Updated: February 13th, 2020

It happens at every Chicago Cubs home game. Excited fans are eager to sit down and take in the Wrigley Field experience, only to find a pole in the way of their view of the game. The excitement quickly turns into frustration.  

Avoiding the Obstructed Views

I've gone to many games in the 200 level sections at Wrigley, and every time I bought those seats I knew it was a gamble. Sometimes I had a clear view, and other times I might as well have bought a ticket to stare at a wall. If you are reading this blog post, you probably have had a similar experience as well, and are looking to avoid it this time around.

The good news is after changes were made in 2019 it became much easier to understand if the ticket you have or are looking at will be affected by a pole. Previously, Wrigley Field was split by the aisles and the aisle number would change in the middle of a group of seats. If that doesn't make sense to you, don't worry, that's why they changed it. The new numbering system is consistent with what most fans are used to with sections instead of aisles.

Seat numbers will start with 1 on the left side of the section and work their way up as you move right. If you are down the first base line, most poles will be in the front left of the section and down the third base line the poles will fall toward the front right.  

Four Key Steps to Know if Your Seat Will Be Obstructed

There are four key steps to understanding if your seat will be obstructed.

  1. Understand where your section is located in relation to the field
  2. Figure out where the pole falls within that section from the photos below
  3. Create a line on the map from home plate and pitchers mound that dissects the pole, going through your section (the seats behind the pole on this line will be the ones most affected).
  4. Estimate the row and seat numbers on the line (the poles come in at row 7 and seat numbers start at 1 from the left side of all sections)

You can also understand what parts of the field will be obstructed by using a map to create a direct line from your seats through the pole onto the field. Some of the important areas to look out for besides home plate and the pitchers mound are first and second base where plays frequently happen.

Here at RateYourSeats.com, we do our best to bring transparency to the ballpark. There are a total of 49 poles that obstruct fan's views and below you will find a photo of every pole at Wrigley Field. Each photo will include the aisle, row, and seat directly behind the pole.  

Obstructions on the 200 Level

Pole in Section 231 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 231, Row 21, Seat 14
Pole in Section 231 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 231, Row 17, Seats 3 and 4
Pole in Section 230 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 230, Row 10, Sat 6
Pole in Section 229 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 229, Row 6, Seat 1
Pole in Section 228 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 228, Row 6, Seat 1
Pole in Section 227 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 227, Rows 6 and 7, Seat 1
Pole in Section 226 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 226, Row 6, Seat 1
Pole in Section 225 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 225, Row 6, Seat 1
Pole in Section 223 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 223, Rows 6 and 7, Seat 1
Pole in Section 221 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 221, Row 6, Seat 20
Pole in Section 220 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 220, Row 6, Seat 23
Pole in Section 218 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 218, Row 6, Seats 21 and 22
Pole in Section 217 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 217, Row 6, Seat 24
Pole in Section 217 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 217, Row 6, Seat 1
Pole in Section 216 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 216, Row 6, Seat 1
Pole in Section 215 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 215, Row 6, Seat 1
Pole in Section 214 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 214, Row 6, Seat 5
Pole in Section 213 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 213, Rows 6 and 7, Seats 6, 7, 8, and 9
Pole in Section 212 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 212, Row 6, Seat 16
Pole in Section 210 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 210, Row 6, Seat 18
Pole in Section 209 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 209, Rows 6 and 7, Seats 21 and 22
Pole in Section 208 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 208, Row 6, Seat 22
Pole in Section 207 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 207, Row 6, Seat 22
Pole in Section 206 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 206, Rows 6 and 7, Seats 15 and 16
Pole in Section 205 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 205, Row 8, Seat 16
Pole in Section 204 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 204, Row 22, Seats 1, 2, and 3

Obstructions on the 400 Level

Pole in Section 431R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 431R, Row 1, Seat 1
Pole in Section 430R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 430R, Row 1, Seat 1
Pole in Section 429R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 429R, Row 1, Seat 1
Pole in Section 428R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 428R, Row 1, Seat 1
Pole in Section 426R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 426R, Row 3, Seat 22
Pole in Section 425R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 425R, Row 1, Seat 22
Pole in Section 424R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 424R, Row 1, Seat 17


Pole in Section 423R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 423R, Row 1, Seat 13


Pole in Section 422R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field pole at Section 422R, Row 3, Seat 1
Pole in Section 421R at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 421R, Row 1, Seat 1
Pole in Section 415L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 415L, Row 1, Seat 1
Pole in Section 414L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field pole at Section 414L, Row 1, Seat 1
Pole in Section 412L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 412L, Row 3, Seat 22
Pole in Section 411L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 411L, Row 1, Seats 22 and 23
Pole in Section 410L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 410L, Row 1, Seat 22
Pole in Section 410L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 410L, Row 1, Seat 1


Pole in Section 409L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 409L, Row 1, Seat 1
Pole in Section 408L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 408L, Row 3, Seat 1
Pole in Section 406L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 406L, Row 1, Seat 22
Pole in Section 405L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 405L, Row 1, Seats 16 and 17
Pole in Section 404L at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Pole at Section 404L, Row 1, Seat 12


Now that you have a better idea of how to avoid the poles, you're ready to begin your search for Cubs tickets!  

If you are still unsure, let us help!