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THE ILLINOIS SPORTS FACILITIES AUTHORITY

 

WHY HOLD YOUR CONCERT, FESTIVAL OR SPORTING EVENT AT GUARANTEED RATE FIELD?

 

Ticket Holders Will Enjoy World-Class Facilities at Guaranteed Rate Field

• The stadium opened on April 18, 1991. Guaranteed Rate Field is the first new sports facility built in Chicago since the Chicago Stadium opened in 1929.

• The stadium can seat up to 48,000 with over 400 wheelchair accessible seats.

• The stadium has six service levels including three for the general public access and two for private suites.

• Easy access to 38 public restrooms, 12 escalators and 13 elevators makes the experience enjoyable even with large crowds.

• The facilities provide a variety of superb public and private accommodations to meet your needs including lounges, restaurants and bars.

• The ballpark also includes an impressive, technologically advanced, state-of-the-art conference center and administrative offices that can serve as your event headquarters.

Getting to Guaranteed Rate Field Is Easy

• The stadium is accessible by car as well as public transportation. The stadium exit on 35^th Street is right off Interstate 94.  You can take the Chicago Transit Authority train (CTA), METRA (suburban train system) or AMTRAK to the CTA Red Line and walk one block to the ballpark.

• Parking is affordable and abundant in the stadium lots. Passenger cars are charged $20 a day to park.

Ticket Holders Can Enjoy A Hassle-Free, One-Stop Event Venue at Guaranteed Rate Field

• Once inside the stadium, ticket holders have it all, entertainment, restaurants, eateries and shopping for souvenirs. It’s all under one roof, making their event experience more fun, relaxing and safe.

• Ticket holders can choose from a wide variety of eateries on every level with food options ranging from traditional ballpark fare like hot dogs, pretzels and beverages to pizza, burgers, burritos, nachos, and deli sandwiches. There is also a full assortment of gluten-free choices.

Guests Are Safe

• Security is plentiful and responsive. State-of-the-art security systems and highly trained personnel ensure the comfort and safety of all guests.   Arrangements can be for safe drop-off/pick-up points for teenagers.

• The facilities are impeccably maintained and supervised throughout the events. The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority and the Chicago White Sox personnel take great pride in maintaining the beauty and safety of the ballpark.

• The ballpark has been featured in commercials for the PGA Tour, Nike and Reebok. Three major motion pictures featured the ballpark:  “My Best Friends Wedding,” “Little Big League” and “Major League II.”

ISFA Will Treat You as a Partner

• ISFA has a responsibility to the public to ensure that Guaranteed Rate Field’s facilities are utilized for the public good. We believe that bringing sports and entertainment to the south side of Chicago is good business for everyone.

• We develop partnerships with organizations that share the same beliefs and recognize that working together requires a professional partnership to ensure everyone’s success.

• Our Board of Directors and Staff are committed to partnership, to community, and to providing ticket holders value as they experience Guaranteed Rate Field.                  

WHY BRING YOUR CONCERT, FESTIVAL OR SPORTING EVENT TO CHICAGO?

 

Your Ticket Buyers Are Already Here

• 7 million people live in Chicago’s 77 vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhoods. Chicago added more residents than any other urban core in the United States from 2000 to 2010.

• 130 Chicago area colleges and universities produce 158,000 graduates annually and create a vibrant and dynamic market.

• 508,000 people with Bachelor degrees live, work and play in Chicago.

• Chicago’s affordable cost of living is a magnet for the abundance of diverse urban dwellers who actively pursue leisure activities and are driving Chicago’s economy forward.

Getting to Chicago is Easy and Affordable

• Chicago is situated squarely in the center of the country and is easy to travel from virtually anywhere.

• Chicago O’Hare and Midway Airports have more than 1,400 daily departures to more than 230 cities worldwide.

• The city serves as a hub for six major U.S. Interstates.

• A massive network of trains and buses connect nearly 2 million passengers daily throughout the Chicago region. Regional and national Amtrak trains connect over 3 million riders.

Living In and Enjoying Chicago is Affordable

• If your salary is $50,000 in Chicago, you have to earn nearly twice as much to maintain the same standard of living in New York City.

• Affordable cost of living provides Chicagoans with disposal income that they can spend on leisure activities. Millions of Chicagoans attend concerts, festivals and sporting events annually.

• Chicago has been named as the Best Sports City by Sporting News three times, and is one of the few U.S. cities to have teams from all five major American professional team sports. Hundreds of sporting events are supported by enthusiastic fans throughout the year.

• Hundreds of concerts and festivals are held in Chicago including Chance the Rapper’s Magnificent Coloring Day, Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, Riot Fest, Spring Awakening, North Coast, Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, Taste of Chicago and free concerts all summer long in Millennium Park.

Chicago’s Economy Enables Your Success

• Chicago has one of the world’s largest and most diverse economies, with more than 4 million employees generating an annual gross regional product (GRP) of over $561 billion.

• The City is an efficient economic powerhouse, home to more than 400 major corporations including 31 Fortune 500 companies who are headquartered in the Chicago area.

• One of the most diverse economies in the nation, Chicago is a key player in every sector from risk management innovation to manufacturing to information technology to health services.

Doing Business in Chicago Is Cost-Effective and Profitable

• International accounting firm KPMG ranks Chicago as one of the most cost-effective cities in the world for doing business— ahead of New York and Los Angeles — in terms of the combined impact of 26 significant business cost components including labor, utilities, facility, transportation, financing costs, and taxes.

• While Chicago’s love of superlatives helped earn its “windy” reputation, one title it lacks is “most expensive.”

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