Mar 10, 2014 originally constructed in 1924, soldier field has been home to the bears since 1971. However, it would be another 47 years before the chicago bears would officially use it as its home field. The team had played at wrigley field for more than 50 years before deciding on a new venue. The first game in soldier field after renovation was september 29, 2003 against the green. Though the capacity has greatly varied over time, its current layout seats only 61,500, making it the smallest. The capacity of soldier field is well over 100,000 fans. Soldier field was designed in 1919 and opened on october 9, 1924. Chicago tribune staff writer liam ford led the reporting on the stadiums controversial 2003 renovationand simultaneously found himself unearthing a dramatic history. Many new and modern extensions were added to the field. While we all know soldier field as the home of the chicago bears, it is also a distinguished destination for concerts, festivals, charity events, and specialty sporting events. History of soldier field illinois sports facilities. For decades its signature columns provided an iconic backdrop for gridiron matches. Soldier field, the premier outdoor sporting venue in chicago, addresses security concerns with a comprehensive stadium solution that includes axis.
To salvage the deal, daley pressured the bears to permanently forfeit their right to sell corporate naming rights to soldier field and built in a twoyear protection for chicago taxpayers. Another big moment in soldier fields history came on october 28, 1944 when president franklin d. C hicago tribune staff writer liam ford led the reporting on the stadiums controversial 2003 renovationand simultaneously found himself unearthing a. From 1935 and until june 9,1968, soldier field hosted midget auto races, demolition derbies and, for a number of years, weekly stock car racing. The chicago bears moved from wrigley field and began using the facility in 1971 and played their first game in the renovated soldier field on september 29, 2003. But to add more modern amenities and luxury seating, the. Jun 26, 2007 history tour of soldier field duration. Soldier field was designed in 1919 and opened on october 9, 1924, as municipal grant park stadium. As he tells it, the tale of soldier field truly is the story of chicago, filled with political intrigue and civic pride. But to add more modern amenities and luxury seating, the city, which owns the stadium, embarked last year on a. Soldier field is an american football stadium located in the near south side of chicago, illinois, near downtown chicago. Chicago tribune staff writer liam ford led the reporting on the stadiums controversial 2003 renovation and simultaneously found himself unearthing a dramatic history. Soldier field and its city the chicago blog the chicago blog.
And, in 2003, a 20month renovation ended with a new, modern interior and improved parking surrounding the stadium. Soldier field was dropped eighteen feet deeper to allow more seating on the sidelines. In may 1999, talk began to surface that the city of chicago and the bears were discussing a plan to raze all but soldier fields columns, and build an entirely new stadium within. A stadium and its city explores how this amphitheater evolved from a public war memorial into a majestic arena that helped define chicago. Soldier field, which opened in 1924, is the colosseumlike home of the chicago bears. The chicago bears came to soldier field in 1971, seeking bigger quarters. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The story takes place 6 months prior to its opening and shows interior. Feb 03, 2016 another big moment in soldier field s history came on october 28, 1944 when president franklin d. Soldier field renovations illinois sports facilities. Jun 16, 2003 soldier field, which opened in 1924, is the colosseumlike home of the chicago bears. Chicago defeats the pittsburgh steelers 1715 before capacity crowd of 55,701. Historic photographs of soldier field from soldier field.
Soldier field formerly municipal grant park stadium is located on lake shore drive in chicago, illinois, and is currently home to the chicago bears. Soldier field is the oldest stadium in the league and now that the raiders are moving to vegas, its now the smallest. Roosevelt made his only midwestern speaking appearance during his fourth and final reelection. Jan 28, 2019 soldier field has been an iconic structure in chicago since it opened in 1924 as municipal grant park stadium but would change its name as a memorial to u. Chicago tribune staff writer ford led the reporting on the stadiums controversial 2003 renovationand simultaneously found himself unearthing a dramatic history. Soldier field history 1919 plans for the stadium began in 1919, when holibird and roche won an architectural competition to build the stadium as a memorial to american soldiers who. Soldier field s name makes it a great monument to the soldiers who have given their lives to protect our freedom. Designed by holabird and roche, the stadium featured greek columns and a capacity of 120,000.
Soldier field chicago tickets, schedule, seating chart. Why the soldier field renovations were a mistake for the. Pal ten noorden van het stadion ligt het field museum of natural history in. Customers must have the actual credit card, picture id and the confirmation number to receive their tickets. It has primarily served as the home field of the chicago bears professional football club for over four decades, but it also. Soldier field is an american football and soccer stadium located in the near south side of chicago, illinois, near downtown chicago. Chicago tribune staff writer liam ford led the reporting on the stadiums controversial 2003 renovationand simultaneously found himself unearthing a. The redevelopment of soldier field included renovation and improvements to the stadium, which is home to the chicago bears, as well as to north burnham park.
The bears are lucky to have the 3rd largest market in the country all to themselves without a competitor but were overdue for a larger stadium and its showing in our ticket prices. Soldier field in chicago opened in 1924 as municipal grant park stadium and was officially dedicated in november 1926 to the american soldiers who had died in combat. It reopened on september 29, 2003 after a complete rebuild. A history of soldier field in chicago and efforts to rehab the building. The stadiums interior was rebuilt as part of a major renovation project in 2002, which modernized. Public tours of soldier field are open to everyone, whether you are visiting chicago for the first time or you are a native chicagoan interested in learning more about the stadium. History of soldier field illinois sports facilities authority isfa.
