There has been a buzz of activity at DraftKings especially since it was announced that the sportsbook would be partnering with Wrigley Field sportsbook. The latest development on the issue has been the holding of a topping off ceremony this past week. Coupled with that, there has also been the unveiling of renderings which took place at the beginning of the week.
For many DraftKings fans and those who are eager to experience an outdoor venue with a fresh feel, the 22,350-square-foot and two-story facility has created such suspense. According to schedule that had been laid down for the construction, this venue is expected to usher in its first set of guests in 2023. The strategic location at the corner of Sheffield Avenue and Addison Street is son going to host thousands of sports bettors looking to score.
The capacity of the sportsbook has been estimated at 1,000 people but even more breathtaking is the 2,000 square feet of video screens that will keep guests glued to the action. The scores will show updates on various game scores as well as odds amid other betting related information. There will also be betting kiosks and windows within the same premises and their message with reflect that which is already up on the screens.
Sports and social drinking go hand in hand and this explains why the developers of the DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois space though that related branding would be a good idea. With a Jim Beam-branded bar and restaurant, the true spirit of sportsmanship is brought closer to the people and betting fans can have an all rounded experience.
According to the CEO of DraftKings, Jason Robins, the topping off ceremony which was held last week was an opportunity for the supporters of the brand to celebrate its rich heritage as they walk into an even greater level of business. Many of those who have known the brand for a long time will appreciate the rich history of the club and anticipate greater leaps as the brand steps into a new era in the Illinois sports betting arena.
Robins is excited that his company is moving up in its efforts to make Illinois sports betting a regular part of people’s lives. By forging an alliance with the Chicago Cubs, the sportsbook has managed to bring a world class entertainment experience for customers through the iconic Wrigley Field venue. In a press release to state the company’s position on the development, the CEO emphasized how proud his team was at playing a role in the progression.
What we cover
The Wrigley Field Sportsbook
This will be the first in stadium under DraftKings that has been launched with the intention to have it operate all year round. For the franchise’s president of business operations, Crane Kenney, having a DraftKings facility that would be open on days other than the Cubs gamedays was a very important aspect for selling the idea of the development to fans. According to Kenney, the retail atmosphere that characterizes the new sportsbook is likely to become an entertainment destination that people will not want to miss. In mid December 2021, the state of Chicago had the ban on sports betting repealed and this gave green light to the five professional sports teams in the city to open retail sportsbooks.
At the beam signing ceremony, Kenney issued a press release to express how excited his team was at the new development. He termed the occasion as a significant milestone considering that it is an opportunity to tap into the great reputation that DraftKings commands in the market. Visitors and fans coming to Wrigley Field will have an enhanced gameday experience because of this level of collaboration. The plan is to kick off operations in the new venue in 2023 and that explains the thrill surrounding the year-round entertainment venue.
MLB Stadiums and Sportsbooks
Once the development of the DraftKings Sportsbook at the Wrigley Field is completed, it will join the likes of New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals, teams with retail sportsbooks to their name or near their stadiums. The Nationals were the first ones to do so when they opened a BetMGM Sportsbook in January. Before it was announced that the cubs would be joining this group, D-Backs had opened their Caesars Sportsbook space a few weeks before.
Even though the Mets have been included in this list, it will not be until later in the years when they will be opening their own Caesars retail sportsbook at Citi Field. At the start of the year, FanDuel announced that they would be using the United Center as the venue for their retail sportsbook. The start of the football season will act as the time guide for this project because the opening has been scheduled to take place by the time it starts.
In May, Bally’s made a bid for and won the rights to set up a casino in downtown Chic ago. To cement this allocation, the company last week proceeded to make a licensing payment of $40 million to the city administration. This commitment is a signal to their fans that soon they will be enjoying all benefits that will come with the new premises. The state too is assured that they will soon start raking in the levies and they will be as high as the volume of business.
Final Thoughts
It is a good marketing strategy for sports teams to partner with high flying betting entities for mutual benefit; the soccer fraternity is doing it will good success stories. The team will obviously get publicity and sponsorship to run their affairs while the betting operator will enjoy a surge in revenue as a result of people supporting their affiliate teams. It is therefore no surprise for well performing teams to partner with betting companies who act as their official betting partners.
