McCormick Place Tickets

McCormick Place Tickets & Events

The largest convention center in North America, McCormick Place stretches along Lake Michigan just south of downtown Chicago with four interconnected buildings, vast exhibition halls, and performance spaces including the Arie Crown Theater. McCormick Place tickets can put you inside major consumer expos, comic and pop-culture conventions, concerts, comedy, family shows, and large-scale public events in one of the country’s premier exhibition complexes.

This page covers everything you need to know before you go — from finding the right seats to getting there, navigating the venue, and buying with confidence.

About McCormick Place

McCormick Place is a multi-purpose lakefront venue located at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois. The original building opened in 1960, was destroyed by fire in 1967, and was rebuilt with the new East Building — now Lakeside Center — opening in 1971. The complex later expanded with the North, South, and West buildings, creating a four-building campus owned by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and managed by ASM Global. Capacity varies widely by event and hall, with roughly 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space; the on-campus Arie Crown Theater seats approximately 4,200, while the adjacent Wintrust Arena seats approximately 10,000.

The venue anchors Chicago’s reputation as a major convention and trade-show city, hosting major conventions, trade shows, consumer expos, corporate events, graduations, concerts, comedy, family shows, and sporting or exhibition events. Its event calendar includes major Chicago consumer shows such as the Chicago Auto Show, large pop-culture conventions such as C2E2, and performances at the Arie Crown Theater. The adjacent Wintrust Arena hosts DePaul Blue Demons basketball, Chicago Sky games, concerts, and other events.

McCormick Place is known for its scale, its Lake Michigan setting, its floor-to-ceiling lake views from Lakeside Center, and its vast column-free exhibition halls.

Location & Transportation

McCormick Place is located at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616 — on the lakefront just south of downtown Chicago and near the South Loop, Museum Campus, and Soldier Field area.

Transit: McCormick Place is served by the dedicated Metra Electric District McCormick Place station, with service to downtown’s Millennium Station. CTA bus routes, including the #3 King Drive and #21 Cermak, also serve the area. Transit is practical for downtown access, though the size of the complex means attendees should expect significant walking after arrival. A free shuttle operates during major shows.

Driving and Parking: On-site parking is available in multiple garages, including Lakeside Center, North, and West parking, with capacity for thousands of vehicles. Parking fills during large shows and major events, so early arrival is especially helpful for high-attendance dates. The complex is accessed directly off Lake Shore Drive, with I-55 and the Stevenson Expressway nearby, and parking fees are typical of a major downtown venue.

Rideshare: Rideshare drop-off and pickup are accommodated at McCormick Place, with designated zones varying by building. After large conventions and major events, waits can be significant because of the complex’s size and corridor access.

Nearby Accommodation: On-campus and adjacent hotels include Marriott Marquis Chicago and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, both connected to or steps from the halls. The South Loop and downtown Chicago offer extensive additional lodging a short drive or transit ride north.

Venue Navigation

McCormick Place is a large four-building complex, so understanding the layout before you arrive can save time and reduce unnecessary walking. The Lakeside Center, North Building, South Building, and West Building are connected by concourses and enclosed pedestrian bridges, with event halls and meeting spaces spread across multiple levels.

Entrances and Access: The four interconnected buildings — Lakeside Center, North Building, South Building, and West Building — each serve different events and halls. Entrances vary by event and building, and venue signage directs attendees toward the appropriate hall, theater, meeting room, or concourse area.

Concourse Levels: McCormick Place includes multi-level exhibition halls and meeting rooms across its buildings, connected by the Grand Concourse and skybridges spanning Lake Shore Drive and rail lines. The Arie Crown Theater within Lakeside Center has its own orchestra and balcony seating levels.

Accessibility: McCormick Place is ADA-accessible throughout, with accessible parking, entrances, restrooms, and seating. Elevators and ramps connect levels across the complex, supporting large-scale public access.

Getting to Your Section: Because the campus is expansive, review your event listing and ticket for the building, hall, theater, or section before arriving. Staff and signage guide attendees along the main concourses and bridges, and long interior walks are common between buildings.

Dining Options

Inside McCormick Place

McCormick Place offers numerous concessions, food courts, cafes, and sit-down options across its buildings, with offerings expanded during major shows. Alcohol is available at many outlets and events. Pricing is typical of a large convention venue, and lines often build during peak show hours.

