MLS
Stadium Guide
·
Chicago, IL
Opened
1998
Capacity of
24,955 (61,500)
Best way there
Metra Electric to Museum Campus/11th St
10-minute walk to the gates.
Tickets
Mobile only, in the Chicago Fire app
Printed tickets and screenshots aren't accepted.
Arrive by
Gates open 90 min early
Gate 0 opens up to 3 hrs early for select matches.
Bag policy
Clear bags only, 12" × 6" × 12"
Small clutches up to 4.5" × 6.5" are OK too.
Food & water
No outside food or drinks
Parking
$25–$45
Soldier Field lots and Museum Campus.
Nearest airport
O'Hare (ORD) · 17 mi
About 30 min by car.
Best value seats
Upper bowl midfield sections
They give a full elevated view of the pitch.
Chicago Fire FC plays its home matches at Soldier Field, one of the most historically significant venues in American sports — the stadium opened in 1924 and was originally a war memorial before becoming one of the most recognizable structures on the Chicago lakefront. For soccer, it's configured to hold around 25,000 fans, giving it an MLS-appropriate scale within a much larger venue. The lakefront location, with Lake Michigan visible beyond the open south end, is a genuinely beautiful setting for a match.
Soldier Field sits in the Museum Campus area, putting it within walking distance of the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium. The Green and Orange CTA lines stop at Roosevelt, about a 20-minute walk, and buses run along Lake Shore Drive on matchdays. The immediate area is more park than neighborhood, so most fans eat and drink in the South Loop or the Loop before heading to the ground.
Midway is the more convenient airport, just 9 miles south. Take the Orange Line to the Loop. From O'Hare, take the Blue Line to the Loop, then walk or bus to Soldier Field.
Accessible parking is in the Museum Campus lots next to Soldier Field. Reserve ADA spaces in advance through the Chicago Fire or Soldier Field operations. The accessible drop-off zone is on McFetridge Dr near the south entrance. For accommodations, contact the Chicago Fire at chicago-fire.com.
Soldier Field has on-site lots, and the Museum Campus has more parking structures. Rates run $25–45 depending on proximity. Lots fill fast for big matches. The Metra Electric Line and CTA buses are strong alternatives.
Fire supporter groups (Section 8 Chicago, Sector Latino) build a strong pre-match atmosphere in the parking areas and nearby bars. The Museum Campus gives tailgating a lakefront vibe. Check Fire supporter social channels for organized gatherings.
The Metra Electric Line stops at Museum Campus/11th St, a 10-minute walk from Soldier Field. The CTA Route 146 bus (Inner Drive/Michigan Express) runs past the Museum Campus from the Loop and Michigan Ave. Metra runs extended match-night service. Check metra.com.
Soldier Field is at the south end of Grant Park on the lakefront. It's a scenic 20–25 minute walk from the Loop hotel district along Michigan Ave and the park.
Soldier Field is directly on the Chicago Lakefront Trail, so biking from Lincoln Park, the Loop, South Loop or Hyde Park is excellent. Bike corrals are near the stadium on match days. One of MLS's best bike-access venues.
No outside drinks.
No outside food.
Clear bags only. Bring as few items as you can.
Allowed:
Not allowed: large purses, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, luggage, computer bags or anything larger than the sizes above.
Bag check lockers are at the south end near 18th Street and Lake Shore Drive.
Diaper bags and medically necessary items that don't fit in a clear bag are exempt.
Soldier Field is a historic NFL venue on the lakefront. Lower midfield sections have the best sightlines and touchline proximity. The colonnaded exterior and lakefront setting make it one of MLS's more atmospheric venues for visitors, even if the in-game experience varies.
Upper bowl midfield sections give a clean view of the whole pitch. They are far from the touchline but cheaper than the lower bowl, and the full view of the game's shape makes up for the distance.
Upper bowl end zone sections are distant, with steep angles to the goals. Lower bowl end sections are passable for atmosphere but much worse than midfield. Stay midfield for the best sightlines.
On Lake Michigan, the wind off the lake often affects comfort more than sun. The east side stands face west and get direct afternoon sun, while the west side shades earlier. In summer, the lake breeze makes shaded sections feel noticeably cooler.
Soldier Field sits on the Lake Michigan shoreline, and the lake amplifies wind chill. Spring and fall games can be cold, wet and very windy. Even summer can be cooler and breezier than the city. Dress in layers for April, May, September and October games, and bring a windproof layer in any season.
Main Concourse - Chicago's breaded steak sandwich shop, a Bridgeport classic.
Section 132 - Chicago deep dish with a buttery crust and chunky tomato sauce. Order early, it sells out.
Throughout the Stadium - Flagship IPA, 312 Urban Wheat Ale and rotating seasonal taps.
Before the players come out, fans have a special ritual called "Sound the Alarm." Twenty minutes before the game starts, someone from the Chicagoland area is gifted with supporters' axe to shatter the glass and activate a fire alarm. This starts a whole sequence of events to welcome the Fire players to the field: the alarm goes off in the entire stadium, big flames shoot up behind the goals, and a hype video plays before the players come out.
Fire Supporters will gather for tailgates beginning at 4:30 pm.
Look for the Fanbulance in the South Lot to join Section 8 Chicago, Red Line SG, Banda Roja, Arson City Ultras, Barn Burners, and the Red Love Taco Truck plus so much more. Join Sector Latino at the Waldron Deck!
Click Here to see the full tailgating rules and regulations.
All groups will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the South Lot and Waldron Deck to march and meet at Waldron bridge underpass.
Flags, two-sticks, and musical instruments can enter with the March to the Match between 6:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Gate 1 at Soldier Field.
Items brought in during this entry period must also adhere to all exempted item requirements.
Chicago Fire's supporter groups — including Section 8 Chicago, Red Line SG, Banda Roja, and Sector Latino — occupy sections 116–118 at Soldier Field. Expect standing, flags, drums, and continuous chanting. Non-Fire apparel is not permitted in the supporter sections.
Chants/songs can be found on the Section 8 Chicago website or the Chicago Fire site.
Second Star Pub, on the patio inside Gate 0, has table tennis, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four and foosball, plus a DJ pregame and at halftime. A fun stop for older kids.
Nursing: Nursing stations in the South Courtyard and in the First Aid offices inside Gate 17.
Changing tables: Family restrooms in Sections 121, 146, 154, 202 and 216.
Tip: Report a lost child at Guest Services on the main concourse behind Section 128.
Note: Soldier Field has a strict no-re-entry policy, so finish any stroller or car trips before you settle in.
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