There is a funny thing about football fans. They will happily spend three hours watching a game, then dedicate another five hours to preparing for it.
At Soldier Field, the game often feels like the final act rather than the main event. Long before the opening kickoff, thousands of Chicago Bears supporters are already deep into traditions that have been passed down through generations. Some involve grills the size of small spacecraft. Others involve lucky jerseys that have survived more losing seasons than most coaches.
Whether the Bears are chasing the playoffs or enduring another rebuilding year, one thing rarely changes. The pre game experience remains one of the most enjoyable parts of visiting Soldier Field.
Why the Hours Before Kickoff Matter
The Bears are one of the NFL’s oldest franchises, dating back to 1920. Soldier Field itself has hosted football since 1971 after the team moved from Wrigley Field.
Because of that history, game day has developed into something much bigger than simply attending a sporting event. For many fans, arriving three or four hours before kickoff is completely normal. During major rivalry games, plenty arrive even earlier.
Several factors make the pre game atmosphere unique:
- The stadium’s spectacular setting beside Lake Michigan
- Chicago’s famous tailgate culture
- Generations of family traditions
- Historic monuments surrounding the stadium
- Thousands of travelling fans creating an electric atmosphere
The result feels less like entering a stadium and more like joining a citywide celebration.
Tailgating Starts Everything
If football has an official breakfast, it probably involves grilled sausages.
Tailgating around Soldier Field begins hours before kickoff, particularly in the South Lot and Adler Planetarium areas. Parking spaces transform into miniature neighbourhoods complete with tents, music, televisions and enough barbecue smoke to make vegetarians question their life choices.
Unlike some NFL stadiums built in suburban complexes, Soldier Field sits within Museum Campus. Space is more limited, which means parking passes are valuable and lots fill quickly.
Fans often bring:
- Chicago style hot dogs
- Italian beef sandwiches
- Polish sausages
- Deep dish pizza
- Local craft beer
There is usually a friendly atmosphere where visiting supporters are welcomed, provided they can handle a bit of playful banter.
The Walk Along Lake Michigan
One of the most underrated rituals is simply walking toward the stadium.
Very few NFL venues enjoy scenery like Soldier Field. Fans coming from downtown Chicago cross bridges, pass Buckingham Fountain, stroll through Grant Park or follow the shoreline of Lake Michigan before the stadium gradually appears.
It creates a genuine sense of occasion.
Unlike modern venues surrounded by acres of asphalt, Soldier Field rewards arriving on foot. The skyline rises behind you while the lake stretches out beside you. It almost makes you forget you are about to watch people crash into each other at full speed.
Almost.
Jerseys Tell Their Own Story
One of the easiest ways to measure Bears history is by looking at the crowd.
Current stars are everywhere, but so are jerseys belonging to legends spanning decades.
Popular choices include:
- Walter Payton
- Mike Dit Ditka
- Brian Urlacher
- Devin Hester
- Dick Butkus
- Charles Tillman
- Current franchise stars
Unlike some fanbases that quickly move on from retired players, Bears supporters proudly celebrate every era.
Many jerseys are older than the fans wearing them.
Finding the Statues Before Entering
Many supporters make a point of visiting the famous monuments surrounding Soldier Field.
The most photographed is the statue of Walter Payton, where fans regularly stop for pictures before entering the stadium.
Others spend time admiring Soldier Field’s historic colonnades, reminders that the venue originally opened in 1924 before its dramatic renovation in the early 2000s.
These landmarks help connect today’s NFL experience with nearly a century of sporting history.
Watching Players Arrive
For dedicated fans, spotting players arriving at the stadium has become part of the day’s entertainment.
Social media has amplified this ritual, with supporters sharing photos of player outfits and arrival videos long before kickoff.
Some players have become almost as famous for their game day fashion as their performances.
Thankfully, offensive linemen usually choose comfort over runway modelling.
The Stadium Begins to Fill
About an hour before kickoff, the mood noticeably changes.
Warm ups begin.
Music gets louder.
The giant video boards come alive.
Fans leave concession stands and start finding their seats.
This transition from relaxed tailgating to focused anticipation happens remarkably quickly. Conversations shift from fantasy football lineups and barbecue recipes to defensive schemes and injury reports.
Everyone suddenly becomes an expert coordinator.
The National Anthem
Few moments unite a crowd quite like the National Anthem.
Inside Soldier Field, this is often one of the loudest moments before kickoff.
Fans stand shoulder to shoulder while flags stretch across the field and military flyovers occasionally add extra spectacle during nationally significant games.
Even rival supporters tend to pause and appreciate the atmosphere.
Bear Down Chicago Bears
Every NFL team has its anthem.
The Bears have Bear Down, Chicago Bears.
Originally written in 1941, the song remains one of the league’s oldest fight songs and is still woven into the game day experience.
Thousands of fans join together, creating a tradition that bridges multiple generations.
It is one of those songs that becomes increasingly catchy the longer you spend around Bears fans.
Do not be surprised if you find yourself humming it on the flight home.
Weather Is Part of the Ritual
Chicago weather deserves its own pre game section.
Early season games might mean sunshine and temperatures above 80°F.
December games can involve snow, freezing winds coming off Lake Michigan and enough layers of clothing to resemble an Arctic expedition.
Experienced Bears fans prepare accordingly.
They bring blankets, hand warmers, insulated boots and enough thermal clothing to survive conditions that would make most Californians immediately search for the nearest airport.
The weather is not viewed as an inconvenience.
It is considered part of the experience.
The Numbers Behind Game Day
Several statistics highlight the scale of Soldier Field’s pre game atmosphere.
| Game Day Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Stadium Capacity | Approximately 61,500 |
| Bears Founded | 1920 |
| Soldier Field Opened | 1924 |
| Bears Move to Soldier Field | 1971 |
| Typical Early Arrival | 3 to 4 hours before kickoff |
| NFL Regular Season Home Games | 8 to 9 annually |
Although Soldier Field has one of the NFL’s smaller capacities, it consistently produces one of its loudest environments. Smaller crowds can actually concentrate noise more effectively, particularly when the Bears are competitive.
What First Time Visitors Should Know
If you are attending your first Bears game, arriving early is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
Give yourself time to enjoy the entire experience rather than rushing through security just before kickoff.
Walk around Museum Campus.
Take photographs with the stadium.
Watch the tailgates.
Browse the team store before the queues build.
Talk to Bears fans. Most are welcoming, passionate and always happy to explain why this season is definitely different from last season.
Even if they said exactly the same thing twelve months earlier.
Why These Rituals Matter
Winning seasons come and go.
Quarterbacks change.
Coaches change.
Entire rosters disappear every few years.
The traditions surrounding Soldier Field remain remarkably consistent.
That consistency gives Bears supporters something valuable. It creates continuity between generations. Parents introduce children to the same routines they experienced decades earlier, whether that means grilling breakfast in a parking lot, walking beside Lake Michigan or singing Bear Down before kickoff.
Football is only played for sixty minutes.
Game day at Soldier Field lasts much longer than that, and for many fans, the rituals beforehand are every bit as memorable as the action on the field itself.
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