Metallica is right around the corner, so it’s Metallica AFD cubed (All Fathers Day, All F***in Day, and All the F***in Deets)! Here’s everything you need to know from A-Z about The Loop’s 40th Birthday Bash!
BIKING
There are multiple Divvy bike stations located around museum campus for those wishing to ride Divvy bikes. For those with personal bikes, there are racks around the perimeter of the stadium. Bikers may take the pedestrian underpass from Grant Park, located on the parking map.
BOX OFFICE/WILL CALL
Where is the box office located to pick up will call tickets?
Will Call tickets are located at Gate 10 ticket box at the Southeast corner of the stadium.
What are the box office hours?
Gate 10 ticket box will open at 12:00 pm on show day.
May I pick up my tickets before the day of the show?
No
May I bring my kids? Do they need to have their own tickets?
Kids are allowed and must have their own ticket.
CAMERAS
Hand-held binoculars and small still-photo cameras are permitted in Soldier Field (cameras with lenses no longer than 3 inches) for all events. Video and movie cameras are NOT permitted in the stadium without the user holding proper media credentials.
DROP OFF/PICK UP INFORMATION
Disabled/ADA patrons may be dropped off on the circle drive (east side of the stadium) on Museum Campus Drive outside Gate 14. For all other patrons, there is a pick up and drop off circle at the 18th street turnaround. All inbound traffic to the campus is shut off 45 minutes before show ending. The campus re-opens to incoming vehicles/traffic 1 hour after the event is over to allow for outgoing traffic to subside. Please plan on being picked up at Michigan and Columbus to the Northwest of the stadium.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Will there be food and beverages for sale at the venue?
Yes, there will be food and beverages for sale.
Will beer and/or other alcohol be sold? Is there a cut-off time?
Yes. Cut-off time is currently TBD, but typically occurs around 40 minutes before show end. Stadium reserves the right to determine alcohol cut-off time day of show.
GATE AND SHOW TIMES
Gates to Soldier Field open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m.
All suite ticket holders must enter at Gate 14 (southeast end of the stadium)
All club ticket holders must enter at Gate 6 (south) or Gate 38 (east)
All GA floor ticket holders must enter through Gate 0 (south end of the stadium)
All other general seating bowl ticket holders can enter through the following gates:
- South Gates: 5, 3, 0, 4
- West Gates: 9, 15
- North Gates: 45, 47
- East Gates: 38
Are there special entry gates or other services for disabled guests?
Disabled/ADA patrons may be dropped off on the circle drive (east side of the stadium) on Museum Campus Drive outside Gate 14. Gate 0 will be main ADA entrance for drop-offs at Gate 14.
MANCOW AUTOGRAPHS
Mancow will be signing autographs at the Loop Stage in the South Concourse of Soldier Field from around 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. with Jerry Only from the Misfits.
MARCH WITH METALLICA
Haven’t gotten your hands on Metallica tickets yet? Not only can you score a pair of tickets, but you could win the chance to escort Metallica to the stage! Want to win this experience of the lifetime? Join us at The Loop Tailgate starting at 2 p.m. for your shot to win a qualifying spot! We’ll be drawing the Grand Prize Winner at 4 p.m., so be sure to get there early to increase your chances of qualifying! (see Tailgating for details about the Loop’s 40th Tailgate).
PARKING
Parking is available at the following garages: North Garage, South Parking Lot, Waldron Parking Deck, East Museum Lot, and Alder Planetarium Lot. Click here to view the parking map and click here for driving directions to each garage.
PERMITTED/PROHIBITED ITEMS
Is the NFL Clear Bag Policy in effect?
No. Soldier Field will allow bags up to 12 x 12 x 6, regular backpacks (no oversized backpacks) and purses. All bags are subject to search.
What am I allowed to bring into the venue?
*Please contact Soldier Field if you are unsure if an item will be permitted into the stadium.
What is prohibited from coming into the venue?
Alcoholic beverages & Palcohol
Bags larger than 12″x12″x12″
Balloons and beach balls
Cans, bottles or other beverage containers
Cameras with lenses longer than 3 inches for all events
Confetti
Coolers
Fireworks, smoke bombs
Ice chests
Illegal drugs
Laser pens and pointers
Noise-making devices (i.e. horns, whistles, etc.)
Poles to display banners or flags
Seat Cushions
Selfie-Sticks
Smokeless Cigarettes / E-Cigs
Strollers
Umbrellas
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Video or movie cameras
Weapons of any kind
Any other items deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate
PHOTOS
If you take a photo at The Loop’s 40th Anniversary and want to post it to your Facebook, rest easy knowing you can find your pictures at wlup.com no later than Wednesday, June 21st.
