The Big House Ballgame

 Attending The Big House Ballgame? Here are a few things you should know before you go. 

Parking 

If you have purchased a parking pass, please have your order confirmation/barcodes available for lot attendants to quickly grant you access into the lots. Please refer to the parking lot location on the map attached to your ticket confirmation. 

Parking is free and available in lots on the east side of Collins Street, adjacent to the old Women’s Prison. Extra parking will also be available at US Steel directly South of the prison as well as at Azteca de Oro.  

ADA parking and rideshare drop-off is available in the Old Joliet Prison lot immediately to the south of the main prison building. Please note: there is a quarter mile distance between the ADA lot and the East Gate. 

Parking lots will open at 11:00 a.m. the day of the game. Please see the map below for more details. 

Entry Gates 

All guests will enter through the East Gate on Collins Street (see map below). Fans will be required to pass through walk-through or handheld metal detectors upon entry, and bags will be searched upon entry. Please be prepared to show your ticket or receipt of purchase upon entry.  

For guests who purchased VIP passes, please enter through the East Gate. Once you have passed through ticketing and security, please visit the VIP credentials table to receive your credential badge.  For guests picking tickets up at will call, please visit the Will Call booth located at the East Gate entrance. Gates will open at 12:00 p.m. the day of the game. 

The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a commemorative tin cup giveaway in partnership with Eames Law Group.  

Pre-Game Entertainment 

Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues featuring Sheryl Youngblood will perform at 1:00 p.m. at the stage located in the General Admission Yard (see map below). 

Accessibility 

We will make every effort to accommodate our guests while onsite. Please contact the box office to set up any necessary accommodations for your visit prior to game day in accordance with seating and parking needs. You can reach the box office at: 815-722-2287 or bighouseballgame@jolietslammers.com 

Restrooms 

Port-a-potties, hand wash stations, and hand sanitizer dispenser stations will be available for fans throughout the yard in three different areas. Please see the map below for approximate locations.  

Concessions & Merchandise 

Concessions from a variety of food trucks will be available for purchase at The Big House Ballgame, as well as two drink tents for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. For fans wishing to purchase alcoholic beverages, please remember to bring a valid state-issued I.D. or driver’s license.  

Special Big House Ballgame merchandise will be available for purchase onsite at the game.  

Fans will have the opportunity to bid on the historic game-worn jerseys through the Slammers’ online auction platform, DASH. Fans are encouraged to keep an eye out on all of the team’s social channels for more information on the day off the game.  

Please see the game day map for a detailed view of food truck and vendor locations. 

Please note that only credit and/or debit cards will be accepted for payment during the game at all merchandise and drink ticket locations. This excludes the food truck vendors who will each offer electronic forms of payment but may take cash. The Big House Ballgame is largely a cashless event so please plan accordingly. 

Ticket Tiers  

General Admission Yard  

Those with general admission yard tickets are encouraged to bring their own seating as there will be no physical seats with a general admission ticket. The general admission tickets will not have direct access to the field, but fans will have the opportunity to walk the historic prison grounds and view the game from a large videoboard directly below Tower Five inside the walls. The General Admission Yard will also provide the best viewing for the pre- and post-game performances. 

Bleacher Seats  

Assigned bleacher seating will be located down the first baseline and in right and left field – the perfect place to catch home runs. This section will offer fans the most direct view of the game. The bleachers will be numbered, and bleacher seat ticket holders will have a corresponding bleacher number and seat number. 

VIP  

This includes a commemorative credential that allows access to an exclusive VIP area where fans will have a view of the field and access to all-inclusive food and beverage options. With this ticket option, you will view the game as the Warden would have.  

 Access to the Field 

Direct field viewing access will be limited to Bleacher Seat Ticket holders and VIP Ticket holders. There will be designated field viewing areas where all patrons will be allowed to take pictures and view the game briefly. This area will be monitored and will not allow loitering to ensure all visitors have the opportunity to see the field. 

 Smoking Policy 

The Old Joliet Prison Historic Site does not allow smoking of ANY kind on the property. This includes e-cigarettes. Smoking must be done outside of the prison walls.  

Film Policy 

Please be respectful of fellow fans’ viewing experience during the game. The use of video recorders, large cameras, or other professional recording equipment is not allowed within the Old Joliet Prison. 

Allowed Items 

• Bag Chairs 

• Strollers 

• Blankets 

• Ponchos 

• Diaper Bags*** 

• Purses/Small Bags*** 

• Small personal care items (sunblock, bug spray) 

Restricted Items & Bag Policy 

The following items are prohibited at Old Joliet Prison: 

• Bags/purses larger than 5” x 8”*** 

• Backpacks, duffel bags, suitcases, etc. 

• Weapons of any type* 

• Banners 

• Illegal substances 

• Outside food and beverage 

• Pets/animals** 

• Beach balls 

• Laser pointers/pens 

• Video or audio recorders 

• Cameras with detachable lenses 

• Selfie sticks 

• Unauthorized noisemakers 

• Fireworks 

• Frisbees 

• Helium balloons 

• Cigarettes, lighters, electronic cigarettes/vape pens 

• Flasks 

• Mace 

• Tools (wire cutters, saws, etc.) 

• Signs 

• Drones 

• Coolers 

• Umbrellas 

• Tents 

• Bicycles 

• Roller Skates 

• Scooters 

• Grills 

JAHM and Old Joliet Prison management reserves the right to prohibit any item from entering the premises. All patrons and their belongings are subject to search prior to entry and once inside the building. If a prohibited item is brought into the facility, you can throw it away or take it to your car. JAHM and Old Joliet Prison will not hold any items. 

*JAHM and all historic sites and museums operated by JAHM definition of weapons includes, but is not limited to, the following: knives or blades of any length, metal nail files, tools, chains longer than 6 inches not made of precious metals (i.e., platinum, gold, or sterling silver), firearms (authentic or replicated, including toys), clubs or extendable batons, any type of chemical irritant spray, stun guns or Tasers, spiked or studded jewelry, brass knuckles, or any other item that could likely be used as a weapon or may cause injury if thrown or used improperly. 

**Service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act are welcome. 

***As a reminder, all patrons and their property are subject to search and metal detectors upon entry or reentry to the site.