Soldier Field, located in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the most iconic and historic stadiums in the United States. Home to the Chicago Bears football team since 1971, Soldier Field has also hosted everything from major college football games to World Cup matches. Its location near downtown Chicago and on the shore of Lake Michigan also makes it an attractive venue for major concerts and music festivals.
Quick Answer
The cost to rent Soldier Field for a concert can range from $500,000 to over $1 million per day, depending on the specifics of the event and what is included in the rental agreement. Major touring artists and festivals will be on the higher end of that range, while more modest events may cost less.
Factors That Determine Rental Cost
There are several key factors that impact how much it will cost to rent Soldier Field for a concert:
- Number of event days – Prices are usually based on a per day rental rate. Multi-day concerts or festivals will pay more than a single day event.
- Expected attendance – The larger the crowd, the higher the rental fee will likely be.
- Event production requirements – More complex stage/production set-ups that require equipment like additional lighting or video walls can increase costs.
- Field protection – Major events require protection of the field turf which adds rental fees.
- Staffing – More staff for security, concessions, etc. will raise the rental price.
- Insurance – Large events require extensive insurance policies which organizers must cover.
Soldier Field is owned by the Chicago Park District, a government agency, so organizers work with them on rental agreements and costs. The specific breakdown of rental fees, staffing costs, insurance costs, etc. are unique to each event based on the above factors.
Rental Cost Examples
Here are some examples of previous Soldier Field concert rentals and what they likely cost, based on available information:
Taylor Swift Concert – Estimated $1 Million+ Per Day
When Taylor Swift performed at Soldier Field in 2018 as part of her Reputation Stadium Tour, tickets were among the highest priced of the tour, ranging from $50 to $350 per seat. Attendance was over 40,000 people per show. As a major touring artist doing a multi-day event, its likely her team rented Soldier Field for over $1 million per day.
One Direction Concert – Estimated $500,000 – $750,000 Per Day
When One Direction played Soldier Field in 2015 for two nights on their On The Road Again Tour, the event would have been more modest than a Taylor Swift concert. With lower ticket prices and production requirements, the estimated rental cost would have likely been between $500,000 and $750,000 per day.
Riot Fest Festival – Estimated $700,000+ Per Day
Riot Fest is a popular 3-day punk, rock and hip hop festival held annually in Chicago. When it was hosted at Soldier Field in 2015, capacity was around 40,000 people per day. As a major multi-day festival, the rental fees were likely over $700,000 per day.
What’s Included in the Rental Cost
The basic rental fee for an event at Soldier Field covers use of the stadium area and basic utilities, but not much else. Here are some items that organizers need to rent or pay for on top of the base rental fee:
- Seating – Temporary seating must be rented and installed for concerts
- Stage – A stage and other production equipment must be designed, built and installed
- Sound and lighting – A full sound and lighting system must be installed
- Video screens – Large video screens often need to be added for concerts
- Field protection – Special protective flooring must be laid over the field
- Fencing and barricades
- Trash collection and cleanup
- Increased restroom capacity
- Parking coordination
- Security and police
- Medical services and EMTs
These additional costs can easily add millions of dollars on top of the base rental fee for a large concert. The renter is also responsible for obtaining all permits, licensing, insurance and logistical coordination for the event.
Other Chicago Venues for Comparison
It’s useful to look at rental costs for other major Chicago venues to get a sense of Soldier Field’s pricing:
Wrigley Field
Similar to Soldier Field, renting the Cubs baseball stadium for concerts costs around $500,000 to over $1 million per day, based on the size of the event.
United Center
The United Center typically rents for $150,000 to $200,000 per day for concerts. However, its basketball/hockey arena setup is less accommodating for major concerts than Soldier Field’s wide open layout.
Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
This outdoor amphitheater rents for around $100,000 per day for concerts. However, its capacity is smaller than Soldier Field, with only 30,000 seats.
Applying to Rent Soldier Field
Groups interested in renting Soldier Field must fill out an application with the Chicago Park District. This will initiate the process of reviewing dates, event details and estimated costs. Some key items in the application include:
- Contact information for the organizer
- Name, date and description of the proposed event
- Estimated attendance numbers
- Equipment and facilities being requested
- Proposed stage and seating configurations
- Security plans
- Proof of insurance
Organizers should apply at least 6 months in advance for major concerts. The Chicago Park District will then respond with availability, a price quote, and contract for use of Soldier Field if the event is approved.
Promoter Responsibilities
Once a rental agreement is in place, the concert promoter or organizer is responsible for:
- Providing liability insurance as required by contract
- Paying for and obtaining all necessary permits, licenses, etc.
- Hiring and managing all production vendors and contractors
- Paying for security, police, traffic control and parking management
- Providing emergency medical services
- Paying for field protection and post-event cleanup
- Obtaining approval for marketing, ticketing, concessions and merchandise
- Adhering to stadium policies and local ordinances
It’s a major undertaking to mount a concert at Soldier Field. The promoter carries all the logistical and financial responsibility beyond just the rental fee.
Notable Concerts at Soldier Field
Here are some of the biggest concerts and music festivals ever held at Soldier Field:
Performer or Festival | Year | Attendance |
---|---|---|
U2 | 2011 | 67,000 |
The Rolling Stones | 2019 | 60,000 |
Beyoncé & Jay Z | 2018 | 48,000 |
One Direction | 2015 | 140,000 (2 nights) |
Taylor Swift | 2018 | 100,000 (2 nights) |
Riot Fest | 2015 | 130,000 (3 days) |
Conclusion
Renting Soldier Field for a concert is a major undertaking that can easily cost over $1 million per day when you factor in all the steps involved with producing a concert there. While the stadium offers a unique setting and can accommodate crowds over 60,000, it also comes with challenges and very high costs compared to a typical arena or amphitheater show. The organizer must weigh the pros and cons of producing an event there and secure significant financing to cover the rental, logistics, marketing and more. But for artists looking to do a massive Chicago show, Soldier Field remains one of the top venue choices.