Soldier Field

Overview

Soldier Field is one of the most recognizable and complicated stadiums in American sport. Its classical colonnades belong to the 1920s, its seating bowl belongs to the early 2000s, and its identity remains inseparable from the Chicago Bears.

Set beside Lake Michigan on Chicago’s Museum Campus, the stadium combines a superb downtown location with fierce winds, cold-weather football and one of the NFL’s more intimate seating bowls. Soldier Field is not the league’s largest or most luxurious venue, but very few stadiums look or feel quite like it.

What Is Soldier Field Like?

Soldier Field is a stadium of contrasts. The exterior is defined by monumental stone colonnades, broad plazas and memorial architecture. Inside, the asymmetrical modern bowl rises steeply above the field, with large premium sections and suites occupying the east side.

The 2003 reconstruction brought spectators considerably closer to the action than they had been in the old stadium. The steep decks help contain crowd noise, particularly during Bears defensive stands, and the relatively small NFL capacity can make the stadium feel compact and intense.

From some approaches, the modern bowl appears to have been lowered into the older structure with little concern for whether the two would become friends. It remains controversial architecture, but it is certainly memorable.

The setting is harder to criticize. Few major American stadiums can match its position between the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Fans walking through Grant Park and the Museum Campus receive a far more distinctive arrival than those stepping out beside a suburban parking complex.

Soldier Field History

The stadium opened in 1924 as Municipal Grant Park Stadium. It was renamed Soldier Field on November 11, 1925, in memory of American military personnel who died in combat.

Its original U-shaped design could accommodate more than 74,000 spectators. Temporary seating and standing areas allowed the venue to hold far larger crowds for selected events. An estimated 123,000 people attended the 1927 Notre Dame versus Southern California college football game, one of the largest crowds in the stadium’s history.

The ground was formally dedicated during the Army versus Navy game on November 27, 1927. The contest ended in a 21-21 tie, which feels almost suspiciously appropriate for a ceremonial occasion.

Soldier Field hosted far more than football during its early decades. Boxing, track and field, skiing exhibitions, religious gatherings and military events all appeared on its calendar. The famous 1927 heavyweight rematch between Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney, remembered for its controversial “long count,” was held here.

The Chicago Cardinals played their final Chicago season at the stadium in 1959. The Bears arrived in 1971 after leaving Wrigley Field, which no longer met the NFL’s requirements following the AFL-NFL merger.

Natural grass was replaced by AstroTurf when the Bears moved in, but grass returned in 1988. The playing surface has remained a frequent subject of discussion ever since, particularly when Chicago’s weather turns wet, frozen or generally vindictive.

The 2003 Reconstruction

Soldier Field’s defining transformation began in January 2002. Most of the stadium’s interior was demolished, while the historic exterior walls and colonnades were retained.

A new 61,500-seat bowl was constructed within the surviving shell. The project also added wider concourses, video boards, approximately 8,000 club seats, 133 suites, underground parking and new public parkland around the stadium.

The reconstructed ground reopened for NFL football on September 29, 2003, when the Bears hosted the Green Bay Packers.

The work produced a much more practical football venue, but the visual relationship between the old stone structure and the modern steel-and-glass seating bowl divided opinion immediately. The alterations were considered substantial enough for Soldier Field to lose its National Historic Landmark designation in 2006.

The old colonnades still provide a powerful sense of scale and history. The 250-foot Memorial Water Wall also reinforces the stadium’s original commemorative purpose.

Soldier Field Capacity

Soldier Field has a listed capacity of 61,500 for Chicago Bears games, making it one of the smaller venues in the NFL.

That limited capacity has advantages. The seating bowl feels tighter than the older stadium did, and the upper decks are not pushed as far from the field as they are in some larger venues. Demand for major Bears games can be high, however, especially when Green Bay, Minnesota or Detroit comes to town.

The stadium contains roughly 8,000 club seats and more than 130 suites. Its premium inventory is concentrated heavily along the sidelines, particularly on the east side.

Seating and Views

The best seat depends on whether the priority is proximity, tactical perspective, atmosphere or shelter from Chicago’s weather.

Lower-level sideline seats

Lower sideline sections provide the clearest close-range views of the players and benches. Seats near midfield are among the stadium’s most expensive, but they offer an excellent view of formations and line play.

