Soldier Field

Soldier Field is located on famous Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, and is currently home to the NFL's Chicago Bears and Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire. It reopened on September 27, 2003 after a complete rebuild (the second in the stadium's history). Many fans refer to the rebuilt stadium as Soldier Field II.

Related Topics:
Lake Shore Drive - Chicago - NFL - Chicago Bears - Major League Soccer - Chicago Fire - September 27 - 2003

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Previously it was the site of the former College All-Star Game, an exhibition between the last year's NFL champion and a team of collegiate all-star players of the previous season prior to their reporting to the training camps of their new professional teams. This game was eventually discontinued due to the risk of injury to the all-stars in what was essentially a meaningless exhibition, and the lack of competitiveness of the game, which in its waning years was almost invariably won by the professional champions.

Related Topics:
All-Star - NFL

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Many Army-Navy games have also been played there over the years, almost invariably to sellout or near sellout crowds (in its earliest configuration Soldier Field was capable of seating over 90,000 spectators) but the facility has not been host to this event in recent decades. The stadium was the site for many sporting events and exhibitions but it was not until September 1971 that the Chicago Bears first made it their home. Seating capicity was reduced to 57,000 so that specatators would have a relatively good view of the field and beginning in 1978 the plank seating was replaced by individual seats with backs and armrests.

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The field serves as a memorial to American soldiers who died in wars, hence its name. It was designed in 1919 and completed in the 1920s. It officially opened on October 9, 1924 (the 53rd anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire), as Municipal Grant Park Stadium, changing its name to Soldier Field on November 11, 1925. Its design is modelled on the Greco-Roman architectural tradition, with doric columns rising above the stands. However, after being rebuilt, the stands now dwarf the columns.

Related Topics:
American - Soldier - 1919 - 1920s - October 9 - 1924 - Great Chicago Fire - November 11 - 1925 - Greco-Roman - Doric

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Glenn "Fireball" Roberts won the only NASCAR Grand National race held at Soldier Field's short track which ran across the old configuration, in 1956.

Related Topics:
Glenn "Fireball" Roberts - Grand National

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