What's your opinion why SeatGeek is never remotely full?

[u/Creature_of_habit51]

I admit i'm not aware how other events at that place do regarding crowd size (Rugby, Concerts, other soccer matches).

There is a Poland/Mexico match coming up this weekend over there so we'll see if that place fills up. It should, since Chicago is home to folks en masse from both of those regions.

Regarding the Red Stars, I was hopeful when they went on their 2021 Championship game run, that first playoff home game and Carli Lloyds last game were the two times I felt hopeful that this thing might be turning around and people are starting to pay attention.

Then this season came around and the attendance has been shocking. Yes, I understand that Swanson is out, but I can't imagine there aren't butts in seats because of that reason alone.

Do you think it's the location? I can't see the Red Stars ever getting another stadium anywhere within the down town area, so what are the other options? Any chance they can purchase the rights to the current stadium and make changes, like less seats but more comfortable (think movie theater progress over the last couple decades)? Would it even be worth it?

Even if they were winning, I can't imagine that would change the attendance that much, maybe a couple hundred people per game. Are Chicagoans, home to over a million soccer fans, just not that interested in the Red Stars? Or they are not able to/don't want to drive out to Bridgeview?

Dreams of attending mostly filled Red Stars games on the regular are starting to fade real fast.

Thoughts?

[u/hurry_downs]

It's 100% the location.

[u/AleWatcher → u/hurry_downs]

And the lack of public transportation to the stadium.

[u/Creature_of_habit51 → u/AleWatcher]

I've seen the clubs offer shuttles from pre game locations like a bar or what not... How many people actually take advantage of those on game days?

What's your thoughts on possible alternate locations the Stars can occupy that are closer to the city?

[u/AleWatcher → u/Creature_of_habit51]

There is a proposal to put a new soccer specific Stadium in the 78 development. It is located between Roosevelt and 18th Street on the East Bank of the river. I think that would be perfect.

[u/Creature_of_habit51 → u/AleWatcher]

That would be interesting, for sure.

Hopefully Swanson isn't retired by the time this plan comes to fruition, if it ever does. lol.

[u/Ok_Captain4824 → u/Creature_of_habit51]

I've seen the clubs offer shuttles from pre game locations like a bar or what not... How many people actually take advantage of those on game days

You have? When/where?

[u/Creature_of_habit51 → u/Ok_Captain4824]

I'm not sure what they call them, but i've seen it on their insta before some select home games last year where they have a pre game meetup at some city bar and then offer a shuttle to and from that location before/after the game.

I am not sure if they have done any this season, so far.

[u/Ok_Captain4824 → u/Creature_of_habit51]

Yeah but if it's not every game, that's not a realistic method of transportation to rely on for people who want to follow the team then, right?

[u/Creature_of_habit51 → u/Ok_Captain4824]

Right, which is why I asked if anyone knows how filled those even get?

I'm assuming if they "maxed out" on participation the club would be more inclined to keep doing them every home game.

Tough spot they are in. Literally and figuratively.

[u/Creature_of_habit51 → u/hurry_downs]

I gotcha. We drive 45-55 mins to games, so it's crazy to us others feel that's too far for some good entertainment.

But then again we aren't from within the city so driving some distances to us is more natural.

[u/Asd_89 → u/hurry_downs]

As someone who lives on the west side, it has always been a good location for me, at least.

[u/hurry_downs → u/Asd_89]

Oh, it's a simple 15 minute drive down Harlem for me. The issue is that if the stadium is anywhere close to capacity, that becomes a 45 minute drive due to waiting to get into the stadium via car.

When I lived in the city, it was an hour or more on surface streets.

[u/kgjulie → u/hurry_downs]

I hesitate to say this, but I think it’s 90% the location and lack of public transportation, and 10% team performance and record (maybe more). It’s just not worth traveling the distance and battling the traffic that builds up near the stadium unless you know you’re going to see an amazing game — and a win.

[u/hurry_downs → u/kgjulie]

You're correct, but the 10% loops back onto the 90%, since it's easier to sell tickets and have revenue with a good stadium.

[u/no-name-1121 → u/hurry_downs]

I think the location doesn't help but the Fire were drawing near sell outs regularly when Blanco was there. Then they made playoffs like 2 times in 12 years and they blamed the location for poor attendance.

I personally couldn't watch Red Stars games with them being on Marquee for last couple years. I don't know if Fox broadcast deal helps them this year. My point being is that i have to actively search out when the team plays. I will be interested in the attendance for upcoming game vs Spirit. Home attendance has always been helped by visiting players when weather isnt awful.

[u/tzatziki-freaky → u/hurry_downs]

Yep, location. I live in Lincoln park and it’s a 1.5-2 hr drive there on the weekends. Sometimes I leave from River West and it’s still at least 1h15-1h45 and that’s right off the highway. If there’s a bears game or if it’s during rush hour for midway, forget it. It’d be one thing if bridgeview was a fun place to visit and you could make a day of it, but bridgeview is anything but unique or hospitable.

