SkyRise Chicago 2026: What to Know Before You Climb Willis Tower 

Willis Tower‘s stairwells aren’t usually open to the public. On November 8, 2026, they are, and 2,149 steps later, climbers step out onto the same 103rd-floor views Skydeck visitors buy tickets for. That’s SkyRise Chicago: a stair climb through one of the country’s tallest buildings, ending at one of Chicago’s best views, all in support of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. 

SkyRise Chicago 2026 takes place Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Willis Tower. Participants climb 105 flights, 2,149 stairs, in person, or complete the equivalent distance virtually or by handcycle, all to raise funds for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. In-person climbers who reach the top are rewarded with access to Skydeck Chicago, including The Ledge and views from the 103rd floor. 

SkyRise Chicago 2026 at a Glance 

Every flight of SkyRise Chicago 2026 ends at the same place: the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, where Skydeck Chicago and The Ledge are waiting for anyone who makes it to the top. It’s part of what makes this stair climb different from most: the finish line comes with one of Chicago’s best views built in. 

What is SkyRise Chicago? 

SkyRise Chicago is an annual fundraising climb held at Willis Tower to benefit Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a nonprofit physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital. Participants take on the tower’s stairwells in a timed climb, with proceeds supporting AbilityLab’s clinical care and research programs for patients recovering from serious injuries and conditions. SkyRise Chicago 2026 marks another year of the event returning to the same building that’s home to Skydeck Chicago, so the climb and the view at the top have always been connected. 

When is SkyRise Chicago 2026? 

SkyRise Chicago 2026 takes place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Willis Tower. 

How Many Stairs Do You Climb at SkyRise Chicago? 

In-person participants climb 105 flights, 2,149 stairs, from the base of Willis Tower to the top. Anyone who isn’t climbing in person can still take part through a few alternative formats: 

• Handcycling the equivalent distance on event day 

• Virtual participation, tracking activity in the weeks leading up to the event, with equivalents including walking or running 6,327 steps, stepping up 105 times, or cycling 3.2 miles 

Most in-person climbers finish in around 45 minutes, roughly the same amount of time as a 5K. 

How Much Does It Cost to Register for SkyRise Chicago? 

The registration fee is $50 across all participation types. Options include: 

• Climber: Standard in-person stair climb registration 

• Climber and Packet Mailed: Race bib mailed in advance instead of picked up on-site 

• Hand Cyclist: Complete the equivalent distance by handcycle on event day 

• Virtual Climber: Track activity remotely, with a virtual bib and t-shirt mailed to you 

• Corporate Sponsor Climber / Corporate Sponsor Virtual Climber: For company teams, requiring a registration code from a team captain, with fees and minimums set by the team 

All registration types include a t-shirt, race bib, and medal. 

What is the Fundraising Minimum for SkyRise Chicago? 

Each participant must individually meet a fundraising minimum to receive their race bib and t-shirt. This requirement applies per person and cannot be averaged or pooled across a team. 

• In-person participants: $200 minimum 

• Virtual participants: $100 minimum 

• Corporate sponsor climbers: Minimums vary by team, confirmed through your team captain 

Deadlines: 

• Climber and Packet Mailed, Virtual Climber, and Corporate Sponsor Virtual Climber: October 1 

• Climber and Hand Cyclist: Tuesday, November 3 

Donations to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible. 

Training for SkyRise Chicago 

Climbing 105 flights in one go is a different kind of physical challenge than most people train for day to day. SkyRise Chicago’s own training resources are worth reviewing ahead of event day, especially for first-time climbers who want a sense of what to expect and how to pace themselves before November 8. 

What Happens at the Top: The Skydeck Reward 

The climb ends at one of Chicago’s most recognizable attractions. Once in-person climbers reach the top of Willis Tower, they get access to Skydeck Chicago, including panoramic views from the 103rd floor and The Ledge, the glass balcony extending outside the tower. After 105 flights, it’s the payoff built into the event itself: the same view Skydeck visitors buy tickets for, earned one flight at a time. Climbers who want to make a full day of it afterward can also stop by the Chicago Museum, included as part of the Skydeck experience. 

Who Can Participate? 

• Minimum age: 10 years old 

• Backpacks, children, or infants (carried or in a holder) are not permitted during the climb 

• Corporate teams can participate together under a shared registration code from their team captain 

When and Where is SkyRise Chicago Packet Pickup? 

Race bibs and t-shirts must be picked up in advance unless you selected a mailed-packet option: 

• Wednesday, November 4: 11 AM–6 PM, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, 355 E. Erie St., 10th Floor Spalding Conference Center 

• Friday, November 6: 10 AM–6 PM, Willis Tower, Lower Level 1 

• Saturday, November 7: 10 AM–3 PM, Willis Tower, Lower Level 1 

Discounted parking validation is available at packet pickup locations. There is no pickup available Thursday, November 5, or on event day, Sunday, November 8. 

Why SkyRise Chicago Matters 

SkyRise Chicago 2026 raises funds for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a hospital focused on physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with serious and complex conditions, including brain and spinal cord injury, stroke, amputation, and cancer-related impairment. Every registration and donation supports the hospital’s clinical programs and research, many of which aren’t covered by insurance. Climbing 105 flights is a real physical challenge, but it’s also a direct, visible way to support that work. 

Ready to Take on Willis Tower? 

Registration for SkyRise Chicago 2026 is open now, and every flight climbed goes directly toward Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s mission. Whether you’re climbing solo, forming a team, or joining virtually from anywhere, the view from the 103rd floor is waiting at the finish. 

FAQs About SkyRise Chicago 2026 

When is SkyRise Chicago 2026? 
SkyRise Chicago 2026 takes place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Willis Tower in Chicago. 

How many stairs do you climb in SkyRise Chicago? 
Participants climb 105 flights, 2,149 stairs, from the bottom of Willis Tower to the top. 

How much does it cost to register for SkyRise Chicago? 
Registration is $50, with a fundraising minimum of $200 for in-person participants and $100 for virtual participants. 

How long does it take to climb Willis Tower? 
Most participants complete the climb in around 45 minutes, similar to the time it takes to finish a 5K. 

Do you have to be a certain age to participate? 
Yes, participants must be at least 10 years old. 

Can I bring my child or a backpack while climbing? 
No, backpacks, children, and infants (carried or in a holder) are not permitted during the climb. 

Do SkyRise Chicago climbers get to visit Skydeck? 
Yes. In-person climbers who reach the top of Willis Tower get access to Skydeck Chicago, including The Ledge and panoramic views from the 103rd floor. 

Is my SkyRise Chicago donation tax-deductible? 
Yes, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a 501(c)(3) organization, so donations are tax-deductible. 

Can you participate in SkyRise Chicago virtually? 
Yes, virtual participants can complete the equivalent distance by walking or running 6,327 steps, stepping up 105 times, or cycling 3.2 miles, tracked in the weeks leading up to the event. 

What happens if I don’t meet my fundraising minimum? 
Participants cannot receive their race bib until their individual fundraising minimum is met. This requirement applies per person, not per team.