When the Chicago Sky get rolling, the whole city can feel it — no forecast required. Walk into Wintrust Arena and you’ll feel it immediately: the buzz that starts during warmups, the sudden swell in volume when the offense starts to flow, and the way a good run can lift the whole building.
Guide to Chicago Sky basketball
The Sky have become one of the city’s most electric teams to watch and an essential piece of Chicago’s sports culture. Since joining the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2006, the Sky have earned a reputation for high‑tempo play that can tilt a game in an instant.
Explore the Chicago Sky’s schedule and reserve your tickets early.
The Chicago Sky game day experience
A Chicago Sky game at Wintrust Arena pulls you in before you even find your seat. Make sure to wear your blue and yellow to blend in with the home crowd.
Doors open one hour before tipoff. Skyrider members are able to enter earlier — 90 minutes before the game — through the dedicated Skyrider entrance on the ground level off Cermak Road.
Larger groups can sign up for fan experiences that put you in the heart of the action, like high-fiving the team on their way to warm up or delivering the ball for tip-off. Each experience includes an in‑arena announcement and discounted group tickets.
Once the game gets going, the energy settles into a rhythm that feels both competitive and communal. Player introductions get the whole arena on its feet and game time brings music, contests, and crowd‑driven moments that make the breaks as fun as the action on the court.
Halftime usually spotlights local performers or youth groups, which adds to the sense that the Sky are part of the city, not just playing in it. Throughout the season, the Sky host theme nights and special events. Diversity and Inclusion Night highlights the many cultures that shape Chicago, and Pride Night turns the arena into a joyful celebration.
Game day is fast, fierce, and full of heart — and it leaves you walking out of the arena already thinking about the next one.
History of the Chicago Sky
Founded in 2005, the Chicago Sky opened their first season in 2006 at the UIC Pavilion. Part of the Eastern Conference, the team is one of the WNBA’s first independently owned expansion franchises.
In their early seasons, the Sky experimented with roster builds and playing styles, gradually shaping an identity. Ahead of the 2010 season, the Sky relocated to Allstate Arena in Rosemont, shifting their home court from the city to the nearby suburb.
Over the years, the Sky became known for developing standout players, attracting top‑tier talent, and leaning into a style built on versatility and tempo. Their approach paid off as they established themselves as a dominant presence in the WNBA, advancing to the postseason for four straight years from 2013 through 2016.
The team built another sustained stretch of success from 2019 to 2022, highlighted by their breakthrough 2021 campaign. The Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury in four games and clinched the 2021 WNBA Finals at home in Chicago, earning their first championship.
In 2025, the Sky and Indiana Fever rivalry matchup marked the first WNBA game ever played at Chicago’s iconic United Center, drawing a franchise‑record crowd of more than 19,000 fans. Today, the Sky continue to shape their next chapter with the same ambition that carried them through their formative years, attracting some of the league’s top talent, from veterans like Courtney Vandersloot to exciting rookies like Angel Reese.
Wintrust Arena
Wintrust Arena opened in 2017 as a leading event space on the McCormick Place campus in Chicago’s buzzing South Loop. The 10,000-seat venue has been the home court for the Chicago Sky since 2018.
Originally envisioned as a new home for DePaul University basketball and a flexible events hub for McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena broke ground in late 2015.
DePaul’s men’s and women’s teams moved in for the 2017 – 2018 season, and the Chicago Sky followed, eventually hosting their first WNBA championship run there in 2021.
Explore the venue at your own pace with a virtual tour of Wintrust Arena, showcasing the entrance, lobby, court, and beyond.
Since opening its doors, Wintrust Arena has welcomed a diverse variety of events, from concerts and conventions to high‑profile sporting events — cementing its role as one of Chicago’s most dynamic all-purpose arenas.
Around Wintrust Arena
On game days, Wintrust Arena transforms McCormick Place campus into an upbeat hub — fans stream into the South Loop, restaurants buzz, and the neighborhood takes on a pulse of its own.
Where to eat
Steps from the arena, you’ll find a ton of food options, ranging from full-service restaurants to casual local favorites.
Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar: A neighborhood hub where sizzling pies meet wall‑to‑wall game‑day spirit — expect cold beers, big screens, and a lively crowd.
