Chicago Professional Sports
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Chicago is, above all, a sports town. Chicago is a city with an array of championship events. You can always find a sporting event within the city including baseball, football, basketball, hockey and much more. You should never miss the fun of live sporting event in Chicago.
Chicago is home to seven professional sports teams as well as over 100 college sports teams. The Cubs (baseball), White Sox (baseball), Bears (football), and Blackhawks (hockey) all are charter members of their leagues. Along with the Bulls (basketball), Sky (women’s basketball), and the Fire (soccer), they are part of a Chicago sports tradition that dates back to the nineteenth century.
Some of the best professional sports teams in Chicago are listed below:
Chicago Bears
Chicago’s football team, they play out of Soldierfield by the museums. Colors are orange and blue, most fans are die hard fans. They were very disappointed in the 2006 super bowl. One thing you’ll probably find is that even though there are a number of fans in Chicago. I’ve noticed that there are not too many in other parts of the country. But Bears fans don’t typically care too much. The games are a blast to attend.
If you have a chance to see them on one of the colder days be assured there will probably be fans there with shirts off painted orange and blue, that’s how die hard these Chicago sports fans are.
A professional American football team, Chicago Bears is based in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears football team plays at the newly renovated Soldier Field located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Chicago Bears are currently members of the Northern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The team was founded in 1919 and has won eight NFL Championships and one Super Bowl title.
The Bears’ enmity with the Green Bay Packers is considered as one of the oldest and most storied in American professional sports. Earlier the team was known as Staleys and in 1922 Halas changed the team name from the Staleys to the Bears. In 1932, the Chicago Bears defeated the Portsmouth Spartans in the first indoor American football game at Chicago Stadium.
Lovie Smith is the current head coach of the team. In 2005, the Bears won their division and reached the playoffs. The Bears has played in over a thousand games and during the 2006 season, they lead the NFL in overall franchise wins with 686 and have an overall record of 686–499–42.
Soldier Field: Chicago Bears
1410 S Museum Campus Dr, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 60605
One of the world’s most storied professional sports franchises, the Chicago Bears were established in 1920 as George Halas founded professional football. The franchise has won nine world championships. The team has participated in the playoffs 23 times, and sent 26 players, one coach, and one general manager to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the most of any team.
Chicago Bulls
Da Bulls, Michael Jordan put, this black and red team’s name on the map of the NBA. If you even remotely enjoy basketball make sure you put this on your travel itinerary, and catch up with them on the Chicago tribune sports updates before you go. It’s a great time, even if you’re not sure you’re into the game you will most likely find yourself standing up and yelling with the rest of the crowd.
A professional basketball team, Chicago Bulls is based in Chicago, Illinois. The team was founded in 1966 and has won 6 NBA Championships, 6 Conference titles and 7 Division titles. The Chicago Bulls basketball team plays at the United Center.
In 1984, the team drafted shooting guard Michael Jordan. Jordan led the Bulls back to the playoffs and also helped increase the popularity of the league. During 1989-90 season Jordan led the league in scoring for the fourth straight season. In 1996-97, the Bulls made a record of 69-13 and won the NBA championship.
The Chicago Bulls struggled for most of the 2005-06 season and finish the season with a 41-41 record. On July 3, 2006, the Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace signed with the Bulls for what was reported as $60 million over four years. Scott Skiles is the current head coach of the team.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago’s primary hockey team, colors are red and black. Fierce team, fierce fans. Okay I have to tell you that I love hockey now!
I didn’t until I had a chance to see the game live and in person. If you haven’t had a chance to experience a hockey game live you must. There is nothing like it. You spend more time on your feet than sitting and oh what a show. It’s a complete rush.
A professional ice hockey team, Chicago Blackhawks is based in Chicago, Illinois. The team was founded in 1926 by coffee tycoon Frederic McLaughlin and has won three Stanley Cup Championships and thirteen division titles. The Chicago Blackhawks hockey team plays at the United Center in Chicago. They are currently the member of the Central Division of the National Hockey League.
In 1927, the Blackhawks lost their first-round playoff. By 1931 the team reached their first Stanley Cup Final but fizzled in the final two games against the Montreal Canadiens. In 1934, the team won its first Stanley Cup. The founder and owner of the team Frederic McLaughlin died in 1944.
In the 1960s the BlackHawks made the Cup finals twice. During the 2000-01 season, the team failed to qualify for the playoff. Blackhawks again missed the playoffs in 2003, 2004, and 2006. Denis Savard is the current head coach of the team.
Chicago White Sox
2005 World Champs and they love to remind Cub fans of this whenever they get a chance. One thing you’ll notice is that Chicago sports fans are generally either Cubs fans or White Sox fans. In season you’ll generally find friendly banter among fans at a bar or around town. The games are a blast so bring that cooler and be prepared to have fun! Be sure to see these black and white World Champs.
A major league baseball team, Chicago White Sox is based in Chicago, Illinois. The team was founded in 1893 and is currently a member of the Central Division of the American League. In 1960, White Sox was the only team that put players’ last names on jerseys.
The team came into existence as Sioux City Cornhuskers. From Sioux City Cornhuskers to St. Paul Saints to White Stockings and finally the team changed their name to Chicago White Sox in 1904. Harold Baines is the current head coach of the team.
