Sports in Chicago
Sports in Chicago include many professional sports teams.
Chicago was a candidate city for the
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Wrigley Field is the home of the Chicago Cubs.
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In-game action during asoccer match at Soldier Field, which is the home venue of the Chicago Bears (NFL) and Chicago Fire FC(MLS)
Major league teams
The following is a list of active, professional major-league Chicago sports teams, ranked by attendance:
Club | League | Sport | Venue | Attendance | Founded | Championships | Last Championship |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago Bears | NFL | Football | Soldier Field | 61,142 | 1919 | 1 Super Bowl, 8 prior Championships | 1985 |
Chicago Cubs | MLB | Baseball | Wrigley Field | 41,649 | 1870 | 3 World Series, 6 prior championships | 2016 |
Chicago White Sox | MLB | Baseball | Guaranteed Rate Field | 40,625 | 1900 | 3 World Series, 1 prior championship | 2005 |
Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | Ice hockey | United Center | 21,653 | 1926 | 6 Stanley Cups | 2015 |
Chicago Bulls | NBA | Basketball | United Center | 20,776 | 1966 | 6 NBA Championships | 1998 |
Chicago Fire FC | MLS | Soccer | Soldier Field | 14,806 | 1997 | 1 Supporters Shield, 4 U.S. Open Cup
|
2006 |
Chicago Sky | WNBA | Basketball | Wintrust Arena | 6,358 | 2006 | 1 WNBA Championship | 2021 |
Chicago Red Stars | NWSL | Soccer | SeatGeek Stadium | 5,451 | 2006 | None | N/A |
Chicago Hounds | MLR | Rugby | SeatGeek Stadium | 4,443 | 2022 | None | N/A |
Soccer (MLS, NWSL)
Soccer in Chicago can be traced back to Chicago Sparta. Founded in 1917 by immigrant Czechs, Sparta competed in several leagues during its existence.[2] The club's achievements include: winning the National Soccer League of Chicago; winning 9 titles in Chicago's International League, of which the team was a member 1926–1936; and winning the National Challenge Cup twice.[3][4] In the 1950s, the Chicago Falcons operated. They won the National Challenge Cup in 1953.[5]
Chicago was once the home of the
Chicago is also home to the Chicago Red Stars, currently playing in the National Women's Soccer League. The Red Stars began their second stint at the venue now known as SeatGeek Stadium in 2016, having played there previously as a member of the now-defunct Women's Professional Soccer.
Baseball (MLB)
Chicago is one of four metro areas in the United States that has two Major League Baseball teams, the others being Los Angeles, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Of these, only Chicago and New York City have both teams in the city limits. Chicago is the only city that has had more than one MLB team every year since the founding of the American League in 1901 (New York City hosted one team between 1958 and 1962, and Los Angeles has only done so since 1961). The Chicago Cubs are members of the National League, while the Chicago White Sox are members of the American League.
The Cubs play in
The Cubs'
The White Sox have played on the South Side continuously since 1901, with all three of their home fields throughout the years being within mere blocks of one another. They have won three World Series titles (1906, 1917, 2005) and six American League pennants, including the first in 1901. The Sox are fifth in the American League in all-time wins, and sixth in pennants.
Basketball (NBA, WNBA)
The Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association is a professional basketball team. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led the Bulls to six NBA championships in two "threepeats" from 1991 to 1993 and again from 1996 to 1998.[12][13] The new generation of Bulls, known as "The Baby Bulls", emerged in 2005.[14] In 2007, they swept the defending champs, the Miami Heat. In 2011, led by league MVP Derrick Rose, the Bulls made it to the Eastern Finals, losing to the Miami Heat.
Chicago is home to the Chicago Sky of the Women's National Basketball Association. The Chicago Sky won the 2021 WNBA Finals beating the Phoenix Mercury 3-1.
American football (NFL)
The Chicago Bears of the National Football League play at Soldier Field. The Bears' history includes many NFL personalities, including owner George Halas, players Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, and coach Mike Ditka. The Bears are one of the original teams of the NFL, founded by Halas in 1919 in Decatur, Illinois. They currently have the most players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 26.[15] In 1985, the Bears won Super Bowl XX 46–10 over the New England Patriots.[16] In the 2006 season, the Bears once again made it to the Super Bowl, but lost 29–17 to the Indianapolis Colts.[17] They were led by coach Lovie Smith.
