List of events at Soldier Field


Soldier Field is a stadium that opened in 1924. It has primarily served as the home field of the Chicago Bears professional football club for over four decades, but it also hosted numerous other events in its more than 100 years of existence.

Annual events

Current

Former

1920s

1924

  • September 5: The first event at the stadium, a 16-pound hammer throw for the Police Athletic Games" is held a day before the official opening "to avoid any possibility of an accident." Traffic officer John Walsh wins the lone competition with a throw of 132 feet, 10 inches.
  • September 6: opening day on Saturday for the first dedicatory event at the "Grant Park Stadium" an athletics meet with policemen as participants. This event was a fundraiser for the Chicago Police Benevolent Association, which provided support for police widows and officers disabled in the line of action. The meet's official opening ceremony on the second day featured 1,200 police officers parading through the stadium, fireworks, and music by two police bands, among other entertainment. The contests in the event included a chariot race and a game of motorcycle polo. The opening ceremony was attended by 45,000 spectators. Events raising funds for Chicago's Policemen and Firemen Benevolent funds were a mainstay at Soldier Field until 1971.
  • September 10: "Pageant of Music and Light", an additional dedicatory event for the stadium.
  • On September 27: Chicago Daily News-sponsored women's track meet with more than 500 Chicago-area participants. In addition to traditional track and field events, the competition also included such events as a basketball distance throw.
  • October 4: high school American football game between Louisville Male High School and Chicago's Austin Community Academy High School, the first football game in the stadium's history.
  • October 9: "Chicago Day" event, marking the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, attended by a crowd of 60,000. The event contained the formal dedication and official opening of the stadium. The event included military troops partaking in a mock battle, equine performances by riders from the 14th Cavalry's Troop A, and a semi re-enactment of the Great Chicago Fire with firemen fighting the fire using Fire King No. 1. In the re-enactment, a cow knocked over a lantern, a replica of the O'Leary barn was burned down, and firemen used modern equipment to fight a fire in a mock-up of a three-story building. Following this spectacle there were police drills, performances by two police quartets, and a polo match. The teams in the polo match were led by Chicago Tribune owner Robert R. McCormick and Hotel Sherman manager Frank Bering. McCormick's team won 5–4.
  • November 11: 1924 Midwest Catholic League championship, a College football game between Viator College and Columbia College of Dubuque. The game raised funds for an American Legion fund for disabled veterans. The game ended 0–0. Due to poor weather conditions, its attendance was only 2,000. This was the first college football in the stadium's history.
  • November 22: Notre Dame Fighting Irish football vs. Northwestern college football game attended by 45,000 spectators. Notre Dame won 13–6. This was the first football game between two major college teams in the stadium's history. Northwestern's Ralph "Moon" Baker would later say that this game, during which he kicked two field goals against the 1924 Notre Dame team that featured the "Four Horsemen", was the greatest thrill of his career.
  • December: state amateur horseshoe pitching tournament sponsored by the Ogden Park Horseshoe Pitching Club and Chicago Playground Council.
  • October 10 : an additional dedication of the stadium was held.
  • Late 1924: South Park commissioners erected an ice rink in the stadium.

1925

  • April 19: Loyola Relays; for the first time, Soldier Field held the Loyola Relays intercollegiate athletics meet. Paavo Nurmi won many of the events. Nurmi was in the last several weeks of a five-month US tour following his performance while completing for Finland at the 1924 Summer Olympics. Also competing was fellow Finnish Olympian Ville Ritola, who was also a United States resident and had traveled with Nurmi during his tour. Nurmi defeated Ritola in the meet.
  • May 9: Soldier Field hosted the South Parks Marble Championship. The tournament included both adult and juvenile competitions.
  • May 22–25: the 65th Reserves and its superior outfit, the Army's Sixth Corps, sponsored the first of numerous military pageants held at Soldier Field. There were two shows a day, airplane fights in the afternoon, searchlights and antiaircraft-mimicking fireworks in the evening. The highlight of the day shows was a radio-dispatched arrangement of warplanes flying over the stadium. Audience members could hear the air-to-ground radio communication via the stadium's state-of-the-art loudspeaker system, and watch the planes respond to the ground command and perform stunts. 25,000 attended the first afternoon show, among them [Vice President of Israel|President of the United States|Vice President] Charles G. Dawes. The temperature was 92 degrees. The show reenacted the Battle of the Argonne utilizing, among other things, a smoke screen and four tanks. In the first night show's reenactment an infantryman was injured when he was trampled by horses, and prior to that show a policeman partaking in a Roman-style horse race was thrown from his horse and also injured. For the final day wind kept the planes grounded, and the crowd was small due to chilly temperature that peaked near 40 degrees. Nonetheless, entire event was deemed a success.
  • May: Soldier Field held and event dubbed the "first annual Chicago Olympics", an athletics event sponsored by the Finnish-American Athletic Association. Notable male competitors include Finnish five-time Olympic gold medalist Ville Ritola, Finnish two-time Olympic gold medalist Jonni Myyrä, American two-time Olympic gold medalist Harold Osborne. Notable female competitors included US Women's Athletics legends Helen Filkey, Norma Zilk, and Nellie Todd. Norma Filkey set a record in hurdles at the event, Jonni Myyrä set a javelin record at the event, Harold Osborne won as the best overall athlete of the competition, and Ville Ritola won the 2-mile race. Due largely to 90-degree heat only 2,500 spectators attended this event.
  • June 13–14 Soldier Field hosted the 1925 NCAA Men's Track and Field Championships. Notable competitors included DeHart Hubbard, Morgan Taylor, Glenn Hartranft, Tom Poor, Phil Northrup, Frank Potts, Clifford Ellsworth "Biff" Hoffman, and Hugo Leistner.
  • July 4 and 5: Soldier Field held its first Independence Day celebration.
  • August 15–24, 1925 the Chicago Association of Commerce sponsored the 1925 Chicago Roundup, a Tex Austin-organized nine-day professional rodeo competition at Soldier Field. Vice President of the United States Charles G. Dawes at the opening ceremonies. The ceremonies were initiated with a parade of participants and officials. Among the officials was Anti-Cruelty Society director Chauncey McCormick, and among the competitors was Pete Knight. 30,000 spectators watched the opening ceremonies, and 100,000 spectators attended the two competitive events held August 15. Daily attendance averaged 70,000 for the competition, one day the combined attendance for two events was 170,000.
  • September 20: Chicago's German-American community held its first annual German Day event at Soldier Field, featuring a soccer match, athletics, performances and ceremonies. The event raised funds for numerous charities. German Day events were held annually at Soldier Field until 1937, regularly drawing crowds in excess of 40,000.
  • November 7 Northwestern played Michigan at Soldier Field. 70,000 tickets had been sold, but just over 40,000 spectators attended due to severely inclement weather. Northwestern won 3–2.
  • November 11: the American Legion and South Park commissioners organized a commemoration of Armistice Day marking the stadium's name change from "Grant Park Municipal Stadium" to "Soldier Field". The day began the firing of guns at sunrise. At eleven in the morning, a 21-gun salute was fired in Chicago's Grant Park and people in the 'Chicago Loop' paused, men removing their hats, and held moment of silent prayer and reflection. In the afternoon, former Governor of Illinois Frank Lowden and naval officer John A. Rodgers were the guests of honor in the ceremonies held at Soldier Field. At the time Rodgers was a national hero, following his attempted nonstop flight two months earlier, and was all-over the news. Lowden had been heavily involved in the effort to rename Soldier Field. Much like Rodgers, Lowden was also a prominent national political figure at the time. The event at Soldier Field began with decorated war veterans escorting Gold Star Mothers to their seats, and a salute fired by field artillery. The Flag of the United States was then raised, followed with a large banner baring the words 'Soldier Field' that had been carried into the stadium by the Gold Star Mothers. This was followed with a parade led by an Army general. The parade featured sailors from the nearby Great Lakes Naval Station, Reserve Officers' Training Corps units, and various veterans groups. Following the procession of the parade, Rodgers spoke about his attempted non-stop flight. Other speakers included South Park Board-member, and future-mayor, Edward J. Kelley. The ceremony was attended by over 20,000 spectators.

