Cubs tix- bleachers

Question

Other than the known online ticket venues such as seat geek, are there any local sites/ places to buy Cubs tickets, specifically bleacher seats? Maybe somewhere local that out of towners would not know to look/ search? Does it help to go to the box office? What about waiting until right after start of game? Trying to help a group of eight 21 year olds on a limited budget who will be in town in a couple of weeks and just dying to go Cubs vs Red Sox game (of course one of the priciest it seems!).

Answer

Bleacher seats for a Cubs–Red Sox game are always some of the priciest tickets of the season, and demand is high because Boston fans travel well and Wrigley bleachers are iconic. That said, there are still a few local tricks and less obvious places to check that many out-of-towners don’t know about.

Below is a detailed rundown of the best ways to find cheaper bleacher tickets, including lesser-known local options, timing strategies, and whether the box office is worth a shot.

Check the official Cubs website’s primary resale marketplace – Many fans list tickets directly through the team’s Ticketmaster-integrated resale platform. Prices sometimes drop closer to the game, especially if sellers panic when their tickets haven’t moved. This is often cheaper than SeatGeek/StubHub during peak demand.
Visit the Wrigley Field box office day-of – This can occasionally work, especially for single tickets or pairs, but for a high-demand matchup like Red Sox weekend, full bleacher sections rarely have unsold face-value tickets left. However, sometimes the Cubs release last-minute holdbacks the morning of the game—worth checking if your group can split up.
Local Facebook Groups / Chicago neighborhood groups – Chicagoans often sell extra Cubs tickets at face value (or close to it) because they want them to go to real fans and avoid resale fees. Groups to look for include local Wrigleyville, Lakeview, and general Chicago buy/sell/trade groups. These are surprisingly active right before big games.
Craigslist Chicago – Old-school, but still widely used locally. There are legitimate buyers/sellers who don’t want to pay resale platform fees. You need to be cautious and meet in a public place, but many locals still use this to unload tickets at face value the day before or day of.
Bar bulletin boards in Wrigleyville – Neighborhood bars (Bernie’s, Murphy’s Bleachers, Nisei Lounge, Sluggers) sometimes have physical bulletin boards or bartender-knowledge of people trying to sell extra tickets. This is extremely hyperlocal and not something out-of-towners usually know about, but it can work especially for same-day tickets.
Ticket drops 1–2 hours before first pitch – Both Ticketmaster and resale platforms often see sharp price declines starting about an hour before game time. Sellers who haven’t unloaded tickets often slash prices. This is a very real strategy for expensive series & can save big money—but it requires flexibility and nerves of steel.
Scalpers outside Wrigley – There are still plenty of old-fashioned ticket sellers on Clark & Addison. For big games, prices can start high but drop fast after first pitch. You’ll often see scalpers offering bleacher tickets for significantly less once the anthem is over. If your group is okay entering a bit late, this can be the cheapest option. Just make sure tickets scan before paying—walk toward the gate with them.
Split the group – Getting eight seats together in the bleachers at a reasonable price is extremely difficult. Splitting into smaller groups (2–4 each) will massively increase the options and lower the price. The bleachers are general admission once you're inside, so as long as you all get in, you can meet up and stand/sit together.

As for strategies with the highest savings potential, here are the best options in order:

Wait until 1–2 hours before the game on official resale sites. Prices almost always drop dramatically for high-demand games.
Buy from locals via Facebook groups or Craigslist. Often face value or close to it.
Arrive at Wrigleyville early and check with bars and neighborhood scalpers. Much cheaper after first pitch.

In short: yes, you can find cheaper bleacher tickets, but big matchups like Cubs–Red Sox reward patience and flexibility. If your group is willing to break into smaller clusters and perhaps enter the game 5–10 minutes late, you can commonly save 30–50% off the peak prices you’re seeing online.