Current and former players are the city's hometown heroes. So, there's no better place to experience the excitement of city-wide team spirit than at sporting events in Chicago. While you're in town, try to catch a game at one of these famous venues.
1. Hits and Home Runs: Wrigley Field and Guaranteed Rate Field
Celebrate with Chicago Cubs fans who cheered through decades waiting for their beloved team to win the World Series. They made it in 2016 at their home ballpark—Wrigley Field. Take a shuttle, taxi, ride share or train to avoid jostling for very limited parking options with the 41,000 fans who fill the stadium. If you can't make it on game day, you'll still get a thrill taking the stadium tour offered daily.
At Guaranteed Rate Field, about 40,000 followers of the Chicago White Sox will be your cheer buddies. Parking is plentiful at the Bridgeport neighborhood stadium. There's even room to throw a tailgate party before the first pitch—or hold out for food from the concession stands where you can even find gluten-free and vegetarian selections.
2. Hoops and Hockey Pucks: United Center
As you enter the United Center, a statue of one of basketball's most famous players sets the tone for athletic skill and sportsmanship. Rising like a mighty fortress in the center of a vast parking lot, United Center is the largest arena in the U.S. Whether you're coming to see a Bulls game or to watch the Chicago Blackhawks skate and slam through a breathtaking hockey match, arrive early. You'll want time to enjoy the extraordinary concessions serving food and beverages from well-known Chicago restaurants and bars. Selfie sticks aren't allowed in the arena, but you can bring a small bag or backpack that will be subject to inspection before entering.
3. Winning Touchdowns: Soldier Field
Football fever is fierce—and fun—when you catch the Chicago Bears playing at Soldier Field. The historic venue is one of the most picturesque in pro football with its famous neoclassical columns standing tall at the entrance and the completely modern, tiered stadium inside. The stadium football seating capacity is 61,500, but you can hear the game-day roar of the crowd all the way to the natural history museums that share the park-like campus on the shore of Lake Michigan. On days when there's no football, concert or other special event scheduled, you can tour Soldier Field, including the locker rooms and playing field, an executive suite and the Colonnades.
4. Soccer Goals: Toyota Park
If soccer is your game, then a match at Toyota Park in Bridgeview will get you all fired up. It is, after all, the home of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, a professional Major League Soccer team with an enthusiastic following. Bring the kids—they'll get inspiration for their own school and intramural teams. Plus, Sparky, the team's Dalmatian dog mascot brings a lot of laughs with its fireman's costume and funny antics. The Chicago Red Stars, members of the National Women's Soccer League, also play at Toyota Park. The stadium is in a west Chicago suburb easily accessible by car, taxi or the CTA Orange Line train with an express bus shuttle that runs between the train station and the stadium.
5. Emerging Stars: Sears Centre Arena
At Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, you can get a sneak peek at the up-and-comers in pro basketball. The Windy City Bulls practice and compete here for a place on the roster of the Chicago Bulls. Not everyone makes it from the development league to the big league, of course, but if you fancy yourself a talent scout you can test your wisdom, along with the other fans who fill the 10,000-seat stadium, at spotting future superstars. The Chicago Mustangs of the Major Arena Soccer League also play feisty matches here in a race to dominate the U.S. and Mexico indoor soccer championships. Travel to Sears Centre Arena is most convenient by car.
6. The Finish Line: Arlington Race Track
Perhaps your sporting nature tends toward racehorses. The season at Arlington Race Track kicks off in May and runs into September for your racing and wagering pleasure. The track's popular Secretariat Stakes is named after the renowned Triple Crown champion that ran at Arlington just before retiring in 1973. Although 40,000 racegoers crowded the track that day, the usual turnout is comfortably smaller. Reserve a canopied picnic table or box seating for the full track experience or come early for general admission seating on a first-come, first-served basis. The track is an easy 25-mile drive from downtown Chicago and is also accessible by RTA bus or Metra, Chicago's commuter railway.
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