1926

  • After success of the 1925 Chicago Roundup, Soldier Field hosted another Chicago Roundup in 1926. The 1926 Chicago Roundup was also a great success, even managing to draw 35,000 spectators on a rainy day.
  • June: Soldier Field hosted the 1926 NCAA Men's Track and Field Championships. This was the second consecutive edition held at Soldier Field. The event was dubbed "the college Olympics of America". Notable competitors included Bud Houser, Bob King, John Kuck, Herman Brix, William Droegemueller, Fred Alderman, Tom Sharkey, Harry Hawkins, Leighton Dye, Ray Conger, Anton Burg, Phil Northrup, George Hester, and George Guthrie.
  • June 21–23: 28th International Eucharistic Congress held three days of outdoor day and evening events at Soldier Field. Mass was held for a total of 30,000 gathered both in and outside of Soldier Field's gates.
  • July 4: marking the nation's sesquicentennial, the Loyal Order of Moose arranged an Independence Day program for Soldier Field.
  • July 27: 50,000 people attended a program held by the Lutherans from the Missouri Synod to commemorate the USA's sesquicentennial.
  • November 11 :
  • *Stadium is renamed "Soldier Field"
  • *10,000 spectators watched as Soldier Field hosted its first professional American football game, a match between the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cardinals of the NFL. The Bears defeated an injury-ridden Cardinals. Cardinals halfback Red Dunn breaking his leg above the ankle. The first Bears touchdown in Soldier Field History occurred second quarter when quarterback Paddy Driscoll threw a forty-yard pass to Duke Hanny, the game's sole touchdown. Driscoll also kicked for the extra point, and scoring a field goal later in the second period. The game benefited the construction of Rosary College, which today is known as Dominican University.
  • November 26: the stadium was officially rededicated as "Soldier Field" at a free public event held at the stadium. Among those participating in the ceremony was Vice President of the United States Charles G. Dawes.
  • November 27: 1926 Army–Navy Game, attended by over 110,000 spectators. The game was the deciding game for who would be named the national collegiate football champion, as Navy entered undefeated and Army had lost only to Notre Dame. The game was considered to have lived up to its hype, and ended in a 21–21 tie. Navy was awarded the national championship. Amongst the 110,000 in attendance were the vice president of the United States Charles G. Dawes as well as the United States Secretary of the Navy Curtis D. Wilbur. Also in attendance was legendary Notre Dame Fighting Irish football coach Knute Rockne, who considered the game at Soldier Field important enough to warrant his missing his own team's game against Carnegie Tech that day The game was also broadcast nationally on radio, a notable early use of the rising broadcast medium. Walter Eckersdall of the Chicago Tribune dubbed it to be "one of the greatest football games ever played", and proclaimed that it had been seen by "the largest crowd that ever saw a football game in this country". More than a decade later, the readers of Esquire magazine voted this the best football game of all time. Even today many revere this as the greatest Army-Navy game ever.
  • November 28: 12,000 spectators saw the Kansas City Cowboys defeat the Chicago Cardinals 7-2 at Soldier Field. This marked the first Time in which a football game benefiting causes related to the Chicago Sisters of Mercy was held. It would be held annually thereafter until 1951. Most often it featured a matchup of two Catholic League schools. Some years the game included professional or college teams. The game usually attracted between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators. It was started by Sister Mary Ricardo, who decided a football game would be a good annual fundraiser after a meeting with Chris O'Brien. O'Brien suggested that a game against the Kansas City Cowboys could be moved from Comiskey Park to Soldier Field.
  • 30,000 attended a game between Prague's AC Sparta and a Chicago all-star team.
  • December 19: Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers game, attended by 10,000 spectators. Ended in a 3–3 tie. Proceeds of the game benefited the P.J. Carr Christmas Fund. The game had the potential of determining the champion of the 1926 NFL season if the Frankford Yellow Jackets lost their final game of the season, but the Yellow Jackets won their last game and were named the season's champions.

