Chicago Bears fan guide: Best Soldier Field seats, food and more game tips

Soldier Field can look like two different stadiums sharing the same piece of Chicago lakefront.

The old stone columns still wrap around the outside, while the modern Soldier Field rises between them, with newer seating and steel-and-glass structures built into the old bones of the place. It is a strange mix of old and new, and that contrast is a big part of what makes the stadium look so different from anywhere else in the NFL. Add the Field Museum across the lawn, Lake Michigan alongside it and the Chicago skyline nearby, and the setting is hard to mistake for anywhere else.

By game day, everything else falls into place. Tailgates are going, the Bears Drumline is making the rounds and you will hear “Bear Down, Chicago Bears” many times before the day is over.

There is nowhere else in the NFL that really looks or feels like this. Whether you are coming for the first time or you're a Bears season-ticket holder, here is what to know before you go.

Ultimate guide to a Chicago Bears game at Soldier Field

Soldier Field feels different from most NFL stadiums before you even get through the gates. There is no giant parking complex wrapped around it. Instead, the stadium sits right on the Museum Campus, with the lake, museums and downtown all part of the surroundings.

That setup gives Bears games a different kind of pregame scene. Fans come in from the South Loop, the Museum Campus and the lakefront paths, so the walk to Soldier Field starts from all over the area.

Getting to Soldier Field

For a lot of fans, the CTA is the easiest way to get there without dealing with parking. The Red, Orange and Green Lines stop at Roosevelt, where you can take the No. 146 bus or walk east through the Museum Campus. The No. 128 Soldier Field Express also runs nonstop from Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station starting two hours before kickoff. After the game, the No. 128 and No. 146 buses load northeast of the stadium near McFetridge Drive and Special Olympics Drive.

The walk from Roosevelt is part of the experience. You leave the train behind, head toward the lake and gradually start seeing more Bears fans, museum buildings and Soldier Field ahead of you.

If you are driving, it is better to have parking sorted out before game day. The lots closest to Soldier Field require prepaid passes, and places like the North Garage, Waldron Deck, South Lot, East Museum Lot and Adler Lot can be tough to get into without one. McCormick Place Lot B is another option, with tailgating allowed and Bears shuttles running to Soldier Field starting two hours before kickoff. Grant Park and Millennium garages work too, but there are no Bears shuttles from those garages.

Rideshare is straightforward before the game, with drop-offs allowed at the 18th Street turnaround and at Balbo and Columbus. Afterward, pickup moves to Balbo and Columbus north of Soldier Field, so expect a walk before meeting your driver.

What first-timers need to know before a Bears game at Soldier Field

Start with the colonnades, because they are the part of Soldier Field you really cannot appreciate from TV. The huge stone columns date back to the original stadium that opened in 1924, long before the Bears moved in, and they are still standing after the major renovation that created the Soldier Field you see today. Walk underneath them and then look back toward the stadium. The newer seating rises right through the middle of the old structure, so you can see nearly a century of Soldier Field in one view.

From around the colonnades, take a few minutes to look both ways. Lake Michigan is right beside the stadium, while the Chicago skyline sits off in the other direction. Few NFL stadiums give you that kind of view before you even get through the gates.

Once you are inside, look for the Bears Locker Room setup in the South Courtyard. Fans can step inside, take photos and try on a Bears helmet. The exact activities can change from game to game, but it is one of the better stops if you want something that actually feels tied to the team.

For something completely different, head to Loop Landing behind Section 144, a bar and hangout spot inside Soldier Field with food, drinks and room to stop before heading back to your seat. The main attraction is the Bear Claw pretzel, a massive two-pound soft pretzel shaped like a bear claw and served with dipping sauces on the side. Even if you are not planning to take one down yourself, it is worth stopping by just to see it.

Chicago Bears game-day traditions

You are going to hear “Bear Down, Chicago Bears” plenty during a home game. Al Hoffman wrote the fight song in 1941, and it has stuck around as one of the sounds most tied to Bears football. When the stadium starts singing along after a big play, you will figure out pretty quickly which words everyone knows by heart.

