Where to Watch the Big Ten in Chicago

The Chicago Bears own Sundays in the fall and winter, but Saturdays in the Windy City are for the Big Ten. In recent years, the conference has expanded to 18 universities, including more of the NCAA’s most storied programs. Most of the schools’ athletic departments and alumni associations have partnered with local bars to put on watch parties for fans to gather and cheer on their team during football and basketball season. Check out where to watch the games below.

By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago)

Northwestern University’s proximity to Chicago means that there are plenty of places – 17, to be exact – to catch the Wildcats. Most are near the school’s main campus in downtown Evanston, but Timothy O’Toole’s off the Magnificent Mile and Beermiscuous in Lakeview are also options. 

The Chicago Illini Club also has numerous locations for University of Illinois alumni, including the Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern at Wrigley Field. At least one of the bars will be designated as the Watch Zone of the Week, with Illinois swag given out, and the others will have the sound on during the game.

In Lakeview, Will’s Northwoods Inn is modeled on the supper clubs found throughout Wisconsin, right down to its beer-battered cheese curds and Friday night fish fries. Naturally, it’s a home for the Badgers, and The Lodge (Gold Coast), Rebel & Rye (River West), and Lottie’s Pub (Bucktown) are also official University of Wisconsin bars.

The Ohio State University defends its national championship in 2025. The Alumni Club of Chicago partners with six bars for its viewing parties. Their bitterest enemies, University of Michigan, can be found at four spots on the North Side – the sign outside Duffy’s in Lakeview is even in maize and blue – and the Wolverines’ interstate rivals, the Michigan State Spartans, have eight official homes. Indiana University’s alumni set up shop at Joe’s Bar in Lincoln Park and Sluggers in Wrigleyville. 

Indiana’s other Big Ten team, Purdue, lists Park & Field as the official Chicago base for its alumni association, but games are also shown at Fireplace Inn (Old Town), Avenue Tap & Kitchen (North Center), Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria (Lincoln Park), and Half Day Brewing Company (Lincolnshire). Fans of the University of Minnesota can root for the Golden Gophers at The Other Side Bar (Lincoln Park) and Jefferson Tap & Grille (Fulton Market). The last of the original Big Ten teams, Iowa, can be supported at six Chicago bars, including Theory (River North) and Merkle’s Bar & Grill (Wrigleyville), and three in the suburbs. 

Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1990, moving the conference beyond its Midwest roots. The Chicago chapter of its alumni association gathers at Smoke Daddy (Wicker Park), Derno’s (Lakeview), and Golden Boy BBQ (Elmhurst). Fans can enjoy food and drink specials and participate in raffles at each location. Kirkwood (Lakeview) and Fox & Hound (Schaumburg) are the official homes for the University of Nebraska. 

In 2024, four schools from the Pac-12 joined the Big Ten to bring the total number to 18 members. University of Southern California alumni and fans can cheer on the Trojans at Theory in River North. The Chicago Ducks, the alumni group of the University of Oregon, flock to Homeslice in Lincoln Park. Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville has food and drink specials during University of Washington games. 

The fourth former Pac-12 school, UCLA, does not have a location for an official watch party, nor do two of the other relative newcomers, University of Maryland and Rutgers. 

The above information is correct as of the start of the 2025 college football season. Be sure to check with the establishments to ensure that they’ll be showing the game, and to find out how early you may need to arrive to guarantee seating.