DraftKings moves forward with in-stadium sportsbook project at Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field for 2023, unveils new renderings

DraftKings is moving forward and providing more details of its in-stadium sportsbook at the home of MLB's Chicago Cubs. Both partners hosted a beam signing ceremony on Friday to commemorate the topping off and soon-to-be completed structural steel addition to the historic ballpark for the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field, and new renderings were unveiled for the venue, slated to be completed in 2023.

The two-story sportsbook will be located on the corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue at the southeast corner of Wrigley Field. The beam signing ceremony was led by DraftKings CEO Jason Robins and Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney. 

“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,” said Robins. “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.”

DraftKings became the Official Sports Betting and Daily Fantasy Partner of The Chicago Cubs under a deal announced in September last year. The multi-year deal includes a plan to pursue a first-of-its-kind sportsbook at the Wrigley Field stadium, with online access available in the surrounding Wrigleyville area. The plans were boosted in December, when the Chicago City Council agreed to lift the Chicago ban on sports betting and impose a Mayor-backed 2% tax on gross revenues from it, which allows sportsbooks to open in and around Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, the United Center and Wintrust Arena.

“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,” said Kenney in a release. “With our opening planned for 2023, we’re excited to add a year-round entertainment venue to campus.”

The retail sportsbook, designed by Gensler, will be a 22,350-square-foot space with a planned occupancy of up to 1,000 people and will feature a 2,000-square-foot video screen and a scrolling ticker displaying odds, scores and player information. Additionally, the space will be outfitted with betting kiosks, over-the-counter ticket windows, a Jim Beam branded bar concept, and will serve American-style food with a "Chicago flair." Once complete, the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field will be open year-round.

The general contractor is Pepper Construction with Marquee Development serving as the owner’s representative. President of Pepper Construction Scot Pepper, President and Chief Executive Officer of Levy Andy Lansing, and Principal at Gensler Aleksandar Sasha Zeljic were also in attendance on Friday.

Since launching mobile and online sports betting in Illinois on August 5, 2020, DraftKings has generated nearly $2 billion in handle in the state, more than any other operator.

As Chicago City prepares for a new sports betting market and in-arena sportsbooks, Caesars Entertainment announced in May it has entered a new deal with MLB's Chicago White Sox to make Caesars the Exclusive Casino Partner of the team, and to name the company’s Sportsbook its Official Betting Partner. In February, FanDuel Group and the United Center, home of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and NHL's Chicago Blackhawks in Illinois, announced plans to open a FanDuel Sportsbook lounge inside the iconic stadium.