1927

1928

DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2RoundAttendance
January 15, 1928Swedish-American A.C.0-4Chicago Canadian ClubWestern Division, First Round
January 22, 1928Vienna F.C.1-0Thistles F.CWestern Division, First Round
January 22, 1928Chicago Sparta2-0Olympia F.C.Western Division, First Round
February 5, 1928Chicago Bricklayers4-0Buda AAWestern Division, Second Round
February 26, 1928Bricklayers1-0Chicago SpartaWestern Division, Semifinals
April 15, 1928Bricklayers0-3New York NationalsTournament final 15,000

1929

  • In 1929 Soldier Field hosted its first national Sokol slet, a sports gathering. In the USA the national slets are held every four years. The 1929 slet drew 25,000. Slets included gymnastics competitions and track and field events amongst other sports. At the 1929 slet athletes from 1,200 US Sokol organizations participated in Olympic-style individual gymnastic events. Also, in the 1929 slet 2,000 Chicago youth partook in a mass gymnastic drill timed to orchestral music.
  • In 1929 Soldier Field again hosted the South Parks Marble Championship.
  • October 19 90,000 spectators saw Notre Dame defeat Wisconsin in a 19–0.
  • In 1929 Soldier Field held its second-ever firefighting demonstration.
  • October 26 was the first time that a long-running football rivalry game between Tuskegree and Wilberforce University was held at Soldier Field. This was second time that this rivalry was ever played. The 1929 game also provided a championship among historically black colleges. Tuskegee's star player was College Football Hall of Fame-inducted running back Ben Stevenson. The game was attended by 12,000 spectators. The game was thereafter played annually at Soldier Field until 1942, the only three exceptions being 1931 when game held at Mills Stadium in Chicago, 1932 when in place of this matchup Wilberforce played a different team at another venue in Chicago, and 1937 when the game was cancelled. After 1942 the game was moved Chicago's Comiskey Park, where it was played annually until 1949. Overall, Wilberforce recorded nine victories, Tuskegee recorded eight victories, and three games were tied in the rivalry series. The rivalry series was remembered endearingly by many in Chicago's African-American community, notably singer Lou Rawls.
  • November 3: Loyola Ramblers football team defeats the DePaul Blue Demons 13-0 before a crowd of 51,000
  • November 9: Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team defeated Drake 19–7.
  • November 16: Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team defeated USC 19–12.

1930s

1930

1931

  • January 1931: the Woman's Benefit Association held its annual Pageant at Soldier Field.
  • The second Chicagoland Music Festival, held in 1931, featured John Philip Sousa.
  • May 12: Soldier Field held its first amateur boxing event. This event was a Golden Gloves tournament sponsored by the Chicago Tribune. The tournament had outgrown its former home at the Chicago Stadium, and was moved to Soldier Field that year. The Chicago-based Golden Gloves tournament was the brain-child of Arch Ward, and was first held in 1923, before a brief state ban, and again was revived in 1928. It had begun as a local contest, but quickly became a regional Midwestern and finally a national amateur championship. In 1931 it became an international event, with the addition of international competitors, in the case of the 1931 tournament 10 young Frenchmen were invited to participate. To ensure that in the case of rain the event could be moved to the Chicago Stadium, only 21,000 tickets were sold in advance, but on the day of the fights 40,000 showed up at Soldier Field. The ring was placed in the center of Soldier Field's arena, and was surrounded by 22,000 'ringside seats' placed on a giant, slightly sloped, floor. The bouts were kicked off following a band and fireworks. In the first bout Leo Rodak defeated André Perrier for the flyweight title.
  • August: the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus perform in Soldier Field's parking lot. For decades thereafter, the circus would hold summer performances in the stadium's parking lot.
  • October 10: a crowd of 65,000 Notre Dame played Northwestern to a scoreless tie.
  • November 28: Purdue defeated Northwestern 7-0 in a special post-season collegiate football game at Soldier Field. Proceeds of the match went to charity.

1932

  • June 24-July 4: United States Army Military Tournament is held to celebrate the bicentennial of George Washington's birth. The event included aerial demonstrations, combat enactments, artillery demonstrations, Olympic-style athletics competition, a parade, and pyrotechnic displays. Involved in the aerial demonstrations was Major Gerald E. Brower. The June 24 show at the start of the eleven-day run was opened at 8pm with a flyover by four squadrons of fighter planes escorting a plane being flown by Amelia Earhart. The planers were painted to resemble a red and white eagle. Earhart later landed and made her way to the stadium, where she was given a gold medal and then developed a speech to the crowd about her flight across the atlantic the previous year. The event was cover over radio.
  • July 27: Soldier Field held the second-ever Chicago Golden Gloves tournament. More than 45,000 spectators attended. This tournament featured Olympic-caliber participants from Germany. American participants won 4 of the matches, and German participants won four as well. Three of the German participants would go on to win silver in the boxing competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles several weeks later.
  • A 1932 post-Olympic track meet was held at Soldier Field featuring teams from 15 nations. Notable participants included US Olympian Ralph Metcalfe.

