Soldier Field Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Soldier Field
Construction
Stadium in a Park

Soldier Field in October 2006
Soldier Field Location in Chicago Show map of Chicago Soldier Field Location in Illinois Show map of Illinois Soldier Field Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	Municipal Grant Park Stadium (1924–1925)
Address	1410 S Museum Campus Drive
Location	Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates	41°51′44″N 87°37′00″W / 41.8623°N 87.6167°W / 41.8623; -87.6167
Public transit	Metra: 18th Street Roosevelt Red Orange Green
Owner	Chicago Park District
Operator	SMG
Executive suites	133
Capacity	66,944 (1994) 61,500 (2003)
Acreage	7 acres (2.8 ha)
Surface	Kentucky Bluegrass (1924–1970, 1988–present) AstroTurf (1971–1987)
Broke ground	August 11, 1922
Opened	October 9, 1924 101 years ago
Renovated	2002–2003
Closed	January 19, 2002 – September 26, 2003 (renovations)
Construction cost	US$13 million (original) ($222 million in 2015 dollars) $632 million (2001–2003 renovation) Renovations: ($1.01 billion in 2015 dollars )
Architect	Holabird & Roche Wood + Zapata, Inc. Lohan Caprile Goettsch Architects
Project manager	Hoffman Associates
Structural engineer	Thornton Tomasetti
Services engineer	Ellerbe Becket
General contractor	Turner/Barton Malow/Kenny
Tenants
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football (NCAA) (1929) Chicago Rockets/Hornets (AAFC) (1946–1949) Chicago Cardinals (NFL) (1959) UIC Chikas football (NCAA) (1966–1973) Chicago Spurs (NPSL) (1967) Chicago Owls (CFL) (1968–1969) Chicago Bears (NFL) (1971–2001, 2003–present) Chicago Sting (NASL) (1975–1976) Chicago Fire (WFL) (1974) Chicago Winds (WFL) (1975) Chicago Blitz (USFL) (1983–1984) Chicago Fire FC (MLS) (1998–2001, 2003–2005, 2020–present) Chicago Enforcers (XFL) (2001)

Former U.S. National Historic Landmark
Designated:	1987
Delisted:	2006

Soldier Field is a famous stadium in Chicago, Illinois. It's mostly known for American football. It opened way back in 1924! Today, it's the home field for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). They moved there in 1971.

The stadium also hosts Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). It has space for 61,500 football fans. Soldier Field is special because it's the oldest stadium still used in the NFL.

In 2002, the inside of the stadium was completely rebuilt. This made it more modern but meant fewer seats. Because of these big changes, it was no longer listed as a National Historic Landmark. Soldier Field has hosted many other sports teams and big events over the years. This includes games from the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. It also hosted the very first Special Olympics in 1968.

History of Soldier Field
What Sports Teams Play Here?
- Other Teams and Events
Beyond Sports: Famous Events
Images for kids
See also

History of Soldier Field

How Soldier Field Got Its Name

Soldier Field was first called Municipal Grant Park Stadium. It was built to honor American soldiers who fought in World War I. In 1925, its name was changed to Soldier Field. This was to remember all U.S. soldiers who died in wars.

Building the Stadium

Work on Soldier Field started on August 11, 1922. It officially opened on October 9, 1924. The stadium was designed by architects Holabird & Roche. It cost about $13 million to build back then.

Major Changes and Updates

Soldier Field had a huge renovation from 2002 to 2003. The stadium was closed during this time. The inside was completely rebuilt, making it a modern place for sports and events. This big project cost $632 million.

Aerial view of Soldier Field during renovation, April 2002

What Sports Teams Play Here?

Soldier Field is home to two main teams:

The Chicago Bears (NFL football)
The Chicago Fire FC (MLS soccer)

Other Teams and Events

Many other teams have played at Soldier Field over the years. These include:

The Arizona Cardinals (NFL football)
University of Notre Dame football games
Teams from other football leagues like the AAFC, CFL, WFL, and USFL.

The stadium has also hosted major international soccer tournaments. These include the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Beyond Sports: Famous Events

Soldier Field isn't just for sports. It has hosted many other important and exciting events:

Concerts: Many famous musicians have performed here.
Special Olympics: In 1968, Soldier Field hosted the first-ever Special Olympics. This was a huge step for athletes with disabilities.
Political Rallies: Important leaders, like President Franklin D. Roosevelt and General Douglas MacArthur, have given speeches here.
Religious Gatherings: A very large religious event called the Eucharistic Congress took place here in 1926.
Other Sports: It has also hosted ice hockey games, rugby, and even motorsports.

The Soldier Field after its interior rebuild

Images for kids

Sculpture of a sailor and his family, gazing eastward over Lake Michigan
The 1961 Chicago Bears practicing for the Armed Forces exhibition game at Soldier Field. The team would later move into the stadium full-time in 1971.
Soldier Field aerial view (1998) before interior redesign
The Soldier Field after interior rebuild
Soldier Field in 2022 from the east
Soldier Field during the 1926 Army–Navy Game
Soldier Field during the 2014 NHL Stadium Series between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins
Soldier Field before a soccer game, 2004
Soldier Field during the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
Eucharistic Congress in 1926
President Franklin D. Roosevelt at Soldier Field, 1944
Gen. Douglas MacArthur at Soldier Field, 1951
Opening ceremonies of the 2006 Gay Games at Soldier Field
Soldier Field nearing completion, 1924
The stadium mid-renovation in March 2003.
Aerial view of the stadium in 2008.
Soldier Field as seen from Lake Shore Drive in 2013.
View from Northerly Island
The scenery around Soldier Field.
Exterior of Soldier Field, with a sign reading "Dedicated to the men and women of the armed services".
Front of bronze mural
View towards the western grandstand's cantilever over the original western colonnade
View from NEMA, 2021