Teamsters Local 727, which represents the striking workers, announced the deal around 5 p.m. Friday. The agreement came after the union and the parking association, which represents the company that manages Soldier Field parking, returned to the bargaining table earlier in the day.

In a statement, the union called the deal a victory for its members, saying the terms protect bargaining-unit work against emerging technologies, increase paid time off, establish a new retiree benefit, and deliver the largest wage and benefit increases the union has ever achieved in the parking industry.

Workers had walked off the job Tuesday, setting up picket lines at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker Drive, O'Hare Airport, and Navy Pier. The strike affected the owners of more than 250 downtown parking garages and lots, including parking operations at Soldier Field. The union had filed unfair labor practice charges against those operators.

The timing of the walkout put intense pressure on both sides. Union leaders had warned that all 15 game-day lots at Soldier Field could be closed Sunday if no deal was reached by Friday, potentially stranding thousands of fans attending the nationally televised game.

Metropolis, the company that handles parking at Soldier Field, had said before the agreement that full-time staff would work Sunday's game and that parking operations would proceed normally with little to no impact on fans. The company said it was monitoring the situation closely and had contingency plans in place.

The tentative agreement still requires ratification by union members, a process that will play out in the coming days. For now, Chicago drivers and Bears fans can count on the parking lots being staffed and open for Sunday's game.