Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois is home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears football team, but it also regularly hosts major concerts for some of the world’s biggest music acts. With a capacity of over 60,000, it’s one of the largest outdoor stadiums in the United States and provides an epic setting for live music. However, with a venue of this size, not all seats are created equal when it comes to the concert experience. Factors like stage location, seating angles, distance from the action, and ticket prices can vary widely depending on which section you choose. So what are the best sections at Soldier Field to get the optimal concert experience?
Stage Location
The first major factor to consider is where the stage will be located. For larger concerts, the stage is typically set up on the south end of the stadium, taking over much of the normal football field. This places the performer facing the eastern stands along one sideline and the western stands along the other. The northern end zone seats are directly behind the stage, which is not ideal for viewing. So generally, you’ll want to avoid seats in the 100 sections in the north end zone.
East and West Stands
With the stage on the south end, the closest and most centered views will come from the lower level seats in the east and west stands along the sidelines. Sections 130-148 along the eastern sideline and sections 234-252 along the western sideline put you closest to the action and facing the stage head-on. This gives you the best overall perspective of the performance, aside from floor seats. The 200 level seats directly above also provide elevated sightlines.
Section | View Rating |
---|---|
East Stands: 130-148 | Excellent |
West Stands: 234-252 | Excellent |
Corners and End Zones
The corner sections on the north and south sides won’t have as direct of a view of the stage, but can still provide solid options at lower price points. Sections 149-167 in the north corners and sections 116-129 in the south corners put you behind the stage, though you can look diagonally across for oblique views. And the southern end zone sections like 216-233 will be further back but can give you that big picture perspective.
Section | View Rating |
---|---|
North Corners: 149-167 | Decent |
South Corners: 116-129 | Good |
South End Zone: 216-233 | Fair |
Distance and Elevation
In addition to angle, distance and elevation from the stage are other vital factors. Lower level seats closer to the action are ideal to see the performers up close. But upper decks like the 300 level offer you greater height for better overall views, though things like facial expressions will be harder to make out.
It comes down to personal preference – do you want that close-up intimacy even if the view is lower, or would you rather have that bird’s eye view from on high? Floor seats right against the stage are the ultimate for proximity, but also the most expensive. Most people need to find a middle ground balancing distance, height and budget. Prioritize getting as low and close as you can afford.
Lower Level
The 100 and 200 level seats down low on the sidelines and corners put you closest on that ground level. Sections like 131-148 on the east side are phenomenal spots within 100 feet of the stage. Even the back corners like 144-167 don’t feel extremely far removed. The 200 level sections stretch a little further back but still retain intimacy.
Section | Distance Rating |
---|---|
100 Level Sidelines: 130-148 | Excellent |
100 Level Corners: 144-167 | Very Good |
200 Level: 201-252 | Good |
Upper Level
Once you get up to the 300 level, the performers will look smaller and you lose some of that proximity. Front rows of the upper deck around midfield like sections 352-354 are still under 200 feet away. But by the time you reach the back corners of the 300 level, you could be up to 300 feet or more from the stage, reducing that intimacy significantly. Upper decks are cheaper, but come with more distance.
Section | Distance Rating |
---|---|
300 Level Midfield: 352-354 | Fair |
300 Level Corners: 322, 362 | Poor |
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices often align with seat quality – the best sections along the sidelines and close to the stage will be most expensive. But deals can be found, especially in the upper decks and end zones. Here are rough price ranges for different sections at Soldier Field concerts:
Section | Average Price Range |
---|---|
Floor Seats | $200-500+ |
100 Level Sidelines: 130-148 | $100-300 |
200 Level Midfield: 201-252 | $75-200 |
300 Level | $50-100 |
End Zones: 116-129, 216-233 | $50-75 |
Obstructed Views
One downside in certain stadium sections is obstructed views of the stage. Parts of the 200 and especially the 300 level have overhangs that can block your sightlines to lower areas. This is most pronounced along the sidelines where the upper decks extend outward. Obstructed seats are sold at lower prices, but try to avoid them if possible for optimal views. The 200 corners and end zones have less overhang issues.
Section | Obstructed Views |
---|---|
200 Level Sidelines | Some |
300 Level Sidelines | Many |
200/300 Level Corners/End Zones | Few |
Conclusion
When looking for the best concert seats at Soldier Field, prioritize sections closest to the stage on the east and west sidelines. For optimal proximity, lower level sections 131-148 provide excellent front-row views. Upper levels and end zones are further back but cheaper. Avoid the north end zone behind the stage. Compare distance, viewing angle, ticket price and obstructions to find your ideal section balancing your budget and preferences. With its huge capacity, Soldier Field offers great concert experiences, so long as you choose your seats wisely.