Best Buildings for Sports Fans Near Wrigley and the United Center

TL;DR If game day runs your calendar, live near your team. Lakeview and Wrigleyville buildings put you by Wrigley Field, West Loop and Near West Side buildings near the United Center for Bulls and Blackhawks, and South Loop buildings near Soldier Field for the Bears. Here is the fan's map.

For a real Chicago sports fan, living near your team turns every home game into a walk down the street. The city's big venues each sit near great residential neighborhoods, so here is where to live by team.

Cubs fans: Wrigley Field

There is no contest for a Cubs fan: Wrigleyville and the surrounding Lakeview blocks put you steps from the second-oldest ballpark in baseball. You get Gallagher Way's year-round programming, the legendary bars (Murphy's Bleachers, the Cubby Bear, Sluggers), and the Wrigley rooftops, with the Red Line's Addison stop right at the gates. We go deep on this in our Wrigleyville nightlife guide.

Bulls and Blackhawks fans: the United Center

For basketball and hockey, the United Center on the Near West Side is home. The closest residential neighborhoods are the West Loop and the Near West Side, so West Loop buildings give you a walkable or short ride to games, plus the neighborhood's dining and the Green and Pink Lines. It is the best base for a fan who wants to be near the Madhouse on Madison while living in a vibrant area.

Bears fans: Soldier Field

Soldier Field sits on the Museum Campus along the lakefront, and the closest places to live are the South Loop and Printer's Row. South Loop buildings put you within a walk or short transit ride of games via the Roosevelt stop, plus the lakefront and Museum Campus year-round. (Note: the Bears have explored a future stadium, but Soldier Field remains home in 2026.)

The fan's map

Team	Venue	Live here
Cubs	Wrigley Field	Lakeview / Wrigleyville
Bulls, Blackhawks	United Center	West Loop / Near West Side
Bears	Soldier Field	South Loop / Printer's Row

How to use this

Follow your team. If you bleed Cubbie blue, Wrigleyville is the dream. For Bulls and Blackhawks, the West Loop puts the United Center close while keeping you in one of the city's best neighborhoods. For Bears, the South Loop pairs Soldier Field access with lakefront living.

For the full superfan guide including the Chicago Fire, see our where to rent if you are a superfan post, and for the neighborhood, our Lakeview and Wrigleyville guide. Then browse current openings and book a tour.

Hero image: Photo by El gringo photo on Pexels