The Article Of Clothing In Chicago That Could Get You Booed When Visiting

On game day, sports fans wear their hearts on their sleeves, literally, donning jerseys and gear in solidarity with their team's players and history. This love affair often extends off-field when out and about for errands or social outings, but if you wear your gear while traveling, tread cautiously. Chicago football fans adore the Bears, so boos and jeers may greet the unsuspecting soul sporting a Green Bay Packers jersey on a trip to the Windy City.

This unwritten rule when visiting Chicago dates back more than a century. The Bears and the Packers are the oldest enemies in the National Football League (NFL), per NBC Chicago, having played 213 games against each other, more than any other teams in the league. Examples of occasional bad blood permeate among the players, coaches, and fans, including the exchange of punches and even pranks like planting manure in the opposing team's locker room, according to Sports Illustrated. One Bears fan shares in a Quora forum how he wore his team's jersey to the Packers' Lambeau Field in Wisconsin and was schooled in the restroom when someone deliberately urinated on his shoes.

Maybe the Bears are smarting since the Packers lead the overall series, 109 to 98, with six ties. Or perhaps the frustration is real for the Packers, who lost the 2026 NFC Wild Card playoff game this year against the Bears after blowing a 21-3 halftime lead. Whatever drives this tension, what is remarkable is the level of fan allegiance, especially given how cold and snowy games can get. Temperatures plummet to the single digits at Chicago's Soldier Field, and games at Lambeau (which is known for its epic tailgating) sell out even during snowstorms.

Should your visit to Chicago include exploring the area's charming suburbs right next to downtown, then it will behoove you to keep your attire Chicago-friendly. A Harris Poll from 2023 found that the Bears have even more support in the city's suburbs. With fandom ingrained in local cultures, it's a good idea to brush up on local sports wherever you travel before you showcase your team spirit. 

You may wonder if such hostilities trickle down to neighboring baseball teams. The Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers enjoy a spirited rivalry in the MLB's National League Central Division. Die-hard fans can get in on the local scoop with a visit to the Chicago Sports Museum, known for its hands-on activities, engaging exhibits, and memorabilia, like Walter Payton's final career touchdown football. "This is a must for any sports fan or enthusiast," writes one Google reviewer. Its smaller size means you have time to catch a game or check out some of Chicago's most underrated museums.

It's hard to overstate how much sports infiltrate life in Chicago. Aside from attending other games in person for soccer, basketball, hockey, and even ultimate frisbee, you can watch them on screens from a number of bar perches. According to Reddit, Bears fans like to pre-game at Reggies Chicago, which even features shuttles to and from sports games. Graystone Tavern is the spot for Cubs' watch parties. And the bible for all things athletic has recently opened one of its first U.S. hotels in Chicago, Sports Illustrated Resorts, about 3 miles from Soldier Field. Out-of-towners can book a stay in a modernly designed room with amenities such as a 24/7 fitness center.