Attending a youth soccer game in the spring or fall has become an American tradition, just like baseball or football.
As a parent, you want to see the action and watch how your child performs. The only problem is that most local soccer fields aren’t really made to accommodate spectators.
Sure, they have a small set of bleachers, but those narrow, aluminum bench seats are only comfortable for teenagers. Anyone older will be dealing with a sore back and stiff knees after only a few minutes on those bench-style seats.
This means that smart moms and dads bring their own chairs for the most comfortable viewing experience. But with all the portable soccer chairs out there, it can be hard to pick which one is best for you.
Below, we’ll go over the top soccer chairs for people of all shapes and sizes so you can watch your next game in comfort.
What To Look For In A Soccer Chair
There are a few considerations before choosing a soccer chair as they’re not all built exactly the same.
Weight And Size
Some chairs are built specifically for maximum portability and the lowest weight. This can be great for traveling or hiking, but it also means there is generally a weight limit on how heavy the user can be.
Also, these tend to be smaller with a tiny seat area or backrest. This may work for some, but if you want a larger seat, they will quickly become uncomfortable.
So before choosing a soccer chair, make sure it fits your body type.
Age Appropriate
Depending on the age of the people who use the chair, you may want different features. If you’re bringing out the whole family and have young children, you will want a chair that locks to prevent any inadvertent folding while a child moves around in the chair.
The same can be said for elderly soccer fans. If grandma or grandpa is coming out, make sure the chair locks and is stable enough for them to get in and out of safely.
Some of the lighter-weight chairs are a bit wobbly, especially when using the armrest to get up from a seated position.
So, with that out of the way, let’s get to the list of the best soccer chairs.
Helinox Chair Zero
Price: $150
Best for those who want an ultra-portable minimalist chair that is still sturdy.
Helinox is well known for making camping and leisure chairs. They are high quality and come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit most situations, including soccer games.
For those who want a very lightweight and portable chair that is still sturdy, the Chair Zero ticks all the boxes.
It’s one of the most portable chairs on this list weighing in at just over a pound. It also folds up so small it could probably fit in a large purse if necessary.
But even with those lightweight specifications, it can handle up to 265 pounds and is very stable considering its light weight.
The only drawback is the size of the seating area. It’s a bit small, but that’s the tradeoff for such portability. At 18.5 inches wide, it may be a bit small for larger-frame soccer fans.
But if you want the ultimate in portability while still being strong and durable, the Chair Zero is a great choice.
Eureka Tagalong Highback Chair
Price: $140
Best for those who want a more substantial chair with nice support at a good price.
This camping chair from Eureka is also great for soccer games or any outdoor activity like watching fireworks or just lounging in the backyard.
The high back design offers nice support and makes this soccer chair feel like a proper chair. It’s made from a mix of suede-like material and mesh fabric, which makes for a perfect combination. It feels solid where it needs to be yet breathable in others so you don’t get those sweaty spots when sitting in the hot sun.
This isn’t a minimalist chair though and the weight comes in at just over four pounds. Not exactly heavy, but not as compact as some other chairs.
But the benefit of that weight is a very sturdy chair, complete with armrests, a drink holder, and a pocket that can hold your phone, tablet, or even a small laptop. It also can handle up to 265 pounds.
Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair
Price: $300
Best for those who want the ultimate soccer chair with both strength and comfort.
If you want the ultimate comfort and stability, the Yeti Trailhead may be the perfect choice.
But make no mistake, this isn’t the most portable chair on the list so you’ll want to park close to the game when bringing this chair. Weighing in at 13 pounds, this is one of the heavier chairs on the list.
But that weight also means it’s one of the sturdiest chairs we’ve ever tested. With its aluminum and steel construction, this chair can handle up to 500 pounds. Even if you don’t need that kind of weight limit, being so robust means this chair will likely last for years and years.
It does have a carrying case like most chairs but this one has two shoulder straps so you can wear it like a backpack. This makes carrying it a bit easier and also allows you to be hands-free. Although, if you have to walk a few blocks with this thing, it gets a bit tiring.
Comfort is great with this chair. It doesn’t sag in the middle like some other foldable chairs, which can make you feel like you’re being squeezed. This feels much more like a nice indoor chair that you would sit in while working or doing other tasks.
The downside of this chair though is the price. It is high-quality, but it’s also the most expensive chair on this list and one of the most expensive we’ve seen. It’s a great soccer chair, but for those on a budget, we suggest looking at the Kijaro or a Helinox as an option.
Kijaro Elite Dual Lock Chair
Price: $60
Best for those who want a budget-friendly chair that still has great features.
This is our pick for the best budget-friendly chair. There is also another model from Kijaro which is just called their Dual Lock chair (non-elite) that is even cheaper. But we prefer the Kijaro Elite model and feel the bump in price is worth it.
At under 10 pounds, it can support up to 400 pounds, which is pretty amazing. The all-steel frame is solid and the mesh material is very comfortable. We found it to have the right amount of flex without being saggy.
That goes for the armrests as well, which felt very sturdy for a chair in this price range. The armrests also feature two universal drink holders which can accommodate almost any size beverage. From small coffee cups to large Big Gulp drinks.
The chair locks in both the open and closed positions, so even though it comes with a carrying bag, you can carry it without the bag and it won’t fly open or pinch your fingers.
A mesh phone pouch and zippered compartment round out the features of this very economical chair.
Kelty Loveseat
Price: $140
Best for those who want more space and comfort and don’t mind the increased bulk.
We wanted to add this one in for variety and change of pace, but it’s also a great chair that just happens to fit two people, and possibly even a third.
The Kelty Loveseat is exactly as the name suggests, a two-person chair that is still relatively portable. Weighing in at 15 pounds it’s not much heavier than the Yeti chair on this list, but it is much larger. The total weight limit is 400 pounds, which is something to be aware of considering it’s meant for two people.
But comfort is the name of the game with the Kelty as it features padded seats and backrest which are a very nice touch. It also has unique adjustable armrests which can be fine-tuned based on your height.
What’s great about this chair is that it isn’t just for couples. It’s also great for someone who wants extra space, either for equipment or maybe when bringing a small child along. The extra seating area can really come in handy for so many different situations.
Overall, we really liked this chair and found it to be one of the most comfortable chairs out there whether it’s two people or just one person sitting and being able to stretch out and enjoy the extra room.
We do wish it had a slightly higher weight limit though, but at 15 pounds in total weight, it’s already at the upper limit of what’s portable. If you do need a higher-weight loveseat, you can check out the Stoic Spruce Duo, which has a weight limit of 500 pounds total.
Choosing The Right Chair for Watching Soccer Games
We tried to include something for everyone on this list. From the super-premium to the budget-friendly and even a loveseat option.
Make sure to consider how far you have to travel from either your car or your house to the soccer field. It may not seem that far but when you are carrying one of the heavier folding chairs, you start to feel every step.
But other than that, you should be all set to watch the next game in comfort with any chair on this list.