The Bears'
The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field, named after "The men and women of the armed forces". It is located next to the shores of Lake Michigan, on Lake Shore Drive. Soldier Field was an aging stadium and was in dire need of renovation by the end of the 20th century. In 2003, the stadium re-opened after an extensive renovation, which increased the number of luxury boxes and dramatically improved the game day experience for Bears fans. However, because of this renovation, the stadium lost its National Historic Landmark designation on February 17, 2006.
Ice hockey (NHL)
The Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League is the city's professional ice hockey team, and are an Original Six team. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013,[20] and again in 2015.[21]The Blackhawks receive national attention for the intense rivalries with the Detroit Red Wings, also an Original Six team.[22] Other rivalries include the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues (former Norris Division rivals), and the Nashville Predators. Some well-known players include: Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, Bobby Hull, Keith Magnuson, Glenn Hall, Denis Savard, Steve Larmer, Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios, Ed Belfour, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marián Hossa, Corey Crawford, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith.
Major league professional championships
Chicago Bears (NFL)1 Super Bowl title 8 NFL championships (pre–Super Bowl) Chicago Cardinals (NFL)2 NFL championships (pre–Super Bowl) Chicago Cubs (MLB)3 World Series titles Chicago White Sox (MLB)3 World Series titles Chicago American Giants (NNL)2 Negro World Series titles
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Chicago Sting (Juan)2 Soccer Bowl titles
Chicago Fire F.C. (MLS)1 MLS Cup title Chicago Bulls (NBA)6 NBA Finals titles Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)6 Stanley Cup titles Chicago Sky (WNBA)1 WNBA Championship
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Minor league teams
The following is a list of active minor league, semi-pro, and amateur Chicago sports teams, ranked by year of establishment:
Club | League | Sport | Venue | Established | Championships |
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Chicago Lions RFC | RSL
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Rugby union | Lions for Hope Clubhouse and Field[23] | 1964 | 0 |
Chicago Griffins
|
RSL
|
Rugby union | Schiller Park | 1973 | 0 |
Chicago Wolves | AHL | Ice hockey | Allstate Arena | 1994 | 5 |
Chicago Force | WFA | Women's football
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Evanston Township High School | 2003 | 1 |
Windy City Rollers | WFTDA | Roller derby | Credit Union 1 Arena | 2004 | 0 |
Chicago Outfit Roller Derby | WFTDA | Roller derby | Windy City Field House | 2007 | 0 |
Chicago Swans | USAFL | Australian rules football | Waveland Field | 2008 | |
Chicago Stockyarders | AMNRL | Rugby league | Winnemac Stadium | 2010 | 0 |
Chicago Union | AUDL
|
Ultimate | De La Salle Institute Stadium | 2013 | |
Chicago Mustangs
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MASL
|
Indoor Soccer
|
Now Arena | 2012 | 1 |
Chicago Red Hots | USARS | Roller derby | Cicero Stadium | 2013 | 0 |
Windy City Bulls | NBA G League | Basketball | Now Arena | 2016 | 0 |
Chicago House AC | NISA | Soccer | SeatGeek Stadium | 2020 | 0 |
Independent league baseball
Club | League | Venue | Location | Established | Championships |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joliet Slammers | Frontier League | Duly Health and Care Field | Joliet, Illinois | 2010 | 2 (2011, 2018) |
Schaumburg Boomers | Frontier League | Wintrust Field
|
Schaumburg, Illinois | 2011 | 3 (2013, 2014, 2017) |
Windy City ThunderBolts | Frontier League | Ozinga Field | Crestwood, Illinois | 1995 | 3 (1998, 2007, 2008) |
Gary SouthShore RailCats | American Association | U.S. Steel Yard | Gary, Indiana | 2001 | 3 (2005, 2007, 2013) |
Chicago Dogs | American Association | Impact Field | Rosemont, Illinois | 2018 | None |
Kane County Cougars | American Association | Northwestern Medicine Field | Geneva, Illinois | 1991 | None[a] |
- ^ The Cougars joined the American Association in 2021. They won two titles in the affiliated Midwest League in 2001 and 2014.
Hockey
The Chicago metropolitan area is also home to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. The Chicago Wolves have been successful, making numerous playoff appearances and winning the Turner and Calder cups many times.[citation needed] Playing in suburban Geneva are the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, a Tier One Junior Hockey league, the only tier one junior league in the United States.[citation needed]
Arena football
The Chicago metropolitan area was also home to the
The Chicago Rush had been a member of the Arena Football League since 2001, and won ArenaBowl XX, playing in suburban Rosemont, although they now played in Rockford, as of 2013. The team has been defunct since 2013.
The Arena Football League front office was based in Chicago.
