Will Chicago Bears Reach Decision on New Stadium Soon?
A pivotal vote nears for the Bears' next home. Will they stay in Illinois or explore other options? Decision looms.
Soldier Field has been around for quite some time. It was first called Municipal Grant Stadium Park and opened in 1924. The name was changed to Soldier Field in 1925, in honor of U.
S. soldiers who had died in combat. The Chicago Bears didn't move into the venue until 1971.
The Chicago Cardinals played their home games there until 1959. Before Soldier Field, the Bears played their home games at Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs. The Bears were initially supposed to be there for three years, but then signed a 20-year lease in 1978.
There have been numerous renovations done to the venue since then. The stadium moved to natural grass in 1988 and was then renovated from 2000-2003. The franchise has been looking for new sites for its next stadium.