Soldier Field

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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.

In Their Own Story

On October 9, 1924, the stadium opened on the 53rd anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. Just weeks later, on November 22, Notre Dame defeated Northwestern 13–6 in its first college football game. The name changed to Soldier Field on November 11, 1925, and was formally rededicated during the Army–Navy Game on November 27, 1926. For the Chicago Bears, the move from Wrigley Field came in 1971 due to merger policies requiring 50,000-seat capacities. Their first home game there on September 19, 1971, was a 17–15 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team spent the 2002 season at Memorial Stadium while renovations raged; tailgate fires still burned in trash cans when demolition began on January 19, 2002. The Bears returned to the renovated venue on September 29, 2003, losing 38–23 to the Green Bay Packers.

Reader's Guide

Soldier Field is located on the Near South Side of Chicago. It has a football capacity of 62,500. The stadium is home to the Chicago Bears (NFL) since 1971 and Chicago Fire FC (MLS) since 2020. It hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, and multiple CONCACAF Gold Cup championships. In 1968, it hosted the inaugural World Games of the Special Olympics, as well as its second World Games in 1970.

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.