Chicago Sky fans want the team to move its match against the Indiana Fever to a larger venue, as ticket prices soar for a chance to see Caitlin Clark (top right) square off against Sky newcomers Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Credit: Colin Boyle, Block Club Chicago/Erik Drost, Wikimedia Commons/ Angel Reese, Instagram

CHICAGO — Tickets to Chicago Sky games are selling fast with soaring prices — and some fans now want the team to move its marquee matchups to a bigger venue.

A new petition calls for the Sky to move its games against the Indiana Fever, led by former college star Caitlin Clark, from their home court at Wintrust Arena to the United Center.

The Sky are scheduled to play the Fever June 23 and Aug. 30 at Wintrust Arena.

The highly anticipated contests pit former college champions Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese, selected No. 3 and No. 7 overall by the Chicago Sky in Monday’s WNBA draft, against their longtime rival Clark, the most anticipated prospect in league history who was selected by the Fever with the first overall draft pick.

Both games are already nearly sold out, with prices just to get into Wintrust Arena June 23 starting at $225 and running up to $1,700 a seat.

Sky season-ticket prices are also skyrocketing as Reese and Cardoso are expected to spark a team resurgence, following some down years after its first championship in 2021.

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.
Kamilla Cardoso (left) and Angel Reese (right) were picked by the Chicago Sky in Monday’s WNBA Draft. Credit: Kamilla Cardoso/Angel Reese/X
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.

Over 24 million viewers tuned into this year’s NCAA women’s championship game, which saw Cardoso and her South Carolina Gamecocks best Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes for Cardoso’s second collegiate championship.

In October, the University of Iowa moved a women’s team scrimmage to its football stadium, drawing over 55,000 fans for the chance to see Clark play.

The WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces have already moved a home game against Clark and the Fever to a larger arena.

The United Center’s calendar is currently booked the night of June 23 for a concert by rapper Russ, but has not published any events for August.

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot already has her Sky season tickets secured, she told Kate Armanini of the Chicago Tribune.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and First Lady Amy Eshleman swag surf during the rally to celebrate the Chicago Sky’s first ever WNBA Championship, on Oct. 19, 2021. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Reese, a former star for Louisiana State University, holds the collegiate record for double-doubles in a season and is already one of the most recognizable athletes in the sport.

In the 2023 NCAA Championship, Reese’s team beat Clark’s Hawkeyes. As the game ended, Reese waved a “You Can’t See Me” hand in front of Clark and pointed to her ring finger, a triumphant moment that sparked outsized outrage and revealed double standards for Black and white athletes.

The Hawkeyes beat Reese’s Tigers squad in this year’s Elite 8 matchup of the women’s tournament.

Clark and Reese, who have voiced their admiration for each other, now bring their budding rivalry to the Midwest in the WNBA.

The Sky’s home opener is May 25 against the Connecticut Sun.