Soldier Field

From the Chicago Bears inception in the early 1920s until 1970, the team played at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. After the 1970 season, the team decided to move to Soldier Field. On September 19, 1971 the Bears played their first game at Soldier Field. The capacity of the stadium was reduced to 57,000 to bring fans closer to the field. Since 1971, many renovations have taken place at Soldier Field. In 1978, Astroturf replaced the natural grass field and the seating areas were rebuilt. By 1981, additional seating was added bringing the capacity to 66,000. New luxury suites, a press box, and a video/scoreboard were also added. In 1988, the Astroturf was replaced by natural grass and 56 luxury suites were added to Soldier Field. In 2000, the Bears announced that Soldier Field would be completely renovated and expanded as part of Chicago’s Lakefront Improvement Plan. As part of a $365 million reconstruction project, the majority of Soldier Field was demolished with the exception of the exterior. While Soldier Field was being reconstructed the Bears played at Memorial Stadium during the 2002 season. The new Soldier Field has around 66,000 seats in several tiers, overall improved seating, better sightlines, an enlarged concourse, two 96-foot-by-23-foot video-boards, 8,000 club seats, and 133 luxury suites. To preserve Soldier Field, the classic colonnades were saved intact as a lasting monument to Soldier Field’s glorious past, and a 250-foot granite-wall sculpture serves as a memorial to the men and women who served in the armed forces. Fans are able to walk among the colonnades and the horseshoe promenade. The Bears moved back into the new Soldier Field in time for the 2003 NFL season.