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SoCo Expo 2025
Attendee Information

Join us July 31-August 2, 2025, at Chicago Soccer Fields in Melrose Park, IL, for America's premier soccer card show

Everything You Need to Know for SoCo Expo 2025

Welcome to America's premier soccer card show! SoCo Expo 2025 brings together the most passionate soccer collectors, elite vendors, and exciting activities in a one-of-a-kind experience. Taking place July 31-August 2, 2025, at Melrose Park, IL, this event is your destination for everything soccer card related. Below you'll find all the essential information to make your SoCo Expo experience unforgettable.

Hotel Accommodations

Travel Accommodations

​SoCo Expo 2025 Event Hotel

Holiday Inn and Express

200 South Mannheim Road,

Hillside, IL, US

Hotel Phone: (708) 544-9300

Driving Directions

Whether you're flying or driving in, we'll give you the best information available to navigate the Windy City for SoCo 2025!
Modern Chicago Skyline
Driving Directions
From Downtown Chicago

  • 15-20 miles, approximately 25-40 minutes)

  • Take I-290 W (Eisenhower Expressway) heading west from downtown

  • Continue on I-290 W for approximately 13 miles

  • Take Exit 17 for Mannheim Road

  • Turn left onto Mannheim Road/US-12 S/US-45 S

  • Continue south on Mannheim Road for approximately 0.3 miles

  • The Holiday Inn Express will be on your right at 200 S Mannheim Road

​
From North Suburbs

  • Take I-294 S (Tri-State Tollway)

  • Exit onto I-290 E toward Chicago

  • Take Exit 17 for Mannheim Road

  • Turn right onto Mannheim Road/US-12 S/US-45 S

  • Continue south on Mannheim Road for approximately 0.3 miles

  • The Holiday Inn Express will be on your right

​

From South Suburbs

  • Take I-294 N (Tri-State Tollway)

  • Exit onto I-290 E toward Chicago

  • Take Exit 17 for Mannheim Road

  • Turn right onto Mannheim Road/US-12 S/US-45 S

  • Continue south on Mannheim Road for approximately 0.3 miles

  • The Holiday Inn Express will be on your right

​

From the West Suburbs

  • Take I-290 E toward Chicago

  • Take Exit 17 for Mannheim Road

  • Turn right onto Mannheim Road/US-12 S/US-45 S

  • Continue south on Mannheim Road for approximately 0.3 miles

  • The Holiday Inn Express will be on your right

​​

From O'Hare International Airport (ORD)


Distance: Approximately 10 miles, 15-20 minutes driving time

​

By Car/Rideshare

  • Exit the airport and follow signs for I-190 E

  • Continue onto I-294 S (Tri-State Tollway)

  • Take Exit 31A to merge onto I-290 E toward Chicago

  • Continue for approximately 2 miles

  • Take Exit 17 for Mannheim Road

  • Turn right onto Mannheim Road/US-12 S/US-45 S

  • Continue south on Mannheim Road for approximately 0.3 miles

  • The Holiday Inn Express will be on your right

 

Rideshare Information:

Uber and Lyft are readily available at O'Hare

Average fare: $25-35 (standard vehicle, non-peak times)

Pickup location: Follow signs for "Rideshare Pickup" at your terminal

Estimated travel time: 15-25 minutes depending on traffic

 

Taxi Information:

Taxis are available at designated taxi stands outside each terminal

Average fare: $35-45 plus tip

Estimated travel time: 15-25 minutes depending on traffic

​

By Public Transportation

  • Take the CTA Blue Line from O'Hare toward Forest Park

  • Exit at Forest Park station (end of line)

  • Transfer to PACE Bus Route 301 or 308

  • Exit at Mannheim Road & Hillside

  • The hotel is approximately 0.2 miles from the bus stop

Estimated travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes Approximate cost: $5-10

​

From Midway International Airport (MDW)


Distance: Approximately 15 miles, 20-30 minutes driving time

​

By Car/Rideshare

  • Exit the airport and follow signs for Cicero Avenue (IL-50 N)

  • Turn left onto Cicero Avenue and continue north for approximately 2 miles

  • Turn left to merge onto I-55 N toward Chicago

  • After approximately 4 miles, take Exit 283 to merge onto I-294 N (Tri-State Tollway)

  • Continue on I-294 N for approximately 7 miles

  • Take Exit 31A to merge onto I-290 E toward Chicago

  • Continue for approximately 2 miles

  • Take Exit 17 for Mannheim Road

  • Turn right onto Mannheim Road/US-12 S/US-45 S

  • Continue south on Mannheim Road for approximately 0.3 miles

  • The Holiday Inn Express will be on your right

​

Rideshare Information:

