Chicago Sun-Times sports reporter Adam Jahns told the Herald the event would be a hard sell to local media.
However, the local appears to have underestimated the All Blacks' publicity power with interviews either completed or lined up with news giants CNN, Fox Sports, NBC, Comcast SportsNet, Sports Illustrated plus several local television and radio shows.
The Chicago Tribune is featuring the team in its magazine and running a Rugby 101-type video on its website.
ESPN predicted "rugby fever is sure to hit Chicago", and the Telegraph UK speculated that the match could be a turning point for the game in the US.
The stadium sell-out makes the game the highest ticket-selling international rugby match ever held in the US, with sales eclipsing the runner up threefold.
Watch: Carter and SBW back with the ABs
That was in 2013, when 20,181 fans watched USA take on Ireland in Houston.
The television audience is also expected to dwarf the record crowd via live NBC broadcast, said USA Rugby chief executive and former England captain Nigel Melville.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the global game of rugby to American sports fans at an iconic football stadium in Chicago and across the country."
New Zealand Rugby Union public affairs general manager Nick Brown said there had been huge interest from American media in the game.
"The media know about the All Blacks but are keen to know about the game of rugby for their American viewers and readers and how it compares to NFL."
Kiwi businesses were also expected to get a boost from the match.
Merino wool apparel company Icebreaker is showcasing its products at a New Zealand wine and cheese night, New Zealand Winegrowers is holding tasting events throughout the city and there will be a light installation by David Trubridge.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has also organised a week of events and activities leading up to the match - with a haka exhibition at the Field Museum, a New Zealand-themed trivia night, and even arranging for local coffee chain, Intelligentsia Coffee, to serve flat whites.
Air New Zealand and AIG are giving fans a chance to meet the team at a Kiwi-themed four-hour event the day before the game.
The game Q&A
When are they playing?
The All Blacks will face the USA Eagles at Soldier Field at 9am on Sunday - 3pm on Saturday in Chicago.
Has this happened before?
New Zealand last played the USA at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, when they won 46-6. The All Blacks also played the Eagles on US soil in 1980 in San Diego where they won 53-6, before an end-of-year tour of Wales, but it was not recorded as an official test match.
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sport 1 starts its broadcast from 8.30am on Sunday, Prime has a free-to-air replay at 2.25pm and the game can also be viewed in some countries on the All Blacks' YouTube channel.
ABS IN THE MEDIA
• "Cast aside for a moment the obvious accusation that New Zealand are visiting the United States of America this week purely for money ... This could easily be a turning point in their rugby union history. Excitement? You bet." - The Telegraph (UK)
• "Will rugby union ever be as popular as American football? That's not really answerable in the long run. But in the near future, at least, it's set to take over Chicago's Soldier Field." - Washington Post
• "I also understand that it is emotionally much safer to cheer for the All Blacks. They are guaranteed, after all, to play in a manner deserving cheer, and rooting for the team sure to be squashed can seem futile."
- Rugby Wrap Up
• "You could call it football without helmets, I know it's similar to football but not quite. So they are the Yankees of the rugby world?"
- NBC