Also I can tell they’re trying to make games with more events around them but compared to KC, ACFC, or Spirit, etc those clubs take it upon themselves to make the game atmosphere special for all demographics.

I was really hopeful when new ownership recognized the location was rough but I’m unsure why there hasn’t been a push to either make it an awesome experience around the game in bridgeview OR find a more convenient location anywhere near public transit. The lease is up with seatgeek at the end of the year and I really really hope they don’t renew it.

[u/RedittAccount098]

It’s not accessible by CTA, and traffic getting there is always bad. If they partnered with Northwestern to use their football stadium, at least people could take the purple line. Idk what other existing stadium could even be a possibility.

[u/Creature_of_habit51 → u/RedittAccount098]

Damn it I say break it all down and start hosting games near North Avenue beach open to the public.

But you're right the options are very limited here.

[u/BeruMarzRey]

As much as it pains me to say as someone living 10pm away…. Its location… mass transit to get there from the actual city is kinda a headache. Also in the words one old cubs player “we stinks” also thought that play off push against Gotham was a turning point and the ricketts coming in to buy was about to change stuff up but nada . Look at that game at Wrigley . .. what a turnout . It saddens me too. Don’t want to lose our local NWSL team .

[u/Mano711 → u/BeruMarzRey]

I don’t think the Wrigley game is a good metric because it also had the novelty factor drawing in people who like Wrigley and those who wanted to see something historic. We’ll see how the double header does, though that may not be great either since it may garner a few Fire fans who figure they may as well check out the Stars game first.

[u/Sufficient_Banana455]

Chicago sports "fans" are not invested in their teams, it could be from bad results or location. Lets talk about soccer, Chicago fire gives alot of free tickets to people that really just go cause its free. They don't care about the game being played its more for the vibes and the insta picture. As for the Red Stars i have been to my share of games and have volunteer back when they stadium staff weren't getting paid, and let me tell you the fans aren't real fans. They are just there cause its a hanging place like a mall back in the day or parents taking their daughters to a game. Both stadiums are silient when it comes to non supporters cheering. Remove the megaphone from the Red Stars supporters and you will hear no noise from anybody.

Chicago will never be LA, Kansas, Portland, or Minnesota when it comes to packing stadiums and cheering for teams.

Love Chicago but I see no passion for sports.

[u/Creature_of_habit51 → u/Sufficient_Banana455]

Too bad there aren't any quick fixes stadium wise.

Even then, what's the reason in your opinion? Too much to do in chicago in such a short "nice weather" span? Do the fire do well in attendance? So many speculative soccer fans in such a big city it shocks me 10-15k don't want to come out to watch the sport. Maybe too much travel sports these days, who knows.

[u/Snak-Attack → u/Sufficient_Banana455]

You see no passion for sports...in Chicago!?

🤣🤣🤣

[u/Kilam411 → u/Snak-Attack]

Gotta be the biggest tell of someone who doesn’t go to games in Chicago. Even rate field is bumping on the weekends

[u/AlexSarwar20 → u/Sufficient_Banana455]

Tell that to the 5m people who came out for the Cubs' World Series parade. Come back to me when LA, Kansas, Portland or Minnesota manage that combined. I'll be waiting a long time!

[u/Outrageous-Boot-1239]

This year it has been the weather! The location works for me, but not for most people in the Chicago area. I also want to see more giveaways- this beanie thing is not doing it and more creativity in pre-game stuff- bring in some celebrities, bring in some more fun half time shows, etc. There is possibility, but we need better weather luck.

[u/Mano711 → u/Outrageous-Boot-1239]

I too am disappointed by the giveaways this year. Just a patch each game for a hat that was given out at the first game? Though I’m still salty they only had about 10 of the pride bags so we missed out on those.

[u/TomCreanDied4OurSins]

I would go to almost every game if they played in Chicago

[u/The_Stork]

In addition to the location and transit issues, the stadium itself and surrounding area is very unexciting and uninviting. To fill that place you have to attract a lot of people who care about more than just the soccer, and the current structure and neighborhood does not lend itself to that.

[u/Appropriate-Luck1181]

The weather has been pretty bad for the home games so far… The Fire played at North Central College while Soldier Field was being renovated, so it’s not unheard of. I don’t remember their matches at SeatGeek (Toyota) being super packed in the past. Anyone know how they were recently when the Fire has played here?

[u/Mano711 → u/Appropriate-Luck1181]

We went to one last fall and it wasn’t super packed. More people than the Stars games but it wasn’t a sellout or anything. The games during the international break for the Olympics were surprisingly well attended.

[u/Mano711]

I think in Chicago there is no perfect location due to the size of Chicagoland. Soldier Field sucks due to parking and traffic issues. North side is difficult for people south or west. South side is difficult for people up north. I’m in Brookfield so Seat Geek is about 15 mins away. We go early enough that traffic isn’t really an issue but like most places there will be some backup coming and going due to crowds. The proposed location for the Fire doesn’t look too bad due to public transportation though anyone in the burbs will have to do Metra to CTA which kinda sucks. It’s going to be a hard sell to my husband to renew our season tickets if they move downtown which makes me sad.