  • Uber and Lyft are readily available at Midway

  • Average fare: $30-45 (standard vehicle, non-peak times)

  • Pickup location: Follow signs for "Rideshare Pickup" at the terminal

  • Estimated travel time: 25-35 minutes depending on traffic

​

Taxi Information:

Taxis are available at designated taxi stands outside the terminal

Average fare: $45-55 plus tip

Estimated travel time: 25-35 minutes depending on traffic

​

By Public Transportation

  • Take the CTA Orange Line from Midway toward Loop

  • Transfer at Clinton to the CTA Blue Line toward Forest Park

  • Exit at Forest Park station (end of line)

  • Transfer to PACE Bus Route 301 or 308

  • Exit at Mannheim Road & Hillside

  • The hotel is approximately 0.2 miles from the bus stop

​

Estimated travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes Approximate cost: $5-10

​

Parking Information
Complimentary parking is available for hotel guests

Event attendees should check for designated event parking areas

Additional overflow parking may be available at nearby facilities during peak times

​

Additional Transportation Options
Car Rentals
All major car rental companies are available at both O'Hare and Midway airports:

  • Avis

  • Budget

  • Enterprise

  • Hertz

  • National

​

Airport Shuttle Services
GO Airport Express offers shared-ride services from both airports

Reservations recommended: (888) 284-3826 or www.airportexpress.com

Average cost: $30-40 per person, one way

​

PACE Bus System
Route 330 serves Mannheim Road with stops near the hotel

Route schedules and fare information: www.pacebus.com

​

Travel Tips
Rush Hour Traffic: Avoid traveling during peak rush hours (7-9 AM and 4-6:30 PM) when possible

Construction: Check for current road construction at www.travelmidwest.com before your trip

Tolls: I-294 is a toll road; bring cash or use I-PASS/E-ZPass if available

Weather: Chicago weather can be unpredictable; check forecasts before traveling

Early Arrival: Consider arriving a day early to avoid travel stress and fully enjoy the event

​

Host City
Guide

Make the most of your time in Chicago during SoCo Expo 2025!
Modern Chicago Skyline
Host City Guide
​Near the Hotel (Hillside/Westchester Area)
Dining Options

Casual Dining:

  • Giordano's (290 Mannheim Rd) - Famous Chicago deep dish pizza

  • Portillo's (170 North Mannheim Rd) - Classic Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef

  • Chef Shangri-La (7930 W 26th St, North Riverside) - Vintage tiki bar with Polynesian cuisine

  • Egg Harbor Café (7164 W Cermak Rd, Berwyn) - Popular breakfast and lunch spot

  • Johnnie's Beef (7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park) - Legendary Italian beef sandwiches

​

Upscale Options:

  • Topaz Café (780 Village Center Dr, Burr Ridge) - Contemporary American cuisine

  • Lucca Osteria & Bar (100 S Marion St, Oak Park) - Italian dining with craft cocktails

  • Maya Del Sol (144 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park) - Latin fusion restaurant with patio dining

​

Shopping

  • Oakbrook Center (100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook) - Upscale outdoor shopping mall

  • North Riverside Park Mall (7501 W Cermak Rd) - Large shopping center with over 130 stores

  • Hillside Shopping Center (200 S Mannheim Rd) - Convenient shopping near the hotel

​

Entertainment

  • Cinemark Melrose Park (1001 W North Ave) - Movie theater complex

  • Kings Dining & Entertainment (1500 N Clybourn Ave) - Bowling, games, and dining

  • Lucky Strike Lanes (322 E Illinois St) - Upscale bowling in a stylish environment

​

Downtown Chicago Attractions (25-30 minutes from hotel)
​
Must-See Chicago Icons

  • Willis Tower Skydeck (233 S Wacker Dr) - 103rd-floor glass viewing platform

  • Navy Pier (600 E Grand Ave) - Entertainment district with rides, restaurants, and cruise departures

  • Cloud Gate "The Bean" (Millennium Park) - Iconic mirrored sculpture

  • Art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave) - World-renowned art museum

  • Chicago Riverwalk - Scenic walkway with dining, boat tours, and urban recreation

​

Sports & Entertainment

  • Wrigley Field (1060 W Addison St) - Historic home of the Chicago Cubs

  • United Center (1901 W Madison St) - Home to the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks

  • Soldier Field (1410 Special Olympics Dr) - Home to the Chicago Bears

  • SeatGeek Stadium (7000 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview) - Home of the Chicago Red Stars soccer team

