Why Are Chicago Sky Moving Indiana Fever Games to United Center? Exploring Caitlin Clark’s Possible Influence on This Decision

The Chicago Sky’s decision to move their two 2025 home games against the Indiana Fever from Wintrust Arena (capacity: 10,387) to the United Center (capacity: 20,917) reflects a strategic response to surging demand in the WNBA, with Caitlin Clark’s influence playing a pivotal role. Announced on February 28, 2025, this marks the first time the United Center—home to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks—will host WNBA games, scheduled for June 7 and July 27. Here’s why this shift is happening and how Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, factors into it.

Explosive Growth in WNBA Popularity: The league has seen unprecedented viewership and attendance spikes, averaging 657,000 viewers in 2024—the highest in 24 years. Sky President and CEO Adam Fox cited this “explosive growth” as a key driver, noting the opportunity to “invite more fans to experience this matchup at a larger venue.” The United Center’s do

ubled capacity allows the Sky to capitalize on this momentum and potentially break their single-game attendance record of 16,444, set in 2016 at Allstate Arena.
High Demand for Sky-Fever Matchups: Games between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever have become marquee events, fueled by the rivalry between rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. In 2024, their four matchups at Wintrust Arena were near sellouts, with ticket prices soaring—starting at $225 and reaching $1,700 for the June 23 game. Fans even petitioned in April 2024 to move these games to the United Center, a request unmet last season due to scheduling conflicts (e.g., a Russ concert on June 23). The 2025 move directly addresses this overwhelming demand.

Business and Fan Experience: Moving to a venue with over 20,000 seats not only boosts revenue potential but also rewards the Sky’s passionate fanbase, dubbed “Skytown.” Fox emphasized rewarding fans’ “passion and dedication” by expanding capacity. Posts on X from March 11, 2025, noted that these games sold out in record time, underscoring the pent-up excitement.

Caitlin Clark’s Possible Influence

Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise has undeniably amplified the Sky-Fever showdowns, making her a central figure in this decision:

Attendance and Viewership Magnet: Clark’s 2024 season with the Fever transformed WNBA metrics. Fever games averaged 1.18 million viewers, compared to 394,000 for other games, with 19 of the 22 games exceeding one million viewers featuring her. Her presence drove sellouts at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (17,274 capacity) for both Fever-Sky games in 2024. This “Caitlin Clark Effect” has forced teams league-wide to adapt—Washington Mystics moved Fever games to Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena (14,000 seats), and Connecticut Sun shifted one to Boston’s TD Garden.

Direct Call for a Bigger Stage: Clark herself planted the seed. After a June 2024 win over Atlanta, she told reporters, “I’m surprised we’re not playing at the United Center. I thought that would’ve been really good for the game and really good for all the women’s basketball fans in Chicago.” Her blunt comment, echoed in X posts like one from @CClarkReport on February 28, 2025, highlighted the mismatch between demand and Wintrust’s capacity, likely pressuring Sky management to act.
Rivalry with Angel Reese: Clark’s on-court battles with Reese, rooted in their NCAA clashes (e.g., LSU’s 2023 title win over Iowa and Iowa’s 2024 Elite Eight revenge), have turned Sky-Fever games into must-see events. Clark’s 2024 performance against the Sky—averaging 20.5 points, including a career-high 31 points on August 30—elevated the stakes. Reese’s physical play, like the June 16 flagrant foul, added fuel, but Clark’s focus on basketball over drama (e.g., “It’s just a game”) only heightened her appeal, drawing fans eager to witness the showdown live.

Exploring the Decision

While the move is framed as a business decision—maximizing ticket sales and visibility amid the WNBA’s 44-game 2025 schedule (up from 40)—Clark’s influence is undeniable. Her ability to pack arenas, as seen in Iowa’s 55,000-fan outdoor scrimmage in 2023, set a precedent. The Sky’s 2024 hesitation (due to United Center bookings) gave way to 2025 action after Clark’s public nudge and the Fever’s 3-1 series win underscored her draw. Critics might argue it’s not just Clark—Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and the Sky’s roster contribute—but data shows Clark’s games consistently outpace others in viewership and resale value, making her the tipping point.

In short, the Chicago Sky are moving these games to the United Center to meet a tsunami of fan interest, with Caitlin Clark’s star power, vocal advocacy, and rivalry with Reese acting as the catalyst. It’s a bold bet on women’s basketball’s ascent—and a testament to Clark’s game-changing presence.