Soldier Field facts for kids
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Soldier Field in 2022
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 Soldier Field
Location in Chicago
Soldier Field
Location in Illinois
Soldier Field
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Municipal Grant Park Stadium (1924–1925) |
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| Address | 1410 Special Olympics Drive |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41°51′44″N 87°37′00″W / 41.8623°N 87.6167°W |
| Public transit | |
| Owner | Chicago Park District |
| Operator | ASM Global |
| Executive suites | 133 |
| Capacity |
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| Acreage | 7 acres (2.8 ha) |
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| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 11, 1922 |
| Built | 1922–1924 |
| Opened | October 9, 1924 |
| Renovated | 2002–2003 |
| Closed | January 19, 2002–September 26, 2003 (renovations) |
| Reopened | September 29, 2003 (renovations) |
| Construction cost | US$13 million (original; $222 million in 2015 dollars) US$632 million (renovations; $1.01 billion in 2015 dollars ) |
| Architect |
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| Project manager | Hoffman Associates (renovations) |
| Structural engineer | Thornton Tomasetti (renovations) |
| Services engineer | Ellerbe Becket (renovations) |
| General contractor | Turner/Barton Malow/Kenny (renovations) |
| Tenants | |
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List
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| Designated: | February 27, 1987 |
| Delisted: | February 17, 2006 |
Soldier Field is a famous stadium in Chicago, Illinois. It's used for many different events, especially sports and concerts. The stadium first opened in 1924 and was rebuilt in 2003.
It's the home field for the Chicago Bears football team (part of the National Football League, NFL) since 1971. It also hosts the Chicago Fire FC soccer team (from Major League Soccer, MLS) since 2020. Soldier Field is the oldest stadium in the NFL and the third oldest in MLS. It's also the smallest NFL stadium, with seating for 62,500 fans.
The stadium has hosted many big events. These include the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup for soccer. It also held the first-ever Special Olympics World Games in 1968. Famous people like Amelia Earhart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr. have given speeches there.
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History of Soldier Field
The idea for the stadium began in 1919. Construction started on August 11, 1922. It cost $13 million to build, which was a lot of money back then! On October 9, 1924, the stadium officially opened as "Grant Park Stadium." It hosted its first football game just a few days before.
On November 11, 1925, the stadium's name changed to Soldier Field. This was to honor U.S. soldiers who died fighting in World War I. A big ceremony was held in 1926 during the Army–Navy Game. The stadium's design is in a classic style, with tall columns at the entrances. When it first opened, it could hold over 74,000 people. With extra seating, it could even fit more than 100,000!
The Chicago Bears Find a Home
The Chicago Bears played some games at Soldier Field as early as 1926. But they officially moved in full-time in 1971. Before that, they played at Wrigley Field, which was also home to the Chicago Cubs baseball team. The NFL wanted teams to have bigger stadiums with lights for night games. Soldier Field fit these new rules.
The Bears played their first home game at Soldier Field on September 19, 1971. They won against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1987, Soldier Field was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it was recognized as a very important historical place.
Stadium Upgrades and Changes
Over the years, Soldier Field has had many updates. In 1978, the old wooden seats were replaced with individual seats that had backs and armrests. More luxury boxes for special guests were added in the 1980s. The playing field also changed from artificial turf to natural grass in 1988.
Big Renovation in 2002–2003
The biggest change happened in 2002. The inside of the stadium was completely torn down and rebuilt. The outside walls were kept, but a new, modern seating area was built inside. This made the stadium more up-to-date but also lowered the number of seats.
This renovation was a big deal and caused some debate. Some people loved the new look, while others thought it changed the historic feel too much. Because of these changes, Soldier Field lost its "National Historic Landmark" status in 2006.
Demolition started on January 19, 2002. The Chicago Bears played their home games at the University of Illinois during the 2002 season. The renovated Soldier Field reopened on September 29, 2003. The total cost for this huge project was $632 million.
Even with the debates, the renovated Soldier Field won an award for design excellence in 2004.
Recent Updates and Future Plans
In 2012, Soldier Field became the first NFL stadium to get LEED status. This award recognizes buildings that are environmentally friendly.
The Chicago Fire FC soccer team returned to Soldier Field for their home games in 2020. The Chicago Bears have also been looking into building a new stadium in Arlington Heights. In 2022, the grass on the field was changed to Bermuda grass to improve playing conditions.
Getting to Soldier Field
You can get to Soldier Field using public transportation. The closest train station is the Roosevelt station, which serves the Orange, Green, and Red lines. There are also special bus routes and Metra train stations nearby.
Exciting Events at Soldier Field
Soldier Field has hosted countless memorable events, from thrilling sports matches to huge concerts.
American Football Games
Historic Football Moments
- The very first football game at Soldier Field was on October 4, 1924. It was a high school game between Louisville Male High School and Austin Community Academy High School.
