If you thought the Caitlin Clark hype was dying down, think again. Since her days with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark has been divisive. But her popularity, even through the debates, has never been in question. The most prolific scorer in women’s college basketball was a star from the beginning.
And when she came to the WNBA as the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever, she brought all that star power with her. Whether it was at home or on the road, Clark was a phenom nightly with sold-out crowds and incredible ratings being the norm. A year in, however, the numbers are going even higher.
Caitlin Clark Forces WNBA’s Chicago Sky Into NBA Arena
Due to their difference in popularity, NBA and WNBA teams that exist in the same city typically play in different arenas. But Clark, who’s already forced multiple teams to shift to bigger arenas due to fan demand and ticket sales, just took it a step further.
According to Front Office Sports, “The Chicago Sky are moving their home games against the Indiana Fever from their 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena to the Bulls’ 20,917-seat United Center.” Not only is the feat a significant moment in women’s basketball history, it is made doubly special for one reason.
The Chicago Sky are moving their home games against the Indiana Fever from their 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena to the Bulls' 20,917-seat United Center.
The games will now be played at the largest arena in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/rjEEmezXeu
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 28, 2025
“The games will now be played at the largest arena in the NBA.” That rabid Chicago fanbase is going to get its money’s worth as the legendary Clark-Angel Reese rivalry takes center stage at the United Center.
During the 2025 season, the two teams will clash twice. The Sky have shifted both games over, potentially drawing the biggest crowd in WNBA history.
Just last season, the Washington Mystics nearly broke the all-time seating record while hosting Indiana with 20,711 people in attendance. But with the added capacity of the United Arena, the WNBA could aim to break the all-time record set in the early 2000s.
Additionally, the collegiate rivalry budding in the pros has also brought with it TV interest, with their game in June last year drawing more than some WNBA Finals games as well. The two games next season will take place on June 7 and July 27, two dates most basketball fans will earmark on their calendars.
