Bears move from Wrigley Field and play first game at Soldier Field on September 19, 1971.
Chicago defeats the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-15 before capacity crowd of 55,701.
1971
1978
1978
Plank seating replaced by individual seats with backs and armrests.
1978
1979
4979
New lighting, playing surface and locker rooms installed.
Seating rebuilt including new chairbacks, armrests, seats and improvement of sightlines.
1979
1982
1982
Additional rebuilding of seating areas completed as well as new concourses added with more restrooms and concession areas.
New press box, 60 deluxe skyboxes and a new scoreboard also built. Capacity is increased to 66,030.
1982
1988
1988
Surface changed from artificial turf to natural grass.
56 skyboxes added along south rim (increasing the total to 116). Capacity is increased to 66,946.
1988
1992
1992
Four seats are added increasing capacity to 66,950.
1992
1994
1994
The Park District spends millions to refurbish the stadium for the World Cup Soccer Tournament. Capacity is reduced by six to the current figure of 66,944
1994
2000
2000
Mayor Daley announces Lakefront Redevelopment Project including the renovation and expansion of Soldier Field.
2000
2001
2001
Project receives State and City approval.
2001
2002
2002
Demolition begins on stadium immediately following playoff game on January 19, 2002.
Existing colonnades and the shell of Soldier Field restored.
61,500 seat state-of-the-art facility constructed for athletic, artistic and cultural events.
133 Suites and approximately 8,600 Club Seats installed.
Two 23 feet by 82 feet video boards located in the north and south end zones.
600 feet of ribbon panel LED signage, featuring game stats, advertising and other fan features installed.
Hybrid sound system installed consisting of three large clusters of speakers and 162 individual speaker boxes.
New 2,500 public space underground parking structure between Soldier Field and the Field Museum built.
Two-story above-ground parking structure south of Soldier Field built.
Reconstruction and landscaping of surface parking lot near McCormick Place completed.
17 new acres of public park facilities created and 1,400 new trees planted.
2002
2003
2003
Soldier Field officially reopened for National Football League games on September 29, 2003.
Chicago Bears play their first game on the new Soldier Field against the Green Bay Packers.
