Pop music icon Madonna is bringing her Celebration Tour — her first since 2019’s modest theater affair in support of her album Madame X — to San Francisco with two consecutive nights of shows at Chase Center on Tuesday, Feb. 27 and Wednesday, Feb. 28.

The tour was off to a bumpy start: Last June, while rehearsals were underway, the 65-year-old singer was hospitalized due to a severe bacterial infection, which postponed the entire North American leg of the tour.

Madonna’s two rescheduled San Francisco shows were originally intended to take place on Oct. 4 and 5, 2023. A third San Francisco show, initially set for Jan. 15, was ultimately canceled due to scheduling conflicts and refunds were issued to ticket holders.

Despite setbacks, The Celebration Tour kicked off in October with an emotional show in London before making its way to North American cities. The tour, coming off the heels of her remix album Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones, celebrates the artist’s vast catalog of hits over four decades.

So if you’ve got tickets for one of Madonna’s SF shows — and you want to quit worrying about logistics and enjoy screaming every word to “Like a Prayer” like your life depends on it — keep reading our guide to everything from Chase Center parking, bag policies, Madonna-themed parties and more. (And for the most up-to-date details, follow Chase Center on social media for any last-minute updates.)

Jump straight to:

• What’s the Chase Center bag policy?
• What should I know about accessibility at Chase Center?
• Can I still get a ticket for the Madonna shows?

What time do Madonna’s shows at Chase Center start?

This is … a loaded question for those in the know.

Last month, concertgoers in New York City filed a federal class action lawsuit against the Queen of Pop, claiming that she breached her contract with ticket buyers and violated New York state laws by starting three December shows at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center past 10:30 p.m. rather than the scheduled 8:30 p.m. (And it’s not even the first time she’s been sued for this.)

The Chase Center website similarly notes the same 8:30 p.m. start time for her two San Francisco shows. However, Madonna has routinely been starting her set around or after 10 p.m., based on reports from her past concerts in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston.

The superstar usually brings along a DJ to keep the crowd entertained before showtime, with Honey Dijon, Arca and Diplo among the list of names who have opened for her on this tour so far.

The doors open at 7:30 p.m. — so we recommend aiming to get to the venue by 8:30 p.m. if you don’t want to miss any of the fun. And maybe prepare for a late night and know when your last train home is.

What’s the Chase Center bag policy?

Backpacks (except for single-compartment drawstring bags) and hard-sided bags of any kind are prohibited from entering Chase Center. Any other bag you bring must be smaller than 14” x 14” x 6” in size.

Bags that do not meet the requirements can be checked at one of two bag check locations for a fee of $10. Chase Center says that proceeds generated from the bag check counters will be donated to the Warriors Community Foundation, which supports education and youth development in the Bay Area.

Here are some more things you cannot bring into the Madonna shows at Chase Center:

• Bottles and cans.
• Refillable water bottles.
• Signs over 11 x 17 inches or attached to any pole or stick.
• Masks that cover the whole face. (Face coverings to lower your risks of catching — or spreading — COVID-19, like N95 masks, are allowed.)
• Lights, tripods and professional recording equipment. Flash photography is not allowed.
• Noise-making devices, such as air horns, whistles or cow bells.
• Weapons and self-defense items of any kind, including mace, knives and tasers.
• Selfie sticks.

What else can you bring to Chase Center? These items include:

• Baby bags, plastic bottles and formula.
• Diaper bags (with a child).
• Bags accepted as medical bags.
• Umbrellas.
• Binoculars.

While portable phone chargers are not on the prohibited items list (like they initially were at Levi’s Stadium for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour dates last year), Chase Center also offers charging stations compatible with most cellphone devices. Guests may rent a portable charger to take back to their seats at a cost of $2 for every 30 minutes.

How do I know if I’ve got a good seat at the Madonna Chase Center show?

If you are anxious about anything obscuring your sight of the stage or how you want to get to your seat fast, you can check out the view from your seat using Chase Center’s Virtual Venue map.

What should I know about accessibility at Chase Center?

Chase Center addresses questions about accessibility in their online A to Z Guide, where you can find information about accessible parking, hearing assistance, ADA-compliant restrooms and service animals.

The venue says guests can request complimentary wheelchair escorts by visiting the kiosks located at Portal 13 and Portal 52 or texting 833-CC4FANS.