Outside the Venue — South Loop And Chinatown

The South Loop and nearby Chinatown offer restaurants a short distance from McCormick Place. Downtown Chicago and the Museum Campus/Soldier Field area provide additional dining options to the north, making it easy to plan a meal before or after an event.

Security & Policies

McCormick Place maintains security and venue policies that are updated regularly and may vary by event. Before attending, reviewing the current policy on the venue's official website is strongly recommended.

Bag Policy: Policies vary by event and promoter. Many large shows use bag checks, and some events restrict bag sizes, so reviewing the event’s guidelines before packing helps prevent delays at entry.

Commonly Prohibited Items: Commonly restricted items include weapons, outside food and drink at ticketed events, and items restricted at the discretion of the event organizer.

Re-Entry: Re-entry policies vary by event. Many conventions allow same-day re-entry with a valid badge or ticket, while other ticketed events may use different rules shown on the event listing.

Entry Procedures: Entry commonly involves badge or ticket verification and may include bag checks or security screening depending on the event. Arriving with a compliant bag and pre-downloaded tickets or badges helps speed entry.

Other Venues in the Chicago Area

McCormick Place anchors Chicago’s large-scale convention and exhibition scene, while the broader Chicago area offers major arenas, stadiums, theaters, amphitheaters, and concert venues for sports, music, comedy, and performing arts.

• Wintrust Arena Tickets — Adjacent to McCormick Place; home of the DePaul Blue Demons (NCAA) and Chicago Sky (WNBA); mid-size indoor arena
• United Center Tickets — Home of the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and Chicago Blackhawks (NHL); major indoor arena and concert venue
• Soldier Field Tickets — Home of the Chicago Bears (NFL); historic lakefront stadium
• Wrigley Field Tickets — Home of the Chicago Cubs (MLB); historic ballpark
• Guaranteed Rate Field Tickets — Home of the Chicago White Sox (MLB); South Side ballpark
• Chicago Theatre Tickets — Historic landmark theater hosting concerts, comedy, and performances
• Auditorium Theatre Tickets — Historic performing-arts theater
• Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tickets — Large outdoor amphitheater on the South Side hosting major concerts
• The Salt Shed Tickets — Concert venue hosting a wide range of touring acts
• Allstate Arena Tickets — Rosemont arena hosting concerts, family shows, and sporting events

How Much Do Tickets to McCormick Place Cost?

McCormick Place ticket prices vary widely depending on the type of event, the artist or team, seating section, and demand — which is what you'd expect from a venue that hosts everything from consumer expos and comic conventions to concerts, theater performances, and arena events.

Consumer and expo shows, including auto, home, travel, comic, and pop-culture events, are often priced by general day admission. These events can run approximately $15–$60 for single-day admission, with higher prices for multi-day or premium passes.

Arie Crown Theater performances and concerts at McCormick Place typically vary by act, seat location, and demand. Tickets can fall around $40–$150 or more depending on the performer, production, and available section.

Adjacent Wintrust Arena sports and concert events can start around $20 and reach approximately $150 or more depending on the event, opponent or artist, seat location, and demand.

Buying earlier generally secures better pricing and availability, especially for popular consumer shows and marquee performances. As inventory shrinks and the event date approaches, prices for the best remaining options can rise.

> No hidden fees. At Box Office Ticket Sales, the price you see is the price you pay. All fees are shown before checkout — no surprise charges when you reach the final step.

How to Buy McCormick Place Tickets

Getting your tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com is fast and secure. Here's how the process works:

1. Browse McCormick Place events — Search for McCormick Place tickets and select the show, game, or event you want to attend
2. Pick your seats — Use the interactive seating map to compare sections, rows, views, and real-time pricing side by side
3. Secure checkout — Pay with a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Affirm for flexible payment options
4. Receive your tickets — Digital tickets are delivered to your email or mobile wallet before the event, ready to scan at the entrance

Every order is backed by our 100% verified ticket guarantee and on-time delivery promise. Once your order is confirmed, you'll receive an email with your invoice and all event details you need before show night.

McCormick Place Seating Guide

McCormick Place seating and admission vary by event type. Many conventions and expos use open exhibition-hall floor space, while Arie Crown Theater performances use reserved orchestra and balcony seating, and adjacent Wintrust Arena events use lower-bowl and upper-level seating.

