Are you and your fellow football fans looking for a place to watch the game? Why not turn your Chicago apartment into the designated Sunday hangout? With some inexpensive stow-away seating, a crock pot, and a flat screen TV, any apartment can be a pigskin lover’s paradise.
Here’s everything you need to get your apartment game-day ready.
TV & Cable
A flat screen TV between 32” and 50” is a must for hosting football Sundays, but if you and your friends aren’t Chicago Bears fans, you’ll also need to make sure you can broadcast out-of-market games. NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV allows you to stream live NFL games without a DIRECTV satellite if you live in a multi-unit residence, such as an apartment or dorm. You can stream live, out-of-market NFL regular season games every Sunday afternoon on a compatible tablet, smartphone, web browser, gaming console, or streaming device. It costs $73.49/month for 4 months, or $99/month for the Max package. More than you want to spend? Ask your football buddies to split the cost.
Seating
Before you invite ten of your closest friends to join you for football every Sunday, make sure you have enough seating, and that doesn’t mean plopping down bar stools and kitchen chairs in front of the TV. Instead, pick up a few of those folding camp chairs. They’re more comfortable than sitting on the floor, and they can easily be stored under a bed or in the closet. Plus, they usually come equipped with beverage holders. Instant indoor tailgate party!
Food & Drink
Two words: crock pot. From chili to hot wings, slow cookers are the key to easy game day meals. There are tons of simple recipes online, and it’s definitely less expensive than ordering pizza or subs every week. Ask guests to bring snacks or dessert, and don’t be afraid to make it BYOB. This way everybody has their beverage of choice, and it’s still cheaper than buying rounds at a Chicago sports bar.
Noise Control
Perhaps the trickiest part about hosting game day in your apartment is keeping noise to a minimum. After all, your neighbors may not be football fans. (We know, that’s absurd, right?) The good news is that there are things you can do to dampen sound. Wall coverings and thick rugs are a renter’s best friend, as are these other soundproofing tips for apartments.
Looking for an Apartment that’s Perfect for Hosting Football Sunday? Oak Park apartments has more than 60 Chicago-area apartment buildings and 1,500 apartments for rent in Oak Park, Chicago, Forest Park and River Forest. Choose from studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with updated interiors and spacious floor plans. Most are within walking distance of public transportation.
Editor’s note: This content was originally published on September 23, 2019, but has been updated as of September 2022.