POP UP METALLICA MERCH STORE
You can visit us at the Metallica Pop Up Merch Store at 121 N. Wabash in Chicago starting Friday, June 16th when the doors open at 3:00 PM. The store will include tour merchandise, unique items only found at the pop-up stores including lithographs, coolers, NFL compliant clear bags, the exclusive live recording from Webster Hall on vinyl and lots more. You’ll also be able to enter to win cool prizes like snake-pit passes and autographed goodies.
Hours of operation are:
Friday 3PM-9PM
Saturday 10AM-9PM
Sunday 10AM-4PM
The Loop will be there Sunday brodcasting live from 12-2pm on Sunday. Stop by before heading to our Official Tailgate 2-6pm!
SOLDIER FIELD
Address: 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
To get there:You may get to the venue by driving, public transportation, taxi/uber/lyft or even by walking.
Public Transit Information
CTA’s # 146 Bus to Museum Campus:
Operates daily until 10:30 pm
Please note that there is another route of the #146 Bus (Harrison/State) that will not take you all the way to Shedd (across from Soldier Field). Please make sure the bus is labeled as going to Museum Campus.
CTA’s #130 Bus eastbound:
Operates between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day only.
Best for those heading from State Street downtown, North Michigan Ave. or the north side of Chicago.
Best bet for Metra or Amtrak users. Buses leave Union/Ogilvie stations between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm. The last #130 bus leaves Shedd stop (across from Soldier Field) at 6:00 pm.
From O’Hare Airport:
Board the Blue Line CTA train and exit at Washington, where you can grab the southbound #146 bus on State Street.
From the south side of Chicago or from Midway Airport:
Board CTA bus #6 Jackson Park Express (daily) and exit at 11th Street and Columbus Drive, across from the Museum Campus. Or board the Orange or Green Line CTA train toward the Loop and exit at the Roosevelt Road/Museum Campus station, where you can transfer to the #146 Museum Campus bus.
From State Street downtown, North Michigan Avenue, or the north side of Chicago:
Board the southbound CTA bus #146 Marine-Michigan to the Museum Campus (daily) or board the Red, Orange, or Green Line CTA train toward the Loop and exit at the Roosevelt Road/Museum Campus station, where you can transfer to the #146 Museum Campus bus
Click here for help planning the best travel option using public transportation.
Taxi/Uber/Lyft Information
All taxi/uber drop-offs and pick-ups will be on Balbo Drive between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive (a few blocks north of the stadium).
Driving Directions
Driving from I-55:
Take I-55, the Stevenson Expressway, northbound to Lake Shore Drive/Highway 41 North. Take LSD north to the 18th Drive exit.
Driving from I-290:
Take I-290, the Eisenhower Expressway, east to Congress Parkway. Take Congress Parkway to Columbus Drive. Turn right and take Columbus Drive south to the 18th Drive exit.
Driving from I-90/94:
Take I-90/94, the Dan Ryan Expressway, north to the Lake Shore Drive/22nd street exit. Stay to the right and exit to LSD. Take LSD/Highway 41 north to the 18th Drive exit.
Driving from I-94:
Take I-94, the Kennedy Expressway, south to the Congress Parkway exit. Follow Congress Parkway to Columbus Drive. Turn right on Columbus Drive and follow Columbus south to the 18th Drive exit.
Driving from Downtown:
Take Michigan Ave south to Roosevelt. Take left onto Roosevelt and follow to Columbus Drive. Turn right on Columbus Drive and follow Columbus south to the 18th Drive exit. Or take Lake Shore Drive south to the 18th Drive Exit.
TAILGATING
We’re having the Ultimate Metallica Tailgate! We’ll be partying in the South Lawn from 2 p.m. ‘til 6 p.m. We’ll be broadcasting live from the tailgate with live music from the 97 Nines! Sip some brews, play some giant beer pong, devour the Metallica Burger from Kumas, and more! We’ll even be giving away the chance to March with Metallica at 4 p.m., where you can score tickets to the show & escort Metallica to the stage for their show (see March with Metallica)!
TIMING
When can I start lining up?
Per park rules, no one is allowed to line up before 6:00 am.
What time are doors?
Doors are at 4:00 pm.
What time does the show start & end?
The show starts at 6:00 pm with a hard 12:00 am curfew.
VENUE INFO
Have a question about what you can/can’t bring to the show, the lost and found, or another venue related question? Here’s everything you need to know about Soldier Field policies here!
WEATHER
The show must go on! Metallica will take the stage rain or shine (barring an extreme circumstance)!