Chicago Bears Football

Soldier Field 

    Serving as a memorial to American soldiers who lost their lives in war, Soldier Field is rich in history.  Originally built in 1924, Soldier Field has been host to a variety of events including the 1927 Dempsey-Tunney boxing match, 1994 FIFA World Cup matches, religious events, and various concerts.  Serving as the home of the Chicago Bears since 1971, it has been host to many memorable football games including 3 NFC Championship games.
    Soldier Field also played host to the infamous "Fog Bowl", which was held on December, 31st, 1988.  The NFC Divisional playoff game was between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles.  The game was impacted greatly by a dense fog, and reduced visibility down to less than 20 yards.  The Bears won the game 20-12 and advanced to the NFC Championship, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champions, the San Francisco 49ers. 
    Following the 2001 NFL season, the $600 million renovations on Soldier Field began.  The renovations were controversial because of the history of the stadium, and many felt the original stadium should be kept in tact.  Many referred to the Soldier Field renovations as "the mistake by the lake."  On September 29, 2003, "new soldier field" opened its doors.  The first game at the newly renovated stadium was a Monday Night Football contest, between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.  Despite its strange exterior, the interior of the stadium has been an overwhelming favorite among fans.  The New York Times ranked New Soldier Field as one of the top five new buildings of 2003. 
   Soldier Field is located on Museum Campus Drive, right off Lake Shore Drive.  This location adds to the atmosphere of the stadium, as it is in the heart of downtown Chicago.