1933

  • May 27: Soldier Field opening ceremonies of the Century of Progress Worlds Fair. James Farley officially presided over the opening ceremony.
  • In 1933, attendance for the stadium's annual war show was especially high.
  • June: an NCAA track meet was held at Soldier Field, and featured such notable participants as african american track stars Ralph Metcalfe and Jesse Owens. Five records were set at this meet, one of which was set by Metcalfe. Both Owens and Metclaffe would go on to participate in the Summer Olympics, and are now largely regarded as US Olympic legends. Metclaffe, a native Chicagoan, would later be elected to as an Illinois congressman, serving four terms in the United States House of Representatives.
  • At the 1933 German Day Festival, George Seibel, a Pittsburgh lawyer, writer, friend of the novelist Willa Cather, and the national president of the American Turnerbund spoke about the contributions of German immigrants to American democracy.
  • In conjunction with the Century of Progress World's Fair, a very successful rodeo event was held at Soldier Field.
  • In conjunction with the Century of Progress World's Fair, Soldier Field again hosted the South Parks Marble Championship in 1933.
  • In conjunction with Texas Day at the World's Fair, an all-Texan cast performed a production of Aida.
  • June 25, 1933: 50,000 attended a national Sokol slet with more than 1000 participants at Soldier Field.
  • July 3: 150,000 spectators attended A Romance of a People, an immensely elaborate Jewish pageant telling the history of the Jewish people, staged at Soldier Field. The event was coordinated by Meyer Weisgal. Chaim Weizmann gave a speech to open the show. The show required over 6,000 performers. The event was so successful that it was given a repeat performance a few days later at Soldier Field 75,000 spectators attended the repeat performance.
  • A celebration the 300th anniversary of the first Swedish to immigrate to the United States was held at Soldier Field.
  • August 3: Soldier Field held its final Chicago Golden Gloves tournament. This tournament was held in conjunction of Chicago's 1933–1934 Century of Progress World's Fair. More than 48,000 people attended the matches, despite a one-day postponement due to rain. This tournament featured participants from Ireland. The first two bouts were won by Irish participants, but the next six were won by American participants. Irish heavyweight champion Patrick Mulligan was knocked out broke his ankle during his bout. This was the last edition of the Chicago Golden Gloves to be held at Soldier Field. The tournament has been held at other Chicago venues ever-since.
  • August 4: 40,000 spectators witnessed the inflation of the world's largest hydrogen gas balloon in preparation for a stratospheric flight from Soldier Field by Jeannette and Auguste Piccard.
  • August 12: Soldier Field hosted a national African American athletic meet in conjunction with the 'Negro Day' event held at the Century of Progress World's Fair. The event featured such notable athletes as Olympic gold medalists Edward Gordon and DeHart Hubbard.
  • August 12, coinciding with the Fair's Negro Day, an African American pageant entitled Epic of a Race was performed at Soldier Field. Chandler Owen, who headed the organization of Negro Day events, employed author and WJJD radio staffer Andrew Dobson as the author and theatrical producer and dance instructor Sammy Dyer as the director of the production. Carl Sandburg was consulted by Dobson on the historical accuracy of his script. Renowned actor Richard B. Harrison was the master of ceremonies for the event, which featured 1,500 performers, about 3,000 singers, music by the 8th Infantry Regiment Band, and portrayed 11 different historic episodes.
  • 1933 Peel Cup finals
  • Summer of 1933: Forty-Sixth annual National Amateur Athletic Union meet. The track and field event only managed to attract just over 8,000 spectators. A commentator wrote, "Judged solely by the caliber of its athletes, was one of the best in the history of the modern games", but added "By the standards of attendance....the games flopped."
  • 85,000 spectators attended the fourth annual Chicagoland Music Festival in 1933.
  • October 1: 8,000 spectators saw the Chicago Bears defeat the Boston Redskins 7-0.
  • October 7: Northwestern faced Iowa at Soldier Field. Northwestern lost 7–0.
  • October 14: Northwestern tied Stanford in a scoreless game at Soldier Field.
  • Mount Carmel defeated Harrison 7–0 in the 1933 Prep Bowl. The event was made official for the first time, being promoted by the Mayor of Chicago Edward Joseph Kelly himself.
  • The Canadian professional soccer champion Toronto Scots played St. Louis' Stix, Baer and Fuller team, the U.S. champions, for the North American soccer title in 1933. The Scots won 2–1. This event was one of many Soldier Field sporting events that was tied-into the ongoing Worlds Fair.

1934

1935

  • Easter of 1935: 23,000 people attended the nondenominational Protestant Easter sunrise service held at Soldier Field.
  • May 19: a Midwestern Auto Racing Association race begins a long tradition of midget automobile races at the stadium. Midget racing star Marshall Lewis finished first-place in the main event. 20,000 spectators attended the event.
  • August 1935: when the west tower of the 1933 World Fair's Sky Ride was demolished, it fell into a portion of Soldier Field's exterior walls, requiring $50,000 in repairs.
  • August 29: 1935 Chicago College All-Star Game; 77,450 saw the Chicago Bears defeat the College All-Stars 5–0. Fans voted Frank Thomas of Alabama the collegiate all-stars' head coach. Over seven million votes were placed in the race for the position head coach. The vote became political, with numerous state governors publicly endorsing coaches. Other members of the coaching staff were Charles Bachman of Michigan State, Slip Madigan of St. Mary's, and Dr. C.W. Spears of Wisconsin. Amongst the alumni of the 1935 College All-Star team best known for their achievements outside of sports Irv Kupcinet of North Dakota and Gerald Ford of Michigan.
  • 1935 Prep Bowl; 75,000 people saw Lindblom defeat Leo 6–0.

1936

  • February 16: the U.S. Central Ski Association held its annual ski meet at Soldier Field. They built a temporary ski jump that was 13-stories, the world's tallest man-made ski jump at the time. More than 57,000 spectators attended the ski meet.
  • July 22: the Chicago Catholic Youth Organization held its first boxing tournament at Soldier Field. This was an intercity boxing meet against New York's Catholic Youth Association. The proceeds of the tournament went to the CYO Mil Fund to help feed 35,000 students in nonsectarian summer schools run at Chicago Catholic schools. The Catholic Youth Organization would hold numerous intercity and international boxing tournaments at Soldier Field over the next several years.
  • September 1: 1936 Chicago College All-Star Game, in which 76,000 spectators saw the College All-Stars tie the Detroit Lions 7–7.
  • The 1936 edition of the German Day Festival had a greater focus on pageantry and dancing versus the sports that were the focus of previous editions.
  • June: Soldier Field hosted the eastern regional semi-final tryouts for the 1936 U.S. track field Olympic trials
  • In 1936, national softball championships for both men and women were held at Soldier Field. The stadium's arena was big enough to hold five softball diamonds with their home plates along the west stands. All five were used simultaneously during the day, but only three were used at the same time for night games. Teams from 40 states and Canada participated, but rain delayed the tournament so it started two days late. A game that stood out was one attended by 15,000 spectators that featured the teams from Rochester and Cleveland facing off.
  • 1936 Chicago Prep Bowl: 75,000 saw Austin tie Fenwick 19–19.
  • In 1936 a game was held at Soldier Field between rival high schools Tilden and Austin was held at Soldier Field. During the game Tilden player Lou Rymkus blocked a kick and scored a touchdown. Rymkus would later refer to this as the most memorable game of his high school career.
  • In late 1936 an ice rink was erected in Soldier Field.

