The DraftKings will open its newest retail location as a sports lounge at Chicago’s Wrigley Field while it waits for approval of its retail sportsbook in the same facility.
No Bets Yet
The iconic Wrigley Field will boast a DraftKings sportsbook at some point in the not-too-distant future but as of this writing, there will only be a sports bar without any betting allowed. The gaming giant is in the process of acquiring its retail license for the Wrigley Field location and until it is approved only food and beverages will be served in the 21 and over lounge.
Illinois is just one of six U.S. jurisdictions that have sanctioned sportsbooks at professional sports stadiums and arenas but as of this writing, only three active sportsbooks located at pro sports venues are in operation.
BetMGM has two of those three retail sportsbooks located at the Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds while the other is located at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. The Arizona Diamondbacks’ home base at Chase Field in Phoenix also has a sportsbook operated by Caesars Sportsbook.
The new facility is a partnership between DraftKings and Levy, the catering company for the Chicago Cubs, and approval for the sportsbook could come as early as July 27th, the date of the next meeting of the Illinois Gaming Board.
State-of-the-Art Facility
Construction began 14 months ago at the former location of the Captain Morgan Club which was demolished in 2018 and it will be ready to welcome the public on June 27th. Although the DraftKings sportsbook will be located adjacent to Wrigley Field there will be no entrance or exits to or from the location to the actual park itself.
Therefore, customers won’t need a Cubs’ ticket to spend their money on food and beverage at the location but don’t bring the kids because those under the age of 21 are not allowed. This is an adults-only venue and the design had to be approved by three historic preservation agencies before construction could begin.
The National Park Service, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the Commission on Chicago Landmarks had to give their stamps of approval to the design and architecture of the facility but modern influences are also very much present.
Modernizing Wrigley Field
Gensler, an international global architecture, design, and planning firm, has worked closely and seamlessly with those offices to create a plan that has the character and charm of Wrigley without stealing its legacy.
“You’ll see the Wrigley green on the structural elements themselves so that it really felt like it was kind of almost, but not to be confused with being historic itself,” says Shawn Fawell, a design manager at Gensler.
A 2000 square-foot cutting-edge video monitor will be able to play up to 25 games at once with the crystal-clear clarity only a 16,320 x 1,800 resolution can deliver. There will also be the modern conveniences of theater-style seating on two levels of wall-to-wall monitors.
“We’re excited for this new space to capture the energy and excitement of a visit to the ballpark, with a food-and-beverage experience all its own, crafted around the way fans enjoy the action together,” said Jeff Denlea, vice president of hospitality strategy for Levy at Wrigley Field.
