The Chicago Cubs announced Sunday that Wrigley Field has been designated a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) — a first for any of MLB’s 30 ballparks.
The certification required at least 80 percent of the Cubs’ guest-facing staff to complete autism and sensory training, equipping ushers, ticket-takers, and concession workers with strategies to assist autistic and sensory-sensitive fans. IBCCES also conducted an on-site review of the stadium and provided recommendations for further accessibility improvements.
“Creating the world’s best guest experience starts with understanding that fans experience the ballpark in different ways,” Cubs Chief Operations Officer David Cromwell said in the team’s release. “Our guest-facing staff now have additional tools to communicate with and support autistic and sensory-sensitive fans from the moment they arrive at Wrigley Field.”
The Friendly Confines already had infrastructure in place. A sensory room — a quiet, low-stimulation space where fans can decompress during games — was installed before the 2024 season through a partnership with KultureCity. The Cubs have also added elevators, accessible restrooms, assistive listening devices, closed captioning on ribbon boards, and sensory bags over recent years. The certification layers staff training on top of those physical upgrades.
This isn’t the organization’s first go-around with IBCCES. Sloan Park, the Cubs’ spring training home in Mesa, Arizona, earned the same Certified Autism Center designation in 2020. Mesa itself was named the first Autism-Certified City around that time.
IBCCES CEO and Board Chairman Myron Pincomb framed the designation in baseball’s communal terms. “Baseball has a unique ability to bring people together, creating memorable experiences for fans of all ages and abilities,” Pincomb said. “By becoming a Certified Autism Center, Wrigley Field is demonstrating its commitment to providing a more welcoming and accessible environment where autistic and sensory-sensitive fans can enjoy the excitement of game day with greater confidence and comfort.”
The Cubs held a pregame recognition ceremony before Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers. With July recognized as Disability Pride Month, the team has scheduled a broader resource fair for Wednesday, July 22, at Gallagher Way, the plaza adjacent to the ballpark. Organizations including The Chicago Lighthouse and GiGi’s Playhouse will be on site. The Chicago Comets, a beep baseball team for blind and visually impaired players, will demonstrate their sport and be honored on the field, with Comets member Bill Landram throwing a ceremonial first pitch.
For a sport that has spent years wrestling with how to shorten games and speed up the product, the certification is a reminder that accessibility — not pace of play — is the more fundamental barrier for a segment of the fan base. A ballpark that opened in 1914 now has staff trained to recognize when a fan is experiencing sensory overload and a dedicated room to step away from the noise. The box score won’t reflect any of it.
Sources
- Bleacher Nation (via Chicago Cubs press release)
- Cubs.com — Wrigley Field Accessibility Information
- IBCCES.org — International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards