Big jump in Cubs ticket prices for 2008

After helping set a single-season attendance record in 2007, watching a game at Wrigley Field will cost some fans as much as 30 percent more in 2008.

In a letter to season-ticket holders, Cubs director of ticket operations Frank Maloney released the three-tiered pricing scale for the 13-seating areas at Wrigley. The most expensive seat (club box infield) jumps from $65 per game to a new high of $80 for 50 designated "prime" games, such as the Cubs-Sox series. The price of those seats for "regular" games will rise from $54 to $70. The price for "value" games climbs from $34 in 2007 to $50 next season.

For fans who prefer the general admission bleacher seats, tickets will rise from $30 to $36 for regular games and from $40-$45 for prime games. The lowest priced ticket available will be upper deck reserved outfield seats at $10 for "value" games, $16 for regular games and $20 for prime games.

In the letter, Maloney pointed out that Cubs prices are still "significantly" lower than Fenway Park, the only ballpark close in age to 93-year-old Wrigley Field, and that the prices have been steady since 2006. The Red Sox, however, have won two World Series titles this decade, while the Cubs haven't even been to a World Series since 1945.

"We remain committed to our goal of being the best in baseball and to preserving the Wrigley Field experience," Maloney said in the letter. "Our commitment to winning is unwavering and our goal is to bring Cubs fans a World Series Championship in 2008."

Season ticket holders have until Dec. 18 to submit their renewals. The full 81-game pricing package in 2008 will cost $3,282 for a bleacher seat ($2,770 last season) to a high of $6,050 for an infield club box ($4,720 last season). Less expensive packages for 55-game plans and 18-game plans are also available.

Comparing Cubs ticket prices

Value game prices

Seating 2007 (2008)Club Box (IF) $34 ($50) Club Box (OF) $22($33)Field Box (IF) $22 ($33)Field Box (OF) $20 ($28)Terrace Box (IF) $18 ($26)Terrace Box (OF) $17 ($23)Upper Deck Box (IF) $18 ($26)Upper Deck Box (OF) $19 ($23)Terrace Reserved (IF) $11 ($16)Terrace Reserved (OF) $10 ($16)Upper Deck Reserved (IF) $7 ($11)Upper Deck Reserved (OF) $6 ($10)Bleachers $15 ($22)Regular game pricesClub Box (IF) $54 ($70)Club Box (OF) $43 ($58)Field Box (IF) $43 ($58)Field Box (OF) $41 ($50)Terrace Box (IF) $38 ($44)Terrace Box (OF) $34 ($40)Upper Deck Box (IF) $38 ($44)Upper Deck Box (OF) $34 ($40)Terrace Reserved (IF) $22 ($28)Terrace Reserved (OF) $20 ($24)Upper Deck Reserved (IF) $14 ($16)Upper Deck Reserved (OF) $14 ($16)Bleachers $30 ($36)Prime game pricesClub Box (IF) $65 ($80)Club Box (OF) $54 ($66)Field Box (IF) $54 ($66)Field Box (OF) $50 ($56)Terrace Box (IF) $46 ($52)Terrace Box (OF) $40 ($46)Upper Deck Box (IF) $46 ($52)Upper Deck Box (OF) $40 ($46)Terrace Reserved (IF) $32 ($36)Terrace Reserved (OF) $28 ($32)Upper Deck Reserved (IF) $18 ($22)Upper Deck Reserved (OF) $17 ($20)Bleachers $40 ($45)