For the second day in a row, a WNBA team has decided to relocate its home games against the Indiana Fever to a much larger arena. This time, it’s the Chicago Sky making the move, hosting the Fever at the United Center for the first time in franchise history. The highly anticipated matchup will take place on Saturday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET, followed by a second game on Sunday, July 27, at 3 p.m. ET. The schedule change poses no major disruption for the Fever, as it falls within a relatively light stretch of their season.
This shift is yet another example of the “Caitlin Clark Effect.” The Fever’s games consistently draw massive audiences, both in arenas and on television. Last season, their June 23 game against the Sky brought in 2.3 million viewers on ESPN, making it the most-watched regular season WNBA game of the year. A later matchup on August 30 shattered ION’s viewership records, with several other games surpassing one million viewers. With such strong fan interest, it’s no surprise that these upcoming games are expected to air on national TV.
Chicago Sky President and CEO Adam Fox acknowledged the significance of the move, emphasizing the growing demand for WNBA games. “With the league’s explosive growth, we now have an incredible opportunity to welcome more fans to witness this matchup at the United Center,” Fox said. “Chicago Sky supporters have always shown up for the team and the city, and we want to reward that dedication by expanding the experience to a bigger stage.”
Last season, Caitlin Clark herself joked about the possibility of playing at the United Center after seeing ticket prices for the game at Wintrust Arena. At the time, the venue wasn’t available, but now, with the chance to host a larger crowd, the Sky are seizing the moment. The Fever’s visit to Washington last season set a new WNBA attendance record with 20,711 fans. With the United Center’s capacity slightly exceeding that, another record-breaking crowd could be on the horizon.
Despite some efforts to brand Fever vs. Sky as a Midwest rivalry, Clark dismissed the idea, stating, “For us, it’s just a game of basketball. If people talking about it helps grow the game, then that’s amazing.” Both teams are undergoing changes, with new coaching staffs and young talent leading the way. The Sky will be led by first-year head coach Tyler Marsh, who will debut against the Fever in their season opener on May 17. Before then, the Fever will play three exhibition games, including a sold-out matchup at the University of Iowa—Clark’s homecoming game, which sold out in just 42 minutes.
