Sports in Chicago facts for kids

Sports in Chicago include many professional sports teams. Chicago is one of ten U.S. cities to have teams from the five major American professional team sports (baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer). Chicago has been named as the "Best Sports City" by Sporting News three times in 1993, 2006 and 2010.

Chicago was a candidate city for the 2016 Summer Olympics but lost to Rio de Janeiro. Chicago also hosted the 1959 Pan American Games, as well as 2006 Gay Games. Chicago hosted the inaugural 1968 Special Olympics Summer World Games as well as its second games in 1970. Chicago also was the host of the 2017 Warrior Games.

Wrigley Field is the home of the Chicago Cubs.

In-game action during a soccer match at Soldier Field, which is the home venue of the Chicago Fire FC (MLS)

Olympics

After a months' long process that saw the elimination of several American and international cities, Chicago was selected on April 14, 2007, to represent the United States internationally in the bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee eventually shortlisted four of the seven applicant cities, where Chicago remained, before Rio de Janeiro was elected as the host in 2009. Chicago had previously hosted the 1959 Pan American Games. Chicago was selected to host the 1904 Summer Olympics, but they were transferred to St. Louis to coincide with the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

Motorsports

The area is home to the Chicagoland Speedway, which is based in Joliet. The track currently hosts four NASCAR races (GEICO 400, STP 300, Dollar General 300, American Ethanol 225). The track formerly held the Peak Antifreeze Indy 300.

Former teams

College sports

Seven NCAA Division I athletic programs reside in the Chicago metropolitan area. The DePaul Blue Demons, Loyola Ramblers, Chicago State Cougars, and UIC Flames, none of which sponsor football, are all within the city limits. All play their main revenue sport of men's basketball in the city; only DePaul does not play on its campus, instead using Wintrust Arena at the McCormick Place convention center on the Near South Side.

The Northwestern Wildcats, Northern Illinois Huskies, and Valparaiso Beacons are all programs that play in the surrounding area. Northern Illinois is a Division I Bowl Subdivision school along with Northwestern, which is the only Power Five school in the Chicago area. Although the Illinois Fighting Illini are located two hours south in Champaign, they have the largest fan following in Chicago. The football program of Notre Dame, which is located in South Bend, Indiana, which is an hour and a half to the east, also has a huge following in the Chicago Area, especially in its southwest suburbs.

The Big Ten Conference is headquartered in Rosemont after relocating from another suburb, Park Ridge, in 2013.

Images for kids

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  Section 8 during the match between Chicago Fire FC and Vancouver at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois

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  Kit of the Chicago Sting, who played in the NASL from 1975–1984

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  The United Center is the home of the NBA's Bulls and NHL's Blackhawks.

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  Soldier Field is the home of the Bears (NFL) and Chicago Fire FC (MLS).

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  A view of Chicagoland Speedway