1937

  • February 7, 1937, the Chicago Daily Times sponsored a ski jump meet of the U.S. Central Ski Association at Soldier Field. The meet attracted 57,000 spectators, believed to be the largest crowd to ever see a ski jumping competition in the U.S. The temporary 180-foot tall all-wood ski jump tower was constructed by the Timber Engineering Company.
  • In 1937 Soldier Field held many events in honor of Chicago's Charter Jubilee, which was a celebration of the centennial of Chicago's 1837 incorporation as a city. The events were held between March 4 and October 9 Amongst the events Soldier Field held in celebration of the Jubilee were boxing matches.
  • *Only 12,000 attended the 1937 Easter sunrise service at Soldier Field due to cold weather. The service that year was counted as a Charter Jubilee event.
  • *50,000 attended a pageant celebrating the contributions of Polish Chicagoans held as part of the Charter Jubilee.
  • In 1937 attendance for the annual war show was high.
  • In 1937 Soldier Field again held national softball championships for both men and women.
  • In 1937 a boxing match between Joe Louis and Jim Braddock was held at Soldier Field.
  • The 1937 German Day Festival was the final edition of the event to be held at Soldier Field.
  • Austin defeated Leo 26–0 to win the 1937 Prep Bowl; another contender for the highest attendance ever. Pre-game entertainment featured 'King of Jazz' Paul Whiteman. Austin was named High School Football National Champions that season. Their star player was Bill Deorrevont.
  • In 1937 the Norge Ski Club held a ski meet at Soldier Field. A 13-story 50m ski jump was erected at Soldier Field for the event. The Norge Ski Club, which is based out of Fox River, Illinois, is the oldest continuously operating ski club in the United States.
  • September 1: 84,560 saw the College All-Stars defeat the Green Bay Packers 6-0 in the College All-Star Game. The game's only points were scored when Texas Christian University's Sammy Baugh passed forty-seven yards to Louisiana State University's Gaynell Tinsley. Members of the All-Star team included Tippy Dye.

1938

  • April 17: 50,000 attended the 1938 Easter sunrise service at Soldier Field. The service had Charles E. Fuller as its chief minister.
  • July 4: as part of the American Legion Fourth of July show held at Soldier Field, a 124th Artillery team played a Cuban army team to a 3–3 tie in a polo match. Also featured in the event were color guards as well as drum and bugle corps.
  • August 17: a jitterbug concert held at Soldier Field resulted in the so-called 'Jitterbug Riot' after crowds of about 200,000 overwhelmed the event's organizers. Performers at the event included Jimmy Dorsey, Earl Hines, Shep Fields. It featured a battle of the bands with 50 amateur bands and a number of the city's leading dance orchestras.
  • The 1938 Chicagoland Music Festival is credited to have originated the tradition of lighting matches or lighters concerts. Among those singing was aviator Douglas Corrigan.
  • In 1938 about 1,000 Police and Firemen participated in an event which raised funds for the benevolent funds of both groups.
  • In 1938 Soldier Field again held national softball championships for both men and women.
  • August 31 74,250 saw the College All-Stars defeat the Washington Redskins 28–16 in the Chicago College All-Star Game. The MVP was Purdue running back Cecil Isbell. The 1938 College All-Stars and the Redskins later would meet one another for a second game on September 5 in Dallas.
  • September 1: 80,000 people saw Fenger defeat Mount Carmel 13–0 in the Mount Carmel 44–6 in the 1938 Prep Bowl.
  • September 11: 20,000 spectators saw the Chicago Bears defeat the Chicago Cardinals 16-13.
  • 1938 was the final year that the U.S. Central Ski Association held its annual ski meet at Soldier Field.

1939

  • About 50,000 attended the 1939 Easter sunrise service held at Soldier Field.
  • June 18, 20, 22, 24 and 25: the American Automobile Association held the World's Championship Midget Automobile Races on a wooden track erected in Soldier Field. Proceeds benefited the Hospital for Crippled Children's Chicago Unit. There was a $10,000 purse for the five-race series. Over 90,000 spectators attended the event. This was the second time that midget racing was held at Soldier Field. Sam Hanks won the first two races, and Ronnie Householder ultimately won Soldier Field's 1939 midget racing championship.
  • Fats Waller headlined the 1939 Chicagoland Music Festival.
  • Over 98,000 spectators attended a 1939 stunt show starring "Lucky" Lee Lott at Soldier Field.
  • August 30: 81,456 saw the New York Giants defeat the College All-Stars 9–0 in the Chicago College All-Star Game. The MVP was Holy Cross running back Bill Osmanski.
  • In 1939 the Chicago Rugby Club played two games at Soldier Field. The first game was against a Hollywood club. The second game was against a New York-East Coast all-star squad featuring high-level athletes. Chicago won the second game 24–9 and advanced to a Los Angeles game against the Hollywood Lighthorse Lancers for the national amateur rugby championship. The second game was attended by a crowd of 10,000 and was held on November 12.
  • September 7: Soldier Field one last time held national softball championships for both men and women, organized by the Amateur Softball Association.
  • September 15: 13,254 spectators saw the Chicago Bears defeat the Cleveland Rams 30-21.
  • October 1: 11,000 spectators saw the Detroit Lions defeat the Chicago Cardinals 17-3.
  • 75,000 people saw Fenger tie Mount Carmel 13–13 in the 1939 Prep Bowl.

1940s

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

  • In June 50,000 spectators attended a national Sokol slet held at Soldier Field.
  • June 16 Orson Welles hosted a radio show at Soldier Field to benefit the Fifth War Loan Drive.
  • In September 1944 the Ringling Brothers Circus performed a 14-day engagement. These were amongst the Circus' first shows after the Hartford Circus Fire in July 1944. Due to the fire, the performances at Soldier Field were performed in the open-air, rather than under a big top. The final Sunday attracted 14,000 spectators for the matinee performance and 8,000 for the night performance. On Labor Day 9,000 attended the afternoon performance. The Circus' final performance was attended by 4,500. Excluding additional numbers that attended a 'Bond Night', the Circus attracted 145,000 despite unfavorable weather that occurred most of the opening week.
  • October 28 President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt made an appearance at Soldier Field, which was the only Midwestern speaking appearance he made in his last reelection campaign. This appearance was attended by over 150,000.
  • Tilden defeated Weber 13–7 in the 1944 Prep Bowl.

1945

1946

1947

  • A rodeo competition was held at Soldier Field in July 1947 and was one of the first televised events at Soldier Field. The competition ended with its championship on July 20.
  • At the same time as the annual circus engagement, a General Motors car expo was held in Soldier Field's parking lot.
  • In 1947 more than 20,000 watched a soccer match between a Chicago all-star team and a team provided by Hapoel. The game ended in a tie.
  • August 22 105,840 saw the College All-Stars defeat the Chicago Bears 16–0 in the Chicago College All-Star Game. The MVP was Illinois running back Claude Young.
  • Austin defeated Leo 13–12 in the 1947 Prep Bowl.
  • In 1947 the Chicago Bears' annual Armed Forces Game was held at Soldier Field for the first time. The Bears' opponent was the Washington Redskins. Chicago won the game 28–0. The Armed Forces Game raised proceeds for the relief funds of the four branches of the US Armed Services, and was held annually from 1943 through 1970.

1948

1949

  • April 17: due to cold and snowy weather, only about 35,000 attended the Easter sunrise service at Soldier Field.
  • Al Jolson again headlined the Chicagoland Music Festival in 1949, having previously headlined in 1934.
  • August 22: 93,780 saw the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the College All-Stars 38–0 in the Chicago College All-Star Game. The MVP was Notre Dame offensive lineman Bill Fischer.
  • June 16: speech by President Harry S. Truman
  • June 19: President Harry S. Truman spoke at the convention of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine marking the group's 75th anniversary. This event was one of the first at Soldier Field to be televised. The event featured one of the largest parades in Chicago's history. The parade preceding the event at Soldier Field featured over 15,000 Shriners from 1,000 American and Canadian chapters of the group and 130 bands. The parade covered three miles and lasted five-hours. The parade was seen by approximately 500,000 spectators. Hollywood legend Harold Lloyd walked in the parade, and at the end of the convention held at Soldier Field he was named "Imperial Potentate", the national leader of the group.
  • October 28: 11,249 spectators saw the Chicago Hornets, who were formerly known as the Chicago Rockets, lose 14–24 to the Los Angeles Dons in what would ultimately be the Hornets' final last-ever home game
  • Schurz defeated Fenwick 20–7 in the 1949 Prep Bowl.

1950s

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954

  • May 8 a crowd of 13,000 watched the West German association football team Dortmund Borussia beat the English team Plymouth Argyle 4-0.
  • May 16 the Chicago Park District's Police Benevolent Association sponsored its 9th annual Golf Trophy race at Soldier Field. More than 30,000 tickets were sold.
  • August 13 93,470 saw the Detroit Lions defeat the College All-Stars 31–6 in the Chicago College All-Star Game. The MVP was Texas defensive end Carlton Massey.
  • August 15 over 125,000 attended as the World Council of Churches held the Ecumenical Festival of Faith, which served as the opening ceremony for two-weeks of meetings that the World Council held in Chicago and Evanston. The ceremony featured a cast of 4,000 and was arranged by Helen Kromer. Henry P. Van Dusen, president of the New York Union Theological Seminary, proclaimed the event to have been "the most widely representative, most truly 'ecumenical' assemblage of the followers of Christ who have ever met 'in one accord in one place.'" Delegates attended even from four nations located behind the "Iron Curtain". The ceremony was opened with a speech by Chicago mayor Martin Kennelly.
  • *Hours prior to the ceremony, Soldier Field's convention halls hosted a 1,600-person banquet for delegates.
  • August 21 Liberace headlined the 25th annual Chicagoland Music Festival. Jack Webb appeared at the event to promote the Chicago Theatre premiere of the film Dragnet.
  • September 8 what many regard to have been Soldier Field's largest crowd ever, 260,000 spectators, attended the Marian Year tribute of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. 180,000 were inside of the stadium, while another 80,000 gathered outside of the stadium and listened via loudspeakers. The event was led by Cardinal Samuel Stritch.
  • 54,000 spectators saw Fenger defeated Mount Carmel 20–13 in the 1954 Prep Bowl.
  • In 1954 an international ski jumping championship was held at Soldier Field by the Norge Ski Club.

1955

1956

1957

  • June 15: Soldier Field hosted a 50-lap race under the NASCAR "Grand National" banner. While considered to be a NASCAR Grand National event at the time it was held, the event does not currently appear on NASCAR's lists of Grand National events held that year. The event was won by Bill Brown
  • June 29: Soldier Field hosted a 100-lap NASCAR event, which was won by Glen Wood.
  • August 9 :75,000 saw the New York Giants defeat the College All-Stars 22–12 in the Chicago College All-Star Game. The MVP was Stanford quarterback John Brodie.
  • Mendel defeated Calumet 6–0 in the 1957 Prep Bowl, scoring the game's only points with a Hail Mary pass in the final play.
  • In 1957 NASCAR held a Convertible Division event at Soldier Field, which was won by Glenn Wood. This was the final NASCAR event held at Soldier Field.

1958

1959

1960s

1960

  • August 12 70,000 saw the Baltimore Colts defeat the College All-Stars 32–7 in the Chicago College All-Star Game. The MVP was Cincinnati Bearcats end Jim Leo.
  • Soldier Field hosted the 1960 Western Golden Gloves. Muhammad Ali fought in this event, and received the Outstanding Fighter trophy for his weight class.
  • 93,000 spectators attended two performances of the Police show, headlined by Jack Paar. Other performers included Wimpy the Clown, an acrobat named Bettina, and Trans-World Airdevils auto stunts. Stanley R. Sarbaneck, president of the benevolent association, spoke at the event.
  • Mount Carmel, coached by Tom Carey, defeated Taft 27–8 in the 1960 Prep Bowl. Tom Carey became one of the first individuals to both play and coach in a Prep Bowl, having won it as a quarterback exactly ten years earlier.

1961

1962

  • June 17 116,000 spectators attended a Billy Graham crusade at Soldier Field. This event followed nineteen days of crusades that Graham had held at the nearby McCormick Place convention center. Those events averaged 37,000 spectators a day.
  • The America FC of Rio de Janeiro defeated the Palmero of Italy 3–2 in a match held at Soldier Field. This was one of several International Soccer League matches that were held at Soldier Field in 1962, which altogether attracted a total of 50,000 spectators.
  • August 3 65,000 saw the Green Bay Packers defeat the College All-Stars 42–20 in the Chicago College All-Star Game. The MVP was Kansas quarterback John Hadl.
  • 91,328 people saw Fenwick defeat Schurz 40–0 in the 1962 Prep Bowl. This ended a 10–0 season for the Fenwick Friars. In the Prep Bowl game, Fenwick's Jim DiLullo ran for 224 yards and scored five touchdowns on just 12 carries. This was the third most-attended Prep Bowl to date.

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970s

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

  • In 1975 the North Field of Soldier Field again held the International Festival of Tennis. Amongst the participants were Billy Martin and Roscoe Tanner. The attendance was even less than the previous year. Only 2,000 people attending the quarter finals.
  • The Chicago Winds of the World Football League played their only season at Soldier Field in 1975. Their only win was attended by a mere 3,502 spectators at Soldier Field, with them defeating the Portland Thunder
  • The Emmet Kelly Jr. Circus, organized by Chicago Park District superintendent Edmund Kelly, performed in Soldier Field's north end for several nights beginning on June 14. Its headlining performer was Emmet Kelly Jr. playing the circus clown made famous by Emmet Kelly Sr., Wearie Willie.
  • 1975 Marvin Gaye concert in the northern arena of Soldier Field.
  • August 1 54,562 saw the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the College All-Stars 21–14 in the Chicago College All-Star Game.
  • Brother Rice defeated Chicago Vocational 26–0 in the 1975 Prep Bowl.

1976

  • July 23 52,095 saw the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Chicago All-Stars in what would be the final Chicago College All-Star Game. The game was called late with 1:22 left in the third quarter due to heavy rain. Despite featuring stars such as Chuck Muncie, Mike Pruitt, Lee Roy Selmon, and Jackie Slater, the all-stars were hopelessly outmatched by the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of Super Bowl X. The star quarterback for the College All-Stars was Steeler draft pick Mike Kruczek, out of Boston College. Late in the third quarter, with the Steelers leading 24–0, high winds prompted all-star coach Ara Parseghian to call time out. Fans began pouring out onto the field and sliding on the turf. With the rain getting harder, the officials ordered both teams to their locker rooms. All attempts to clear the field failed; the fans even tore down the goalposts. However, by this time the rain had become so heavy as to make the field unplayable even if order had been restored. Finally, at 11:01 pm NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and the Tribune announced that the game had been called. The news was greeted with jeers, and numerous brawls broke out on the flooded field before order was finally restored. Joe Washington of Oklahoma was selected MVP of this final College All-Star game. Chicago Tribune Charities had every intention of staging a 1977 game. However, with coaches increasingly unwilling to let their high draft picks play and insurance costs on the rise due to higher player salaries, the Tribune announced on December 21, 1976, that the game would be discontinued. Serving as the coach of the All-Stars was also the final coaching experience of Ara Parseghian.
  • July 25 ZZ Top concert
  • The Chicago Sting ended their 1976 postseason at Soldier Field, with a double-overtime loss to Toronto. Toronto would subsequently win the league's championship that season.
  • Chicago Vocational defeated St. Rita 13–6 in the 1976 Prep Bowl.

1977

1978

1979

1980s

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

  • Loyola Academy defeated Simeon 14–12 in the 1986 Prep Bowl.
  • November 23 Jerry Markbreit began what would be a 23-season career as an NFL referee when he refereed a game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. In the second quarter of the game, Bears quarterback Jim McMahon was intercepted, and as he watched the proceedings downfield, Packers defensive end Charles Martin picked up McMahon and bodyslammed him shoulder-first into the AstroTurf. Martin remained hovered over an injured McMahon on one knee and taunted him until Bears offensive tackle Jimbo Covert barreled full-speed into Martin. Despite strenuous protests from Packers coach Forrest Gregg, Markbreit ejected Martin, Markbreit's first ejection as an NFL official. When describing the penalty, Markbreit stated that Martin "stuffed" McMahon into the ground. Martin was suspended for two games by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, the longest suspension for an on-field incident until Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was suspended five games by commissioner Roger Goodell for stomping on the face of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode during an October 1, 2006 game During the game, Martin wore a "hit list" towel with the numbers of several Bears listed, including those of McMahon, running back Walter Payton, wide receiver Willie Gault, and center Jay Hilgenberg. The call was largely credited by the media and NFL executives in helping Markbreit land the assignment as the referee of Super Bowl XXI two months later.
  • 1986 NFC Divisional Playoff: [1986 1987 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins] 27, Bears 13.

1987

1988

1989

DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2AttendanceRound
July 20fb|USA

1990s

1990

1991

1992

DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2Spectators
June 3, 19921–010,402
June 6, 19921–126,874

1993

DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2Spectators
June 13, 19934–353,549

1994

DateTime Team #1Res.Team #2RoundSpectators
June 17, 199414:001–0Group C Opening Match63,117
June 21, 199415:001–1Group C63,113
June 26, 199411:300–4Group D63,160
June 27, 199415:001–3Group C63,089
July 2, 199411:003–2Round of 1660,246

Numerous celebrities were in attendance for the World Cup matches at Soldier, including Plácido Domingo during the match on June 21, as well as such dignitaries as US President Bill Clinton, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and Bolivian President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada at the opening match.