The Bears Drumline is another big part of game day. It has been performing at Bears home games since 2005 and moves around Soldier Field rather than staying in one place. You may hear it outside before kickoff, around the concourses or near one of the pregame gathering areas before you ever get to your seat.

Then there is the 4th Phase, the Bears’ name for their fans as the fourth part of the team alongside offense, defense and special teams. The tradition has been pushed back to the forefront in recent seasons, with Bears legend Brian Urlacher appearing in a fourth-quarter video telling the crowd to bring the noise. That is your cue to get loud, especially when the Bears defense is on the field.

Best seats at Soldier Field for a Bears game

Soldier Field is laid out a little differently than a lot of newer NFL stadiums. The 100 Level sits closest to the field, the 200 and 300 Levels include a mix of club and sideline seating, and the 400 Level makes up the upper deck.

The stadium is also pretty steep, especially upstairs, so seats can feel closer to the field than they look on the map. Row number matters too, since there can be a noticeable difference between sitting near the front of a section and being much farther back.

Best premium seats

For a late-season Bears game, the United Club can make a big difference.

The club is on the east side of Soldier Field, across from the Bears sideline, and includes Sections 202 through 216 and 301 through 317. You still watch the game from outdoor seats, but you also get access to a three-level indoor club with private restrooms, food, bars and plenty of TVs.

That is a pretty nice fallback when the wind is coming off the lake. Instead of spending halftime outside trying to warm up, you can head inside for a while and come back out for the second half.

Best seats for bad weather

The United Club is the easiest answer if you are willing to pony up for premium. But if you want some protection from the weather without paying club prices, check out the west-side 200 Level, especially Sections 232 through 242.

Those sections make up much of the Media Deck and sit underneath the deck above. That means a roof over your head for rain or snow, along with some protection from the wind that can make a cold Soldier Field game feel even colder.

For the best combination of coverage and field position, start around Sections 235 through 239 closer to midfield.

You are still sitting outside, so dress for Chicago in December. But there is a big difference between watching snow fall from under an overhang and having it land on you for three hours.

Best seats to be closest to the Bears

For the best look at the Bears sideline, start with Sections 132 through 134 on the lower west side.

Section 133 is the one to circle first because it sits near midfield, right by the Bears bench. You are close enough to see and hear a lot of what is happening on the sideline, an experience you cannot get from watching on TV or sitting higher up.

Do not assume the very first row is automatically better. Players, coaches and equipment can get in the way, so sitting a few rows back often gives you a clearer angle of the field.

Best upper-level value

The 400 Level deserves more respect than it gets from a quick look at the map.

On the west side, Sections 435 through 439 put you near midfield without paying lower-level prices. On the east side, Sections 437 through 441 give you a similar angle from the other sideline.

The nice thing about Soldier Field is that the upper deck is steep, so you do not feel as far removed from the action as you might expect. You can still see every play unfold without feeling like you are watching from another zip code.

If prices are close, prioritize the earlier rows. Up there, being 10 rows closer to the front usually matters more than moving one section closer to the 50.

Best food at Soldier Field

Soldier Field has gotten much more Chicago-specific in recent seasons, with local restaurants, former Bears and a few items you are unlikely to find anywhere else.

If you only have room for one thing, Mr. Beef is a strong pick. The Chicago institution serves its Italian beef inside Soldier Field near Section 134, so you can get one of the city’s signature sandwiches without leaving the stadium.

A couple of individual items are worth knowing about too. The Odunze Dog is a jalapeño-cheddar sausage topped with Italian beef, giardiniera and cheddar. Its location can change, so check the Bears app before you start walking the concourse looking for one.

For kids, Molly’s Mac and Cheese has a fun backstory. It was added after a six-year-old Bears fan asked the team why there was no mac and cheese at Soldier Field. Its location can vary too, so the Bears app is the easiest way to find it on game day.

