Overall attendance in the league has been trend upward in the past few years but Chicago has remained stagnant so I thought I'd look at what may be causing it. 1. SeatGeek Stadium? The Fire built a soccer specific venue in Bridgeview to move away from Soldier Field in 2006 at the cost of being away from downtown Chicago. Even in 2024, people still praise the venue but development around it never happened and in 2019 the Fire voided their lease to return to... Soldier Field. Being in the suburbs used to benefit sports teams but now has become a liability, especially in areas devoid of additional resources before and after the game. 2. On field performance? The Red Stars finished 12th last season after barely making the postseason in 2022, and by all accounts are going to be in the midst of a rebuild around Mallory Swanson. These discourage casuals from coming to matches if the team struggles early. 3. Some sort of voodoo curse?
You could ask the same of the Fire. They obviously have higher attendances than the Red Stars, but its still nowhere near as high as it should be.
The Fire barely draw at Soldier Field of what they should be drawing. They look like they are playing in a cavern. The only time they get big attendance is when Messi "maybe coming" or when a famous Mexican or Polish player is coming to town with another team, ex. Chicharito. The majority of Red Stars fans IMO are group and families from the suburbs and suburban soccer clubs. Most of fans that come from the city are usually single people and not enough. Going out and partying before or after the game is minimal. Families and groups like to tailgate instead. Also in Chicago, no matter where you play or put the stadium someone will complain about it being too far. This idea that if only the Red Stars would move into the city, they would get more fans - wrong! Downtown Chicago is not easy to get to from suburbs, parking price is outrageous and getting out is difficult, and some fans especially families feel unsafe with the rise in car jackings and robberies, from talking to people. I was a season ticket holder of the Fire and did not renew because getting downtown and back on public transportation from NW side is a long journey and I am not paying a price to park that is more than my ticket. The best location for the Red Stars would be Rosemont area which is close to O'hare Airport. It would be close to suburbs and city. Having said that, I have no problems driving and getting to SeatGeek on the south side from NW side. I make it to every game just like I did when the Fire were playing there. Parking for me as a Season Ticket Holder is FREE. I always say, if you want to go, you will go, Just like Cub fans who travel all the way from Iowa to Wrigley Field regularly. If you don't feel like going, you will find excuses.