Sports in Chicago

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chicago is the home to 15 professional sports teams. It is also one of several U.S. cities to have teams from four major American sports.

The city has offered an official Chicago bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, where it is considered the strongest contender among American cities.^[1] Chicago also hosted the 1959 Pan American Games.

The Chicago area has also played host to the WWE's WrestleMania multiple times, most recently for WrestleMania 22.

U.S. Cellular Field on Chicago's South Side, home of the 2005 World Series Champion, Chicago White Sox

[edit] Baseball

Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team

Chicago is one of three cities in the United States that has two Major League Baseball teams, the other two being Los Angeles and New York.

The Chicago Cubs of the National League play at Wrigley Field, which is located in the north side neighborhood of Lakeview, commonly referred to as "Wrigleyville." The Cubs are the oldest team to play continuously in the same city since the formation of the National League in 1876.

The Chicago White Sox of the American League won the World Series championship in 2005, their first since 1917. U.S. Cellular Field, or "The Cell," is located on the city's south side. Built in 1990 and originally known as New Comiskey Park, it is located across the street from the original Comiskey Park.

[edit] Other major league teams

Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears football team

The Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association is a professional basketball team. One of the team's most well-known players, Michael Jordan, led the Bulls to six NBA championships in eight seasons in the 1990s.

The Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League are the city's professional hockey team. Some well-known players include: Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, Bobby Hull, and Denis Savard.

The Chicago Bears of the National Football League play at Soldier Field. The Bears history includes many NFL personalities, including owner George Halas, players Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Jim McMahon, William "Refrigerator" Perry, Walter Payton, and coach Mike Ditka.

The Chicago Fire, a member of Major League Soccer, won one league and four US Open Cups since 1997. After eight years at Soldier Field, they began play at the new Toyota Park in Bridgeview at 71st and Harlem Avenue in the summer of 2006.

Other major league teams include the Chicago Sky (Women's National Basketball Association), Chicago Machine (a Major League Lacrosse team which began play in 2006), Chicago Shamrox (National Lacrosse League)who will start in the winter of 2006-07, and Chicago Storm (Major Indoor Soccer League).

[edit] Other professional sports teams

The United Center, home of the Bulls basketball team, and the Blackhawks hockey team

Chicago has an American Hockey League team (Chicago Wolves), an Arena Football League team the Chicago Rush, a National Pro Fastpitch softball team the Chicago Bandits, an Independent Women's Football League team the Chicago Force), and an American Basketball Association team the Chicago Rockstars.

Other Chicago-based sports teams include the Chicago Blitz, Chicago Enforcers, Chicago Bruisers, and the Windy City Rollers.

[edit] See also

• Arlington Park
• Chicago Motor Speedway

[edit] Reference

1. ^ Kathy Bergen and Gary Washburn (5/11/2006). City out to prove Olympic mettle. Chicago Tribune.

City of Chicago
Geography • Climate • Government • History • Places and Landmarks • Colleges and Universities • Public Schools • Sports • Community Areas • Neighborhoods • Economy • Parks • Metropolitan Area