Soldier Field is old. It’s the oldest standing stadium in the NFL, and if you’ve ever tried to navigate the narrow concourses or wait for a bathroom during a halftime rush at a Chicago Bears game, you know it feels its age. But then there’s the United Club at Soldier Field. It’s this weirdly modern, three-level glass structure grafted onto the side of a historic colonnade.
You’ve probably seen it from the outside—a massive wall of windows overlooking Lake Shore Drive.
Honestly, the vibe inside is a complete 180 from the rest of the stadium. While the "regular" seats are about grit, wind-chill factors, and squeezing into a row with someone wearing a triple-XL Ditka sweater, the United Club is about climate control and short lines. Is it elite? Sure. Is it perfect? Not quite. But if you’re trying to survive a Chicago December without losing a toe to frostbite, it’s basically the only way to go.
What You’re Actually Getting Inside the United Club at Soldier Field
Let’s get the layout straight because it's huge. We're talking 65,000 square feet of space. It’s spread across three levels, and it’s not just a room with some chairs.
When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the scale. The ceilings are high. There are more than 100 flat-screen TVs scattered around, so even if you leave your seat to grab a drink, you’re not missing the play. People often mistake "club seats" for "suites." They aren't the same. In a suite, you're in a private box. In the United Club at Soldier Field, you have a specific seat in the stands, but you have exclusive access to this massive private indoor atrium.
The seats themselves are a bit wider than the standard ones. They're cushioned. That sounds like a small thing until you’ve been sitting on cold metal or plastic for three and a half hours.
The food situation is where things get interesting. Most people expect standard stadium hot dogs. You can get those, obviously, but the club sections usually feature "specialty" stands. We’re talking carving stations, upscale street tacos, and decent salads. It’s managed by Aramark, but the "Cadillac" version of their service.
Prices? They’re high. Don't expect a discount just because you paid a premium for the ticket. A beer is still going to cost you what a beer costs in Chicago—about $12 to $15 depending on the craft level. But the key is the private bars. There are eight main bars in there. While the poor souls in the 400-level are standing in a 20-minute line for a Miller Lite, you can usually get a drink in under five minutes.
The Secret Advantage: Climate Control and the "Half-Time Dash"
Let’s talk about the weather. Chicago weather is unpredictable at best and homicidal at worst.
The United Club at Soldier Field is fully climate-controlled. This is the single biggest selling point. On a 10-degree day with a 20-mph wind coming off Lake Michigan, that glass wall is a godsend. You can watch the pre-game warmups from behind the glass with a hot coffee in your hand.
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I’ve seen people spend the entire second quarter just standing by the windows because they couldn't take the wind anymore.
One thing most people don't realize is that the club opens two hours before kickoff. If you’re paying this much for a ticket, get there early. It’s the only way to "get your money's worth." You can sit in the heat, eat a meal that doesn't require balancing a tray on your knees, and use a bathroom that is actually clean.
The bathrooms are a huge deal. Seriously. If you’ve ever been in the North End Zone bathrooms at Soldier Field during a divisional game, you know it’s a traumatizing experience. In the United Club, the facilities are more like what you’d find in a high-end hotel. No lines. No puddles of mystery liquid.
Why the East Side Matters
The United Club is located on the East side of the stadium. This is important for two reasons.
First, the views. You’re looking out at the Lakefront and Museum Campus. It’s arguably the best view in any NFL stadium. Second, the sun. During afternoon games, the sun sets behind the west stands. This means the East side (the Club side) stays in the sun longer, which is great for warmth but can be a bit of a glare issue.
But once the sun goes down and the lake wind kicks in, you just turn around and walk through the glass doors into the heat. It feels like cheating.
The Cost of Entry: It’s Not Just the Ticket
Buying a ticket for the United Club at Soldier Field isn't as simple as hitting up Ticketmaster five minutes before the game—well, it can be, but it’ll cost you.
Most of these seats are tied to Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs). This is the controversial "membership" fee that fans had to pay just for the right to buy season tickets back when the stadium was renovated in 2003.
