Soldier Field

The oldest stadium in the NFL and MLS, home of the Chicago Bears since 1971.

Soldier Field (historically often referred to as Soldiers' Field) is a multi-purpose stadium on the Near South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1924, the stadium has served as the home of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) since 1971, as well as Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) since 2020. It also regularly hosts stadium concerts and other large crowd events. The stadium has a football capacity of 62,500, making it the second-smallest stadium in the NFL. Soldier Field is also the oldest stadium in the NFL and MLS.

Quick Facts

Address: 1410 Special Olympics Drive
Location: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Groundbreaking: 11 August 1922
Built: 1922–1924
Opened: 9 October 1924
Renovated: 2002–2003
Closed: 19 January 2002–26 September 2003 (renovations)
Reopened: 29 September 2003 (renovations)

Lore & Background

On November 11, 1925, the stadium's name was changed to Soldier Field, in dedication to U.S. soldiers who had died in combat during World War I. Its formal rededication as Soldier Field was held during the 29th annual playing of the Army–Navy Game on November 27, 1926. The stadium's interior was rebuilt as part of a major renovation project in 2002 and 2003, which modernized the facility but lowered its seating capacity, eventually causing it to be delisted as a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

Did You Know?

The stadium was originally dedicated as 'Grant Park Stadium' on October 9, 1924.
It was estimated that 123,000 fans saw Notre Dame defeat USC 13–12 on November 16, 1929.
The stadium's design is in the Neoclassical style, with Doric columns rising above the East and West entrances.
The Bears played their first home game at Soldier Field on September 19, 1971, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 17–15.