Gameday Information

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

mirish2271 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:55:36 GMT

Wow, this whole thing is really unsettling as I read through all this now. I have 2 Club season tix and 4 Non-PSL season tix, and the bears have still made me enter this damn parking lottery every year for a parking pass. I have been fortunate enough to get one every year, but this year they are doing several things I feel are just wrong. For one, am I the ONLY person who did NOT receive the email about the lottery on June 15th? I haven't changed my email address since the internet started. I confirmed this with the Bears office and they had no answer as to why I didn't get an email. it was only due to my checking the website and noticing the June 15th date, which had come and gone, did I realize I was never notified. Next, this monopolization of every single precious parking spot anywhere remotely close to that Stadium is very fishy to me. I suspect the fine Mayor is behind that move, somehow. That's just crap. How does ANYONE, without a pass, or from out of town, or who is just going to ONE game this year, find a place to park, or God forbid, plan to tail-gate? 1st the entertainment tax they tried to stick some fans with, now this. What's next? Have any of these people picked up a newspaper in the last 12 months and realized this country is in the worst recession in the last 1/4 century? UUUggghhhhh if someone has the where-with-all to start a petition, I will gladly sign it, or e-sign it.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

it's the sauce — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:17:14 GMT

jpm121:

RobRBearsFan:
I don't see how the Bears can control the entire 31st lot of McCormick place and make it coupon parking. Its not their property.

It's not complicated -- they write a big fat check to McCormick Place and say "we're taking your parking lot on Sundays in the fall, and you don't have to deal with any of the hassle any more."

It's even less complicated than that. They're both (Soldier Field & MPEA) owned by government entitites whose parking is administed by Standard Parking.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

jpm121 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:18:34 GMT

RobRBearsFan:
I don't see how the Bears can control the entire 31st lot of McCormick place and make it coupon parking. Its not their property.

It's not complicated -- they write a big fat check to McCormick Place and say "we're taking your parking lot on Sundays in the fall, and you don't have to deal with any of the hassle any more."

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

jscp0708 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:51:58 GMT

Looking at the picture in the lot it would be the left side of the lot when you enter for reserved parking. The right side where a lot of us tailgate is not in the green designated for Southwest facilities. The right side is where the columns for the exit are and that is not green on the picture.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

slmlc02 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:01:01 GMT

I tried the Standard Parking number in the letter and no one would call me back so I called the Click and Park number and they were really helpful. According to them, the "entire" 31st Street lot is now like the other Bears lots. The cost is $25 per game and there will only be cash parking if the lot doesn't sell out during the pre-sale. It's also subject to the rules of the other Bears lots now, which is the biggest downer in this whole thing. It'll only be open 4 hours before and a couple hours after. And, canopies won't be allowed.

The communication wasn't great on this change, so I really don't know for sure if the entire lot is Bears controlled now, but to be safe, I bought my pass this morning. Hopefully the Click and Park people are wrong, and maybe we'll show up and only a portion will be Bears controlled and the other will be McCormick, but I bought to be safe.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

LOOP — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:48:24 GMT

Wow, does this mean the price for 31st street goes up to $25 each game?

And that if you want to be sure to get in, you have to bypass the lottery and buy it now for the whole season???

If so, that bites.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

RobRBearsFan — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:05:34 GMT

I'm down with the petition. Who knows how to set one up and get that going? We need to get this over turned ASAP.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

Poolboy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:49:05 GMT

Also, I will never again spend any $$$ inside that stadium. I won't even buy a bottle of water.

What is a bottle of water now $5.00

Beer is only 7.50

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

Monster34 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:51:47 GMT

Ok...here's the e-mail I got to answer some of my questions...

Thank you for your questions regarding the SW Facilities this year in support of the 2009 Chicago Bears season. Hopefully I can answer everything to your satisfaction.

·         SW Facilities lots will open no later than 3 hours prior to game time

·         The same tailgating guidelines apply to the SW Facilities lots as they do to all lots in support of the Bears.

·         Cash parking will be available if there is space available. We do sell single game passes on our site as we get closer to the season to fill up any possible spaces. If all the parking is not pre-sold, they will sell spaces for cash on the day of the game.

True...the lot should open 4 hours before the game. HOWEVER, do you realize how many people have been set up in that lot by 5 a.m. We always get there by 6 and there are usually about 10 - 15 tailgates already set up by then. Also, "same tailgating guidlines" means no more things such as canopies. How many people who have been tailgating in that lot for YEARS have purchased canopies? And the ONLY REASON they have purchased them is for TAILGATING!!!! So that's $$$ lost for something they'll never use again.

True, tailgating will still take place in the 31st Street lot. But now it will be run by the same Lot Nazi's that have been running the other lots!!!! THEY HAVE RUINED TAILGATING FOR BEARS GAMES!!!!! It is a very sad day when it is easier to tailgate at a Sox game (FOR A BASEBALL GAME) than it is for a Bears game!!!!!

The Bears started right before the renovation by deciding to only open the Soldier Field lots 4 hours prior to the game. But we all had the wonderful option of the 31st Street lot. But now they've taken that away. How long before they make the decision to end tailgating altogether?!?!?!?

I agree with the petition idea 1,000%. Also, I will never again spend any $$$ inside that stadium. I won't even buy a bottle of water.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

RobRBearsFan — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:17:36 GMT

We might be reading this wrong I hope. Parking is not available at Michael Reese anymore and the Bears have to put them somewhere since they enter a lottery to park there right? I think the Bears just worked something out with McCormick place to have those people moved to a part of the parking lot at 31st. I don't see how the Bears can control the entire 31st lot of McCormick place and make it coupon parking. Its not their property. Half the time trailers fill the lot for whatever convention is at McCormick place. I thinking there will be a small section reserved for people from Michael Reese at 31st.

31st trailgating will be alive and well Bears fans, dont worry about it!!!!

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

Cutlerholic — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:08:44 GMT

What is the average fan supposed to do now. 31st street was the pinnacle of tailgating where the real tailgators went to have a grand time. Where do we go? Anyone have any suggestions or tips? We should start a petition and get this crap revoked.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

Poolboy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:47:22 GMT

My buddy just got e-mail confirmation from the Bears -- all of the McCormick 31st street lot will be subject to the same tailgating rules as the other lots -- 3 hours before and 1 hour after game time, no canopies/fires/etc. Absolute garbage, this is the death of tailgating as far as I'm concerned.

The lots open 4 hours before kickoff and close two hours after. Here is the official version:

Hours of Operation and Access

All Soldier Field and Museum Campus parking facilities will open four (4) hours prior to kickoff. All of these parking facilities will close two (2) hours after the conclusion of the game. These parking facilities may close earlier at the discretion of Stadium Management.

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

jpm121 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:34:34 GMT

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

Poolboy — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:17:49 GMT

What is the Bears ID number you need to register for the lottery.

It's your season ticket account number

Re: 2009 Parking Info - Parking Lottery - New 31st Parking Info

bbison — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:57:44 GMT

Avellini:
What is the Bears ID number you need to register for the lottery.

The ID number is on the email you get from the Bears.

LosOsos:
1 How do I get the Non Premium seats , I can only spend the 400 and change price, do we have choice to click on once we go thru the process? Thanks

You have to choose the premium parking. Just don't do it. Sign up for the lottery and that's it.