Wrigley Field in Chicago Rated Among MLB Players’ Favorite Road Cities in Unscientific Survey

In an unscientific survey of MLB players about their favorite and least favorite road cities to play in, Wrigley Field in Chicago rated very highly on the list of positive environments.

The survey, conducted by Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic, found that Wrigley Field ranked first among MLB stadiums for ambience, while Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, ranked last.

Nesbitt specified that player responses focused primarily on three factors: the condition of the visiting clubhouse, the quality of the food, and the energy of the crowd during weekday games.

According to the survey results, the top road destinations for players were Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals.

The least favored road cities were identified as Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Wrigley Field’s high ranking is attributed to recent upgrades, including renovations to the visitor clubhouse in 2018 that addressed long-standing issues of tight and outdated facilities.

The stadium also benefits from regular afternoon weekday games, which consistently draw strong crowds regardless of the Cubs’ on-field performance.

Last season, the Cubs were one of six teams to attract more than 3 million fans to their home games at Wrigley Field.

A separate ranking by USA TODAY’s For The Win placed Wrigley Field fourth among all MLB stadiums, behind only Petco Park in San Diego, Oracle Park in San Francisco, and PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

The same list ranked Guaranteed Rate Field 27th out of 30 stadiums, citing its lack of a skyline view and overall inferior amenities compared to other venues.

For The Win noted that while the food selection at Wrigley Field could improve in variety, the overall experience remains a must-see for sports fans due to its blend of modern amenities and historic character.

The Cubs completed their multi-phase renovation of Wrigley Field in 2019, successfully integrating modern facilities while preserving the ballpark’s old-school charm.