Rugby
The Chicago Hounds of Major League Rugby began play in 2023 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.[27][28]
The
In international rugby union, Soldier Field was the site of the first-ever victory by Ireland over New Zealand, with the Irish defeating the All Blacks 40–29 on November 5, 2016.[30]
Other sports
Chicago is home to the Chicago Blitz of the X League.
The Chicago area has also played host to the WWE's WrestleMania multiple times, most recently for WrestleMania 22.[31] Five-time world champion CM Punk is a Chicago native who still lives in the city. Chicago has also hosted major
Starting just off Navy Pier is the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, a 333-mile (289 nmi; 536 km) offshore yacht race held each July. It is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world. 2015 marks the 107th running of the "Mac".[38]
Chicago is home to two all-female roller derby leagues;
The city is also home to the Chicago Patriots Gaelic Football Club.
College sports
Seven NCAA Division I athletic programs reside in the Chicago metropolitan area. The DePaul Blue Demons, Loyola Ramblers, Chicago State Cougars, and UIC Flames, none of which sponsor football, are all within the city limits. All play their main revenue sport of men's basketball in the city; only DePaul does not play on its campus, instead using Wintrust Arena at the McCormick Place convention center on the Near South Side.
The Northwestern Wildcats, Northern Illinois Huskies, and Valparaiso Beacons are all programs that play in the surrounding area. Northern Illinois is a Division I Bowl Subdivision school along with Northwestern, which is the only Power Five school in the Chicago area. Although the Illinois Fighting Illini are located two hours south in Champaign, they have the largest fan following in Chicago. The football program of Notre Dame, which is located in South Bend, Indiana, which is an hour and a half to the east, also has a huge following in the Chicago Area, especially in its southwest suburbs.
The Big Ten Conference is headquartered in Rosemont after relocating from another suburb, Park Ridge, in 2013.[45]
Olympic bids
After a months' long process that saw the elimination of several American and international cities, Chicago was selected on April 14, 2007, to represent the United States internationally in the
Motorsports
The area is home to the Chicagoland Speedway, which is based in Joliet.[49] As of 2019, the track hosted one race per NASCAR National Series, the (Camping World 400, Camping World 300, Camping World 225), and the Dawn 150 for the ARCA Menards Series The track formerly held the Peak Antifreeze Indy 300.[50] However, in 2020, NASCAR announced Chicagoland will not be on the 2021 season calendar, thanks in part to the track laying off workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was leaked during May that the track may be transformed into an industrial park, but nothing is official.[51]
The Route 66 Raceway is also located in Joliet. The track hosts drag racing events.
Rivalries
Detroit
Due to geographical proximity and a long history, Chicago and Detroit have developed a rivalry throughout the big 4 sports and even at the collegiate level.
Milwaukee/Wisconsin
Chicago has also developed a rivalry with Milwaukee due to their metropolitan areas bordering each other. While the Packers currently play in Green Bay, they spent several decades playing regular season games in Milwaukee and have a large fanbase there.
Minnesota
Chicago and Minnesota have also developed a rivalry, though it is much newer compared to Detroit and Milwaukee.
St. Louis
Chicago and St. Louis have a rivalry that is primarily in baseball, though this has spread to other sports such as hockey and soccer.
New York City
Chicago and New York City have a rivalry.
Former teams
See also
- 16-inch softball
- Arlington Park
- Chicagoland Speedway
- Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame
- Chicago bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Chicago Marathon
- Hawthorne Race Course
- Multiple major sports championship seasons
References
- ^ Bergen, Kathy; Washburn, Gary (May 11, 2006). "City out to prove Olympic mettle". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
- ^ "Sparta ABA Soccer Team, 1945".
- ^ "National Soccer League (Chicago)". Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
- ^ "St. Louis Soccer League (SLSL) - 1907-1939". Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
- ^ "The Year in American Soccer - 1953". Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
- ^ "The Chicago Sting looms lager, er, larger, by the week as - 06.23.80 - SI Vault". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ "US Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley Named 2009 National Coach of the Year". Archived from the original on July 2, 2010.
- ^ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Announces Ownership Change and Relocation" (Press release). Chicago Fire SC. September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ "Wrigleyville, a Chicago Neighborhood Visitor Guide from Chicago Traveler". www.chicagotraveler.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007.
- ISBN 978-1-59392-073-9.
- ^ Baseball Reference - MLB Teams and Baseball Encyclopedia
- ^ "Michael Jordan Elected to Basketball Hall of Fame". Chicagoist. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ Patt, Jason. "The OTHER members of the Bulls' dynasty". SBNation.com. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ "Seven questions for Baby Bulls". ESPN. February 14, 1995. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ "Chicago Bears Hall of Famers".
