Gossip and News - Other Activities - Ticketing Info - Travel Info Chelsea Central - Accommodation
As you probably know, the excitement is building over Chelsea's game in Chicago this summer and we are working with both Chelsea and the Chicago Fire to get the best deals and plans for the Chelsea supporters in America.
We will endeavor to bring you news as well as the latest gossip as it
crosses our mailboxes as well as any other information we can lay our
hands on so check back regularly, and if you have any scoop you'd like
to share please contact us at:
7th May, 2006
The official Chelsea Supporters Clubs in the US are
pleased to announce an exclusive ticket offer for the MLS All Stars vs.
Chelsea game in Chicago on August 5th, 2006. If you are a registered
member of one of the official US Chelsea supporters clubs you will be
able to purchase a single game ticket for $70 in a section that has been
reserved for all Chelsea Supporters Club members. This deal is *only*
for paid up members of one of the official Chelsea supporters clubs .
The Chicago Fire will be checking all orders to ensure that only members
are able to take advantage of this special offer. If you are not a
member yet and want to take advantage of this special offer then you
need to go to
www.ChelseaInAmerica.com and select the supporters club that covers
your region of the country for more information on membership. Details
on how to apply for this special ticket price will be sent out to
registered members shortly, so don't delay as you have until Friday May
12th, 2006 to become a member of one of the Chelsea US Supporters clubs
and qualify for the special deal.
Please also keep an eye on this
ChelseaInAmerica.com Summer Tour page for more information on
transport, hotels and other exciting events and special deals over the
game weekend!
21st April, 2006
Initial ticket information for Chicago
We are in continuous communication with the Fire
and as you can imagine, things are pretty wild in their offices right
now. We can however release the following information about tickets...
Thus far we have two sections reserved for us with a third as overflow.
Their box office are establishing a process for us to make it as easy as
possible to order our tickets individually. This could be by way of a
form to fill in and fax etc. but more information will be released as it
is confirmed.
Season ticket holders have until May 5th to purchase their tickets and
ticket sales don't open to the public until June 12th. We will have the
opportunity to buy individual seats after the season ticket holders but
before the public sale, during which our section will be held for xx
days, after which unsold seats will be released for public sale.
Please check back here for more information as we are able to release it
or join the
Chelsea In America chat board to get the latest and greatest gossip.
20th April, 2006
MLS All-Star v Chelsea finally official!
Today Chelsea, The Chicago Fire and the MLS officially announced the game date for 5th August. We have had conversations with the Fire about ticket allocations so as soon as we have information we will post it so please hang tight.
Read the official Chelsea announcement as well as comments from John Spencer who now lives in the US.
30th March, 2006
World Cup conflict might disrupt MLS All-Star Game plan
Per an article in the "Daily South" newspaper amongst others, the Chelsea game is still up in the air, hence the fact that tickets have not gone on sale yet. As the article suggests, there are various discussions in the works, but with ABC not budging on the date we have to cross our fingers that the players union will issue a special exemption. The only other option, assuming neither they or ABC will budge, it a change of opponent and possibly even venue. This will not sit well with the MLS as they need a high profile team so may look to a club from a country not tied by this rule (Italy or Spain?) to meet the date, but where does that leave Chelsea. In the Midwest we are hoping that the venue will not change, perhaps simply the opponents changing from the MLS all-stars to the Chicago Fire themselves.
29th March, 2006
As to other venues, the news is pure speculation, so under that disclaimer let me list the word on the street (or in the pub)...
Chicago - So far the worst kept secret is that Chelsea will be playing against the MLS All-Stars on July 29th at the new Chicago Fire stadium in Bridgeview, IL. Now this is unofficial as, even though an official announcement was supposed to be forthcoming Monday, it has not actually been officially confirmed by Chelsea, the MLS or Chicago Fire. However... we have been talking to The Fire on the off chance that Chelsea play there this summer... ;-)
LA - possible two games against one or both of the LA based MLS teams and/or a Mexican team.
Dallas - While strong connections with Chelsea the gossip suggests there are "problems" with Dallas so the odds are low. No details as to what the problem could be or whether they were looking at the Cotton Bowl or the local Pizza Hut parking lot in Frisco.
Columbus - A strong and favourite location of the MLS with a custom built stadium, but no firm gossip other than it's name has been thrown into the hat.
Toronto - This would be a strong candidate as it would a) give them exposure to the Canadian market, b) it's close enough to the US to attract US fans, c) it's location and international gateway make access easy and d) Toronto have been granted an MLS franchise for next season. Other than that no more details have emerged.
Other gossip - My sources tell me that Everton are also planning a US tour this summer and are looking at Columbus and Dallas, which may or may not impact the decision to take Chelsea to those venues.
Nothing is finalized yet but we are kicking around (sorry ;-) some of the following ideas:
- Five-a-side soccer tournament
- Chelsea quiz
- Celebrity guest
If you have any suggestions for other events then please let us know.
We have stuck a deal with Fado's Pub right in the downtown area to be "Chelsea Central" for the weekend. Fado's Pub have been gracious enough to offer us an entire floor of their fine establishment as no cost, as well as putting up banners and showing Chelsea on their TVs, but beyond this Fado's Pub will also be the place for many other events including...
- Steven Cohen and Nick Geber will host live their Friday edition of the World Soccer Daily radio show Friday lunch time...
