The Chicago Bears
Aptly nicknamed the "Monsters of the Midway", the Chicago Bears are the NFL franchise in the Windy City. Established in 1919, the Chicago Bears are one of the two oldest teams in the league, and play in the NFC's North Division. The Chicago Bears play in one of the NFL's most iconic stadiums, Soldier Field, where they have taken the field eight Sundays a year since 1971. As beloved as any professional sports team in Chicago, Chicago Bears football is a tradition in the Near South Side.
For more information on the history of the NFL Chicago Bears, as well as how to get tickets to the Chicago Bears schedule, check out our helpful guide to Chicago Bears football below.
The History of the NFL Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears vs Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLI
One of two "original" teams remaining from the founding of the National Football League in 1920, the Chicago Bears have one of the most storied traditions of any team in the NFL. Winners of eight NFL Championships, including the 1985 Super Bowl, the Chicago Bears have the second-most League Titles of any NFL team - only their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers, have more.
No discussion of the NFL Chicago Bears is complete without mentioning George Halas, who was hired by the team's original owner, A.E. Staley, to run the team in 1920. A year later, Halas would purchase rights to the team for just $100, renaming the Decatur Staleys the Chicago Bears. (As of 2005, the Chicago Bears had an estimated value of $871 million by Forbes.com. How's that for an investment?)
The Chicago Bears played in historic Wrigley Field, the current home of the Chicago Cubs on the Near North Side, from 1921- 1970. The team has seen their share of iconic Chicago football players strap on their famous navy blue and orange helmets over the years, and earned a reputation as one of the toughest teams in the NFL. Led by Hall of Fame quarterback Sid Luckman, the Chicago Bears football team won five championships in the 1940's, including a 73-0 destruction of the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFC Championship game.
Chicago Bears and the Saints Play at Soldier Field
After a brief decline, the 1960's Chicago Bears produced Hall of Fame players like linebacker Dick Butkus and running back Gale Sayers. In 1971, the NFL Chicago Bears moved into their new home on the Near South Side, Soldier Field. Formerly Municipal Grant Park Stadium, this Chicago landmark originally opened in 1924, but after a major renovation in 1970, it was re-opened as the permanent home of the Chicago Bears. (Soldier Field underwent an even more extensive renovation project in 2002.)
Get information on Soldier Field events, tickets, parking and more.
In the 1980's the Chicago Bears became the NFL's hottest team behind superstars like running back Walter Payton, quarterback Jim McMahon and their fiery head coach, Mike Ditka. While their famous "Super Bowl Shuffle" music video is perhaps more memorable than their 1985 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, the success of Bears football in the 1980's inspired a new generation of Chicago football fans in the Windy City.
Today, the Chicago Bears remain one of the most competitive and popular teams in the NFL. Their success has produced multiple playoff runs, including a trip to the 2006 Super Bowl. Chicago Bears tickets at Soldier Field are some of the most coveted and hard to find of any Chicago sports team, and each of the eight games played annually at Soldier Field become one of the most anticipated events in Chicago.
Soldier Field - Nearby Hotels and Bars.
Chicago Bears Soldier Field Stadium at Night
Soldier Field is the Chicago Bears football stadium located on the Near South Side of Chicago. For Bears football fans visiting Soldier Field, there are a number of Chicago hotels close to Soldier Field that we recommend booking well in advance. The Best Western Grant Park Hoteloffers cheap Chicago hotel accommodations just one mile from historic Soldier Field. For more luxurious Chicago hotel accommodations near Soldier Field, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is just three miles from this popular Chicago sports attraction the Near South Side.
If you're hoping to "tie one on" after the game, Chicago sports bars close to Soldier Field include the Weather Mark Tavern on South Michigan Ave, and the famous Bar Louie Inc. at Dearborn Station is less than a mile from this famous Chicago sports stadium.
Visit our comprehensive guide to Soldier Field for more information attending a game on the Chicago Bears schedule.