- ^ "Super Bowl XX Game Recap". Nfl.com. January 27, 1986. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "Super Bowl XLI Game Recap". Nfl.com. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "Bears-Packers set to resume fierce rivalry". Chicagobears.com. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ Klonke, Chuck (November 13, 2011). "Lions, Bears rivalry runs deep". Detroitlions.com. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ Klein, Jeff Z. (June 9, 2010). "Blackhawks Win First Stanley Cup in 49 Years". The New York Times.
- ^ "Hawks-Bruins is first Original Six Final since '79". blackhawks.nhl.com. June 9, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ "The origins of hate". August 15, 2012. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016.
- ^ "Lions for Hope Clubhouse and Field". Chicagolions.com. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
- ^ "ArenaBowl XX - Arizona Sports Fans Network". Arizonasportsfans.com. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "Chicago Bruisers Team History - 1988". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "AFL Box Score: ArenaBowl II - Detroit Drive @ Chicago Bruisers (Jul 30, 1988)". ArenaFan.com. July 30, 1988. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO CHICAGO". Major League Rugby. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ "Chicago Wins First Game in Franchise History". Chicago Hounds. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ "Loading". Americanrugbynews.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "Ireland beats New Zealand 40-29 at Soldier Field; first win over All Blacks in 111 years". Chicago Tribune. November 5, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
- ^ "WWE Corporate - WrestleMania 22 Arrives In Chicago...'BIG TIME'". Corporate.wwe.com. March 27, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ Hood, Jonathan (March 13, 2006). "Wrestlemania 22 comes to Chicago". ESPN. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- ^ Drew, Ryan (April 30, 2012). "WWE Extreme Rules 2012 Hits and Misses; A Fan's Perspective". Yahoo! News. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (August 20, 2021). "CM Punk Returns To Wrestling On 8/20 AEW Rampage The First Dance, Faces Darby Allin At AEW All Out". Fightful. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
- ^ Cook, Ryan (September 5, 2021). "All Elite Wrestling Presents All Out Results CM Punk Victorious, Bryan Danielson & Adam Cole Debut". Fightful. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (September 11, 2021). "September 13, 2021 Observer Newsletter: AEW All Out review, Gable Steveson signs with WWE". F4WOnline.com. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ "Race to Mackinac FAQ". Chicago Yacht Club. 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
- ^ "Member Leagues". WFTDA. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ "Current Rankings". WFTDA. November 30, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
- ^ Velez, Aixa (November 4, 2010). "2010 National Roller Derby Championship This Weekend". Chicago Events. Huffington Post. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
- ^ "Windy City Rollers Derby Team Headed To World Championships". CBS Chicago. October 10, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
- ^ "Team USA - Roller Derby". US Olympic Committee (Team USA). Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ "2013 USARS Roller Derby National Championship Results". USA Roller Sports. November 1, 2013. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012.
- ^ "Big Ten to leave Park Ridge in 2013 - Morton Grove Champion". Mortongrove.suntimes.com. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ Levine, Jay (July 26, 2006). "Chicago In The Running To Host 2016 Summer Games". CBS. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved December 1, 2006.
- ^ Smith, Aaron (October 2, 2009). "Chicago loses Olympic bid to Rio". CNN. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
- ^ "St. Louis 1904 Summer Olympics". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ "Chicagoland Speedway". Chicagoland Speedway. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "IRL-PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300 Results - Racing - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. August 28, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "NASCAR Report on Instagram: "NEWS: NASCAR is planning to turn part of the Chicagoland Speedway into an industrial park. This move will not affect the track itself, as it will remain intact with the proposed deal. Even though the final plat encompasses about half of the track, warehouses planned for the site would not interfere. --- "I have attached the staff report which was presented to the Joliet Plan Commission at their meeting on April 16. The staff report provides some background. At the request of the applicant, the Plan Commission voted to table the subdivision request to their meeting on July 16. Under the proposal, 82.3 acres which is presently an accessory parking area would be sold to Hillwood Investment Properties for future warehouse development. Chicagoland Speedway LLC would own the remaining balance of racetrack property." --- 📸: NASCAR 📃: Kickin the Tires | Adam Stern --- #MonsterCupNews #NASCAR #Cars #RaceCar #Racing #NASCARReport"".
- ^ "Chicago Bandits Disbanded | Journal & Topics Media Group". August 3, 2021.