Wintrust Arena

Name

Wintrust Arena

Legal name

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

Website

https://wintrustarena.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHAAAF

Sports & Arena Event Venues (Stadiums, Arenas)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Conference & Convention Venues (Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

SECONDARYMPAKADAI

Venue-Owned/Operated Event Organizers (In-House Promoters)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Event & Tournament Organizers (Tours, Championships, Meets)

SECONDARYMPAGALAN

Venue Food, Beverage & Hospitality Operations (Concessions, Catering, Premium Seating)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Event Venues & Venue Operations (Arenas, Theaters, Halls)

SECONDARYMPAGAHAG

VIP Hospitality & Client Entertainment (Boxes, Suites, Hosted Experiences)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Corporate & Private Events (Galas, Product Launches)

SECONDARYTHAFAIAG

Concession & Stadium / Arena Catering

Travel & Hospitality/Foodservice & Beverage (Restaurants, Cafes, Bars)/Catering & Banquet Foodservice

Keywords

• Live event venue
• Sports arena hosting
• Concert and family shows
• Premium seating suites
• Corporate event space

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single-game tickets, season tickets, and group tickets for sporting events, concerts, comedy shows, and other entertainment events. Primary distribution through Ticketmaster and direct box office.
2. Private Suite Rentals: Revenue from renting private suites for groups of 12-16 people, including exclusive seating, flat-screen TVs, optional catering, and personal suite attendants.
3. Parking Services: Revenue from event parking at three McCormick Place lots (Lot A, B, C) with rates ranging from $18-$40 per day, plus prepaid guaranteed parking options.
4. Concessions and Food & Beverage: Revenue from on-site food and beverage sales including Pepsi products, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, Garrett Popcorn, and other concession stand items.
5. Naming Rights: Wintrust Bank naming rights partnership for the arena facility.
6. Premium Seating and Hospitality: Revenue from premium seating options including club seats, courtside experiences, and all-inclusive hospitality sections for Chicago Sky games and other events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wintrust Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena that rents its physical venue for concerts, comedy shows, family entertainment, sporting events, and corporate/private functions. It operates as a live event hosting facility, with anchor tenants DePaul University (Blue Demons basketball) and the Chicago Sky (WNBA) playing home games there, supplemented by touring concert, comedy, and family show promoters. Auxiliary revenue is generated from on-site concessions, parking, and the sale/rental of premium seating such as courtside seats, club seats, and suites.

