Greenberg: How much is a beer, hot dog at Wrigley Field and The Rate? I did the math (’26 edition)

Cubs fans will invade Rate Field this weekend, and in a bit of a surprise, they’ll find a much better White Sox team, led by Munetaka Murakami. The Sox are sniffing .500, which, in the American League, makes them a playoff contender.

The crowds will be bipartisan and rowdy, as a little bit of juice has returned to the crosstown rivalry.

Cubs fans will also find, as usual, a lot more food options at The Rate.

At the White Sox’ home ballpark, you can walk the concourse and get a Venezuelan-Polish fusion emparogi ($16.99), a Boricua bowl ($16.99), three kinds of Korean dogs ($10.99), a chicken chorizo “Machete,” which is a giant quesadilla ($13.99), the classic Cuban sandwich ($12.49), and if you’re looking for something a little lighter, I prefer the chili crunch noodles ($13.99). (All prices in the story are before tax.)

There’s also a coffee stand in the outfield section, which is new this season. You can get a cold brew or an iced matcha latte (both $6.99), or a cold brew coffee float ($9.99), or a blueberry boba matcha float ($10.99). If you want to spice up a coffee and you didn’t sneak your own flask in, it’s $11.99 for an Irish cream coffee.

And of course, there are the viral milkshakes. It’ll be $17 for the Campfire and $19 for the Celebration.

At Wrigley Field, as you know, there’s not as much variety. It’s actually a bit disappointing considering the renovations.

The bleachers have a Small Cheval (I’ve had mixed results there), and there are a few interesting options in the main concourse, such as chicken and churros ($18.99), loaded pork rinds ($16.99) and loaded garlic parmesan fries ($14.99). There are plenty of hot dogs and sausages, ranging in price from $8.99 (Vienna beef hot dog) to $17.99 (Kosher pastrami dog).

One thing you won’t find at either park: a lot of cheap options. Aside from the White Sox’ long-running $5 Tuesday promotion, prices inside the ballpark keep going up and up. It’s not a Chicago problem; it’s nationwide.

I’ll be interested to see whether Justin Ishbia introduces lower-priced menu items, as his brother has with the Phoenix Suns. The Cubs don’t need to do it, but it might help the Sox draw more fans.

For the second consecutive season, I documented all the concessions and pricing across both ballparks. I walked around the stadiums, snapping pictures of menus (and confusing or frightening the stand workers). You can check out the list here, with 2025 and 2026 prices.

Aside from hot dogs, prices are up across the board at both parks, mostly by $1. Year after year, it adds up.

For instance, if you want to buy peanuts and Cracker Jack, that’ll run you $15.98 (before tax) at Wrigley Field. At Rate Field, it’ll be $12.58. I guess that’s why the song says “Buy me some” instead of “I’ll treat.”

It’s not just peanuts and Cracker Jack that are cheaper on the South Side. So is the beer. I’ve buried the lede because in Chicago, the price of beer is the main story.

Beer prices are probably the clearest difference between the two parks, and that adds up with the way Chicago fans drink.

For example, a Bud Light from a vendor at Wrigley will cost you $14.99 before tax. At Rate, a vended Miller Lite is “only” $11.49. A domestic draft beer at Wrigley is also $14.99, but $13.79 at Rate.

A large draft beer at Wrigley is $17.99, compared with $15.99 for a 24-ounce can at a Sox game. A 16-ounce canned seltzer is $14.99 at Wrigley and $12.49 at Rate.

You get the picture. For the most part, alcoholic drinks are $2 more up north — a Wrigleyville tax, as it were. We’re getting to the point at which hard liquor isn’t more expensive than beer at a game. At Wrigley, a top-shelf or premium cocktail is $16.99, while a premium cocktail at Rate is $13.49.

Let’s say you’re not into heavy drinking, but you’re still thirsty after eating peanuts, a hot dog and a pretzel. A bottle of water is actually slightly more expensive at Rate at $7.29, compared to $6.99. But a bottled soft drink is more expensive at Wrigley, $8.99 compared to $7.29.

A $7 water should be outlawed, but you can bring your own sealed water bottle to the game and fill it up at a water fountain.

Back in the day, when I worked at Team Marketing Report, I compiled the Fan Cost Index (FCI) surveys for the four major sports. The FCI price included four non-premium tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, two beers, parking, hats and programs.

For the Chicago FCI, I’ll skip the tickets (it involves an onerous process of seat scaling and determining which seats are premium and non-premium) and instead give the combined price of some staples: the cheapest beer, comparable hot dogs, peanuts, a soft pretzel and an ice cream helmet. We’ll call it the BHDPPICH. (Pronounced “Bad Pitch.”)

Now, most people don’t get the cheapest anything at a game. You get the Polish or the Chicago dog, the craft beer, etc. You treat yourself. But bear with me.

At Wrigley, the BHDPPICH is $47.95. That’s $13.99 for a 16 oz. domestic can of beer, $8.99 for a premium beef hot dog, $7.99 each for a bag of peanuts and a soft pretzel, and $8.99 for an ice cream helmet.

Meanwhile, at Rate, the same combo goes for $42.05. That’s $11.49 for a 16 oz. can of domestic beer, $8.49 for a premium beef hot dog (the Sox do offer a cheaper dog for $5.79), $6.29 for peanuts, $6.99 for a pretzel and $8.79 for an ice cream helmet.

If you’re shaking your head or your fist, remember that you can bring your own food into the park. Many fans don’t realize that (or don’t plan ahead).

Wrigleyville has more options within walking distance, including El Burrito Mexicano, which is right off the Addison red line stop.

The Rate is surrounded by parking lots, though there are good spots within walking distance if you know where to look. For instance, if you don’t mind a short jaunt east on 35th St., Harold’s Chicken #88 is well-regarded among Harold’s enthusiasts, including me.

And if you’re going this weekend, hit me up on X. I’ll take a three-piece with mild sauce.

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