- In 1926, over 100,000 people watched the Army–Navy Game here.
- An amazing 123,000+ fans watched Notre Dame play the USC Trojans in 1927. This set a record for college game attendance at the time.
- The stadium hosted 41 College All-Star Games. These were exhibition games between the NFL champions and a team of college all-stars.
Chicago Bears Playoff Games
The Chicago Bears have played many exciting playoff games at Soldier Field.
- In 1985, the Bears won the 1985 NFC Championship Game here, beating the Los Angeles Rams 24–0.
- The "Fog Bowl" happened in 1988. A thick fog covered the stadium during a playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, making it hard to see! The Bears won 20–12.
- The Bears won the 2006 NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints, earning them a trip to the Super Bowl.
Motorsport Races
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From the 1940s to the 1960s, Soldier Field regularly held motorsport races on a short track. Even NASCAR held races at the stadium in 1956 and 1957. In the 1980s, it hosted monster truck shows and tractor pull competitions.
Ice Hockey Games
Soldier Field has also been turned into an ice rink for hockey!
- In 2013, it hosted the "Hockey City Classic," with college teams like Notre Dame and Wisconsin playing outdoors.
- On March 1, 2014, the Chicago Blackhawks played against the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the NHL Stadium Series. The Blackhawks won 5–1 in front of a huge crowd.
Soccer Tournaments
Soldier Field has been a major venue for international soccer.
FIFA World Cups
- It hosted five games during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, including the opening match where Germany beat Bolivia.
- In 1999, it hosted four games for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
CONCACAF Gold Cups
The stadium has hosted many matches for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a major soccer tournament for teams in North and Central America and the Caribbean. This includes several semifinal and final matches, with teams like the USA and Mexico competing for the championship.
Copa América Centenario
In 2016, Soldier Field was one of the venues for the Copa América Centenario, a special soccer tournament featuring teams from North and South America. It hosted four matches, including a semifinal game.
Other Soccer Highlights
- In 2025, a game between the Chicago Fire FC and Inter Miami set a record for the highest attendance at a soccer match at the stadium, with 62,358 fans. Famous players like Lionel Messi were on the field.
Special Olympics
Soldier Field holds a special place in history for the Special Olympics. The very first Special Olympics games were held here on July 20, 1968. Over 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from different countries competed. The second international games also took place at Soldier Field in 1970.
Rugby Union Matches
Soldier Field has hosted international rugby union games.
- In 2014, the U.S. Eagles played against the famous New Zealand All Blacks.
- In 2016, Ireland made history by beating the All Blacks at Soldier Field for the first time in 111 years!
Concerts and Other Events
Soldier Field is a popular spot for huge concerts and other events.
- Many famous musicians have performed here, including Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Coldplay, BTS, and Rammstein.
- In 2015, the band "Fare Thee Well" held their 50th-anniversary concerts here.
- In 2021, Kanye West held a listening event for his album Donda.
- In 2022, Elton John performed as part of his farewell tour.
- In 2023, Taylor Swift became the first female artist to sell out three shows on a single tour at Soldier Field.
Other Notable Events
- In 1926, the 28th International Eucharistic Congress held several large outdoor events.
- The "Long Count Fight," a famous boxing match between Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney, took place here in 1927.
- In 1932, Amelia Earhart, the famous pilot, was part of a war show at the stadium.
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech at Soldier Field in 1944 to over 150,000 people.
- General Douglas MacArthur addressed a crowd of 50,000 in 1951.
- Martin Luther King Jr. led large rallies for the Chicago Freedom Movement in 1964 and 1966.
- In 1983, the first-ever commercial cell phone call was made from a car at Soldier Field.
- The opening ceremony of the 2006 Gay Games was held at the stadium.
- In 2012, President Barack Obama hosted a NATO summit at McCormick Place and Soldier Field.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the stadium was closed to visitors, the Shedd Aquarium brought its penguins to Soldier Field for exercise!
Images for kids
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Soldier Field nearing completion, 1924
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The stadium mid-renovation in March 2003
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Aerial view of the stadium in 2008
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Soldier Field as seen from Lake Shore Drive in 2013
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The scenery around Soldier Field
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Exterior of Soldier Field, with a sign reading "Dedicated to the men and women of the armed services"
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Front of bronze mural
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View towards the western grandstand's cantilever over the original western colonnade
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View from NEMA, 2021
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From Northerly Island in the winter
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt at Soldier Field, 1944
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Gen. Douglas MacArthur at Soldier Field, 1951
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Opening ceremonies of the 2006 Gay Games at Soldier Field
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German band Rammstein performs at Soldier Field, September 3rd 2022 as part of their North America Stadium Tour
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See also
In Spanish: Soldier Field para niños
- List of events at Soldier Field
- Lists of stadiums
