DraftKings Sportsbook continued progress toward its retail sportsbook at the vaunted Wrigley Field with a topping off ceremony last week and the unveiling of renderings earlier this week.
The 22,350-square-foot, two-story facility, which is slated to open its doors in 2023, will be located at Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue at the southeast corner of the historic stadium.
The sportsbook will be able to hold up to 1,000 people and will have more than 2,000 square feet of video screens and tickers that display odds, scores, and other information, to go with betting kiosks and windows.
The DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois space will also feature a Jim Beam-branded bar and restaurant.
For DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, last week’s topping off ceremony represented a chance to celebrate the Cubs’ rich history and look forward at a new era in Illinois sports betting.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the latest milestone in our collaborative efforts with the Chicago Cubs to bring a world class entertainment experience for customers to iconic Wrigley Field,” Robins said in a company press release. “DraftKings is proud to be associated with one of the most historic and recognized organizations in all of sports as we near completion of this highly anticipated project.”
What to Know About the Wrigley Field Sportsbook?
DraftKings’ first in-stadium sportsbook will be open year-round. Having the DraftKings facility open beyond Cubs gamedays was a key aspect for Crane Kenney, who serves as the franchise’s president of business operations.
Kenney sees the DraftKings retail space becoming a can’t-miss entertainment destination. Chicago repealed its ban on sports betting in mid December, allowing the city’s five professional sports teams to open retail sportsbooks.
“Today's beam signing ceremony marks a significant milestone with longtime partner DraftKings to create a one-of-a-kind sportsbook that will enhance the gameday environment for fans and visitors to Wrigley Field,” Kenney said in the press release. “With our opening planned for 2023, we’re excited to add a year-round entertainment venue to campus.”
Which MLB Stadiums Have Sportsbooks?
The Wrigley Field DraftKings Sportsbook is slated to join the Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets as teams with retail sportsbooks attached or near their stadiums.
The Nationals were the first to do so, opening a BetMGM Sportsbook in January, while the D-Backs opened their Caesars Sportsbook space earlier this month.
The Mets, meanwhile, are slated to open their own Caesars retail sportsbook at Citi Field at some point this year.
FanDuel announced plans in January to build a retail sportsbook at the United Center, which is scheduled to open by the start of football season.
In May, Bally’s won the right to build a casino in downtown Chicago. The company made its $40 million licensing payment to the city last week.
