Chicago will always be a sports town

It has been five years since any major league team from Chicago won a championship. The Sky won the WNBA title in 2021, bringing the city its first major honor since the Chicago Cubs won their third World Series five years earlier. A flurry of triumphs followed, but some of our best-loved teams haven’t won anything for decades. But still, Chicago remains one of the sports cities in this country.

Teams from New York and Los Angeles may get more attention and coverage from the mainstream media, but most real sports fans will tell you that you will have a better time in Chicago. Even Illinois betting apps might not have the city’s teams as favorites, but fans will always have the best time.

Why is Chicago such a sports destination then? At a time when our teams are not making it to their respective championship games, how do they ensure that fans from other cities—and even other countries—consistently vote Chicago as the place to watch a game? 

Subscribe to Chicago Star’s Weekly City Buzz Newsletter

All sports covered

There are only 12 metropolitan areas in the U.S. that can boast of having sports teams in all of the Big Four. Chicago is one of them, and there are plenty more besides. These days, soccer can be added to the list of prestigious sports in this country, and this city has teams in both Major League Soccer and NWSL.

Both soccer teams have dedicated and passionate support, replicating fans of the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, White Sox and Cubs. In fact, having two baseball teams to choose from is just another reason why Chicago is known as a sports town. It doesn’t matter which part of the city you go to; there will always be a team to get behind.

Iconic venues

Chicago might have an almost endless choice of sports teams to watch, but it is where you get to go and see a game that really elevates the city above the competition. Some teams don’t even play in the city they represent, or try to fill soulless replica stadiums and arenas that have no history or architectural significance. That’s not how Chicago does it.

Wrigley Field is arguably the most iconic ballpark in all of baseball, with its ivy-covered walls and famous sign welcoming fans from all over. Soldier Field is another iconic venue that might be home to the Bears, but is also used for other high-profile events in all kinds of sports. Even the United Center has its own charm, thanks to the numerous memorable days and nights the Bulls and Blackhawks have given Chicago.

History of success

If you are a sports fan, you will know that it is not all about winning titles. It is about the traditions handed down through the generations and the loyalty you show to your team, no matter how badly it is playing. But if you are looking for a history of success, this town has it by the bucketload.

The Bulls and the Blackhawks lead the way, with Michael Jordan’s 1990s dynasty team one of the best-known in all of sports. The Bears may have only won one Super Bowl in its history, but it is one that was filled with characters and memorable for all football fans, while every World Series triumph by the Sox and Cubs has gone down in history. With the soccer and women’s teams also winning championships, Chicago can claim to be a real title town.

Read more on Chicago Star

• Hello, autumn! The ultimate guide to fall festivals, pumpkin patches & corn mazes in Chicago

• Windy City Smokeout announces 2027 stars: Florida Georgia Line, Tucker Wetmore, Riley Green

• Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević gets traded, lists Lincoln Park home for $5.2M

• Move over, ALO & Lululemon! L.A. brand Set opens first Midwest store in Chicago’s West Loop

• Chicago’s top fall races return: Half Marathon, Bank of America Marathon & Turkey Trot

Fan passion

We have already mentioned that with great sports cities it is not always about the championships, and the passion and loyalty of Chicagoans proves that beyond doubt. Unlike fans in Philly, who may get behind their teams but sometimes really don’t seem to like them very much, Chicago fans are fans through and through. No matter how tough a season is, Chicago fans will turn up and cheer.

There are generational bonds with Chicago teams that other cities just cannot replicate. Cubs fans had to wait over 100 years between their World Series wins, so no one can say that Chicago fans are only in it for the glory. Go to any Chicago sports game, at any time, and you will see a fan base solidly behind their team. We know that being a fan is not only for the good times.

The allure of Chicago

Some sports teams’ followings in other cities almost expect to win all the time, leaving the experience worse as a result. Maybe it is because Chicago sports fans have suffered over the years that they make every game an occasion, but this city is routinely voted as one of the best to watch a game—whether you are in the stadium or not.

In fact, watching a game in a neighborhood bar is a sport in itself in Chicago, with places like Wrigleyville transforming into a carnival of enjoyment and passion when the Cubs play. With many of the teams playing centrally, getting around is easier, and every team still feels like a beating heart of the city.

Sports identity is in our blood

Chicago remains the best place to watch sports because the people of Chicago bleed for their teams. Being a Cubs or a White Sox fan is a major part of your identity, with entire families getting behind their team. The Bears are probably the most universally loved team in the city, with everyone dreaming of another Super Bowl win in the years to come.

Chicago sports fans do not need championships to stay involved and loyal. Every game is an occasion and an excuse to show pride in the city. There is always hope for the future, but the history of all Chicago teams is just as important. Chicago is—and will always be—the number one sports city in the country.