Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Soldier Field 1410 Museum Campus Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 61,500
Soldier Is On Fire
Municipal Grant Park Stadium opened in 1924. A year later, the name was changed to what everyone now knows as Soldier Field. The iconic Chicago stadium has hosted numerous sports teams over the years and is currently home to the National Football League’s Chicago Bears and Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire FC. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 2002-2003, which saw the Bears head south to play the 2002 season at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, home of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.
Soldier Field has a capacity of 62,500 but is set up for less when hosting MLS games. There is some debate about the future of Soldier Field. The Bears have been looking to move and numerous Chicago suburbs have thrown their names in the hat. Chicago is also hoping to keep the team and the latest proposal included a brand-new stadium that would be built adjacent to Soldier Field.
Chicago Fire FC began play in MLS in 1998 as an expansion team. The team has called Soldier Field home from 1998-2005 and again from 2020-present. From 2006-2019, the team played at soccer-specific SeatGeek Stadium, which hosts Chicago FC II and the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL. The Fire started with great success, winning the MLS Cup in 1998, but in recent years have been firmly entrenched near the bottom of the league.
Food & Beverage 4
Chicago is a food town, so as expected there is a solid number of choices for any taste. Connie’s Pizza, a Chicago staple, is the pizza option. With Chicago is known for its Italian beef sandwiches, that is also on the menu here and a must-have. Pilsen Taco also serves up some tasty tacos if that is your choice. All the expected food and snacks are also well-represented throughout the stadium. Eating kosher? Not a problem. Head over to section 134 and you will find kosher options.
As for drinks, Coke products are the soda of choice. There are plenty of options for adult beverages from domestic and imported beer to numerous microbrews. In the mood for a mixed drink? No problem there. Options are available throughout the stadium.
Atmosphere 4
The fun begins long before the match. There are plenty of tailgaters hours before the kickoff if that is your thing. Gate 0 (zero) opens two hours before kickoff. Once inside, there are some fun activities for the kids and a nice area for the fans to sit and have a drink before entering the stands.
Pre-match introductions are quite a spectacle. It begins with a fire alarm and pyro on the field as the players are announced in what is a great way to get the fans amped up for the match. Once the match starts, the chanting/singing makes for a great atmosphere.
The only drawback is that Soldier Field is a massive stadium that holds over 60,000 people. The Fire isn’t going to draw 60,000 fans so there is the drawback of seeing a mostly empty stadium. The top deck is closed off which helps the 100 level fill up nicely.
Neighborhood 4
Soldier Field is located right near Lake Michigan and the museum campus, including the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. Chicago is a fabulous city with everything you can imagine. The only reason this rating gets a 4 instead of a 5 is that there isn’t much as far as restaurants or bars within a short walking distance of the stadium.
However, with public transportation, you are a very short ride away from every type of food imaginable. Additionally, Chicago plays home to so many different sports teams, that there is a very real chance you can take in multiple games in other sports in just a few days.
Fans 4
The Fire has a very solid support group or groups. 16 groups are listed on the Fire website, so find a group and join in if you so desire! The supporters sit on the south side of the stadium and are an active collective group from before the match kicks off until it is over. These fans greatly enhance the enjoyment of the match. Fans not sitting in the supporter’s section are also a boisterous group and into the game. If you feel the urge to sing along, their website lists all the songs.
Access 4
There are multiple ways to get to Soldier Field and public transportation is a great option. METRA has stops at both the Museum Campus Station and 18th St. Buses are also a good option. If you want to park, there is plenty of parking available although it might be a good idea (and a bit cheaper) to purchase parking before game day. On the day I attended, there was construction around the parking area which made for a bit of a headache postgame, but I assume traffic flows much more freely without the construction.
There are multiple entrances to the stadium and your tickets will show you which entrance is closest to your seats. Once inside, it is very easy to get around whether it be to grab something to eat or use the restroom.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. Prices are reasonable and start at around $15 and work their way up depending on where you want to sit. Parking at the lots will run you $40, but there are multiple options for public transportation. With concessions being the norm, you get a really good value here.
Extras 4
The Fire has a great match day presentation. From the pregame activities to the player introductions, there is a lot to take in and enjoy.
Soldier Field is an iconic stadium. Being able to take in any sporting event is a great experience for fans of sport.
The Fire has a mascot named Sparky who makes his way around during the game and there are numerous opportunities for the young fans to interact with him.
The team store has a great selection of Fire items for fans of all ages and more products than many other teams.
Final Thoughts
Soldier Field hits the century mark this year. The iconic venue has seen a lot over the years. It’s not known what will become of the stadium and whether the Bears and Fire will remain or go elsewhere. Chicago is a great town and the stadium on the lake is a perfect spot to enjoy a great presentation by Chicago Fire FC.
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