Product overview

Wintrust Arena is a premier 10,000-seat multi-purpose venue and public-private partnership between the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and DePaul University, located at McCormick Square in Chicago. The venue's core product is hosting live events including concerts, sporting events, business meetings, and conventions. Key products and services include the main arena facility, Arie Crown Theater as an adjacent event space, DePaul Blue Demons basketball as the home college basketball program, and Chicago Sky WNBA games as the home professional basketball team. Premium offerings encompass 22 private suites accommodating 12-16 guests, over 400 club seats, and specialized memberships like Skyrider Membership and U-Pick-It Tickets for Chicago Sky games. The venue also provides comprehensive accessibility services including sensory inclusion through KultureCity partnership, a Mamava lactation pod, and an Inner Circle loyalty program for ticket pre-sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wintrust Arena Venue Rentals and Event Hosting
• DePaul Blue Demons Basketball Home Games Regular-season home games for the DePaul University men's and women's basketball programs played at Wintrust Arena. Targeted at DePaul fans, alumni, students, and general basketball spectators.
• Chicago Sky (WNBA) Home Games Home games for the Chicago Sky of the Women's National Basketball Association played at Wintrust Arena. Targeted at WNBA fans, Chicago basketball supporters, and general sports spectators.
• Concert and Live Entertainment Programming Ticketed concert, comedy, and family show events hosted at Wintrust Arena through touring promoter partnerships. Targeted at general consumers attending live entertainment.
• Premium Seating and Suites Sale and rental of courtside seats, club seats, and private suites for events at the arena, including catering and hospitality service options. Targeted at corporate clients, premium event attendees, and group buyers.
• On-Site Parking and Concessions Paid on-site parking and concessions (food and beverage sales) available to event attendees. Targeted at event attendees and visitors to the McCormick Square campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2021 WNBA Championship hosted for Chicago Sky
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017MPEA is the public entity that co-owns and operates Wintrust Arena as part of the McCormick Square campus. MPEA handles privacy policy, data processing, and venue operations for the arena.
• DePaul UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017DePaul University is a co-owner of Wintrust Arena in a public-private partnership. The arena serves as home court for DePaul Men's and Women's basketball teams (Blue Demons).
• Chicago Sky (WNBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 2021 WNBA Champions Chicago Sky make Wintrust Arena their home venue. Their season runs May to early October.
• Wintrust BankflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNaming rights sponsor of Wintrust Arena. Wintrust Bank cardholders receive 15% discount on concessions at Chicago Sky home games.
• McCormick PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWintrust Arena is part of the McCormick Square Campus with skybridge access to the McCormick Place Convention Center.
• Marriott Marquis ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected to Wintrust Arena via skybridge, part of The Collection at McCormick Square. Full-service hotel with dining options.
• Hyatt Regency McCormick PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected to Wintrust Arena via skybridge, part of The Collection at McCormick Square. Features Third Star restaurant and meeting spaces.
• TicketmastercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary online ticketing platform for Wintrust Arena events.
• OVG HospitalityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood service provider for McCormick Place campus, offering innovative food concepts and menu items at concession stands.
• Pelli Clarke & PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally-renowned architecture firm that designed Wintrust Arena, creating a unique building that complements McCormick Place and the surrounding area.
• PepsiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial beverage partner providing Pepsi products at concession stands throughout the arena.
• Garrett PopcornminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago-based snack partner providing Garrett Popcorn at concession stands.
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic transportation provider with bus routes (#3 King Drive, #21 Cermak Road, #4 Cottage Grove) and elevated rail (Green Line Cermak-McCormick Place Station) serving the arena.
• METRA ElectricminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommuter rail service providing direct downtown Chicago access within 7 minutes from Millennium Station.
• Standard ParkingminorOthersParking operator for McCormick Place parking facilities including Lot A, B, and C. Contact: (312) 567-8360.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Little Caesars Arena: Little Caesars Arena is a ~20,000-seat arena in Detroit, home to the Pistons (NBA) and Red Wings (NHL). It is a comparable modern public-private arena in a Midwest market with diversified programming across sports, concerts, and live events.
• United Center: United Center is a ~20,000-seat Chicago arena home to the Bulls (NBA) and Blackhawks (NHL), and the dominant live entertainment competitor in the Chicago market for Wintrust Arena. Both venues compete for the same touring concerts, family shows, and corporate events in the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Scotiabank Arena: Scotiabank Arena is a ~19,000-seat multi-purpose venue in Toronto, home to the Maple Leafs (NHL) and Raptors (NBA). It is a comparable major-market arena operating at scale with a similar diversified mix of professional sports, concerts, and entertainment events.
• Chase Center: Chase Center is an ~18,000-seat arena in San Francisco, home to the Golden State Warriors (NBA) and host to major concerts and events. It is a comparable newer-generation arena emphasizing premium hospitality, technology integration, and diversified event programming.
• Arie Crown Theater: Arie Crown Theater is an adjacent theater venue at McCormick Place also operated by MPEA, with Wintrust Arena's box office serving as the point of sale for its events. It is a same-operator peer offering complementary smaller-capacity programming alongside Wintrust Arena's larger events.
• Allstate Arena: Allstate Arena is a ~18,500-seat venue in Rosemont, Illinois, hosting major concerts, family shows, and sporting events. It competes with Wintrust Arena for Chicago-area touring productions and corporate events, particularly those seeking suburban accessibility.
• Climate Pledge Arena: Climate Pledge Arena is a ~17,000-seat multi-purpose venue in Seattle home to the Kraken (NHL) and Storm (WNBA). It is a comparable modern arena targeting premium experiences, premium seating, and diversified programming including concerts and esports.
• Now Arena: Now Arena (formerly Sears Centre) is a multi-purpose ~11,800-seat venue in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, hosting concerts, sports, and family events in the Chicago suburbs. It is a direct competitor for mid-tier touring acts and similar event programming targeting the broader Chicago market.
• Moody Center: Moody Center is a ~15,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Austin, Texas, home to the University of Texas Longhorns and hosting concerts, family shows, and events. It shares with Wintrust Arena the model of serving as a university-anchored mid-size modern venue in a major metropolitan market.

Regional players

• Soldier Field: Soldier Field is the Chicago Bears' (NFL) ~61,500-seat outdoor stadium in Chicago, also managed in conjunction with MPEA-area partnerships. While a different scale and format, it is a Chicago-anchored peer venue sharing the same local market for sports and major events.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wintrustarena
• Instagraminstagram.com/wintrustarena
• TikToktiktok.com/@wintrustarena
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wintrust-arena

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wintrust Arena