If you’re looking for a single-game ticket on the secondary market (StubHub, SeatGeek, etc.), expect a massive markup. For a high-profile game—say, the Packers or a playoff-relevant matchup—you’re looking at anywhere from $400 to $1,200 per seat.
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Is it worth $600?
If you’re a die-hard fan who goes once a year and wants the "luxury" experience, maybe. If you’re taking a client out to impress them, definitely. But if you just want to scream your lungs out and feel the "Bear Weather," you might actually feel a bit out of place. The crowd in the United Club is... different. It’s a bit more corporate. There are more blazers and less face paint.
Private Events and the Off-Season
Soldier Field isn't just for football. The United Club stays busy year-round.
They host weddings there. I'm serious. People get married in the same spot where fans vent their frustrations about quarterback play. It’s also a huge hub for corporate meetings and trade shows. Because it’s a "blank canvas" with a lot of glass and steel, it cleans up surprisingly well for a black-tie gala.
If you’re attending a concert at Soldier Field—like Taylor Swift or The Rolling Stones—the United Club often functions as the VIP hospitality area. However, check your specific concert ticket. Sometimes "Club Access" for a concert only means you can use the private entrance and bars, not necessarily that you have a "club seat" for the show.
Common Misconceptions About the Experience
People think the food is free. It’s not.
Unless you are in a specific "all-inclusive" section (which are rare and usually tied to very specific corporate blocks), you are paying for every burger and every beer.
Another misconception: you have to dress up. You don't. You’ll see plenty of people in jerseys and hoodies. As long as you aren't wearing anything offensive, the "Club" part of the name doesn't mean there’s a dress code like a downtown steakhouse.
Can you get in with a regular ticket? No. They check wristbands or digital tickets at every single entrance to the club level. They are very strict about this. Don't try to sneak in; the security guards have seen every trick in the book, and they'll just escort you back to the cold.
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Logistics: Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
Soldier Field is notoriously hard to get to. It’s tucked away on the lake, far from the 'L' trains.
If you have a United Club at Soldier Field ticket, check if it includes a parking pass for the North Underground Garage. That is the gold standard of parking. It’s right there. You walk out of your car and almost directly into the club entrance.
If you don't have a pass, you're looking at a long walk from the South Lot or taking the shuttle from the Millennium Park garages.
Pro tip: if you’re taking an Uber or Lyft, have them drop you off at the 18th Street turnaround. It’s a bit of a hike, but it beats sitting in the traffic jam on Museum Campus Drive for 45 minutes.
The "New Stadium" Shadow
We have to address the elephant in the room. The Chicago Bears are looking to leave.
Whether it's Arlington Heights or a new domed stadium on the lakefront, the current iteration of the United Club at Soldier Field might not be around forever. This has led to a bit of a "lame duck" feeling for some long-time PSL holders.
However, for now, the park district is still pouring money into keeping the facility top-tier. The Wi-Fi in the club was recently upgraded (which was a massive complaint for years), and the digital displays are state-of-the-art.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
If you’ve decided to pull the trigger on a Club ticket, here is how you do it right:
- Arrive 2 hours early. The traffic will be terrible anyway. Use that time to eat a "real" meal inside the club so you don't have to miss any of the game.
- Use the East Gate. Don't try to enter through the main gates on the west side and fight through the crowds. The United Club has its own dedicated entrances.
- Check the 300 level vs. 200 level. The 200-level seats are lower and closer to the action, but the 300-level gives you a better "coach's view" of the entire field. Both have full access to the indoor club lounge.
- Download the Soldier Field app. It actually shows you the wait times for certain bathrooms and concessions. It’s surprisingly accurate.
- Stay after the game. The club usually stays open for about an hour after the final whistle. Instead of sitting in your car in the parking garage for an hour not moving, go back into the club, grab a coffee, and watch the post-game highlights. The traffic will be much better when you finally leave.
The United Club isn't about the "purest" football experience. It's about comfort. It’s about being able to see the game without shivering. If you have the budget, it changes the way you experience a game in Chicago. Just don't expect the beer to be any cheaper.