Concerts & Events
Guaranteed Rate Field, Home of the Chicago White Sox, is a premier venue to host concerts and events accommodating as many as 48,000 people. Located just minutes from hundreds of hotels in downtown Chicago, our facility offers ample parking, access to public transportation and a wide selection of delicious food and beverages for all to enjoy. Information regarding the availability of Guaranteed Rate Field for concerts and events can be obtained by calling the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority at 312.674.5596. To learn more about our facilities and capabilities as the preeminent event venue in Chicago view our video below.
Huskie Chi-Town Showdown
On November 9, 2016, thousands of Northern Illinois University and University of Toledo football fans packed into the ballpark to see their teams play the first football game ever held in Guaranteed Rate Field. On this historical night enthusiastic fans enjoyed pre-game festivities in every area of the park including the Stadium Club Bar, Magellan Scout Lounge, Home Plate Club and Upper Terrace Suites. The stadium’s baseball field that is usually home to the Chicago White Sox was converted into a college football field for the event. Admiring fans watched in amazement as the Northern Illinois Huskies battled their Mid-American Conference rivals, the University of Toledo Rockets. Northern Illinois led most of the game with quarterback Ryan Graham making three touchdown passes. Coming down to the wire, Toledo rallied late in the game to come out on top 31-24. Toledo was led by quarterback Logan Woodside who threw three touchdown passes.. Click here for more details on the game.
Magnificent Coloring Day
47,754 fans from across the nation packed Guaranteed Rate Field (formally known as U.S. Cellular Field) on September 24, 2016, for the Magnificent Coloring Day Concert hosted and headlined by Chance the Rapper, rising hip hop star and Chicago native. The stellar lineup included Alicia Keys and John Legend with surprise appearances by Kanye West, Common and Hannibal Buress. The ballpark set an all time high for attendance at the new, one-day festival organized by Chance. Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune sums up the impact of the concert when he states, “Amid guns and hopelessness, this music and this festival were designed to counter. The diversity of the audience and the lineup—and the messages delivered from the stage—spoke loudly.” Jon Caramanica of the New York Times stated, “Magnificent Coloring Day was a musical festival—not in and of itself remarkable—but also an act of civic responsibility, pride and emotional investment.”
America’s Night of Hope
Approximately 35,000 tickets were sold for America’s Night of Hope with Joel and Victoria Osteen at Guaranteed Rate Field (formally known as U.S. Cellular Field) on August 6, 2011. Joel Osteen is an American bestselling author and the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. The 3.5 hour production consisting of song, music and motivational speaking was broadcast live globally on the TBN Network. The Authority received approximately $177,000 in revenue for hosting the event, while local spending associated with production topped $243,000.
"The Boss"
The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, in conjunction with the Chicago White Sox, hosted the second top tier concert at Guaranteed Rate Field (formally known as U.S. Cellular Field) in less than a year. The Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band concert proved to be just as successful as the Rolling Stones “Licks” concert. More than 45,000 fans attended and revenues exceeded $1 million for the two concerts which were nothing less than spectacular.