The lowest rows can lose some perspective when action moves toward the opposite end zone. Sitting slightly higher in the lower bowl usually provides a better balance.

Lower-level end zones

End-zone seating brings fans close to scoring plays and can produce a lively atmosphere. The view is dramatic when play is approaching your end, although judging distance at the far end of the field is more difficult.

Club level

Club seats provide improved facilities, indoor lounges and greater protection from severe weather. They suit visitors who want comfort without losing a strong sideline view.

That indoor access becomes rather more valuable when the wind is coming off Lake Michigan in December.

Upper level

The upper deck offers a useful tactical view and is generally the most affordable place to watch a Bears game. The steep angle helps, but the highest rows require a reasonable tolerance for stairs, wind and players becoming rather small.

For overall value, the lower rows of the upper level between the 20-yard lines are often a sensible choice.

Atmosphere

Soldier Field is at its best during an important late-season Bears game. The smaller bowl keeps the crowd concentrated, while the steep stands give defensive plays a sharp wall of noise.

Divisional games normally generate the strongest atmosphere. The rivalry with the Green Bay Packers carries particular weight, built from more than a century of shared history and mutual irritation.

Weather plays a genuine part in the experience. Wind can affect passing and kicking, while snow or freezing temperatures can turn a routine game into something that feels unmistakably Chicago. Visitors should prepare for conditions on the lakefront rather than relying only on the general city forecast.

Food and Drink

Concessions vary by event, but Soldier Field combines familiar stadium food with Chicago specialties. Options commonly include:

• Chicago-style hot dogs
• Italian beef sandwiches
• Pizza
• Burgers and sausages
• Nachos and snacks
• Local and national beer selections
• Soft drinks and hot drinks

Lines tend to build during halftime. Buying food before kickoff or during a quieter point in the game usually saves time.

Cashless payment is widely used, so visitors should arrive with a suitable card or mobile payment method. Check the event information before traveling because individual policies and vendors can change.

Getting to Soldier Field

Public transport is usually more convenient than driving, particularly for well-attended Bears games.

CTA trains

The Roosevelt station is served by the Red, Orange and Green lines. From there, fans can walk east through the Museum Campus or transfer to the number 146 bus.

The walk is roughly one mile depending on the chosen route and stadium entrance. It is straightforward in good weather, though more demanding during heavy rain, snow or extreme cold.

CTA buses

The number 128 Soldier Field Express operates from Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center for Bears games. The number 146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express also serves the stadium area.

Postgame queues can be substantial, so it may be quicker to walk toward Roosevelt or downtown before continuing the journey.

Metra and South Shore Line

Metra services connect Chicago’s suburbs with downtown terminals. The South Shore Line serves McCormick Place at 18th Street, a short walk south of Soldier Field.

Walking and cycling

The stadium can be reached from downtown using lakefront paths and routes through Grant Park. The approach is scenic and avoids much of the postgame road congestion.

Allow additional time when other Museum Campus attractions are busy.

Parking and Tailgating

Parking close to Soldier Field is limited and should be arranged in advance whenever possible. Stadium-adjacent facilities generally require a prepaid pass.

Major parking areas include:

• North Garage
• Waldron Deck
• South Lot
• East Museum Lot
• Adler Planetarium Lot
• Burnham Harbor Lot
• McCormick Place lots

The McCormick Place Lot B normally provides shuttle service beginning before kickoff. Downtown garages can offer alternatives, although most do not include a stadium shuttle.

Tailgating is permitted in designated surface lots, on the upper level of Waldron Deck and in selected McCormick Place lots. It is not permitted in every garage or parking area. Equipment, alcohol and open-flame restrictions apply, so fans should check current Bears guidance before setting up.

My preference would be public transport unless tailgating is a central part of the day. Driving into the Museum Campus creates more planning, and leaving after a close game can be a slow business.

Accessibility

Soldier Field provides accessible seating, elevators, ramps, restrooms and guest assistance. Accessible spaces are distributed across multiple seating levels, with companion seating available nearby.

All official Bears parking facilities are ADA compliant. Visitors without a prepaid stadium-area parking pass can use accessible shuttle services from the 31st Street McCormick Place Lot B. These shuttles drop passengers near Gate 14.

Guests who require specific seating, mobility or medical assistance should contact the stadium or ticket provider before the event. This is particularly important when purchasing resale tickets, as accessible locations have specific ticketing requirements.

