the chicago bears started playing at soldier field in 1971.
the chicago bears started playing at soldier field in 1971.
when did the chicago bears start playing at soldier field?
1971
soldier field is a stadium that opened in 1924. it has primarily served as the home field of the chicago bears professional football club for over four decades, but it also hosted numerous other events in its more than 90 years of existence (and was not made the home to the chicago bears until 1971, as prior to that season the bears played at wrigley field). the bears' intent was originally to move from wrigley field to northwestern's dyche stadium, but that move was blocked by evanston as well as the big ten conference, so they later took the city of chicago up on their offer to move into soldier field where they have since played. soldier field has hosted a great variety and quantity of events since it opened.
list of events at soldier field
the club had scheduled an evening practice at soldier field in front of fans in an event called "family fest". however, the event was cancelled hours before the event was scheduled to begin due to the unsafe playing conditions at soldier field. this is not the first incident related to the playing surface at the stadium. brian urlacher and other players have called for the surface to be changed from natural grass to artificial fieldturf. chicago's mayor rahm emanuel has called on the chicago park district to find a permanent solution to the decades-old turf battle at the venue. however, bears chairman george mccaskey has stated on record that the playing surface at soldier field will not change from grass to an artificial surface. mccaskey cited fewer injuries occur on natural grass and therefore believes the natural grass surface prolongs players' careers. he did admit a poorly maintained grass surface is unacceptable and promised the club will take a more active role in maintaining the playing surface so the field can be for home games. in week 13, the field was resodded for the bears-chiefs game.
2011 chicago bears season