The Chicago Bears will kick off the 2022-23 NFL regular season by hosting the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Noon CDT.
You can witness the Bears kick off their 103rd season and place a variety of bets at one of the seven sportsbooks in Illinois.
Maybe one day, you could have the opportunity to place a bet at a sportsbook located in Soldier Field, or potentially wager on the Bears at their new stadium in Arlington.
Chicago is entering a new era.
Fans eager to see new-look Bears
After a disappointing 6-11 finish last season, the Bears let go of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy, who lost eight of their last nine games.
Ryan Poles, who previously worked as the executive director of player personnel for the Kansas City Chiefs, was hired as the new General Manager for Chicago during the offseason. He then selected Matt Eberflus, the former defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, to be the head coach of the Bears.
The Niners came within striking distance of making it to the Super Bowl last year. They held a double-digit lead at one point during the NFC Championship game, but unfortunately, they were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams, who went on to win the Super Bowl with a final score of 20-17.
In the recent games between San Francisco and Chicago, the teams played against each other in the Windy City last year.
On Halloween in Chicago, the 49ers defeated the Bears 33-22. The last matchup between these teams was in 2018, when Chicago won 14-9 in San Francisco. Overall, San Francisco leads the all-time series against the Bears with a record of 35-32-1.
If you’re lucky enough to have obtained tickets for this year’s rematch (or any home game for the Bears this season), here are some important tips to make the most of your game-day experience:
The lowdown on Bears tickets
The average ticket price for a Chicago Bears home game in 2022 is $477.55, making it the 10th most expensive among the NFL’s 32 teams, according to The Sporting News. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the most expensive tickets at $757.26, followed by the Dallas Cowboys at $690.14, the Las Vegas Raiders at $674.57, and the New England Patriots at $643.27.
Season ticket packages for Chicago games saw a 6% increase in cost in 2022 due to the Bears playing an additional ninth home regular game following the NFL’s transition to a 17-game season.
Stubhub and NFL Ticket Exchange by Ticketmaster are two popular choices for purchasing resale tickets. These platforms often have tickets available at prices much lower than the face value offered by Ticketmaster. Currently, NFL Ticket Exchange by Ticketmaster is offering tickets for the upcoming home opener. Prices start at $199 for seats in the third-level endzone sections and can reach nearly $1,000 for a single Club Seat near the 50-yard line. These tickets also come with access to the exclusive United Club lounge and other amenities.
Please note that Soldier Field now requires mobile tickets only. According to Jeff Figurelli, a Play Illinois insider and longtime Bears season ticket holder, this change has been implemented.
I have a strong dislike for digital tickets and yearn for the old-fashioned paper ones. It can be frustrating to constantly pull out my phone to show security my seat information, especially after buying snacks and drinks. However, to make this situation a bit more tolerable, I always transfer my ticket from the app to my iPhone wallet, which speeds up the process of accessing it.
Home games at Soldier Field in 2022-23
Pro fan tips for attending games
For more than twenty years, Figurelli and Julie Boskey, both long-time Bears season ticket holders, have been regular attendees at games held at Soldier Field. Drawing from their extensive experiences, they offer some valuable advice. Figurelli prefers to drive to the games, while Boskey always opts not to. Nonetheless, they both emphasize the importance of arriving early as the key tip for a successful game day experience.
Enhance the thrill of the game by taking a look at the Bears’ odds and placing a bet before you leave for the stadium.
You can find a detailed parking and transportation guide on the Chicago Bears website.
Getting there — Driving
Soldier Field map showing nearby streets and highways.
Figurelli suggests that the South Lot or Waldron Deck are the ideal locations for tailgating.
Figurelli stated that he has not been consistently tailgating for the past seven years, instead opting to pre-game at a bar in the South Loop. His favorite spot is the Weather Mark Tavern, conveniently located at Michigan and 15th. He likes that they open at 8:30 a.m. for noon games, providing valet parking throughout the game. The tavern starts serving alcohol at 9 a.m., and it’s only a short 15-minute walk to the stadium. Figurelli also praises their delicious breakfast menu.
Although Flo & Santos (located at 13th and Wabash) has amazing food, parking is not available.
Getting there — Transit
Boskey mentioned that she relies on the Metra commuter train to travel to Soldier Field.
Located just a few blocks from Soldier Field, there is a Metra Electric line stop that offers a convenient option for attendees of Bears games. The “Bears Special” train typically arrives about an hour before the game, allowing plenty of time to reach the stadium. After the game, another train departs from the station approximately half an hour later, which is helpful given the limited Sunday train services. The Metra Electric line runs through the southern part of Chicago and extends into the South suburbs, making it a convenient choice for residents in those areas. However, it may not be the most practical option for those living in the north or west parts of the city.
Best and worst of Soldier Field
According to Figurelli, the Bears’ pre-game and in-game entertainment, along with the family-friendly atmosphere at Soldier Field, are among the top highlights of the experience.
He commended their skillful management of music, montages, on-field entertainment, and interviews with former players. He highlighted their two large jumbotrons and pointed out an enhancement in their internet connectivity, leading to smoother reception of fantasy football updates.
Figurelli, a parent of three children all under the age of eight, noted that his kids are not particularly interested in the game itself. However, they greatly enjoy the kid-friendly activities organized by the Bears both inside and outside the stadium tunnels during the game.
He mentioned that the most challenging aspect is leaving the stadium.
I find it puzzling that all the exits are only the size of standard doorways, leading to a constant congestion of people trying to leave. It would be a disaster if a fire occurred in that situation. Personally, I would rather wait in my seat for an extra 20 minutes after the game, leaving once the crowd has dispersed. It’s difficult to understand why they haven’t installed wider doorways for large numbers of people exiting.
Don’t forget your card, concessions are now cashless
Please note that Soldier Field no longer accepts cash for concessions and retail transactions. Remember to bring your credit or debit card for purchases.
Figurelli characterizes the concessions as being of average quality but cautions that customers should expect high prices.
He said he used to like the polish sausages and Italian beef sandwiches from Buona Beef. The Italian beef sandwiches can be found near sections 144 and 110.
“Figurelli recommended checking out DMK Burger Bar in section 126 for their delicious but pricey burgers. Just be prepared for a long wait and make sure to budget enough time. He also mentioned that they offer premium beer options to pair with your meal.”
Boskey agreed that the concessions are average. She said, “The food is forgettable and unexciting. I can never remember what I usually get. But when it comes to a White Sox game, it’s a different story. I usually just pick whatever line is the shortest.”
Food trucks are sometimes found on the northern patio of the stadium, offering a variety of options. To avoid multiple trips up and down the stairs, we typically grab food and drinks before the game. Our goal is to minimize the amount of climbing we have to do.
Bathroom wait times are average, as well
Figurelli mentioned that the bathroom wait times are reasonable if you go at the right time. He also recommended not waiting until the end of the drive to use the bathroom, but rather using it during the 3rd down play.
Boskey mentioned that there is a slight improvement for women.
As a woman, I benefit from having fewer females at games. Near my seating area, there are two restroom facilities next to each other. I usually skip the first one and go to the next one. I agree with Jeff that timing is important. It’s best to avoid going to the restroom or buying food during halftime because it gets very crowded at that time.