Bag Policy and Stadium Entry

For Bears games, clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags may measure no more than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. One-gallon clear freezer bags are also permitted.

Small non-clear bags must not exceed 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Larger purses, non-clear backpacks, luggage, camera bags and computer bags are normally prohibited unless an approved medical exception applies.

All items are subject to inspection. Policies can vary between NFL games, concerts and other events, so visitors should confirm the latest rules before leaving for the stadium.

Mobile tickets should be downloaded before reaching the gates. Heavy crowds and unreliable connectivity can make loading a ticket at the entrance unnecessarily stressful.

Attractions Near Soldier Field

Soldier Field shares the Museum Campus with several of Chicago’s leading attractions:

• Field Museum
• Shedd Aquarium
• Adler Planetarium
• Northerly Island
• Grant Park
• Lakefront Trail

The location makes it possible to combine a stadium visit with a full day around the lakefront. The Field Museum sits immediately north of the ground, while the aquarium and planetarium are within easy walking distance.

Downtown Chicago, including the Loop and Michigan Avenue, is also accessible on foot or by public transport.

Major Events at Soldier Field

Although best known as the home of the Bears, Soldier Field has hosted an extraordinary range of events.

Its history includes:

• Army-Navy football
• Notre Dame college football games
• The Dempsey-Tunney heavyweight boxing rematch
• Matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup
• Matches during the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup
• CONCACAF Gold Cup fixtures
• International rugby
• Major concerts
• Large civic and religious gatherings

Chicago Fire FC used Soldier Field across two separate periods before moving toward its own soccer-specific stadium project.

The Future of Soldier Field

Soldier Field’s long-term future as the Bears’ home is uncertain.

In June 2026, the Chicago Bears’ board voted to advance a proposed stadium development in Hammond, Indiana. The organization subsequently described Northwest Indiana as its immediate focus, although no new stadium has opened and significant planning, financing and construction hurdles remain.

The Bears continue to play at Soldier Field, with their current lease running through 2033. Any departure would require a completed stadium plan and a confirmed timetable. Until that happens, Soldier Field remains the team’s active home rather than a former one.

For the stadium itself, losing the Bears would create a serious question about future use. Its lakefront location would remain valuable for concerts, football, international soccer and major civic events, but replacing a full NFL schedule would not be easy.

Is Soldier Field Worth Visiting?

Yes, particularly for visitors interested in NFL history or unusual stadium architecture.

The modern facilities do not match the newest generation of enclosed NFL venues, and the concourses can become crowded. Parking is awkward, winter weather can be unforgiving, and the reconstruction remains visually divisive.

Yet Soldier Field offers qualities that newer stadiums struggle to manufacture. The lakefront approach is superb, the old colonnades give the site real civic presence, and Bears games retain a strong local character.

It feels tied to Chicago in a way that a climate-controlled stadium surrounded by acres of parking might not. That connection matters, even when the wind is attempting to remove your face.

Soldier Field Frequently Asked Questions

Who plays at Soldier Field?

Soldier Field is the home stadium of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

What is the capacity of Soldier Field?

The stadium holds approximately 61,500 spectators for Bears games.

When did Soldier Field open?

Soldier Field opened on October 9, 1924. Its modern seating bowl opened in 2003 following a major reconstruction.

Is Soldier Field covered?

No. Soldier Field is an open-air stadium, and spectators are exposed to Chicago’s changing weather.

Does Soldier Field have natural grass?

Yes. The stadium uses a natural grass playing surface.

What is the nearest CTA station?

Roosevelt station, served by the Red, Orange and Green lines, is the principal rail stop for Soldier Field.

Can you walk to Soldier Field from downtown Chicago?

Yes. The ground is accessible through Grant Park and the Museum Campus, although the distance depends on the starting point.

Is tailgating allowed?

Tailgating is allowed in designated outdoor lots and selected parking facilities. It is not permitted in every stadium garage.

Are the Chicago Bears leaving Soldier Field?

The Bears are advancing plans for a possible new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, but they continue to play at Soldier Field. No replacement stadium is currently operating.

Why did Soldier Field lose its landmark status?

The scale and design of the 2003 reconstruction substantially altered the historic structure. Soldier Field was removed from the National Historic Landmark list in 2006.