Il Culaccino: This warm Italian spot specializes in handmade pastas, regional wines, and a welcoming neighborhood vibe. Check out their spacious patio in the summer.
Brûlée Chicago: Enjoy hearty Southern plates and warm hospitality a this refined brunch destination.
Apolonia Chicago: Modern Mediterranean dishes feature bright flavors and a touch of coastal elegance at this award-winning spot.
La Cantina Grill: Get swept away by a festive blend of Mexican flavors, tequila-forward margaritas, and colorful plates of stacked tacos, fajitas, and more.
Cafe Bionda: Enjoy a cozy Italian hideaway with soul-warming classics and lively atmosphere.
Chicago Oyster Bar: Indulge in fresh seafood, tender steak, and chilled cocktails at this stylish South Loop fixture.
Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta: Celebrate game day at a Chicago staple serving iconic pies, saucy pastas, and that unmistakable hometown warmth.
Find more restaurants and bars in the South Loop.
Where to stay
As part of the McCormick Place Campus, Wintrust Arena offers visitors convenient skybridge access to the Marriott Marquis Chicago and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Additional lodging options include:
Hilton Chicago: Experience grand architecture, polished amenities, and historic Chicago elegance on a truly impressive scale.
Le Méridien Essex Chicago: Discover modern luxury paired with sweeping park and lake views that elevate every moment.
The Blackstone, Autograph Collection: Become immersed in historic glamour, high design, and a rich past that shapes every striking detail.
Homewood Suites Chicago Downtown South Loop: Settle into roomy suites and unmatched comfort mere steps from the city’s most noteworthy attractions.
Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center: Offering vintage charm and dramatic lakeside views, this legendary landmark hotel is timeless.
Best Western Grant Park Hotel: Stay in the heart of the action with spacious rooms, friendly service, and unbeatable access to the lakefront.
Check out more places to stay in the South Loop.
Getting to Wintrust Arena
By CTA: Several CTA routes drop fans right by Wintrust Arena, including #3 King Drive, which is the most direct option; #4 Cottage Grove, running on Michigan Avenue, only a couple blocks from the arena; and #21 Cermak.
Two ‘L’ train stations are within easy walking distance: The Green Line’s Cermak-McCormick Place stop is about 2.5 blocks west of the venue, and the Red Line’s Cermak-Chinatown location is roughly four blocks west.
By Metra train: The Metra Electric Line is a short distance from Wintrust Arena. Trains run from Millennium Station on Randolph Street to the McCormick Place Metra Station.
By bike: McCormick Square is part of Chicago’s Divvy bike‑share network. Fans can pick up or return Divvy bikes at any station, including the one at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive or the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line stop.
By rideshare: CHICABS lets riders hail a taxi and pay their fare directly through approved mobile apps, including Arro. Lyft and Uber are also available for dropoffs and pickups.
By car: McCormick Place has three parking options: Lots A, B, and C. Lot A is the most convenient for Wintrust Arena, connecting directly to pedestrian bridges leading to the arena, Marriott Marquis Chicago, and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
Learn more about how to get to Wintrust Arena.
Schedule and tickets for the Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky follows the usual WNBA season from May through September, with playoffs heating up into early fall. All home game tickets are fully digital and accessed through mobile devices. Fans can view their tickets in the Chicago Sky app or through their online account.
For instructions on managing your tickets or using the app, check out the mobile ticketing guide
Sky fans can choose from a wide range of ticket options, from full‑season memberships to flexible pick‑your‑game plans and unforgettable on‑court experiences.
Full season ticket member
Enjoy every home game with guaranteed seats, exclusive member benefits, and priority access to postseason tickets.
Half season ticket member
A great option for fans who want a consistent seat location and member perks while attending a curated selection of games.
Premium seating and all‑inclusive sections
For the ultimate game‑day experience, premium memberships include the best seats in the arena, including suites, court-side, and lounge‑level options plus full‑season access to the VIP lounges.
U‑pick‑it plan
A customizable option that allows you to choose games based on your preference and availability, the perfect combination of savings and flexibility.
Group tickets
Discounted pricing for block seating intended for groups of 20 or more.
Dive into the Chicago Sky’s schedule and buy your tickets while the best seats are still available.
