The Intersection of Chicago Sports and Gaming: Best of Both Worlds with Wintrust
What do sports and video games have in common? More than you probably expect. There are arcade games influenced by sports, plus there are overlaps in the benefits of sports and video games. The best arcades in Chicago combine a love of sports and games, including Wintrust Sports Complex.
Cheering For Chicago Sports
You can catch a professional Chicago sports game during any season. In fact, Chicago is one of only a dozen US cities with teams from all five major sports: baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. Chicago teams range from historic teams and founding members of a league to new teams built to expand on a sport.
Chicago sports have a lasting legacy. The Chicago Bears, The Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago White Sox are over one hundred years old. The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the original six teams in the NHL and have six Stanley Cups to their name. The Chicago Bulls may not have the tenure as other teams, but they have six NBA Championships. Newer teams, such as the Chicago Sky Women’s NBA team, have already earned a championship title. While soccer is still a growing professional sport in the USA, the Chicago Fire FC has one Major League Soccer Cup, and four US Opens on their roster. The newest professional sports team in Chicago is the Chicago Hounds, a professional rugby team founded in 2022. While the Hounds may not be a founding member of the Major League Rugby, the MLR only started in 2017, so they are still part of the professional rugby legacy in North America.
Sports and Video Games
On the surface, sports and video or arcade games may be very different hobbies, but there is a lot of overlap. While it may be hard to incorporate gaming into the world of sports, sports video games are incredibly popular. Sports games range from arcade game classics such as NBA Jam to the Madden NFL series of games and the interactive games of Wii Sports. For anyone who includes racing in a list of sports, every single racing game from Mario Cart to Sega Rally is a sports video game.
Sports games available at home or at arcades near you range from more standard arcade games with buttons and controls, or more interactive games with virtual playing technology such as Wii sports and VR or AR games. Even classic games such as Dance Dance Revolution can be considered a sports game, and DDR is sure to get a workout going.
Benefits of Sports and Games
Sports and athletic activity are well known for having physical and mental health benefits to people of all ages. There are similar benefits to arcade games. Sports and arcade games overlap with their positive impacts on development, stress relief, and socialization.
Physical Health and Development
While participation in athletic sports is known to help children develop healthy habits and maintain physical fitness, video games share some developmental benefits. Both sports and video games involve movements and coordination, especially hand-eye coordination. Both activities enhance fine motor skills and agility.
Cognitive Development
Video games require problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategy. Team sports require these same skills. Games and sports can improve memory, attention, spatial awareness, and multitasking.
Resilience and Perseverance
Losing games, missing out on a championship, or even simply missing a goal are setbacks faced in sports. Similar challenges and setbacks exist in arcades. Losing a level, not beating a high score, or a simple mistake. Facing these challenges teaches resilience and perseverance and helps children develop emotional maturity.
Stress Relief and Mental Health
Physical activity releases endorphins, which reduce stress and improve mood. Sports provide an outlet for releasing pent-up energy and emotions, promoting mental well-being, and reducing the risk of anxiety and depression. Similarly, video games provide a way to temporarily escape reality, relieve stress, and the ability to relax.
Socialization and Friendship
Team sports and arcade games teach teamwork and cooperation and provide opportunities for socialization. Sports teams and multiplayer games teach the importance of working together towards a common goal. Players practice communication skills, collaboration, and respect for teammates. Participating in these events is a way for children to socialize, make friends, and enjoy time with their peers.
Wintrust Chicago Sports Complex and Arcade
Combining the best aspects of Chicago sports and arcade games is simple at Wintrust Sports Complex. When looking for an “arcade near me,” look no further. Wintrust is the perfect combination of sports and is home to one of the best arcades in Chicago. Our 116,000 square-foot venue includes eight basketball courts, 16 NCAA Volleyball courts, a pickleball court, the redemption arcade, and a laser tag arena.
After spending time playing, enjoy a break at The Station Grille restaurant. Looking to host a birthday party, corporate event, or field trip? We have flexible event and meeting spaces to cater to your needs.
Wintrust offers an accessible and convenient way for families to engage in physical activities together. Our Chicago sports complex courts have flexible programming, clinics, and camps.
We have a 4,000-square-foot redemption arcade filled with everything you can think of! We have many arcade games perfect for any birthday party or group event. You can also get a refillable arcade card for only $10 to start gaming throughout the arcade. We also offer Laser Tag. Challenge your family members and burn some energy with a game of laser tag in our 2,000-square-foot laser tag arena.
Wintrust Sports Complex is the best place for arcade games, sports, and overall family or corporate fun. The Chicago sports complex is filled with possibilities.
