Soldier Field Seats in Sun & Shade

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Soldier Field is one of the oldest still-operating stadiums in the U.S. It is home to the Chicago Bears and Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer. While Chicago is not as well known for intense summer heat as other cities, it can get quite warm along Lake Michigan during the summer soccer season and beginning of the NFL season. Later in the year, finding a seat in the sun may provide football fans with comfort to offset stiff winds blowing in from the lake. You can use this article in combination with the Soldier Field seating chart to locate seats in both the shade and the sun.

Where are the seats in the shade and sun at Soldier Field?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Soldier Field are located:

On the home (west) side of the field
In the very back of a lower or middle level section directly under cover

And the seats in the sun at Soldier Field are located:

On the visitor (east) side of the field
Behind the north end zone

Unless scheduled for a national Sunday Night or Monday Night Football game, most Bears games kick off around noon to accommodate the NFL’s TV schedule. In the summer, Fire FC games may occasionally start early in the day, but most home games are scheduled for the evening. For specific details on which sections to look for tickets, keep reading.

Soldier Field Orientation to the Sun

Soldier Field is oriented in a slightly off axis north to south direction. By noon the sun is high in the sky over the south end zone. Over the course of the afternoon the sun gradually dips down behind the home side of the stadium and eventually sets closer to the north end zone.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on July 1st.

Shade and Sun at Chicago Bears Stadium Click or tap here to see an interactive seating chart and seat views at Soldier Field.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Soldier Field Games

When Soldier Field was rebuilt in the early 2000s it was designed primarily for football games in a cold Midwest climate. As such not much concern was given toward shielding fans or players from the sun. During the fall and winter months sun is probably preferrable to shade in Chicago anyway as it helps cancel out the chill from Lake Michigan. However, in the summer during the Fire FC season, it can get quite toasty in the windy city.

Since the Bears usually kick off an hour earlier than teams playing in the east coast time zone more seats at Soldier Field will be in the sun for more of the game than at other stadiums. Around kickoff time for an early afternoon game, the only seats with a chance of being in the shade are those directly under cover or in a small number of rows behind the south end zone. By halftime seats in the southwest corner (sections 124-130, 224-230 and 324-236) will be the first to move into the shade. By the end of the game the rest of the home side of the stadium should be in the shade while the visitor side will be in the sun.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon Soldier Field Games

For a Bears game that kicks off in the 3:00pm hour shade and sun are a little more predictable. If you’re looking for a seat in the shade, you’ll find it on the home (west) side of the field in the lower, middle or upper deck. For shade, seek out a ticket in sections 130-144, 230-244, 330-344 or 430-444. If you’re looking for sun, pick something on the exact opposite side of the field, like sections 101-115, 202-215 or 301-315. The seats that stay in the sun longest are the suites on the visitor side of the field. If you’re lucky enough to be in a suite, you’re probably not too concerned though as you can just go inside or warm up or cool down as the season dictates.

Shadows on the stands at Soldier Field in Chicago

By late afternoon seats on the west side of the stadium are in the shade and seats on the east side are in the sun. Credit: Bears Vs. Cleveland Browns 9/3/09, Soldier Field by Bari D (CC BY-ND 2.0).

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening Soldier Field Games

If the Bears are scheduled for a Sunday Night or Monday Night Football game the lights will already be on by kickoff time so there’s no need to worry about the sun and shade. However, sunset in Chicago isn’t until well after 8:00pm during the summer, so Fire FC fans will want to know exactly where the sun is shining. As the sun sets, sections closer to the field on the east side will move into the shade first, while seats farther away will stay in the sun the longest. For shade, pick a seat on the west side of the stadium or the lower deck of the east side to avoid the sun. Otherwise bring sunglasses because you may need them for the first few minutes of the game!

Ready to get your Chicago football or soccer tickets?

Use the individual game links on the side (or middle of the page on mobile) or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Soldier Field. Learn about why we recommend buying tickets on SeatGeek.

Enjoy the game!