arena during a nice summer evening. This was one of my daughter's first sports games!
Double check before you go: Chicago Dogs - Getting Here
United States Hockey League (USHL)
Do Kids Need a Ticket for a Chicago Steel Game?
New for 2026-2027: The Chicago Steel is moving to Chicago from Galena! Beginning this season, they will now play at the USG Arena on the Near West Side.
Chicago Steel child ticket policy at USG Arena: kids under 2 are free in lap
Pro tip: Their new arena in Chicago is a small, 2000 seat arena so it also makes a great first game for kids!
Double check before you go: Chicago Steel - USG Arena Hub
Hope this helps! Every Chicago pro team's kids-free policy in one place, straight from each team's own rules.
Now that I have a 5-year-old and have to buy her her own ticket everywhere, my strongest advice for anyone with young kids is to go to these games now! Enjoy it while they're FREE (and while they can only run so fast to get away from you in a crowded stadium, and while they can't eat as many expensive foods while they're there either, ha).
And if you go to any of these with kids, I highly recommend a pair of noise cancelling headphones.
So bookmark this page - and then check out our other related guides, coming soon:
Chicago festivals where kids get in free (the ages are higher here!)
Chicago public transit guide (when kids ride free)
And finally - these policies can change season to season, so please be sure to click the link for each spot before you go. And if you catch a change, please DM us on instagram or let us know in the comments.
Enjoy!!! 💗 Erin and Lucie
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