World Cup viewing party moved to Soldier Field

Doubledown

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By Mitch Smith
Tribune reporter
5:40 p.m. CDT, June 29, 2014

Soldier Field will host a free viewing party Tuesday when the U.S. takes on Belgium in the World Cup, officials announced Sunday.

After huge turnouts and limited space at public watch parties for the American team’s group stage matches, the 61,500-capacity stadium by the lake should offer ample space for soccer-crazy Chicagoans.

The U.S. and Belgium will kick off the round-of-16 game Tuesday afternoon at 3, but fans can enter Soldier Field starting at 1:30 p.m. Normal parking fees at the stadium will be in effect, and alcohol and other concessions will be sold inside. The watch party had originally been scheduled for Grant Park.

The change of venue should offer some much-needed breathing room for the city’s growing soccer fan base. When the U.S. tied Portugal last weekend, 20,000 people crowded into a block-long stretch of Balbo Drive to watch the match on a single screen. As the street filled up before kickoff, police blocked entry, prompting some frustrated fans to hop the chain-link fence or climb a tree in Grant Park to find a view. Large crowds also turned out in Grant Park for group stage matches against Ghana and Germany.

In an online post announcing the location change, U.S. Soccer officials noted that Germany and Belgium played at Soldier Field on July 2, 1994. That’s just one day of shy of being 20 years to the day from Tuesday’s match. In that game, Jurgen Klinsmann, the current American coach, scored a goal for his native Germany.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...-party-soldier-field-20140629,0,6746709.story
 

firefan2001

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By Mitch Smith
Tribune reporter
5:40 p.m. CDT, June 29, 2014

Soldier Field will host a free viewing party Tuesday when the U.S. takes on Belgium in the World Cup, officials announced Sunday.

After huge turnouts and limited space at public watch parties for the American team’s group stage matches, the 61,500-capacity stadium by the lake should offer ample space for soccer-crazy Chicagoans.

The U.S. and Belgium will kick off the round-of-16 game Tuesday afternoon at 3, but fans can enter Soldier Field starting at 1:30 p.m. Normal parking fees at the stadium will be in effect, and alcohol and other concessions will be sold inside. The watch party had originally been scheduled for Grant Park.

The change of venue should offer some much-needed breathing room for the city’s growing soccer fan base. When the U.S. tied Portugal last weekend, 20,000 people crowded into a block-long stretch of Balbo Drive to watch the match on a single screen. As the street filled up before kickoff, police blocked entry, prompting some frustrated fans to hop the chain-link fence or climb a tree in Grant Park to find a view. Large crowds also turned out in Grant Park for group stage matches against Ghana and Germany.

In an online post announcing the location change, U.S. Soccer officials noted that Germany and Belgium played at Soldier Field on July 2, 1994. That’s just one day of shy of being 20 years to the day from Tuesday’s match. In that game, Jurgen Klinsmann, the current American coach, scored a goal for his native Germany.
\
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...-party-soldier-field-20140629,0,6746709.story
So looks like the city is going to profit from the USA/Belgium game, normal parking and alcohol/concessions. The million dollar question is why not TOYOTA Park? Andy/Bridgeview this would be a step towards owning the soccer conversation and I'm sure Bridgeview could use the extra money.
 

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So looks like the city is going to profit from the USA/Belgium game, normal parking and alcohol/concessions. The million dollar question is why not TOYOTA Park? Andy/Bridgeview this would be a step towards owning the soccer conversation and I'm sure Bridgeview could use the extra money.

Maybe they're expecting to sell out Soldier Field :shrug:
 

firefan2001

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If we beat Belgium, I'd put money on it the there would of been 60,000+ for the watch party for the US/Argentina game.
 

firefan2001

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Still too big for suburban Toyota Park

There were 18,000-20,000 for the first three games, so it would of looked pretty nice to see a FULL (TOYOTA Park) rooting on the USA. Not that we will see a FULL TOYOTA Park to see the FIRE any time soon.
 

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