Soldier Field
Chicago · Home of 🏈 Chicago Bears & ⚽ Chicago Fire FC
⚡ Quick answers
- Who plays at Soldier Field?
- Soldier Field in Chicago is home to the Chicago Bears (NFL) and Chicago Fire FC (MLS).
- What is the closest airport to Soldier Field?
- Chicago Midway (MDW) is the closest major airport, about 11 miles (18 km) from Soldier Field — roughly 16 min by car depending on traffic.
- How much is parking at Soldier Field?
- Game-day parking starts around $38 USD. Genuinely free options are scarce on Bears gamedays.
- How much is a beer at Soldier Field?
- A standard beer is estimated at about $11.63 USD (16 oz), 2026; we couldn't confirm it on a menu. A regular hot dog is about $8.13 USD (estimate). Prices vary by stand and size and may change.
- How do you get to Soldier Field without a car?
- Metra: Museum Campus/11th St station (Metra Electric) is ~10 min walk to the gates; South Shore Line also stops at 18th St/McCormick Place, 1 block north of the stadium.
- Where are the best seats at Soldier Field?
- Lower sidelines (100s) for the classic lakefront bowl; upper 400s cheap and windy. One of the NFL's smaller stadiums — sit lower. Bundle up off the lake.
- What is the bag policy at Soldier Field?
- Clear bags up to 12×6×12 in. (or a one-gallon freezer bag), plus a 4.5×6.5 in. clutch, per person. Food for yourself is allowed if it's inside your clear bag. No bottles or cans, including sealed water.
- Is Soldier Field wheelchair accessible?
- For Bears games, buy wheelchair and companion seats through Bears Ticket Sales (847-615-BEAR) or Ticketmaster; event-day swaps happen at Guest Services inside Gate 0. ADA drop-off and pick-up is at the Gate 14 turnaround, and ADA spaces in the garages and Museum Campus lots can be booked at soldierfieldparking.com (placard holder must be in the car). All gates are accessible, with limited courtesy carts from the Museum Campus lots. Wheelchair escorts are stationed inside and around the stadium—ask any uniformed staff.
✈️🚗 Getting to Soldier Field
Nearest major airport: Chicago Midway (MDW) — about 11 mi / 16 min away.
🏟️ Fan guide
Best seats
Lower sidelines (100s) for the classic lakefront bowl; upper 400s cheap and windy. One of the NFL's smaller stadiums — sit lower. Bundle up off the lake.
Parking
Museum Campus/Soldier Field lots by the lakefront; pricey. Walkable from the Loop and served by buses/Metra. ($40–60 (lakefront lots) USD)
Getting there
Metra to Museum Campus/11th St or CTA bus down Michigan Ave + walk; or walk from the South Loop.
Bar scene
The immediate lakefront is parkland (tailgate scene in the lots); the South Loop and downtown are a short walk/ride with plenty of bars.
Pre-game bars
- Parking-lot tailgates — The Bears pre-game by the lake.
- South Loop / downtown bars — Short walk or ride.
Concession prices (USD, approx)
- Standard beer (16 oz), 2026, estimate$11.63
- Hot dog (estimate)$8.13
- Chicago dog$8
- Italian beef$14
Prices vary by stand and size and may change.
Insider tips
- Dress for lake wind
- Tailgate in the Museum Campus lots
♿ Accessibility at Soldier Field
For Bears games, buy wheelchair and companion seats through Bears Ticket Sales (847-615-BEAR) or Ticketmaster; event-day swaps happen at Guest Services inside Gate 0. ADA drop-off and pick-up is at the Gate 14 turnaround, and ADA spaces in the garages and Museum Campus lots can be booked at soldierfieldparking.com (placard holder must be in the car). All gates are accessible, with limited courtesy carts from the Museum Campus lots. Wheelchair escorts are stationed inside and around the stadium—ask any uniformed staff.
- Sensory-friendly
- On Bears game days, sensory bags at the Fan Services booth (Ticketmaster Plaza/Gate 0). No sensory room mentioned.
- Hearing
- Free hearing-assistance receivers on request (312-235-7233 or ESaah@soldierfield.net); on Bears game days, at Fan Services by Gate 0. No captioning info listed.
- ASL interpreters
- Request at 312-235-7233 or ESaah@soldierfield.net; no lead time stated.
- Service animals
- Service animals and animals in training only. Gate 8 is the service-animal entrance and exit to the relief area, with re-entry allowed there.
🎒 Can I bring it? Bag & food policy
- Bags (clear-bag policy)
- Clear bags up to 12×6×12 in. (or a one-gallon freezer bag), plus a 4.5×6.5 in. clutch, per person.
- Bag check
- Game-day lockers for $10 (card only) at the Field Museum East Terrace and the 18th Street turnaround.
- Outside food
- Food for yourself is allowed if it's inside your clear bag.
- Water bottles
- No bottles or cans, including sealed water.
- Refill stations
- No refill stations listed; concourse fountains are turned off in cold months.
- Re-entry
- No re-entry (except service-animal relief via Gate 8).
Not allowed & exceptions
- Umbrellas
- Seat cushions with zippers or pockets
- Strollers in seating areas
- Video cameras and lenses over 6 in.
- Medical kits allowed after search
From the venue's official guest guide, checked 2026-10. Rules can change by event. Official policy ↗
🧳 Visiting Soldier Field as an away fan
The next visiting teams, and the airport you'd fly into: Chicago Midway (MDW) (MDW). Each link has that team's full road-trip guide.
- Thu, Oct 22New England Patriots at Bears NFL
- Wed, Oct 28 Orlando City SC at Chicago Fire FC MLS
- Sat, Nov 7 Columbus Crew at Chicago Fire FC MLS
- Sat, Nov 7 Columbus Crew at Chicago Fire FC MLS
- Sun, Nov 8Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bears NFL
- Sun, Nov 22New Orleans Saints at Bears NFL
🎟️ Tickets & more
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