Sports in Chicago

Sports in Chicago include many professional teams, making the city a special place for fans. Chicago is one of only eleven cities in the United States that has teams in the five major American sports: baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. This unique position has helped Chicago earn the title of "Best Sports City" three times, in 1993, 2006, and 2010, as chosen by Sporting News.

The city has also been home to many important sporting events. Although Chicago was a candidate to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, it did not win; instead, the games were held in Rio de Janeiro. Chicago has hosted the Pan American Games, the Gay Games, and the Special Olympics Summer World Games, among others. Most recently, Chicago hosted the 2017 Warrior Games, showing its continued importance in the world of sports.

Major league teams

See also: U.S. cities with teams from four major sports

Chicago has many famous sports teams. It is one of the few cities in the United States that has teams in all five major sports: baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer.

American football (NFL)

The Chicago Bears are a football team that plays in the National Football League (NFL). They have a long history and have won important games like the Super Bowl. Famous players and coaches have helped make the Bears well-known.

The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field, a stadium named to honor soldiers. It is located near Lake Michigan.

Baseball (MLB)

Chicago is special because it has two baseball teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. The Cubs play at Wrigley Field, while the White Sox play at Rate Field.

Both teams have exciting histories and have won important championships over the years.

Basketball (NBA, WNBA)

The Chicago Bulls are a basketball team known for winning many championships, especially with famous players like Michael Jordan. The team continues to be popular and successful.

Chicago also has the Chicago Sky, a women's basketball team that has won championships too.

Ice hockey (NHL)

The Chicago Blackhawks are the city's ice hockey team. They have won the Stanley Cup, the biggest prize in hockey, several times. The team has many famous players and exciting games.

Soccer (MLS, NWSL)

See also: Chicago Sparta and Chicago Sting

Chicago has a long history with soccer. There have been many soccer teams here over the years.

Chicago Fire FC is a current soccer team that has won important prizes since it started in 1998. The team has players from many different countries.

Chicago is also home to the Chicago Stars FC, a women's soccer team that plays in the National Women's Soccer League.

Major league professional championships

Chicago is a special city for sports! It is one of only eleven cities in the United States that has teams in the five biggest professional sports: baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. Chicago has been called the "Best Sports City" three times — in 1993, 2006, and 2010.

Minor league teams

Chicago has many smaller and special sports teams. The area includes teams in hockey, arena football, rugby, wrestling, and more.

The Chicago Wolves are a successful hockey team in the American Hockey League. Another hockey team, the Chicago Steel, plays in the United States Hockey League.

The area once had an arena football team called the Chicago Rush who played in the Arena Football League. There were also earlier teams like the Chicago Bruisers.

Chicago has rugby teams such as the Chicago Hounds and Chicago Griffins. The city has also been home to big wrestling events like WrestleMania 22 and matches involving famous wrestler CM Punk.

Each summer, there is a big boat race called the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac starting near Navy Pier. Chicago also has roller derby teams like the Chicago Outfit Roller Derby and Windy City Rollers. There are also teams for Gaelic football.

Independent league baseball

College sports

Chicago has seven big college sports teams in the Chicago metropolitan area. Teams like the DePaul Blue Demons, Loyola Ramblers, Chicago State Cougars, and UIC Flames play men's basketball in the city. Only DePaul does not play on its own campus; they use Wintrust Arena at the McCormick Place convention center.

Other nearby teams include the Northwestern Wildcats, Northern Illinois Huskies, and Valparaiso Beacons. Northwestern is the only top-tier school in the area. The Illinois Fighting Illini, though based in Champaign, have many fans in Chicago. The football team from Notre Dame, based in South Bend, Indiana, also has many fans in the Chicago area.

The Big Ten Conference moved its headquarters to Rosemont in 2013.

Olympic bids

Chicago was chosen on April 14, 2007, to compete internationally for the 2016 Summer Olympics. However, Rio de Janeiro was later selected as the host city in 2009. After Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics didn’t succeed, the USOC chose Los Angeles to bid for the 2024 Olympics, which led to Los Angeles being awarded the 2028 Summer Olympics. Before this, Chicago had hosted the 1959 Pan American Games. Originally, Chicago was selected to host the 1904 Summer Olympics, but the games were moved to St. Louis to match the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

Motorsports

Chicago has exciting motor racing events! There is the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet and the Chicago Street Course right in the city's streets.

The Chicagoland Speedway used to host many big races, but it has not seen NASCAR races for a few years. Recently, it was announced that NASCAR races might return there in 2026. The Chicago Street Course races through famous places like Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain, but it will not have races in 2026. Instead, races might go back to Chicagoland Speedway.

There is also the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, where people can watch thrilling drag racing events.

Rivalries

Detroit

Main article: Bears–Lions rivalry

Main article: Bulls–Pistons rivalry

Main article: Blackhawks–Red Wings rivalry

Main article: Tigers–White Sox rivalry

Main article: George Jewett Trophy

Because they are close by and have a long history, Chicago and Detroit have developed exciting competitions in many sports.

Milwaukee/Wisconsin

Main article: Bears–Packers rivalry

Main article: Brewers–Cubs rivalry

Chicago also has a rivalry with Milwaukee since their cities are next to each other. Even though the Packers now play in Green Bay, they used to play many games in Milwaukee and have many fans there.

Minnesota

Main article: Bears–Vikings rivalry

Main article: Twins–White Sox rivalry

Main article: Blackhawks–Wild rivalry

Chicago and Minnesota have a newer rivalry, not as old as the ones with Detroit and Milwaukee.

St. Louis

Main article: Cardinals–Cubs rivalry

Main article: Blackhawks–Blues rivalry

Chicago and St. Louis have a rivalry mostly in baseball, but it has also grown into hockey and soccer.

New York City

Main article: Bears–Giants rivalry

Main article: Bulls–Knicks rivalry

Chicago and New York City also have a rivalry.

Former teams