​

Dining Experiences

  • The Berghoff (17 W Adams St) - Historic German restaurant (since 1898)

  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (Multiple locations) - Famous deep dish pizza

  • Frontera Grill (445 N Clark St) - Celebrity chef Rick Bayless's acclaimed Mexican restaurant

  • Girl & the Goat (809 W Randolph St) - Award-winning Chef Stephanie Izard's flagship restaurant

  • Monteverde (1020 W Madison St) - Award-winning Italian cuisine

​

Museum Campus

  • Field Museum (1400 S Lake Shore Dr) - Natural history museum

  • Shedd Aquarium (1200 S Lake Shore Dr) - One of the world's largest indoor aquariums

  • Adler Planetarium (1300 S Lake Shore Dr) - America's first planetarium

​

Family-Friendly Activities

  • Lincoln Park Zoo (2001 N Clark St) - Free zoo in the heart of Chicago

  • Brookfield Zoo (8400 W 31st St, Brookfield) - Large suburban zoo close to the event hotel

  • Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S Lake Shore Dr) - Interactive science exhibits

  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center (601 N Martingale Rd, Schaumburg) - Indoor LEGO playground

  • Chicago Children's Museum (700 E Grand Ave) - Interactive exhibits for kids at Navy Pier

​

Soccer-Related Attractions

  • SeatGeek Stadium Tour (7000 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview) - Home of the Chicago Red Stars

  • Soldier Field Tour (1410 Special Olympics Dr) - Site of major international soccer matches

  • Chicago Fire FC Store (Soldier Field) - Official team merchandise

  • AO Chicago Chapter Bar (The Globe Pub, 1934 W Irving Park Rd) - American Outlaws soccer supporters' bar

  • Soccer 2000 (3933 N Harlem Ave) - Soccer specialty shop

​

Chicago's Diverse Neighborhoods

  • Pilsen - Vibrant Mexican-American neighborhood with colorful murals and authentic cuisine

  • Chinatown - Rich cultural experience with authentic dining and unique shops

  • Little Italy - Historic Italian neighborhood with traditional restaurants

  • Greektown - Authentic Greek restaurants and cultural attractions

  • Wicker Park/Bucktown - Trendy area with independent boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife

​

Evening Entertainment

  • Kingston Mines (2548 N Halsted St) - Legendary Chicago blues club

  • The Second City (1616 N Wells St) - Famous comedy club that launched many SNL careers

  • Chicago Theatre (175 N State St) - Historic performance venue

  • Buddy Guy's Legends (700 S Wabash Ave) - Iconic blues club

  • Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (4802 N Broadway) - Historic jazz club with Prohibition-era atmosphere

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Scenic Views & Photo Opportunities

  • 360 CHICAGO (875 N Michigan Ave) - Observation deck at former John Hancock Center

  • Lakefront Trail - 18-mile path along Lake Michigan

  • Chicago Riverwalk - Scenic waterfront promenade

  • Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N Central Park Ave) - One of the largest plant conservatories in the US

  • Maggie Daley Park - 20-acre public park with unique playground and climbing walls

​

Day Trip Options

  • Oak Park - Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio tours

  • Lake Geneva, WI (90 minutes from Chicago) - Lakeside resort town with beaches and boat tours

  • Indiana Dunes National Park (60 minutes from Chicago) - Beautiful beaches and dunes

  • Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL) - Major theme park with thrilling rides

​

Transportation Tips for Exploring

  • Ventra Card - Reloadable fare card for CTA trains and buses

  • Metra Trains - Commuter rail service connecting suburbs to downtown

  • Water Taxi - Scenic river transport between major Chicago attractions

  • Divvy Bikes - Bike sharing program with stations throughout the city

  • Uber/Lyft - Readily available throughout Chicagoland

​
Special Events During SoCo Expo Weekend

(July 31-August 2, 2025)

  • Lollapalooza Music Festival - Major music festival in Grant Park

  • Fiesta del Sol - Large Latino festival in the Pilsen neighborhood

  • Taste of Lincoln Avenue - Food and music festival

  • Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival - Community festival in Jefferson Park

  • Chicago Cubs Home Games - Check the schedule for games at Wrigley Field

​

Chicago Card Show Week Activities

  • National Sports Collectors Convention - Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont

  • Local Card Shop Specials - Many Chicago-area shops run promotions during this week

  • Collector Meet-ups - Various informal gatherings at local establishments

​

All information is subject to change.

 

Check venue websites for current hours, prices, and availability before visiting.

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