The Ultimate Guide To Attending A Chicago Bears Game At Soldier Field

The 2022-23 NFL regular season will commence for the Chicago Bears with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Noon CDT.

You have the opportunity to not only witness the Bears kick off their 103rd season, but also to place a variety of bets through one of the seven sportsbooks in Illinois.

Perhaps in the future, you might be able to place a bet at a sportsbook in Soldier Field. Alternatively, you might one day be able to wager on the Bears at their new stadium in Arlington.

Currently, a new era is beginning in Chicago.

Fans eager to see new-look Bears

Following a disappointing 6-11 finish last year, with the Bears losing eight of their last nine games, the team dismissed general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy.

During the offseason, the former executive director of player personnel for the Kansas City Chiefs, Ryan Poles, was hired as the new General Manager for Chicago. Poles then appointed Matt Eberflus, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, as the head coach of the Bears.

The Niners were very close to reaching last year’s Super Bowl. At one point during the NFC Championship game, they had a double-digit lead, but they ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Rams, who went on to win the Super Bowl, with a score of 20-17.

Regarding recent games between San Francisco and Chicago, the teams faced each other in the Windy City last year.

The 49ers triumphed over the Bears 33-22 in Chicago on Halloween. The last time these teams faced off was in 2018 when Chicago claimed a 14-9 victory in San Francisco. Looking at their all-time record, San Francisco holds a 35-32-1 lead in the series against the Bears.

If you’re fortunate enough to have secured tickets for this year’s rematch (or any home game for the Bears this season), here are some crucial tips to enhance your game-day experience:

The lowdown on Bears tickets

According to The Sporting News, the average ticket price for a Chicago Bears home game in 2022 is $477.55. This places the Bears’ home games as the 10th most expensive among the NFL’s 32 teams. The list of the most expensive tickets is led by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an average price of $757.26, followed by the Dallas Cowboys at $690.14, the Las Vegas Raiders at $674.57, and the New England Patriots at $643.27.

In 2022, the cost of season ticket packages for Chicago games increased by 6%. This is primarily because the Bears will play an extra ninth home regular game this year, following the NFL’s move to a 17-game season.

Two of the top options for resale tickets are Stubhub and NFL Ticket Exchange by Ticketmaster. These providers typically offer tickets at prices significantly lower than Ticketmaster’s face value. At present, the latter option, NFL Ticket Exchange by Ticketmaster, is showing tickets for the home opener. Prices begin at $199 for third-level endzone sections and can go up to just under $1,000 for a single Club Seat near the 50-yard line. This also includes access to the exclusive United Club lounge and other amenities.

Please be aware that Soldier Field now only accepts mobile tickets. Jeff Figurelli, a Play Illinois insider and long-standing Bears’ season ticket holder, informed us that:

I detest digital tickets and long for the traditional ones. It’s quite annoying to take out your phone to show security your seating details, especially after purchasing food and drinks. However, to make this process slightly more bearable, I always transfer my ticket from the app to my iPhone wallet, which reduces the time taken to access the ticket.

Home games at Soldier Field in 2022-23

Pro fan tips for attending games

For over two decades, Figurelli and Julie Boskey, who are both Bears season ticket holders, have been attending games at Soldier Field. They have shared some tips based on their experiences. Figurelli mentioned that he always chooses to drive to the games, whereas Boskey stated she never does. However, they both agree that the crucial tip is to arrive early.

Adding to the excitement can be achieved by checking out the Bears odds and placing a bet before heading out for the game.

A comprehensive guide on parking and transportation is available on the Chicago Bears website.

Getting there — Driving

Map of nearby streets and highways to Soldier Field:

According to Figurelli, the South Lot or Waldron Deck are the best spots for tailgating.

Figurelli mentioned that he hasn’t consistently tailgated for the past seven years. He usually pre-games at a bar in the South Loop. His preferred spot is the Weather Mark Tavern, located at Michigan and 15th. He appreciates that they open as early as 8:30 a.m. for noon games, offering valet parking for the duration of the game. The tavern begins serving alcohol from 9 a.m. and it’s roughly a 15-minute walk to the stadium from there. Figurelli also highlights their impressive breakfast menu.

The food at Flo & Santos (13th and Wabash) is the best, however, they don’t have parking.

Getting there — Transit

Boskey stated that she uses the Metra commuter train to get to Soldier Field.

A few blocks from Soldier Field is a stop for the Metra Electric line. The “Bears Special” train arrives approximately an hour before the game starts, providing ample time to reach the stadium, as she noted. About half an hour after the game ends, another train departs from the station, which is particularly handy considering the generally limited Sunday train services. The train line travels through the southern section of Chicago and extends into the South suburbs, making it a convenient option for residents in those areas. However, it may not be a practical choice for those living in the north or west.

Best and worst of Soldier Field

Figurelli stated that the pre-game and in-game entertainment and the family-friendly atmosphere created by the Bears are two of the best aspects of Soldier Field.

“He praised their excellent handling of music, montages, on-field entertainment, and interviews with former players. He mentioned their two sizable jumbotrons and noted an improvement in their internet strength, making it easier to receive fantasy football updates.”

Figurelli, who is a parent to three children under eight years old, mentioned that his kids have minimal interest in the game itself. However, they thoroughly enjoy the various activities for children that the Bears organize both outside and inside the stadium tunnels during the game.

He stated that the most difficult part is exiting the stadium.

It’s baffling why all the exits are only the size of typical doorways, causing a constant bottleneck of people trying to depart. It would be a calamity if a fire ever broke out there. Ideally, I’d prefer to wait in my seat for an additional 20 minutes after the game, leaving once the crowd has thinned out a bit. I can’t comprehend why they don’t install broader doorways for mass departures.

Don’t forget your card, concessions are now cashless

Be aware that Soldier Field’s concessions and retail transactions have gone cashless. So, don’t forget to carry your credit or bank card.

“DMK Burger Bar, located in section 126, serves amazing burgers. However, they are pricey and there’s constantly a long queue, so be sure to allocate sufficient time,” Figurelli advised. He added, “They also pair their burgers with premium beers.”

Boskey concurred that the concessions are mediocre. In fact, she stated, “There’s nothing particularly memorable or enticing about the food. I can’t even recall what I usually order. However, if we were discussing a White Sox game, it’d be a different scenario. Typically, I just opt for whatever has the quickest queue.”

Occasionally, food trucks are available on the northern patio of the stadium, providing various options. We usually grab food and drinks before the game due to the lengthy stair climb. We aim to minimize the number of times we ascend and descend.

Bathroom wait times are average, as well

Figurelli stated that the wait times for the bathroom are average, as long as you go at the appropriate time. He further advised, “Don’t wait until the end of the drive to go. Make sure to use the washroom during the 3rd down play.”

Boskey stated that it’s slightly better for women.

Being a woman is advantageous since there are fewer females at games. There are two restroom facilities adjacent to each other near my seating area, so I typically bypass the first and proceed to the next. However, I concur with Jeff that timing is crucial as well. It’s best to avoid using the restroom or buying food during halftime as it tends to be extremely crowded during that period.