DraftKings Wrigley Field Sportsbook Days Away from Opening

Posted on: June 20, 2023, 01:55h. 

Last updated on: June 21, 2023, 11:35h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

The DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is scheduled to open to the public on June 27.

Chicago sports betting Wrigley
Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. A DraftKings sportsbook will open there on June 27. (Image: Getty)

The retail sportsbook is part of a broader 10-year, $100 million marketing deal between the gaming company and the Major League Baseball (MLB) club. Owing to MLB guidelines, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks cannot be located inside ticketed areas of stadiums. The DraftKings Sportsbook will be situated at Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue, near Wrigley Field.

The year-round destination will first open as a state-of-the-art sports bar and restaurant, with plans for DraftKings to later add retail sports betting, pending licensure and regulatory approval from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB),” according to a statement issued by DraftKings.

The sportsbook operator didn’t speculate as to when the venue will open. But DraftKings is already licensed to accept bets in Illinois and is one of the top operators by market share in the state.

Wrigley Field Sportsbook Could Be Winner

Roughly 90% of sports wagers placed in the US occur over computers or mobile phones.  But it may be premature to pen obituaries on well-located brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.

DraftKings at Wrigley Field likely checks that box. This year, the Cubs rank 10th in terms of attendance and Wrigley is widely considered one of the cathedrals of the game, drawing fans from all over the country who simply want to see a game there.

To say Wrigley — which opened in 1914 and is the second-oldest MLB stadium, behind only Boston’s Fenway Park —  is an icon of the game is an understatement. That much is reflected in the Chicago venue’s status as a national historic landmark.

“The exterior of the building pays homage to the ballpark’s classic green steel elements that help define its iconic aesthetic. A substantial portion of the facade features glass, which creates an airy feel and allows for unobstructed views into and outside the venue,” DraftKings said of the sportsbook.

Construction on the venue commenced in March 2022, with Marquee Development and Pepper Construction teaming up on the project.

Wrigley Sportsbook Could Draw Beyond Season

Starting in 2024, the DraftKings sportsbook at Wrigley Field will get the benefit of the full slate of 81 Cubs home games. However, the venue won’t be dependent on MLB to lure visitors.

Chicago is a sports-crazed city and Wrigleyville is a desirable neighborhood. Plus, the sportsbook isn’t just about betting. It has a bar, restaurant, and space for corporate events. It’s also a 21-and-up venue.

“The DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field is located at 1012 W. Addison St. and will be open Monday through Thursday from 4-11 p.m.; Friday from 9-2 a.m.; Saturday from 9-2 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.- 10 p.m. and is subject to change based on event programming around the Wrigley Field campus,” said the gaming company.