Chicago Fire

The main thing to note for away supporters is that all of the aforementioned ‘must-sees’ are accessible to you as much as they are to home fans.

The Chicago Fire takes safety extremely seriously and prides itself on the security systems it has in place, which are intended to nip any trouble in the bud quickly, so true fans can enjoy their experience. Therefore, the only missing information pertains to the seating.

The visiting supporters are usually seated in the north-west corner. As touched on, you’ll have no issues with restricted views. They simply don’t exist in Soldier Field.

You’ll also be located on the same side as the dugouts, which means you will see the occasional star name trot down to the corner flag to warm up, albeit you are closer to the home bench. The final note on the seating location is the fact that the dedicated home support section is some way away.

The Exterior

The first thing to note regarding Soldier Field is the fact that it’s also home to the NFL side, the Chicago Bears. Given that American football dominates the sporting landscape in the US, it’s hardly surprising to learn that the Chicago Fire don’t get close to maxing out the 60,000-plus capacity. That doesn’t mean the stadium isn’t still awe-inspiring, though.

The stadium, which has hosted numerous major international football matches, is located on the famed Lake Shore Drive, with Lake Michigan and open green space dominating the surrounding area. Even before laying your eyes on the seats and field, there are a couple of key things to tick off from the exterior.

First, you have the South Courtyard, which is seen as the ‘place to be’ pre-game, with food and drink being served alongside what feels like endless seating and a nod to the fallen soldiers the stadium is named in honour of.

The other part of Soldier Field you have to see is Colonnades; these have been part of the stadium since day dot, way back in 1924, but despite the modernised features inside, they’ve remained a huge part of the charm throughout the renovations. If you attend at night, they’ll be lit up for a nice photo opportunity, too.

The Interior

You can see it from a distance, but once inside, you’ll really feel the contrast of the new Soldier Field compared with the old columns, with the metal and glass stadium radically different from the preserved ‘remains’ of the original. Where seating is concerned, the stadium, which is completely open to the elements with no roof, wraps around 360 degrees, with everyone guaranteed crystal clear views.

The stadium is split across two and three tiers, depending on the stand in question. If you’re located behind either goal, the South Stand being where the more dedicated home support is, you’ll be in one of two tiers. The side stands, which are curved in shape, are spread over three; the second severely overhangs the lower tier, but the third tier follows a more natural incline from the middle tier.

If you’re really looking for a top dog experience, then you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Skyline Suite. You’ll have views over the entire field of play, the city skyline – hence the name – and Lake Michigan.

When it comes to filling up on grub at Soldier Field, few venues can compete with the vast amount of options you have to choose from – that’s just from the countless concessions inside, too. There is literally something for everyone.

You’ve got non-meat options at Lightlife, nachos at Souvenir Corner, wings from Wings Baskets, plus pretty much anything else you might fancy chowing down on. If you’re from out of town and want to try something with a Chicago twist, then Lake Shore Drive Hoagie churn out highly rated ‘South Side sarnies’.

It’s not just food that is offered in abundance at Soldier Field, either. If you’re into your beer, then Heartland Hops has an extraordinary range of craft beers available, whilst Miller’s operates a ‘Tour de Taps’, which is lagers offered from the back of a bicycle.

Finally, if you’re after a more Instagram-worthy beverage, then why not try a cocktail from the appropriately named Chicago Cocktail Company?

If none of that tickles your fancy, then you do have a few options away from the stadium. You will face a 10-minute or so walk to find most of them, though. Michigan Avenue, which takes you away from the water’s edge, has bars and eateries scattered all the way along it. If you like the idea of eating on the water, then Del Campo’s will allow you to tuck into tacos on the beachfront. It’s just a 10-minute stroll back to Soldier Field.

Ice cream

Ice cream Nacho’s at Chicago fire (@ChicagoFire)

💵 $10 pic.twitter.com/tJ1KTwzljM

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) January 17, 2022

Hot dog

Chicago style hot dog at Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire)

💵 $10 (£7.80) pic.twitter.com/Ttop2Uqxhi

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) August 1, 2023

Pizza and beer

Pizza slice and a can of beer at Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire)

💵 $19.50 (£15) pic.twitter.com/U36ZrQzhkz

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) March 11, 2022

There are two main options for people attending Soldier Field. You can either drive or take the train. If you opt for the latter, the nearest station is Roosevelt on the ORG line. From here, you’ve got a 15-minute walk to the stadium, which is a very straightforward route. Simply follow Roosevelt Road towards Arvey Field park and, before you know it, you’ll arrive at the science museum and then, almost immediately, Soldier Field.

If you lean towards driving to the stadium, then you can rest easy with respect to parking options. Even with over 60,000 in attendance, you won’t have much problem finding a spot. North garage and Waldron garage sit immediately outside the ground, with the latter located on the south side.

The next two closest options are next to the science museum, which is north of the stadium and south lot; this is literally a few feet further away from Soldier Field than the Waldron garage. If you find you’re still struggling to find a space, then you can cross Burnham Harbour and park in the lot off Lynn White Drive. Even that is just an eight or so minute walk to the stadium.

Chicago Fire’s main local rivalries come from both historic and geographic angles.

Columbus Crew are widely regarded as the biggest rival, with the two clubs just 30 miles apart and located along Interstate 90. Meetings between the Chicago Fire and the Columbus Crew have always been intense, often fueled by playoff clashes. The two are among the original MLS teams.

FC Cincinnati are also a notable rival of the Chicago Fire, especially since the latter joined MLS. This clash is fueled by geographic proximity, with supporters labelling it as a Midwest derby.

St. Louis City SC are the newest addition to the growing list of Chicago Fire rivals, having joined MLS in 2023. Clashes between these teams are often for bragging rights and pride in the Midwest region.

Tickets for Chicago Fire home and away matches are available online. Visit the club’s website to buy either season or single-match tickets for the 2025/26 season.

Season tickets at Soldier Field come with numerous benefits, including priority access to the new stadium, complimentary parking, member-only events, and flexible ticket exchange.

Single match tickets are also available on the club’s official website on a match-by-match basis. You will be directed to Ticketmaster to purchase Chicago Fire match tickets, with prices starting from approximately $35 per individual.

Season membership tickets cost about $25 per game, while group match tickets at Soldier Field usually range between $25 and $50.

Seats that give you a good view of the pitch at the venue would cost you somewhere between $60 and $80.