To schedule an American Sign Language interpreter, guests should contact guestexperiences@warriors.com ahead of time.

What should I know about parking at and near Chase Center?

At the time of publication, parking tickets for the official onsite parking facilities at Chase Center are sold out for both shows.

A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis and cost between $60 and $100, depending on the size of your vehicle and the event, a Chase Center representative confirmed.

The venue’s website refers fans to the third-party parking website ParkWhiz for other non-Chase Center parking options nearby. It costs $45 to reserve a spot at the nearest garage, which is about a 10-minute walk from the venue. Cheaper options starting at $12 are available for those willing and able to trek over a mile on foot — or take public transit for your last mile or two. So, if you’re driving to the show but haven’t secured your parking yet, consider wearing comfier shoes.

What about using rideshare services at Chase Center?

While getting to the venue using a rideshare service might be fairly smooth, trying to find a car after the show is almost certainly going to be a challenge — speaking from personal experience. Due to surge pricing, it will also be far more expensive to get an Uber or Lyft as you exit the venue.

There are multiple designated pick-up and drop-off zones located within one block of Chase Center. Upon arrival, use one of the designated passenger loading zones (white curbs) along Terry A Francois Boulevard for a safe curbside drop-off.

As you leave the show, the rideshare apps will automatically show you the best places to get picked up within a five-minute walk radius. The Chase Center website recommends walking a few blocks away before requesting a ride.

Accessible drop-offs and pick-ups are along the curb of 16th Street and Terry Francois Boulevard, with accessible entry and exit from the East Entrance. For folks with mobility considerations, the venue can provide a wheelchair to transport guests from Thrive City Plaza or the main lobby to their seats.

What’s the best way to take public transit to the Madonna concert?

Public transit schedules can always be subject to change. Check the timings for your route on the day of the show itself, and be sure of your very last service home. (Remember, as above, Madonna is known for not starting her shows exactly on time.)

SF Muni

Any Chase Center patron who shows their event ticket at Muni turnstiles and boarding platforms can ride Muni without charge.

There is a Muni Metro rail stop serving the venue on the T-Third Street line, which connects Chinatown and Sunnydale. See the Muni Metro schedule.

BART

Several BART stations have convenient connections to get to the venue.

Muni Route 22 connects to the 16th Street Mission BART station. This stop is located on Third Street and Gene Friend Way.

Muni Route 15 serves as a connection to Montgomery Street BART station. This stop is located on Third Street and Warriors Way.

You can transfer to the new Union Square Muni Metro rail station from Powell BART station via the underground corridor to take the T-Third Street line or S-Shuttle Mission Bay line to the UCSF/Chase Center stop.

You can find more information and schedules on the BART website.

Caltrain

If you take Caltrain to San Francisco, you can walk 15–20 minutes along Fourth Street and turn left on Gene Friend Way to Chase Center.

You can also transfer from the Caltrain station to the Muni Metro T-Third Street platform located across the street and take Muni to the UCSF/Chase Center stop.

On weekdays, the last Caltrain from San Francisco departs at 12:03 a.m. See the Caltrain schedule here.

Biking

Chase Center offers guests free secure bike storage from 1 hour before doors open until one hour after the end of the event.

Public bike parking is available along 16th Street and Terry Francois Boulevard.

There is also a Lyft/Bay Wheels bike share station at the intersection of Warriors Way and Terry Francois Boulevard. While they’re convenient and easy to use, the limited availability of these bikes means you should have a backup plan — or you might get stranded.

Can I still get a ticket for the Madonna shows?

Some side-view tickets were made available for both nights, starting at a steep $167.50. These are the only face-value tickets remaining for the otherwise sold-out shows.

However, Ticketmaster is allowing resale on their platform for Madonna’s tour, which is the most secure way to buy second-hand tickets. Floor seats are available starting at $1,125 for the Tuesday show and $800 for the Wednesday show. You can also find resale tickets on sites like StubHub, but make sure you’re not purchasing fake tickets. Read more tips about avoiding ticket resale scams.

Are there Madonna-themed after-parties?

For those attending the Wednesday show, Castro nightclub Beaux SF is turning their weekly Wednesday event, Pan Dulce, into an after-party.

If you want to keep the Madonna energy going through the weekend, Cat Club is hosting a Madonnapocalypse event on Saturday, March 2, with drag and burlesque tributes to the musician and project her iconic music videos all night.