Red Stars Set to Play Summer Match at Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field, renowned as the home of MLB’s Chicago Cubs, will mark a historic occasion on June 8th by hosting a National Women’s Soccer League match for the first time. This game will see the Chicago Red Stars facing off against Bay FC.

The decision to hold a match at Wrigley Field is part of an initiative aimed at making the Red Stars more accessible to sports enthusiasts across Chicago, as stated in a press release by the team. Since 2016, the Red Stars have been playing their home games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, approximately 15 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. Despite their efforts, they garnered the lowest attendance in the NWSL in 2023, averaging 4,848 fans. SeatGeek Stadium, primarily constructed for MLS’ Chicago Fire in 2006, saw the Fire move out after the 2019 season in hopes of revitalizing their fan base.

Laura Ricketts, a member of the Ricketts family which also owns the Cubs, acquired majority ownership of the Red Stars in August as part of a $35.5 million acquisition of the team. She highlighted the urgency of addressing the stadium situation, stating that the ideal location would be closer to or within the city. Ricketts emphasized the significance of this endeavor, acknowledging it as both a challenge and an opportunity that would require considerable effort and time.

Ricketts and the newly appointed Red Stars president, Karen Leetzow, have actively advocated for the inclusion of the team in discussions regarding public funding for new sports stadiums. This comes amidst similar endeavors by other sports teams in Chicago, such as the White Sox and the Bears. With the Fire also seeking a long-term solution after returning to Soldier Field, the Red Stars are exploring potential stadium sites within Chicago.

Leetzow stressed the importance of women’s sports having a prominent presence, asserting that inclusion in such discussions is vital for their growth and development.

In 2016, the NWSL witnessed a notable game played on a minor league baseball field in Rochester, New York, which drew global attention and criticism due to the inadequate field dimensions. The Kansas City Current also played a full season at a minor league baseball stadium in 2021 before unveiling their own dedicated stadium, followed by the Seattle Reign’s tenure in Tacoma from 2019 to 2021.

While Wrigley Field has hosted various sports events with varying success, including a college football game in 2010, soccer matches have been infrequent. The last soccer game held at Wrigley was in 2012, featuring Italian men’s side AS Roma. The dimensions of the field for the upcoming Red Stars match at Wrigley Field are yet to be finalized.

The NWSL has seen limited one-off games historically, with the Orlando Pride hosting a game at the Daytona Speedway in 2022, drawing fewer than 8,000 fans.

The Red Stars aspire for the June match to mark the beginning of a journey towards tapping into the untapped Chicago soccer market.

“We eagerly anticipate representing our city and showcasing the talent and competitive spirit of our club and the NWSL,” remarked Leetzow in a statement.

Red Stars captain Alyssa Naeher expressed excitement about competing at Wrigley Field, highlighting the opportunity to elevate visibility for the team and women’s soccer.

“Chicago boasts a rich sports history, and I’m thrilled to compete on the field, under the lights, in front of our devoted fans from all corners of the city,” added Naeher.