FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions cover Soldier Field, United Center, Wrigley Field, and Guaranteed Rate Field during major league games, plus large outdoor festivals. Venue rules separately prohibit drones on premises. Cook County and municipalities back state and federal restrictions during NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL events.
FAA 14 CFR 99.7 and stadium TFR rules under 49 USC 40103 prohibit drone operations within 3 nautical miles and below 3,000 feet AGL of MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football, and NASCAR events one hour before through one hour after. United Center, Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, and Guaranteed Rate Field sit inside Class B or Class C airspace with additional LAANC restrictions. Venue policies separately bar drones on premises. Cook County municipalities and Chicago Police support TFR enforcement; the FAA pursues civil and criminal penalties. Lollapalooza in Grant Park and similar large festivals frequently trigger event-specific TFRs.
Operating a drone inside a stadium TFR or on venue premises during a covered event violates 14 CFR 99.7. Penalties include FAA fines up to $30,000, certificate revocation, and possible criminal charges under 49 USC 46307.
See how Arlington Heights's event drone restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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