Chicago Expands Purple Line Access for Cubs Games
Purple Line Express trains will stop at Sheridan station for 54 weekday Cubs games in 2026
Purple Line Express Adds Sheridan Stops for Cubs
Chicago Cubs fans heading to Wrigley Field on weekdays can now catch Purple Line Express trains at Sheridan station during the 2026 baseball season. The Chicago Transit Authority is adding special stops at Sheridan for 54 weekday games, officials announced. Loop-bound trains will stop for all 36 weekday night games, while Linden-bound trains will stop for all 18 weekday day games—a new service expansion for 2026.
Breaking Express Pattern for Baseball Fans
The Purple Line Express typically bypasses Sheridan station as part of its faster route between the Loop and northern suburbs. The special game-day stops represent a significant service modification designed to improve access to Wrigley Field for Cubs fans traveling from downtown and the North Shore. Transit officials said the accommodation addresses longstanding requests from baseball fans who previously had to use local Red Line service or walk from other Purple Line stations.
54 Weekday Games Get Special Service
The enhanced service covers all weekday Cubs games from Thursday, March 26 through Thursday, September 24, 2026. Loop-bound Purple Line Express trains will stop at Sheridan for 36 weekday night games, providing direct service for fans heading home after evening games. The new Linden-bound stops for 18 weekday day games allow fans to exit through Wrigley Field's Budweiser Bleacher Gate and walk 2.5 blocks north to catch trains toward Howard and Linden. The CTA has published a detailed schedule showing which specific game dates will have the additional service.
Service Runs Through Baseball Season
The special Purple Line Express stops take effect Thursday, March 26, 2026—coinciding with the start of the Cubs' regular season—and continue through Thursday, September 24, 2026. Officials said the service applies only to weekday games, with weekend games continuing to rely on standard transit options. The CTA didn't specify whether the service might extend into postseason play if the Cubs qualify for playoffs.
Planning Your Game-Day Trip
Cubs fans attending weekday games should check the CTA's published schedule to confirm which specific dates will have Purple Line Express service at Sheridan. Day game attendees can exit through the Budweiser Bleacher Gate for the shortest walk to the station, while night game fans can catch Loop-bound trains for downtown connections. Moovit provides real-time Purple Line Express schedules and alerts for game-day service changes, helping riders plan their trips to and from Wrigley Field throughout the baseball season.
