Is LV2 active today?
On Cubs home game days and major Wrigley events, the LV2 permit zone activates from 5 PM to 10 PM. If you park on a residential street inside the zone during those hours, you'll get a $65 ticket.
Check lv2park.com → to see today's status before you drive.
Your Parking Options, Ranked
The Addison Red Line stop is a 2-minute walk from the main gate on Clark and Addison. No parking stress, no traffic, no ticket risk. Trains run every few minutes on game days.
Cost: $2.50 each way with a Ventra card. $5 round trip per person.
Tip: Take the train from Belmont or Howard rather than driving to the Addison lot. The Addison lot fills up fast on day games.
The Cubs operate a free shuttle from the Clarendon Park field house at 4650 N Clarendon Ave. The shuttle runs from 2 hours before first pitch and continues after the game.
Cost: Free.
Catch: You still need to get to Clarendon, which is about a mile east of Wrigley. Street parking around there is easier, but it fills up too. Plan ahead.
See the full shuttle guide at wrigley-field-parking-shuttle.
Pre-booking through SpotHero guarantees your spot and usually costs less than walking up to a lot on game day. Prices start around $15 for a day game and can run $40+ for popular night games.
Tip: Book at least a day out. Same-day game prices spike significantly after 11 AM.
Browse SpotHero options →Walk-up lots near Wrigley charge $30–60 on game days and fill up fast. The Cubs-operated Camry lot on Clark Street is the most visible, but it's among the most expensive and least accessible.
If you're driving and haven't pre-booked, arrive 2+ hours before first pitch for a walk-up spot. After that, the lots are full or triple the price.
There is street parking available beyond the LV2 zone, but it's a 15–25 minute walk and still fills up early on popular game days. If you park in the LV2 zone without a permit after 5 PM, you will get ticketed.
Check the LV2 zone map to see the boundary and find streets that fall outside it.
Day Games vs. Night Games: What Changes?
| Factor | Day game (before 5 PM) | Night game (5 PM+) |
|---|---|---|
| LV2 enforcement | Starts at 5 PM regardless of game time | Starts at 5 PM, same as day game |
| SpotHero prices | Typically $15–25 | Typically $25–45 |
| CTA Red Line | Best option either way | Busiest but still fast |
| Street parking (outside LV2) | Easier to find before 11 AM | Nearly impossible by 4 PM |
| Walk-up lot availability | Available until ~2 hrs before | Available until ~2 hrs before |
Many visitors park on a residential street for a 1:20 PM game thinking the LV2 hours won't apply. The game ends around 4 PM and LV2 kicks in at 5 PM. If you don't return to move your car before 5 PM, you get a ticket. Plan for this.
Parking Cost Comparison
| Option | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CTA Red Line (round trip) | $5 / person | Best value, no traffic stress |
| SpotHero day game | $15–25 | Book a day ahead |
| SpotHero night game | $25–45 | Book a day ahead |
| Walk-up lot | $30–60 | Price varies, cash often required |
| Camry lot (Cubs-operated) | $40–65 | Closest but most expensive |
| LV2 ticket | $65 | Plus possible tow ($150–200) |
What to Do If Your Car Gets Towed
If your car is gone and you're in the LV2 zone area, it went to Auto Pound #6. Call before you head over.
- Auto Pound #6: 773-265-7605
- Address: 10300 S Doty Ave (yes, it's far south, plan for an Uber)
- Cubs game day hotline: 866-4-CPD-TOW
- Hours: 24/7 for retrieval
- Cost: $150 tow fee + $35–50/day storage
Call 311 first and ask if your plate shows up as towed. Sometimes meters run out and cars get ticketed but not moved. Confirm it was towed before making the trip to the pound.
Get the Parking Heads-Up
LV2 Park sends an email the evening before any LV2 day. If you live in the neighborhood or visit often, it's the easiest way to know when you need to plan ahead.