CHICAGO — A World Cup viewing party for American soccer fans will change venues for the second time in four days due to the heavy rain Saturday.
The viewing party, which was originally moved from Arvey Field in Grant Park to Lower Hutchinson Field to accommodate more fans will move to Balbo Avenue, between Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Avenue. The U.S. Men's National Team is scheduled to play Portugal in the 5 p.m. matchup.
"The new site was chosen due to storms in the Chicagoland area that saturated the Lower Hutchinson Field area of Grant Park that served as the initial location. Balbo Avenue will allow fans a dry and convenient location for the party, which is free and open to everyone," U.S. Soccer said on its website.
The change of venue means soccer enthusiasts may be a bit more sober then the 7,000 fans, who packed into Grant Park Monday, as beer will not be sold at the new location. No outside alcohol will be allowed into the viewing area either.
The viewing party Sunday will feature a live feed of the game displayed on a 33'-by-19' high-definition screen along with a U.S. Soccer Fan fest area adjacent to Arvey Field, which will open at noon and offer a variety of soccer related activities.
The final match of group play will be held at the Petrillo Music Shell at Butler Field Thursday at 11 a.m.