1995

1996

1997

1998

DateTeam #1Res.Team #2Spectators
October 30, 1998Columbus Crew 1–2 Chicago Fire 18,615

1999

DateTime Team #1Res.Team #2RoundSpectators
June 24, 199919:301–2Group A65,080
June 24, 199917:002–0Group B65,080
June 26, 199918:304–0Group C34,256
June 26, 199916:000–2Group D34,256

2000s

2000

DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2Spectators
June 4, 20002–236,469

  • June 29 and 30: Dave Matthews Band concerts, with Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and Ozomatli
  • July 20–22: Bassmaster Classic weigh-ins were held at Soldier Field. The boats used in the competition were docked nearby at Burnham Harbor. The competition took place within the Chicago-area in Lake Michigan and its connected waterways. The Bassmaster Classic is a major fishing competition, sometimes dubbed to be the "Superbowl of Fishing". Live coverage of the event was streamed online. This was the 30th edition of the competition. 45 competitors participated in the competition At the end of the competition, a closing ceremony was held at Soldier Field with performances and fireworks. Competitor, and 1999 champion, Davy Hite, failed to defend his title in the 2000 edition. The winner of the competition was Woo Daves, who, at 54, became the oldest person to win a Bassmaster Classic title. It was Daves' 15th time competing in the Classic. Daves received a $100,000 prize. In descending order, the top six finishers were Woo Daves, Mark Rizk, Shaw Grigsby Jr., Rick Clunn, Kotaro Kiriyama, and Norio Tanabe. This was the 27th consecutive Classic that third-place finisher Rick Clunn had competed in. It was Kevin VanDam's 10th consecutive Classic, with VanDam then having managed to make the Classic every season of his ten-years in B.A.S.S. competition. This was also the Larry Nixon's 22nd, Gary Klein's 19th, Georg Cohcharn's 18th, and Ron Sheffield's 12th total Classic. The 2000 edition was considered to be one of the most challenging editions of the Bassmaster Classic. Chicago was the third northern location to host the event, with Alexandria Bay, New York City and Cincinnati having previously hosted the 1980 and 1983 editions, respectively.
  • September 2: the Howard Bisons faced the Jackson State Tigers in the Chicago Football Classic.
  • 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final:
  • Marian Catholic defeated Simeon 23–14 in the 2000 Prep Bowl.

2001

DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2Spectators
September 9, 20014–110,235
September 9, 20013–0

2002

No events took place due to Soldier Field's renovation.

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

DateTime Team #1Res.Team #2RoundSpectators
June 21, 200718:001–2Semi-finals50,760
June 21, 200718:002–1Final60,000

DateTeam 1ResultTeam 2
July 27, 2007

2008

2009

DateTime Team #1Res.Team #2RoundSpectators
July 23, 200918:000–2Semi-finals55,173
June 23, 200921:001–1Semi-finals55,173

2010s

2010

2011

DateTime Team #1Res.Team #2RoundSpectators
June 12, 201118:006–1Group A62,000
June 12, 201120:004–1Group A62,000

2012

2013

LeagueHome teamScoreVisiting teamAttendance
CCHANotre Dame Fighting Irish2–1Miami Redhawks52,051
WCHAWisconsin Badgers3–2Minnesota Golden Gophers52,051

DateTeam #1Res.Team #2RoundSpectators
July 28, 20131–0Final57,920

2014

DateTimeTeam #1Res.Team #2Spectators
July 27, 201417:00 Liverpool1–0Olympiacos36,17

2015

  • February 5 the organizers of the 2015 Coyote Logistics Hockey City Classic launched a 12-day winter festival at Soldier Field with a Unite on the Ice event benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The event included a celebrity hockey game with former NHL and AHL players, as well as a public free skate at Soldier Field. Participants in the celebrity game included Éric Dazé, Jamal Mayers and Gino Cavallini. Denis Savard was in attendance, serving as an 'honorary coach' during the game.
  • February 7 Soldier Field hosted the 2015 Hockey City Classic, the second edition of the game to be held at Soldier Field. The games of the 2015 Coyote Logistics Hockey City Classic had to be delayed due to unusually warm weather and complications with the quality of the ice. The 2015 edition of the Hockey City Classic featured a match between Miami of Ohio and Western Michigan, followed by a match between the Big Ten's Michigan and Michigan State. Due largely to the delay and other factors, attendance was a disappointing 22,751.
LeagueHome teamScoreVisiting teamAttendance
NCHCMiami Redhawks4–3Western Michigan22,751
Big 10Wisconsin Badgers3–2Minnesota Golden Gophers22,751

The first day featured Zedd, Eric Prydz, Martin Garrix, Duke Dumont, Paul van Dyk, Andrew Rayel, Borgore, Cosmic Gate, DJ Slink, Ilan Bluestone, Mija, Myon & Shane 54, Seven Lions, Shiba San, Slander the Floozies, Thomas Jack, Tommy Trash, A Guy Called Amir, Dani Deahl, Freak Island, Jake Terra, Kite!, Louis the Child, Mario Florek, M.O.B., Peter Kontor, PT & PT, Skyler Shores, Sleepy Pilch, and The Trap House.
The second day featured Hardwell, Flosstradamus, Dada Life, Zomboy, Diplo, Adventure Club, Brillz, Bro Safari, Dusky, Eats Everything, Figure, Grandtheft, Headhunterz, Lane 8, Morgan Page, Nicole Moudaber, Oliver Heldens, Pegboard Nerds, Sander van Doorn, Savoy, Skream, Ummet Ozcan, Alfonz Delamota, Attak, Bucky Fargo, DJ White Owl, Fatboy, Inphinity, Kalendr, Jack Trash, Porn and Chicken, RJ Pickens, Ryan B, Stratus, Teknicolor, Xonic, and Zander.
The final day featured Tiësto, Afrojack, Zeds Dead, Excision, Jamie Jones, Aero Chord, Audien, Boombox, Branchez, Curtis Jones, Derrick Carter, DVBBS, Eva Shaw, Hucci, Justin Martin, Keys N Krates, MK, Party Favor, TJR, W&W, Yellow Claw, Antics, Delusive, DJ Nurotic, Funky Mack, Goodsex, Howie Doin, Juno Moss, Light.Em.Up, Mikho, Nathan Scott, Soultech, The Pool House, Xposur, and Zerogravity.
DateTime Team #1Res.Team #2RoundSpectators
July 9, 201519:00 6-0Group C54,126
July 9, 201521:30 3-1Group C54,126

2016

  • May 27 and 28 Beyoncé Formation World Tour concerts.
  • In June, Soldier Field hosted matches of the Copa América Centenario. This was the 100th anniversary edition of the Copa América, and the first time it had been held outside of South America. The Copa América is the oldest continental football competition and is one of the most prestigious and most widely viewed sporting events in the world.
DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2AttendanceRound
June 50-125,560Group C
June 74-039,642Group A
June 105-053,885Group D
June 220-255,423Semi-finals

2017

2018

2019

2020s

2021

2023

2024

2025

2026