George Strait at American Family Field: What you need to know
A month after the coronation, the King is visiting Milwaukee.
No, not Charles — the King of Country Music, George Strait, who’s coming to American Family Field June 3.
Strait has scaled back on his touring obligations in the past decade, and he is hitting only a handful of cities on his stadium tour this year. It will be his first show in Milwaukee since he headlined Summerfest in 2009.
Here’s everything you need to know before heading out to the show at American Family Field.
When do the gates, parking open?
The parking lots open Saturday at 3 p.m., with the gates opening at 4:15 p.m. and the show starting at 5:45 p.m. The show’s on a Saturday, so that should ease traffic a bit, but give yourself plenty of time. Driving to the first of Morgan Wallen’s two American Family Field shows in April, my car crawled for 46 minutes after pulling up to the stadium before I could finally park. And while there are five entryways into the stadium, expect long lines through security, too.
Parking and other options
The show’s going to be near capacity, meaning about 40,000 people, so to guarantee a spot, consider buying parking in advance. It’s cheaper, too: $25, or $40 for a spot in a preferred lot closer to the stadium. You can buy parking at brewers.com/strait. If you decide to wait to buy parking on site, a spot in the general lot will cost $35, or $50 for the preferred lots.
Milwaukee County Transit System offers a pair of routes that’ll drop you off within walking distance of the ballpark: the GoldLine on Wisconsin Avenue and Route 18 on National Avenue. Get the schedule and more information at ridemcts.com.
If you take a cab to the concert, you’ll get dropped off at the transit area outside Helfaer Field, where you can also grab a cab after the show. Drop-off and pickup for Uber and Lyft are in the Gantner parking lot, but be warned: It’ll likely be mobbed after the show.
You also can check with bars that typically offer shuttle service to Brewers games, to see if they’ll do the same for Strait’s concert.
Tickets, costs and field seats
The show is nearly sold out, but there are some firsthand seats still available, priced from $125 for seats in the top sections, up to $1,103 for a “platinum seat” close to the stage, through ticketmaster.com. (Those prices don’t include fees.) Beyond that, scores of resale seats are also available through Ticketmaster, starting at $171, up through $1,975 for seats close to the stage (again, excluding fees).
You’ll need to get a wristband to get access to any seats on the field. Wristband stations will be on the field level concourse near Sections 110, 118 and 127. Each ticketholder will need to present a barcode for their field seat to redeem a wristband.
If your tickets are waiting at will call, you can pick them up at the box office near the home plate gate. Tickets will only be distributed to the designated will-call contact, who must present an ID and the credit card used for the purchase. The ticket office will open at 9 a.m. June 3 and remain open until Strait takes the stage.
Flagging security, other protocols
If you have any issues, text “Crew” and explain the situation to 41835. You also can speak to a staff member or visit one of three guest relations booths: at the field level behind Section 116, the loge level behind Section 222, or the terrace level behind Section 419.
Also, make sure to keep the aisles clear, and don’t stand on the seats. Signs cannot be more than 18 by 24 inches, attached to poles or handles, or be inappropriate.
Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town will open
It’s been awhile since Milwaukee fans have seen Strait, but his immediate opener Chris Stapleton has become a familiar face around these parts. Milwaukee has had a string of sold-out Stapleton appearances, including the award-winning singersongwriter’s Summerfest headlining appearance at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater in 2021 and his Fiserv Forum show last October. The night will begin with the four-part vocal harmonies of another awardsshow and country radio favorite, Little Big Town.
What will Strait play?
The 71-year-old Strait has one of the most staggering catalogs in country music history, with an unprecedented 61 songs cracking the top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart since 1981. There’s no way he’ll get to them all, but at his tour kickoff in Arizona this month, Strait played 32 songs — including country chart-toppers like “Check Yes or No” and “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” Three songs in that show were with Stapleton, including their cover of the Townes Van Zandt classic “Pancho and Lefty.”