Chicago Will Open Hillsboro’s New Hops Ballpark With First Concert, Bringing the Rock Hall of Fame Band to the $154 Million Venue on Sept. 25
HILLSBORO, OR — Chicago will be the first concert act at the new Hops Ballpark, with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band scheduled to perform on Sept. 25 in Hillsboro. The Hillsboro Hops announced the date on April 16, saying the show will kick off the venue’s broader live-music ambitions.
The appearance adds another chapter to a long touring run for the band, which is entering its 59th consecutive year on the road. It also gives the baseball park an early showcase as the Hops try to turn it into a year-round entertainment destination for the Portland metro area.
A debut that doubles as a test run for the venue
The concert is meant to signal more than a one-night booking. The Hops say the ballpark is intended to function as a community gathering place, not just a baseball field, and the Chicago date is the first visible step in that plan.
The team described the new park as a place for diverse performances and year-round programming. By choosing a band with a huge catalog and a long history of drawing large crowds, the organization is giving the venue a high-profile opening night and a built-in audience for its new concert identity.
How the $154 million ballpark is built for shows
The Hops say the new park was designed with concerts in mind, and the price tag reflects that broader purpose. The venue cost $154 million and includes a larger concert capacity than a typical baseball setup, along with on-field reserved seats for live shows.
Other concert-focused features include open-air suites, private group spaces and upgraded guest amenities. The ballpark also adds restaurant-quality concessions, more easily accessible restrooms and extra leg room in the seats, all of which are meant to support a stronger fan experience for music events.
Chicago’s long run of hit-making still matters
Chicago’s draw is rooted in a resume that stretches across generations. The band is the first American rock group to place Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades, and Billboard once ranked it the highest-charting American band in its Top 125 Artists of All Time.
Its catalog remains one of the most durable in classic rock. Chicago has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, scored 21 Top 10 singles, landed 11 No. 1 songs and released five consecutive No. 1 albums, along with five gold-certified singles.
Why the Hops wanted an iconic first show
Hops president and general manager K.L. Wombacher said the team wanted its first concert in the new venue to feel like a statement. He called Chicago a can’t-miss choice for the ballpark’s debut and said the goal has been to create a year-round entertainment destination.
That framing matters because the concert is part of a larger push to expand what the ballpark can do beyond baseball season. The Hops are positioning the site as a regional attraction for the entire Portland metro area, with live music serving as a central piece of the plan.
Ticket timing gives package holders first crack at seats
Fans who hold Hops packages or have partnerships with the team will get the first chance to buy tickets. The presale begins April 21 at 10 a.m., giving those groups an early window before the full public release.
General tickets go on sale April 24 at 10 a.m. The team said ticket information is available through its concert ticket page, which will be the main route for fans hoping to secure seats for the ballpark’s first major music event.
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