MLS Stadiums: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Soldier Field, Chicago
Soldier Field in Chicago opened in 1924 and is home to The NFL's Chicago Bears (since 1971) and Chicago Fire (since 2020) of Major League Soccer.
It has a capacity of 62,500 making it the second smallest stadium in the NFL. It is also the oldest stadium in both the NFL and MLS.
Capacity, History & Design
The stadium first opened in 1924 at a cost of $13 million, a huge sum at the time.
It was first known as "Grant Park Stadium" but the name was changed in 1925 to "Soldier Field", in honor of American soldiers who had died during World War I.
Over time the arena has been renovated several times including in the 1970s with a major and somewhat controversial redesign and modernization taking place between 2002 and 2003.
The venue is known for its Neoclassical design elements and Doric columns which survived the major renovation in the early 2000s.
Uses
As well as NFL and soccer, Soldier Field has played host to other sports over the years, including motorsports, rugby union and ice hockey.
The stadium was a venue for the 1994 World Cup and hosted five games - four group matches and a Round of 16 tie. Additionally, Soldier Field staged games at the 1999 Women's World Cup, as well as matches at the 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2019 and 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments and four games at the Copa América Centenario in 2016. The stadium was not chosen as a venue for the 2026 World Cup.
As a concert venue, the arena has been staging events since the 1930s and continues to do so.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire (named after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871) was founded in 1997, and joined MLS as an expansion team ahead of the 1998 season, winning both the the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in that year. SeatGeek Stadium was the Fire's home from 2006 until 2019 before the club's move back to Soldier Field.
Some of the biggest names to have played for the Chicago Fire include internationals Bastian Schweinsteiger, Hristo Stoichkov, and Cuauhtémoc Blanco.
World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger played for the Fire from 2017 to 2019 after leaving Manchester United. Bulgarian Ballon d'Or winner Hristo Stoichkov was at the club from 2000 to 2002 while Mexican icon Cuauhtémoc Blanco also spent two years in Chicago from 2007 to 2009.
Former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri is the Fire's most expensive signing at $7.5 million. He, too, spent two years with the team from 2022-2024.
Other club legends include Polish playmaker Piotr Nowak, a leader of the 1998 MLS Cup championship team. US midfielder Chris Armas spent a decade with the club. Winger DaMarcus Beasley began his professional career in Chicago before moving to Europe and fellow US international Carlos Bocanegra won MLS Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year awards with the Fire.
Ex-Bayern and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski joined the club in June 2026. The Polish striker opened his account for the Fire with a brace against Charlotte FC.
Bob Bradley coached the club from 1997 to 2002, leading the expansion team to an MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup double in their inaugural 1998 season. He later went on to manage the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) and Swansea City.
The present coach is Gregg Berhalter appointed in late 2024, following his tenure as the U.S. Men's National Team head coach.
Tours
There are two main types of stadium tours available. The Classic Tour covers the south courtyard, visitor's locker room, interview room, skyline suite, colonnades, and the field. The VIP Tour includes everything on the Classic Tour plus a 15-minute on-field experience and access to the stadium video control room.
Access
The drive from the Loop typically takes 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic. Take South DuSable Lake Shore Drive (US-41) and exit at 18th Drive to access the stadium. Parking is available in the North Garage, Waldron Deck, South Lot, and other nearby lots. Event-day parking often sells out, so reserving a space in advance is recommended.
Take the CTA Red, Green, or Orange Line to Roosevelt Station. From Roosevelt Station, it's about a 15-minute (¾-mile) walk through Museum Campus to Soldier Field.
Alternatively, board CTA Bus #146 (Inner Drive/Michigan Express), which serves the stadium area. During the summer, Bus #130 (Museum Campus) also connects downtown with Soldier Field and nearby museums. For Chicago Bears home games, Bus #128 Soldier Field Express provides additional service.
Address: 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive (1410 Special Olympics Drive), Chicago, IL 60605, USA.
Accessibility
The stadium is generally accommodating with designated wheelchair-accessible seating, ramps, elevators, and an official ADA drop-off at Gate 14.
The nearest CTA L station is Roosevelt, which is about 0.75 miles away - a substantial roll or walk, though local seasonal or event buses (like CTA #146 or #128) may offer closer drop-offs.
Gate 14 on the east side of the stadium serves as the designated vehicle drop-off and pick-up spot (requires a valid ADA placard or license plate).
For further information see: ww.soldierfield.com/plan-your-visit/ada-accessibility
Things To See & Do in Chicago
Chicago offers a wide variety of attractions, from world-class museums and striking architecture to beautiful parks and lively neighborhoods. Visitors can enjoy stunning views from the Willis Tower Skydeck, stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk, explore Millennium Park to see the famous Cloud Gate sculpture ("The Bean"), and relax by the shores of Lake Michigan.
The city's renowned food scene, especially its deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, makes it a great destination for both sightseeing and dining.
Close to Soldier Field and the Museum Campus area is Lake Michigan and the adjacent Field Museum, a massive natural history museum right next door housing "Sue" the famous and remarkably complete T. rex skeleton.
The Shedd Aquarium is also nearby and home to thousands of aquatic animals, marine mammals, and an oceanarium with lake views. Adler Planetarium is located at the tip of the nearby peninsula, featuring immersive sky shows and Chicago skyline views.
Hotels in USA
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Chicago has 100s of places to stay to suit most budgets. Some recommendations include the Riu Plaza Chicago, the Study at the University of Chicago and the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago.
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