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The sky’s the limit for a Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese showdown.
The Chicago Sky will host the Indiana Fever in a different venue this upcoming season — the United Center — as potential sellouts and record-breaking crowds are expected, the Sky announced in a press release on Friday.
It will mark as the first WNBA games to be held in the history of the 31-year-old arena, which is the home of the NBA’s Bulls and NHL’s Blackhawks.
Additionally, the game initially set for Saturday, July 26, will be played on Sunday, July 27 with a 2 p.m. CT tipoff.
The contest set for Saturday, June 7 will remain as its original date with a 7 p.m. tipoff.
“Given the explosive growth in the WNBA, we now have a first-ever opportunity to invite more fans to experience this matchup at a larger venue of the United Center,” Adam Fox, the Sky’s president and CEO, said. “Chicago Sky fans have consistently shown up for the team and the city, and we want to reward their passion and dedication by bringing this excitement to an expanded capacity. We know Skytown will help us create a special environment at the United Center this summer.
“We want to thank the United Center and MPEA for their partnership to bring the WNBA to more fans, and Wintrust Arena for their continued support of the Sky.”
However, the matchups were moved not only because of the history between Clark and Reese but also due to the booming WNBA free agency period that saw some of the league’s most shocking trades in its 28 years — adding veteran and star pieces to both teams.
The Sky signed Courtney Vandersloot after her two seasons with the Liberty and two-time All-Star guard — and 2019 WNBA champ — Ariel Atkins from the Mystics.
Additionally, Clark will play alongside six-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champ DeWanna Bonner and two-time All-Stars in forward Natasha Howard and guard Kelsey Mitchell.
The United Center will be able to hold a capacity of over 20,000 for the showdown, which gives the Sky two opportunities to play in front of what could be a franchise record-setting home crowd.
The largest attendance recorded for the Sky was 16,444 fans on July 13, 2016, at Allstate Arena, which is outside of Chicago.
The Sky typically play at Wintrust Arena, which holds 10,000 seats.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, two championship franchises, to the United Center this summer for its first-ever WNBA games,” Joe Myhra, United Center Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer said. “It’s an honor to showcase these elite athletes and highlight the impact of women’s sports in an arena rich with iconic basketball moments.”
The Sky and Fever are slated to meet five times in the first-ever 44 regular-season game year for the WNBA, with Indiana hosting three matchups at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
