CHICAGO BEARS

The Chicago Bears gameday experience at Soldier Field is one of the most iconic and historic in the NFL—a gritty, passionate, and deeply rooted football tradition that blends Midwestern toughness, die-hard loyalty, and the backdrop of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. It’s a cold-weather, smashmouth football kind of vibe, and fans take it seriously.

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1) Stadium: Soldier Field

• Historic: Originally opened in 1924, rebuilt in 2003—still feels like a cathedral of football.

• Right on Lake Michigan, with the Chicago skyline in the background. Gorgeous setting, especially in the fall.

• Easy to access from downtown, but traffic and parking are rough, so many fans use public transportation or shuttle services.

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2) Tailgating – Cold, Loyal, and Full of Brats

• Tailgating happens in:

  • South Lot

  • Waldron Deck

  • Burnham Harbor

  • Private lots a bit farther out (with shuttle service)

• Arrive early—some fans set up 5+ hours before kickoff.

• Food and drink are serious business:

  • Brats, Italian beef sandwiches, ribs, and chili are everywhere.

  • Beers flow freely—expect craft brews, old-school cans, and maybe some Malört shots.

  • Cold weather? No problem. Tailgaters bring fire pits, tents, heaters, and space blankets.

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3) Pregame Vibe

• Tons of fans in Bears jerseys, beanies, face paint, and even costumes (like Ditka lookalikes).

• Music is a mix of classic rock, hip-hop, and Chicago blues.

• Families, hardcore fans, and rowdy groups all coexist.

• You’ll hear “Bear Down, Chicago Bears” playing over car stereos and speakers.

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4) In-Stadium Energy

• Soldier Field gets loud and intense, especially on third downs or against rivals (Packers, Vikings, Lions).

• Weather is part of the culture—fans embrace the cold and the wind off Lake Michigan.

• The “Bear Down” fight song plays after every touchdown (and everyone sings it).

• Fans are smart, opinionated, and vocal—they’ll cheer hard, but they’ll boo the team when deserved.

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5) The Fans

• Generational loyalty: many families have been Bears fans for decades.

• Very little bandwagon energy—this is a blue-collar, football-first crowd.

• Packers fans show up in numbers, but it gets intense when they do—those games are emotional.

• Tailgaters and stadiumgoers are mostly friendly, but don’t talk trash unless you’re ready for it.

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6) Food & Drink in the Stadium

• Inside the stadium you’ll find:

  • Italian beef, bratwurst, deep dish-inspired options, and hot dogs (no ketchup!).

  • Local beer vendors (Revolution, Goose Island, etc.).

• Prices are high, but the quality is decent.

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7) Weather Impact

• Early games (September–October): Great weather, tailgate-friendly.

• Late-season games (November–January): Brutally cold, but the cold is part of the identity.

• Bundle up—layers, gloves, hats, and maybe a hand-warmer in your pocket.

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8) After the Game

• Postgame traffic is rough if you parked nearby—many fans walk to nearby bars in the South Loop or head back to trains/shuttles.

• Local bars fill up quickly: Reggie’s, Kroll’s, The Scout, and Weather Mark Tavern are popular.

The Chicago Bears tailgating experience is a true Midwestern football ritual—gritty, flavorful, cold-weather-ready, and steeped in generational loyalty and blue-collar pride. It’s less about spectacle and more about community, comfort food, and serious fandom.

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1) Where It Happens

 Top Tailgating Lots:

• South Lot (right next to Soldier Field) – Prime real estate, season pass holders, old-school setups.

• Waldron Deck – Structured parking with tailgating allowed on upper levels.

• Burnham Harbor Lot – More spacious, scenic lakefront views.

• McCormick Place & Adler Planetarium overflow lots – Farther but often more relaxed; many use shuttles.

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2) The Tailgating Vibe

• Hardcore and loyal: Many fans have been tailgating in the same spot for decades.

• Early arrivals: People start setting up 5–6 hours before kickoff, especially for noon games.

• Expect:

  • Chicago sports flags, Bear-down chants, and Ditka lookalikes

  • Fans grilling in snow, rain, or subzero windchill—weather doesn’t stop anyone

  • Music blasting from car stereos and speakers: classic rock, 90s hip-hop, polka, or Bears fight songs

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3) Food Scene – Pure Chicago

• Bears fans don’t mess around with food. Expect:

  • Brats, Polish sausages, Italian beef sandwiches

  • Chili pots, especially in colder months

  • Ribs and burgers on charcoal grills

  • Deep dish pizza deliveries to the lot? Yep, it happens.

  • Snacks dusted with giant shakes of celery salt or Giardiniera on everything

• No ketchup on hot dogs. Ever. That’s the Chicago code.

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4) Drinks

• BYOB is the rule—coolers are everywhere.

• Classic tailgate drinks include:

  • Old Style, Miller Lite, or local craft brews (Goose Island, Revolution)

  • Bourbon, Fireball, or Malört shots when it’s cold (aka always)

  • Homemade concoctions like spiked cider or beer cheese soup

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5) Weather = Part of the Tradition

• Late fall and winter games are cold and windy thanks to the lakefront.

• Tailgaters show up in:

  • Thermal layers, Carhartts, Bears parkas, ski gloves, and boots

  • Fire pits, propane heaters, hand warmers, and heated tents

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6) The Crowd

• Mostly locals and longtime season ticket holders

• Very few “corporate tailgates”—this is fan-built and community-based

• Families are welcome, though some lots skew more party-heavy

• Visiting fans? Generally treated okay, but Packers fans will absolutely get chirped

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7) Traditions

• Chanting “Let’s go Bears!” and “Green Bay sucks!” are staples, even if the Packers aren’t in town.

• Lots of vintage Bears gear, Ditka mustaches, and homemade signs.

• Older fans often pass down tailgating spots and setups to younger generations.

• After touchdowns inside the stadium, fans often high-five strangers they were tailgating with hours earlier.