- Friday evening will be Chelsea quiz night with prizes and goodies...
- Saturday morning will be breakfast as well as a "meet and greet" opportunity to let you meet some of those Blues from around the world that you have been chatting with all this time but never met...
- Saturday evening after the game, those in a fit state to do so will return to Fado's Pub to share stories and discuss the finer points of the game . . . or just consume further adult libations...
Discussions are ongoing with the Fire with respect to tickets. Currently they have agreed to allocate one or two sections for us and will allow us to order tickets ahead of the general public but after the season ticket holders. The order process will likely be in the form of a download and fax form. Information and forms will be posted here as it becomes available.
We have also been talking to them about flags and banners (which will hopefully be allowed) as well as placement for optimum TV coverage.
It is likely that most people will stay in Chicago and travel to/from Bridgeview. While there are ways to get there using public transport we are getting pricing for renting a bus or buses. More will be known closer to the time.
10th May, 2006: We have spent a lot of time trying to negotiate group rates with the hotels in the area but have not had any real success as there are several other big events in town that weekend. As the weekend's activities (other than the game of course) will be based at or around Fado's Pub we have decided therefore to provide you with a list of suggested hotels nearby, but you will need to go ahead and book your rooms yourselves. As a guide, several people have started booking at the first property in the list (Best Western River North) but as long as you are "staggering distance" from Fado's Pub you should be in good shape.
To
those of you traveling solo, if you are looking to save a few bucks you
may want to jump on the
Chelsea In
America chat site and see if there is anybody interested in sharing
a double room as we have already had several people looking to do this.
| Best Western River North
0.1 Miles from Fado's www.rivernorthhotel.com 800-704-6941 $179 Avg. nightly rate |
Hilton Garden Inn
Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile 0.2 Miles from Fado's www.hiltongardenchicago.com 877-782-9444 $209 Avg. nightly rate |
Comfort Inn & Suites
Downtown 0.2 Miles from Fado's www.chicagocomfortinn.com 888-775-9223 $200 Avg. nightly rate |
| Amalfi Hotel Chicago 0.2 Miles from Fado's www.amalfihotelchicago.com 877.262.5341 $189 Avg. nightly rate |
House of Blues Hotel 0.2 Miles from Fado's www.hob.com 877-569-3742 $206.10 Avg. nightly rate |
Howard Johnson Downtown
0.3 Miles from Fado's www.howardjohnson.com 800-446-4656 $139 Avg. nightly rate |
| The James 0.3 Miles from Fado's www.lenoxsuites.com 877-526-3755 $329 Avg. nightly rate |
Chicago Hotel 0.4 Miles from Fado's www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/CHISR 312-372-7200 $269 Avg. nightly rate |
Best Western Inn of
Chicago 0.4 miles from Fado's www.innofchicago.com 866-838-5749 $175.50 Avg. nightly rate |
| Omni Chicago Hotel 0.4 Miles from Fado's www.omnihotels.com 888-444-6664 $259 Avg. nightly rate |
Red Roof Inn Chicago
Downtown 0.4 Miles from Fado's www.redroof-chicago-downtown.com 800-733-7663 $140 Avg. nightly rate |
Hyatt Regency Chicago
0.4 Miles from Fado's www.hicagoregency.hyatt.com 312 565 1234 $259 Avg. nightly rate |
| Hotel 71 0.4 Miles from Fado's www.hotel71.com 312.346.7100 $200 Avg. nightly rate |
Radisson Hotel & Suites
- Downtown Chicago 0.4 Miles from Fado's www.radisson.com/chicagoil 800-333-3333 $178 Avg. nightly rate |
Wyndham Chicago 0.4 Miles from Fado's www.wyndham.com 877-999-3223 $207 Avg nightly rate |
| Hotel Monaco Chicago 0.5 Miles from Fado's www.monaco-chicago.com 866-610-0081 $250 Avg nightly rate |
Fairfield Inn and Suites
by Marriott Chicago Downtown 0.5 Miles from Fado's www.fairfieldsuiteschicago.com 312-787-3777 $159 Avg. nightly rate |
Sofitel Chicago Water
Tower 0.5 Miles frm Fado's www.softel.com 312/324-4000 $255 Avg. nightly rate |
| Hotel Allegro Chicago
0.5 Miles from Fado's www.allegrochicago.com 866-672-6143 $199 Avg nightly rate |
Hard Rock Hotel Chicago
0.5 Miles from Fado's www.hardrockhotelchicago.com 866.966.5166 $339 Avg. nightly rate |
The Whitehall Hotel 0.6 Miles from Fado's www.thewhitehallhotel.com $207 Avg. nightly rate |
| Hotel Burnham 0.6 Miles from Fado's www.burnhamhotel.com 877.294.9712 $209 Avg. nightly rate |
Swissotel - Chicago 0.6 Miles from Fado's www.chicago.swissotel.com 312 565 0565 $249 Avg. nightly rate |
The Westin Michigan
Avenue Chicago 0.6 Miles from Fado's www.westin.com 866-716-8104 $249 Avg. nightly rate |
| Seneca Hotel & Suites
0.7 Miels from Fado's www.senecahotelchicago.com $167 Avg. nightly rate |
6.
7. The James
0.3 Miles from Fado's
www.lenoxsuites.com 877-526-3755
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