By: Alex Patt
People know that Chicago has a big list of sports teams, and sporting events are always popular destinations to go to when people want to out. Problem is as the years go on, it becomes more expensive to attend sporting events. Tickets are not the only expense, but concessions and parking play in factor depending on what a person attending a game’s plan is.
Here is a look at average ticket prices for Chicago’s major teams (These do not include individual box suites).
Chicago Bears (NFL): Home games played at Soldier Field. Non-club season tickets range from $81 to $175, United Club season tickets cost from $275 to $550, single-game tickets cost $106 to $430. Putting these together, the average ticket cost for the Chicago Bears is at $348.99; the 5th most expensive ticket in the NFL.
Chicago Bulls (NBA): Single season tickets range from the standing nosebleeds at $38 to right next to the court seats at $240. The United Center has three levels: 100 level, 200 level, and the 300 level. The 100 level is the closest, and the cheapest ticket in that section is $115 while the most expensive is $240. The 200 level ranges from cheapest $80 to the most expensive at $140. The highest level up, the 300 level ranges from cheapest $38 to most expensive at $75. The average ticket price for the Bulls is $113.07.
Chicago Blackhawks (NHL): The Blackhawks also play home games at the United Center, and some of the prices for the Hawks are similar to the Bulls. In the 100 level, tickets range from $180 to $500; note that the $500+ costing tickets are very first row against the glass. 200 level seats range from cheapest $135 to most expensive $180. The 300 level ranges from cheapest $37 (standing room at the very top) to most expensive $105. Average ticket price for the Blackhawks is $167.67. So overall, the Blackhawks are more expensive than the Bulls.
Chicago Cubs (MLB): Wrigley Field is divided between the lower level grandstand, the upper level grandstand, and the Budweiser Bleachers. Wrigley’s seats are also based on how well the view is of the field, since Wrigley has some obscured view seats with the old poles. Also, the value of tickets are different based on the opponent and time of the game (prime-time day vs. night), so we will look at the very cheapest vs the most expensive ranges. Lower level seats in the Wrigley Field grandstand range from $14 all the way in back behind the poles, all the way up to $362 in the front row Dugout Box area. Putting together the price sections of the lower level, the average price of the entire lower level is about $81.63. The upper level is cheaper, the prices range from $9 in the very back corner to $77 in the front sections during prime games. The average upper level area ticket price is about $36. The Budweiser bleachers are all one price (except the patio which is a private reservation area) those prices are only dependent on the match up. The average ticket price for the bleachers is $41, however that factors in the marquee matchups which cost $69 and also do not come up as often as most other home games; some of which can be as cheap as $19. Just keep in mind that if you want to go to a game for as cheap as possible; do not go during interleague play or games against St. Louis, because those will be the most expensive matchups.
*Chicago White Sox (MLB): White Sox play at U.S. Cellular Field. Like the Cubs, the Sox depend on matchups for tickets. Also, The Cell has an upper deck, lower deck and outfield seating. It is important to note that the lower level curves as one structure; making the outfield seats as part of the lower level. The Sox do not seem quite as complicated with pricing as the Cubs are, and are overall cheaper. The average ticket price up to this point is $26 which accounts for the entire ballpark. Some Sox games have admission around $10 during some weekend games and that is in a range of seating areas. Since the White Sox are working on altering seating prices, the averages for each seating area are not currently determined. However it is evident that the Sox are fairly affordable compared to other teams. Interleague games (especially Cubs/Sox) and games against the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees are usually the most expensive on the list.
Chicago Fire (MLS): Toyota Park where the Fire play is a bowl-type stadium made up of one level with a Skyway upper area in one part of the stadium and rooftop terrace. The most expensive seats are field side which is $100 and the cheapest seats are $20 in the skyway and the standing room end area. Overall, average ticket prices for the Fire are $46.85.
Chicago Wolves (AHL): All-State Arena, home arena for the Chicago Wolves has two levels. The cheapest seats are high in the second level at $13.00 and the most expensive are $54 right next to the glass. Most of the lower bowl are either $23, $30, or $40. The average price for a Wolves game is about $30.
Ticket prices and amenities at parks are always fluxuating, so it is important to remember that these prices are just to give you an idea of what just tickets will cost. Parking is always changing as well, and it depends where you park at these venues. Some parking can cost over $30 so choose wisely how to get there. Sporting events are fun, but they are not cheap anymore.
