Chicago soccer fans will have the opportunity to watch Tuesday's U.S.-Belgium World Cup match stadium-style.
The U.S. Soccer World Cup Viewing Party will be held at 3 p.m. at Soldier Field, according to U.S. Soccer officials. Gates will open at 1:30 p.m. and admission to the stadium will be free.
A live feed of the match will be displayed on the north end zone video board and fans will be able to watch from the field and in the stands, officials said.
If enough people show up Tuesday, Soldier Field might turn on a second jumbotron in the south end zone.
Unlike previous viewing parties, which were held in the city’s Grant Park, Tuesday’s watch party will offer U.S. Soccer merchandise along with food, soft drinks, beer and other beverages.
Officials estimated that roughly 20,000 fans gathered to watch the Grant Park viewing parties. Soldier Field can hold about 62,000 fans.
Soldier Field actually holds some significance for the team. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann scored a World Cup goal for Germany in the stadium exactly 20 years ago.
The Round of 16 match will take place at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil and will be the first time the two teams have faced off in the World Cup since 1930.
Belgium has not reached the quarterfinals since 1986 and the U.S. team has already exceeded expectations by emerging from a tough opening group and wants to ride that momentum.
Belgium finished first in Group H with nine points from three wins. The U.S. finished ahead of Portugal and Ghana, taking second place in Group G behind Germany.