Chicago City Guide
The team has won three World Series titles (1906, 1917, 2005), two Central Division titles (2000, 2005), two West Division titles ( 1983, 1993), one WL Pennants (1894), six AL Pennants (1900, 1901, 1906, 1917, 1919, 1959, 2005) since their foundation. The team plays at U.S. Cellular Field and wears the uniform of colors black, silver, and white.
Chicago Cubs
Fondly called the Cubbies, blue and red are the colors of choice here, and the fans of this team are legendary. I personally have never met a group of Chicago sports fans that are as loyal to a team as Cubs fans are. This team has not won a world series since 1908, legend has it that they’re cursed. Yet every year when the ticket window opens to sell tickets there will be Chicagoans camped outside all night no matter what the weather waiting to get their Cubbies tickets.
Chicago Sky
The Sky is one of seven independently-owned teams in the WNBA, the world’s longest-running women’s professional sports league. In 2008, Chicago finished fifth in the Eastern Division with a 12-22 record in their third season.
Sylvia Fowles, Chicago’s rookie center, brought home the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and ranked third in blocks per game and fifth in double-doubles with six. Two-time WNBA All-Star, forward Candice Dupree ranked third in defensive rebounds, fourth in rebounds per game and third in double-doubles with nine. Guard Jia Perkins ranked fourth in the league in steals, fifth in the league in free-throw percentage and seventh in points.
The Sky plays at the Allstate Arena; for more information or to purchase 2010 season tickets, visit www.chicagosky.net
Chicago Fire Soccer
Chicago Fire Soccer is one of Chicago’s seven professional sports teams. The team was founded on October 8, 1997, the 126th anniversary of the historic Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and from the team’s name to the fire department-style crest the club uses as its logo, Chicago Fire Soccer is steeped in tradition.
On the corner of 71st Street and Harlem Avenue just across from the Chicago neighborhood of Clearing, in the suburb of Bridgeview, is TOYOTA PARK, home of the Chicago Fire professional soccer team and a venue for major concert events. The canopy roof, brick façade, stone arched entryway, and mid-field player tunnel are all aspects that make TOYOTA PARK a unique soccer specific-stadium in the United States, incorporating both American and traditional European design styles.
With one MLS Cup title, four U.S. Open Cup championships, and a true shrine of soccer to call its home, the Fire has established itself as one of the benchmark franchises of Major League Soccer in just 11 short years.
Chicago Fire Soccer games are a colorful display of the world’s most popular game, complete with enthusiastic supporters groups that make Fire games the most active sporting events in Chicagoland. Call and response cheers and the waving of dozens of flags and banners brings reminders of South American and European atmosphere to Chicago Fire matches, helping to provide the “Men in Red” with the best home support in Major League Soccer.
TOYOTA PARK also houses the Illinois State Soccer Association’s Hall of Fame on the stadium’s southeast corner, consisting of both the ISSA Wall of Fame and the History of Soccer in Illinois.
Chicago Fire stats:
- In their first season in 1998, the Fire won the MLS Cup as well as the U.S. Open Cup.
- U.S. Open Cup wins in 2000, 2003, and 2006.
Toyota Park
7000 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL 60455 Phone: (708) 594-7200 Ticket Information: 888-MLS-FIRE
In June 11, 2006 the Chicago Fire finally had a stadium of their own when Toyota Park was completed. It was built for about $100 million, so you can imagine what this place looks like. As you can see the city doesn’t hold back when it comes to the size of it’s stadiums.
The Toyota Park stadiums capacity is 20,000. The playing field is grass. The Toyota Park also hosts concerts and other sports events. It’s a site to see and great fun! This Chicago soccer team has been very successful in their championship efforts.
Historic Sports Venues
Some of the arenas in which they play are tourist attractions in and of themselves. The Cubs play in historic Wrigley Field, built in 1914, the oldest park in the National League. The Bears play on the lakefront in Soldier Field, a dazzling combination of traditional and modern architecture. And, if you’re a true pro basketball fan, you have to visit the statue of Michael Jordan outside the United Center.
Final Word
There are also many other sports teams in Chicago that also bring a lot of excitement. Game night is a big thing around our house. Plus we’ve had the opportunity to get great tickets to the games.
We’ve enjoyed taking the kids out to games a lot also. There’s nothing wrong with joining a cheering crowd and letting out a periodic roar and cheer sometimes. It’s a great stress reliever!
Going to see one of these Chicago Sports Teams will just add some spice and excitement to your stay here in Chicago. And who knows, you may end up being a permanent Chicago sports fan.
There’s nothing like being in a crowd of fans that have something in common like “team wins” and “loyalty” to our teams. Plus most of our stadiums are new mega and state of the art stadiums with all the upgrades you can imagine.
And then let’s not forget about Wrigley Field where our beloved Chicago Cubs play, it’ s one of the oldest ball parks in the nation, and a great place to come. Going there will give you a great authentic baseball experience.
If you’re a bit older there was a great Chicago Broadcaster named Harry Caray in Chicago, that would feed the baseball fan spirit in Chicago as he led many sports fan in the song “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”.
It was a great fan experience being able to sing this song at one of the games. The excitement is still in Chicago, and that team spirit lives on! So how about a ball game in Chicago while you’re in the city! Who knows, we may convert you into being a Chicago Sports fan.