Even though the Arizona Cardinals played a home game on Sunday, Chicago Bears fans completely took over State Farm Stadium and turned it into a hostile environment. There was a lot more blue and orange in the crowd than red and white.
If you didn’t know where the game was played, you would think it was in Illinois!
Away game takeovers are actually pretty common in the NFL, all things considered. Passionate fanbases roll deep into enemy territory a few times every year. That is especially true in Las Vegas where visitors often out-number Raiders fans, like when the Steelers played at Allegiant Stadium last month.
Pittsburgh and San Francisco usually travel well regardless of their team’s record. The same cannot be said for Chicago. Bears fans do not typically make an overwhelming impact on away games.
Part of that is probably because they have not had any reason to travel in recent history. There is hope in the Windy City for the first time in a long time because of Caleb Williams and Ryan Poles.
The Chicago Bears are worth traveling for!
State Farm Stadium holds a maximum capacity of 63,400. According to boots on the ground, approximately 44,000 of the fans (70%) in attendance on Sunday were rooting for the Bears.
Various images and videos from pregame seem to back up that rather significant number!
If you know my husband you know we had to come to the Bears vs. Cardinals game. Walked in and our section is all Bears fans 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/7qYoPCTv3o
— Ashley Holden (@ashleyvholden) November 3, 2024
So many Bears fans here in Arizona pic.twitter.com/Azj7uciLJg
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) November 3, 2024
Pretty good roar from the crowd here as the Bears took the field. Lots of Bears fans (and still plenty of empty seats too) as we close in on kickoff. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/uGPwrD9yIE
— Matt Zahn (@mattzahnsports) November 3, 2024
Bears fans out in full force. pic.twitter.com/IiD1PTQRZw
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) November 3, 2024
The concourse was packed with navy blue and orange.
Chicago Bears fans have taken over State Farm stadium. 70% of the fans here are Bear fans.
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) November 3, 2024
This is wild. The Cardinals will be playing an away game today. pic.twitter.com/sLvgZR7RqP
As fans made their way into the stadium for kickoff, it became increasingly clear that the Arizona Cardinals’ home game would actually be an away game. Chicago took over.
so many bears fans representing!! 🐻 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/W0px5wNHhr
— Kate (@kadbevins36) November 3, 2024
Maybe a long-dormant fanbase has awoken from its slumber. Maybe there are a lot of Chicago transplants who moved to Phoenix to escape the cold.
Whatever the reason, Cardinals fans failed to show up for their team and allowed the visitors to establish home-field advantage on the road!