Brewers fans heading to American Family Field for the 2026 home opener on March 26 against the Chicago White Sox are getting an early scouting report, and it is not about the bullpen. Construction on I-94 around the ballpark is expected to tangle traffic, with transportation officials warning that getting out after the game could be tougher than getting in, as reported by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
What Is Being Rebuilt
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is rebuilding roughly 3.5 miles of I-94 between 70th Street and 16th Street, a project that includes a reworked Stadium Interchange and several bridge replacements and modifications. The overhaul will change exits and ramps around American Family Field as the corridor is modernized for long-term traffic flow and safety improvements, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Closures That Will Change Your Drive
The work has already brought a slate of long-term closures. Eastbound I-94 is down a lane from 35th Street to 25th Street as of March 9, and westbound I-94 between the Stadium Interchange and 70th Street is reduced to two lanes. Some relief is on the way, but it will be selective. Eastbound lanes west of American Family Field are scheduled to return to three lanes by March 20, and the ramps to General Mitchell Boulevard are expected to reopen in time for Opening Day. Drivers should still prepare for delays, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Especially on days like opening day, when we have 42,000 people here, [that] will test the patience of some of our fans,” Brewers president Rick Schlesinger told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as the club urged patience and lined up extra game day help. The team plans to deploy more parking attendants, pay for three additional Milwaukee County sheriff squads for games and provide an on-site tow service to clear breakdowns and fender benders as quickly as possible.
How Parking And Entry Will Work
Parking at American Family Field now runs through a license-plate recognition system paired with QR codes. Fans can pre-purchase parking or scan QR codes in the lots, then activate their passes through the MLB Ballpark app. The Brewers also point fans to an interactive “Plan Your Route” tool to map game day arrivals and exits. Details on both the parking setup and travel tool are laid out by the Milwaukee Brewers. The QR and license-plate system, first rolled out in 2024, drew a mixed reception from fans when it launched, as reported by Spectrum News.
Tips For Fans
If you are driving, build in a cushion. Lot opening times vary by game, but they can open 2.5 to 3 hours before first pitch for both weekday and weekend games, and Opening Day often follows its own special schedule. Keep your phone charged, download and sign in to the MLB Ballpark app before you leave home, follow the directions from parking staff instead of relying only on instinct, and look at lots on the west side of the stadium or rideshare drop-offs if you want a quicker exit route after the final out.
Where To Get Live Updates
For the most accurate routes and real-time alerts, check the I-94 East-West project travel page and 511 traffic notices before you hit the road. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Brewers traffic page will continue to post construction changes and suggested alternate routes as the project moves along.
