Chicago lives and breathes for sports. The crack of that bat at Wrigley Field to the roaring at the Madhouse on Madison, the city craves the energy of its sports teams and fans. In recent years, something new has entered the fan experience: cannabis. At Ivy Hall, we’ve seen firsthand how cannabis culture is involving itself in Chicago’s favorite teams. We’re contributing in a way that brings fans together, enhancing game-day rituals, and offering a new way to embrace the loyalty of our community in a city that is already defined by its loyalty.
It’ll be easier to just break down the fan experience across Chicago’s biggest teams.
Chicago Cubs
Ivy Hall’s Bucktown and Logan Square shops see a steady flow of fans heading north to Wrigley Field, prepping for nine painfully slow or fast innings. For Cubs fans, cannabis is becoming a pre-game staple – an alternative to downing several beers. Cannabis offers relaxation without the hangover.
To flow with the slow rhythm of a Cubs game, hybrid strains and low-dose edibles pair perfectly and maintain the buzz for Wrigleyville’s partying afterwards. Cannabis can help fans settle into the pace of the game and maintain focus between pitches.
The Chicago Cubs have always been about community. Now, cannabis adds another way to connect.
Chicago White Sox
Sox Fans are all about intensity. The atmosphere at Guaranteed Rate Field is louder and grittier. Cannabis matches this energy. Edibles with higher THC content and bold terpene profiles fit this sort of crowd. It amplifies the electric, no-nonsense vibe of the South Side to go along with the nachos and Polish sausages. The culinary side of a Sox game is almost as memorable as the game itself.
And while the Cubs may have the national spotlight, Sox fans love to see the underdogs grind. Cannabis fits into this unpolished and unfiltered identity and it’s all about fitting in with the spirit of the game and its fans.
Chicago Bears
It could be mid December with winds blowing off the lake or a sunny Sunday in September, Soldier Field will always turn into a sea of navy and orange and cannabis is now taking part in these prideful days – especially fans that go all out for the tailgate experience.
Let’s picture it: a pre-roll before kickoff, easing some of your nerves as you set up the grill. A gummy at halftime to take the sting off a defensive breakdown. A discreet vape while celebrating a rare Bears touchdown. Weed gives Bears fans a way to ride with the highs and the lows of watching a team that keeps us guessing every season.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are a global brand. Michael Jordan created a dynasty for the team and with the rebuilds, the United Center is a place of nostalgia. The artistic side of cannabis has a unique place within the Bulls culture.
For a Bulls game, fans should reach for sativa strains before a game–something uplifting to match the speed of transitions and the energy radiating off the crowd. Cannabis can enhance the artistry of the game, turning the game more into a performance.
Along with the game, there’s also the music. The hip-hop legends that shaped the Jordan x Bulls years fit into the cultural mix of cannabis. At Ivy Hall, we see fans looking for products that don’t just get them high but connect them to a specific vibe—something that matches the aesthetic of Chicago basketball.
Chicago Wolves
Enough about the Blackhawks, let’s talk about the Chicago Wolves. Ivy Hall is stepping in to elevate the fiercely loyal following the Wolves have established in Rosemont. With our pop-up events happening at games throughout the season, fans now have a chance to connect with us off the ice.
These activities educate on cannabis usage, but we also use them to connect with our communities. Expect merch, giveaways, and a chance to learn more about how cannabis can pair with the game-day excitement. We want the Ivy Hall’s Wolves events to make the fan experience more memorable, and help amplify the sense of belonging the Wolves fans emulate.
Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club
Chicago sports culture isn’t only about the big stadiums and roaring crows. Sometimes, it’s about the smaller, offbeat spaces. Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club is a hidden sports gem in Bucktown. The space is a part tropical escape, part social playground where the community comes together. Ivy Hall has proudly been able to experience some of these days.
At recent events, Ivy Hall has set the mood for some of the tournaments by passing out free joints and edibles, giving guests a chance to enjoy some weed during their intense competitions. The pairing was clearly a natural fit giving them a chance to loosen up and laugh a little.
Cannabis is fitting right into Chicago’s sports culture – and Ivy Hall is leading this shift. We are showing up where fans already are, passing out free joints at Royal Palms, pop-ups at Wolves games, or just offering the right products for a Sunday gameday. We are elevating the fan experience without taking away from the game itself. We want to enhance the game-day traditions – giving Chicagoans new ways to connect.