However, soldier field was most closely associated with the chicago bears. The name was changed to soldier field on november 11, 1925, as a memorial to u. A fields root zone makeup determines how efficient drainage and oxygen and nutrient retention are. Another big moment in soldier field s history came on october 28, 1944 when president franklin d. A stadium and its city is a work of social history rather than one that deals with professional preservation analysis those looking for a comprehensive chronology or critical examination of the finer points of the historic. Soldier fields longevity is the result of the stadiums commanding city location, its timeless original architecture, the respect for its long history and its controversial transformation in. Chicago tribune staff writer liam ford led the reporting on the stadium\s controversial 2003 renovationand simultaneously found himself unearthing a dramatic history.
The stadium project restored the facilitys exterior and colonnades, and replaced the entire seating bowl, which now has seats for 61,500 fans. Though the capacity has greatly varied over time, its current layout seats only 61,500, making it. Chicago tribune staff writer liam ford led the reporting on the stadium\s controversial 2003 renovationand simultaneously found himself unearthing a. Soldier field, formerly called 192425 grant park municipal stadium, stadium in chicago that was built in 1924 and is one of the oldest arenas in the nfl, home to the the citys professional gridiron football team, the bears, since 1971. Soldier field in chicago, united states sygic travel. During the renovation 3 luxury suites and 8,600 club seats were added. The storied and sometimes strange history of soldier field.
The monthly public tour schedule will be updated at the end of each month. Ten years later, astroturf was removed from the stadium, replaced with natural kentucky bluegrass. A chicago lakefront landmark, soldier field then grant park stadium was completed in 1924 and renamed a year later in honor of the solders killed in world war i. New lighting, playing surface and locker rooms installed. Dec 12, 2015 soldier fields longevity is the result of the stadiums commanding city location, its timeless original architecture, the respect for its long history and its controversial transformation in. Since 1971, the bears have filled the stadium with cheering fans, making it difficult to find soldier field parking on the best of days, but this multipurpose stadium has also seen artists such as u2, coldplay, guns n roses, the grateful dead, and beyonce dominate the field on a regular basis.
To salvage the deal, daley pressured the bears to permanently forfeit their right to sell corporate naming rights to soldier field and built in a. Originally constructed in 1924, soldier field has been home to the bears since 1971. A football cathedral never really meant for football. Roosevelt made his only midwestern speaking appearance during. Its unique design after the renovation in 2003 often reminds passers by of a ufo landing, but it also boasts a rich history with touching memorials to our countrys. Will call is available on the day of the event only. Sports fans nationwide know soldier field as the home of the chicago bears. Soldier field has been an iconic structure in chicago since it opened in 1924 as municipal grant park stadium but would change its name as a memorial to u.
After some consideration, the bears opted to return to soldier field, where they had played a game in 1926. C hicago tribune staff writer liam ford led the reporting on the stadiums controversial 2003 renovationand simultaneously found himself unearthing a dramatic history. A stadium and its city chicago visions and revisions. With the current stadium capacity of 61,500, soldier field became the smallest stadium in the nfl when the indianapolis colts moved out of the rca dome and into lucas oil stadium in. Gate 10 is located on the southeast side of soldier field. Plank seating replaced by individual seats with backs and armrests.
Ford wrote in his 2009 book on soldier field university of. Our fleet of luxury vehicles can come pick you up, drop you at the field, and return when the game is over. Ten years ago, the soldier field renovation nearly collapsed after the terrorist attacks of sept. A stadium and its city is a work of social history rather than one that deals with professional preservation analysis. It opened in 1924 and is the home field of the chicago bears of the national football league, who moved there in 1971, and chicago fire fc of major league soccer, who will begin playing at the stadium in 2020. Criticism has flown since the redesign of the landmark structure, but bear fans i talk to are glad to have a newer facility. It opened in 1924 and is the home field of the chicago bears of the national football league nfl, who moved there in 1971, and chicago fire fc of major league soccer mls, who will begin playing at the stadium in 2020. Nov 02, 2016 soldier field, the premier outdoor sporting venue in chicago, addresses security concerns with a comprehensive stadium solution that includes axis fixed and ptz network cameras and a genetec video.
Soldier field in chicago has a long history as the lair of the chicago bears. But few realize that the stadium has been much more than that. Soldier field solider field tickets home of the monsters of the midway, the chicago bears, soldier field is a historic venue that was updated drastically in 2002 to provide fans with a modern stadium experience while maintaining the historic facade. The root zone depth is 8 inches over a 4inch gravel blanket. History and renovation of soldier field 822 words 123 help me. In his book chicagos cubs, author jonathan alter captured the discussion. A stadium and its city is a work of social history rather than. At soldier field, the custom designed root zone mix is made up of 85% usga sand, 5% sphagnum peat moss and 10% profile porous ceramic. Here they are playing the philadelphia eagles at soldier field september 28, 2008. The stadium grounds now host over 200 event usage days per year. The chicago bears have played at soldier field for over 40 years. When did the bears return to soldier field after renovation. The first baseball game at the stadium was played on april 9, 1912, with the red sox defeating harvard college in an exhibition match. Sharing memories of and promote the return of stock car racing to chicagos soldier field.
Bears move from wrigley field and play first game at soldier field on september 19, 1971. Published on oct 9, 20 this story talks about the renovation of soldiers field, where the chicago bears play football. Soldier field american football wiki fandom powered by wikia. Ford more about the book the university of chicago press homepage. Soldier field is an american football and soccer stadium located in the near south side of. The stadium became the teams home beginning with the 1971 season. The bears played the 2002 season at memorial stadium in champaign while soldier field was being renovated. The first professional game there was held on april 20, a 76 red sox victory over the new york highlanders later yankees.
1410 946 614 871 1045 1053 215 966 286 1621 1259 1450 581 1416 1504 465 573 748 969 1092 1367 1593 362 933 1217 929 989 1577 1137 8 1506 36 187 405 444 1127 1082 111 821 660 1241 732 161 537 1450 244