Best Seats at McCormick Place

• Best value: Upper balcony and rear sections for seated theater events are typically the most affordable reserved-seat options, while general day admission works well for many convention and expo visitors who want access to the show floor.
• Closest to the action: Front orchestra rows at the Arie Crown Theater put you closest to the stage, while floor and lower-bowl seats at Wintrust Arena provide strong proximity for arena events.
• Best overall experience: Center orchestra and front-balcony seats at the Arie Crown Theater offer the strongest balance of sightline, proximity, and sound for performances.
• Premium and suite options: Convention events can include booth, exhibitor, and group registration packages, while theater and arena events may offer premium seating and group ticketing.
• For groups: Coordinating contiguous seats or group passes early is especially helpful for popular shows, large conventions, and high-demand performances.
• General admission: Many convention and expo events use general admission day passes, giving attendees flexible access to exhibition-hall floor space.

McCormick Place Seating Chart

You can view an interactive seating map for McCormick Place events directly on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com while browsing available listings. The map lets you compare sections side by side, check row depth and distance from the stage, and see real-time pricing for what's currently available — all before committing to a purchase.

Can I See Where My Seats Are?

Yes. The interactive seat map on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com shows your exact section and row placement before you buy. Use it to understand your position in the venue, your distance from the stage, and whether you're in the orchestra, up in the balcony, or on a general-admission expo floor — so the tickets you choose match exactly what you're looking for on event night.

Getting Ready for Your McCormick Place Event

Once your tickets are confirmed, a few practical preparations make your visit run significantly smoother — especially at a large lakefront complex with multiple buildings, long concourses, and major-event crowds.

• Download your tickets before you leave. Mobile networks can strain during peak attendance at a large complex like McCormick Place, though venue Wi-Fi is available. Save your tickets or badges to your phone's wallet or screenshot them before departing so you're ready at the entrance without needing a signal.
• Charge your phone fully. Digital ticketing is standard, and your phone is your entry. A portable battery pack is worth having for a full evening.
• Arrive early. Give yourself extra time for major shows, as parking garages fill, entry lines build, and locating the right building and hall can take time.
• Wear the right footwear. Expect substantial walking across vast halls and between buildings via long concourses and skybridges, so comfortable shoes are strongly recommended.
• Dress in layers. The interior is climate-controlled, but the lakefront location can mean wind and cold exposure when moving between parking areas and entrances in winter.
• Build extra time into your transit plan. Transit access is practical, but the complex’s scale means you may still have a meaningful walk from your arrival point to the correct hall.
• Know your entrance. Your ticket or event listing will show the building, hall, theater, or entrance details, and looking at those details before arrival can reduce extra walking.
• Check the bag policy in advance. Reviewing the venue's guidelines before packing prevents delays at security.

Is Box Office Ticket Sales Legit?

Yes — Box Office Ticket Sales is a fully verified, secure ticketing platform that has served over 1 million customers since 2012. When you buy McCormick Place tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com, here's what backs every purchase:

• 100% verified ticket listings — every listing is authenticated before it reaches you
• On-time delivery guarantee — your tickets arrive before the event, or we make it right
• All seats together unless explicitly noted otherwise in the listing
• SSL-encrypted checkout — your payment information is protected at every step
• 24/7 TrustGuard monitoring — active security oversight around the clock
• Access to 125,000+ live events nationwide, from McCormick Place concerts and games to major sports and entertainment across the country
• BoxOfficeTicketSales.com has been selling tickets for 21 years and is BBB accredited

McCormick Place events — particularly popular consumer shows, marquee performances, and major exhibition weekends — move fast. The best-value listings disappear well before event night, and inventory for popular events tightens quickly once demand builds. If you have a specific event in mind, acting sooner gets you better seats at better prices. Browse McCormick Place tickets now and lock in your spot before inventory moves.

Need Help With Your McCormick Place Tickets?

Our support team is available before, during, and after your purchase. Reach us through any of these channels:

• Live chat: Log in to your account at BoxOfficeTicketSales.com to chat with an agent
• Email: customersupport@boxofficeticketsales.com
• Phone: Call the number on your order confirmation invoice
• Buy by phone: Call 1-800-515-2171 to purchase tickets directly with a representative