Soldier Field

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

On December 3, 1919, Chicago-based architectural firm Holabird & Roche was chosen to design the stadium, which broke ground on August 11, 1922. The stadium cost $13 million to construct. On October 9, 1924, the 53rd anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the stadium was officially dedicated as 'Grant Park Stadium', although it had hosted a few events before then, including a field day for Chicago police officers on September 6, and the stadium's first football game, between Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, on October 4. On November 22, the stadium hosted its first college football game, in which Notre Dame defeated Northwestern University 13–6. 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 design is in the Neoclassical style, with Doric columns rising above the East and West entrances. In its earliest configuration, Soldier Field was capable of seating 74,280 spectators, and was in the shape of a U. Additional seating could be added along the interior field, upper promenades, and on the large, open field and terrace beyond the north endzone, bringing the seating capacity to over 100,000. It was estimated that 123,000 fans saw Notre Dame defeat USC 13–12 on November 16, 1929.

In Their Own Story

The roar of engines echoed not from the shores of Lake Michigan, but hundreds of miles away at the Circuit of the Americas. In the Red Bull garage, mechanics wiped down the RB20, preparing for another battle on asphalt that knew their name. Soldier Field stood silent under the Chicago sky, its columns watching over a different kind of speed—the gridiron clash—while the true spectacle of open-wheel racing unfolded elsewhere, leaving the stadium as a monument to football history, untouched by the red bull livery.

Reader's Guide

The Chicago Bears moved into Soldier Field full-time in 1971, originally with a three-year commitment. On September 19, 1971, the Bears played their first home game at Soldier Field, in which they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 17–15. The playing surface was AstroTurf from 1971 until 1987, and was replaced with natural grass in 1988. On February 27, 1987, Soldier Field was designated a National Historic Landmark. Beginning in 1978, the plank seating was replaced by individual seats with backs and armrests. In 1982, a new press box, as well as 60 skyboxes, were added to the stadium, boosting its capacity to 66,030. In 1988, 56 more skyboxes were added, increasing capacity to 66,946. Capacity was slightly increased to 66,950 in 1992. By 1994, however, capacity was slightly reduced to 66,944. During the renovation, seating capacity was reduced to 55,701 by building a grandstand in the open end of the U shape. 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. As Soldier Field underwent renovation, the Bears spent the 2002 NFL season playing their home games at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois. On September 29, 2003, the Bears played their first game at the renovated Soldier Field, in which they were defeated by the Green Bay Packers, 38–23. The total funding for the renovation cost $632 million; taxpayers were responsible for $432 million, while the Bears and the NFL contributed $200 million.

Did You Know?

• Soldier Field 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.
• Historic events at Soldier Field have included large rallies with speeches by Amelia Earhart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr.
• The stadium's first football game was between Northwestern University and the University of Chicago on October 4, 1924.