A Historic Night in Chicago as Sky and Fever Light Up the United Center with Milestone WNBA Game

A Night of Firsts for Women's Basketball in Chicago

Chicago witnessed a landmark moment in women's sports on Saturday night as the Chicago Sky hosted the Indiana Fever in their first-ever WNBA game at the iconic United Center. Although the final score tilted heavily in favor of the Fever, who secured a 79–52 win, the evening was about far more than just the numbers on the scoreboard.

With a record-breaking crowd of 19,496 fans, the game marked a powerful step forward for the WNBA, showcasing how women’s basketball continues to break barriers and demand a spotlight on major stages traditionally reserved for men’s sports.

More Than a Game at the United Center

The Sky's head coach Tyler Marsh, reflecting on his own personal milestones at the venue, described the night as deeply meaningful.

“It’s an incredible moment for our team and for our city,” Marsh said. “To represent the WNBA in this building, on a night like this, is something I don’t take for granted.”

The United Center, home to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Blackhawks, has been host to countless iconic sports moments. Saturday added another to its rich legacy — this time in celebration of women’s athletics and the WNBA’s growing influence.

Clark and Reese Rivalry Takes a Backseat

Anticipation had built around the matchup of two of the league’s brightest stars — Angel Reese of the Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Fever — who carried their high-profile rivalry from college courts to the pros. However, the showdown didn’t quite materialize as expected.

Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, missed her fourth consecutive game due to a quad injury and watched from the sidelines. Despite her absence, fans still turned out in droves, many wearing her jersey and filling the arena with excitement and pride.

Even without the headlining face-off, the crowd energy was electric. Fans cheered with passion, undeterred by the lopsided score, and contributed to an atmosphere that felt like a celebration of progress more than a traditional basketball contest.

Record Crowd Reflects Growing Interest

Saturday’s attendance shattered previous local records, surpassing the 16,444 fans who attended a 2016 game at Allstate Arena. Ticket prices varied widely — from $9 on resale platforms just hours before tipoff, to $5,000 courtside seats in previous games when Clark and Reese shared the court.

Last season’s buzz around their first meeting in Chicago brought celebrities and basketball royalty to the stands. This time, it was the venue itself — and what it symbolized — that stole the spotlight.

“We just continue to make milestones for women,” said Angel Reese. “Women belong here. This is just the beginning.”

Players and Coaches Embrace the Moment

For Kamilla Cardoso, a rising star on the Sky roster, the significance of the night was clear.

“It just shows how much women’s basketball is growing,” she said. “It’s amazing to see.”

On the other side, Fever assistant coach Austin Kelly — stepping in for Stephanie White, who missed the game for personal reasons — shared his nostalgic connection to the venue, remembering his childhood days watching the Michael Jordan–Scottie Pippen Bulls dynasty on the same floor.

“We’d cram into hotel rooms during AAU trips just to watch those Bulls games,” Kelly recalled. “To be coaching here now, it’s surreal.”

A Dream Realized for Local Coaches

For some, the night carried a deeper emotional resonance. Aaron Johnson, Sky player-development coach and a Chicago native, had long dreamed of moments like this. According to Coach Marsh, Johnson was visibly moved when the game was announced.

“He grew up sitting in the nosebleeds of this building,” Marsh said. “To now be on the floor, coaching in front of a packed crowd — it’s one of those full-circle moments you never forget.”

Although the Fever came out on top for the second time this season against the Sky — even without Clark in the lineup — the night was not about wins or losses. It was about the message: women's basketball belongs in the biggest arenas, in front of the biggest crowds.

Fans won’t have to wait long for a sequel. The Sky and Fever are scheduled to meet again at the United Center on July 27, promising another chance to witness the growth of a league on the rise.

This game wasn’t just a sporting event. It was a cultural statement. A promise of what’s to come. And a celebration of how far women’s sports — and women’s basketball in particular — have come.