Tailgating near Soldier Field

Tailgating at Soldier Field is spread across a few different areas, and the lot you choose can change the whole pregame.

The South Lot is the place to start if you want the classic Bears tailgate scene. Expect grills, music, flags and groups that have been setting up there for years. The upper level of the Waldron Deck is another popular spot, especially because it is so close to Soldier Field. The Bears Drumline has also been known to make the rounds there before games.

Tailgating is allowed on the Museum Campus surface lots, the upper level of Waldron Deck and designated McCormick Place lots. Museum Campus parking opens four hours before kickoff, and parking is limited enough that it is worth having your pass sorted out ahead of time.

A few rules matter if you are bringing your own setup. Everything has to stay within your parking space and no more than eight feet behind it. Tents and canopies are not allowed, and grills cannot be used in enclosed garages or on the lower level of Waldron Deck. Deep fryers, fire pits and open fires are also prohibited. If your group wants to park together, arrive together because spaces cannot be saved.

You do not need a parking pass to get a good pregame scene, either. The Vizzy Fan Zone on the southeast lawn usually opens about two and a half hours before kickoff with Bears alumni, live music, football games and other fan activities. The Miller Lite Ultimate Tailgate on the Field Museum terrace opens closer to kickoff with music, food and other Bears entertainment. Both are good options if you are coming by CTA or rideshare and still want to hang around before heading inside.

For groups that want everything handled for them, the Arena Club in the Adler Lot is the more premium option, with food, bars and a live DJ.

One last thing to know if you are planning to keep going after the game is that Museum Campus lots allow limited postgame tailgating after day games, but not after night games. McCormick Place lots do not allow postgame tailgating.

What to do before and after a Bears game

Soldier Field is in a good spot if you want to make more of the day than just the game. The Field Museum is right next door, with Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium also on the Museum Campus. They are better saved for the day before or after if you actually want time to look around, but even walking the lakefront around them is an easy add-on before kickoff.

For food and drinks, the South Loop has some of the best options close to the stadium. Flo & Santos is a good place for Chicago tavern-style pizza, pierogi and its flying pork wings. Victory Tap is better for a sit-down Italian meal, while Weather Mark Tavern is an easy stop for burgers, sandwiches and drinks.

Bears fans who want to keep the football theme going can head to The Staley, the South Loop sports bar founded by former Bears defensive end Israel Idonije. Reggies is another useful game-day option because it has run Bears tailgate parties and free shuttles to and from Soldier Field for select games. Check the schedule for your game before counting on the bus.

After the game, there is no need to rush straight into the crowd leaving the Museum Campus. If the weather is decent, you can also walk north through Grant Park toward the Loop, letting some of the postgame traffic clear while you head toward more bars and restaurants downtown.

How to buy Chicago Bears tickets on SeatGeek

Going to a Bears game is the kind of Sunday that is worth planning a little ahead for.

SeatGeek gives you one place to browse the matchup you want, compare what is available at Soldier Field and make sure the ticket fits the kind of game day you have in mind.

1. Search for the Chicago Bears on SeatGeek and choose the Soldier Field game you want to attend.

2. Open the interactive seating chart and compare sections based on view, row and price rather than simply choosing the closest seat.

3. Check available seat-view photos to see how the field actually looks from the section you are considering.

4. If you want United Club or another upgraded experience, open the Premium tab on the Chicago Bears page to browse premium options in one place and compare the perks attached to each listing.

5. Compare the United Club for indoor access, the west-side Media Deck for a tactical view, the lower west sideline for proximity and early rows of the upper deck for value.

6. Review the listing details and Deal Score before checkout.

7. Complete your purchase knowing SeatGeek orders are backed by the Buyer Guarantee, which helps protect buyers if qualifying tickets are not delivered in time, are invalid for entry or do not match what was ordered.

8. Save your mobile ticket before heading toward Soldier Field.

The ticket gets you through the gate. The rest is why Bears Sundays stick with people.