The demand for tickets to Chicago Sky games has reached unprecedented levels, with prices skyrocketing and fans clamoring for a chance to witness marquee matchups firsthand. As anticipation builds for showdowns against the Indiana Fever, led by former college standout Caitlin Clark, some fans are calling for the team to relocate these highly anticipated games to a larger venue.

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A new petition has emerged, urging the Sky to move their matchups against the Fever from the confines of Wintrust Arena to the grandeur of the United Center. These contests, scheduled for June 23 and August 30, promise to be spectacles of basketball prowess, featuring former college champions Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese, both selected by the Chicago Sky in the recent WNBA draft, squaring off against their long-time rival, Caitlin Clark.

The excitement surrounding these games is palpable, with tickets selling out at a rapid pace. Prices for entry into Wintrust Arena on June 23 are already reaching staggering heights, ranging from $225 to $1,700 per seat. Such fervent demand reflects the anticipation and enthusiasm of fans eager to witness the clash of titans on the basketball court.

Moreover, the addition of Reese and Cardoso to the Sky roster has injected new energy and optimism into the team, promising a resurgence following a few lean years since their championship triumph in 2021. With expectations running high, Sky season-ticket prices are also experiencing a surge, as fans anticipate an exhilarating season ahead with their dynamic new acquisitions leading the charge.

As the basketball community eagerly awaits these highly anticipated matchups, the fervor surrounding the Chicago Sky continues to grow. With the potential relocation of games to the United Center and the prospect of witnessing top-tier talent in action, fans are eagerly counting down the days until tip-off, ready to experience the excitement and intensity of WNBA basketball at its finest.

Rodney Spruill holds up Rhema during the rally to celebrate the Chicago Sky’s first ever WNBA Championship, on Oct. 19, 2021. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
But Wintrust Arena, home of the Sky, has less than half the capacity of the United Center, which fits 21,000 for Chicago Bulls games. Wintrust Arena has 10,000 seats, according to its website.

“Selling out the United Center would be incredible not just for the Sky … but would be incredible for all of women’s basketball,” the petition reads.

“Larger quantities of less expensive seats would allow both Caitlin Clark fans and Chicago Sky fans to enjoy a great game.”

The Sky did not return a request for comment about calls to move the game.

The anticipation surrounding the WNBA Draft brought excitement and anticipation to Chicago as the Chicago Sky welcomed Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese into their ranks. This dynamic duo, poised to make an immediate impact on the court, has ignited the imagination of basketball fans across the city and beyond.

“The impending arrival of Clark — the former University of Iowa sharpshooter who shattered the collegiate scoring record this season— has already bumped a slate of WNBA games to nationally televised broadcasts,” the Chicago Tribune reported.

Clark’s collegiate success has not gone unnoticed, with over 24 million viewers tuning in to this year’s NCAA women’s championship game, where Cardoso and her South Carolina Gamecocks emerged victorious over Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. The magnitude of Clark’s impact was further underscored when the University of Iowa moved a women’s team scrimmage to its football stadium, drawing over 55,000 fans eager to catch a glimpse of the superstar in action.

In a similar vein, the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces made the strategic decision to move a home game against Clark and the Fever to a larger arena, recognizing the immense draw and appeal of her star power.

“Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot already has her Sky season tickets secured,” the Chicago Tribune noted.

While the United Center’s calendar is currently booked for a concert on June 23, the potential for hosting the Sky’s marquee matchups against the Indiana Fever later in the season remains tantalizing. With former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot already securing her Sky season tickets, anticipation for the Sky’s home opener on May 25 against the Connecticut Sun continues to build.

In addition to Cardoso’s and Reese’s arrival, the budding rivalry between Clark and Reese adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming WNBA season. Reese, a former star for Louisiana State University, brings a formidable presence to the court, holding the collegiate record for double-doubles in a season and already garnering recognition as one of the sport’s most recognizable athletes.

As Clark and Reese prepare to renew their rivalry in the Midwest, fans eagerly await the opportunity to witness their clash on the basketball court. With the Chicago Sky’s home opener fast approaching, excitement is palpable as the stage is set for an unforgettable season of WNBA action.