The city of Chicago in the US state of Illinois is a city rich in sports and has many professional teams. There are only ten U.S. cities that have sports teams in all five major U.S. professional team sports, namely soccer, baseball, soccer, hockey, and basketball.
It is the city that was named the Best Sports City by Sporting News in 1993, 2006 and 2010.
Chicago was a convincing candidate to host the 2016 Summer Olympics but lost to Rio de Janeiro. Chicago has hosted several major sporting events such as the 2006 Gay Games, the 1959 Pan American Games, the 1968 and 1970 Special Olympics Summer World Games respectively, and the 2017 Warrior Games.
8. Chicago Bears
Chicago is represented by the Chicago Bears, whose home lawn is Soldier’s Field. They are part of the original National Football League (NFL) teams and were founded by Halas in 1919. They also have the most NFL Pro Hall of Famers with 26. They won the Super Bowl once in 1985, Super Bowl XX and did it again in 2006 but lost to the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears have had an intense rivalry with the Green Bay Packers since the 1920s. Their field, Soldier Field, is named after those who serve in the military and is located near Lake Michigan.
7. Chicago Cubs
Chicago is one of four metro regions in the United States of America that has two teams that play professional Major League Baseball. The team’s stadium, Wrigley Field, is located north of Lakeview. Its western part has now become known as “Wrigleyville”. The Cubs are the oldest team to have consistently played in the same city since the formation of the NL, and are the oldest MLB team to have never changed cities from 1871 to the present. The Cubs have been Chicago’s most successful sports team since 1876, winning three World Series. This baseball team is number five in the NL teams with 16 pennants under their wings. His main competitor is the St. Louis Cardinals.
6. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox play in MLB due to being members of the American League (AL), the Central Division. The Sox’s home field is Guaranteed Rate Field, located south of Armor Square. The White Sox side was formed in 1901. The team has been in Chicago since the inception of AL. They also acquired three World Series titles and six AL pennants, with the first in 1901. They are fifth all-time wins in the AL and sixth in pennant.
5. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are a member of the League’s Eastern Division. The Chicago Bulls were formed on January 16, 1966. Chicago is known for the Chicago Bulls, who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) led by none other than the legendary Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. These two legends helped them hold six NBA championships in two “three-time” periods between 1991 and 1993. They repeated this impressive feat between 1996 and 1998. There is now a new generation of bulls that came out in 2005 called the “Baby Bulls” who eliminated the reigning champion, the Miami Heat, in 2007. Their home games are played at the United Center, a venue they share with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Bulls are fourth when it comes to the most valuable franchise according to Forbes in 2017. Their intense competition with the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks and Miami Heat still continues. 2011 MVP, Derrick Rose, led them to the East Finals. Unfortunately, they were outclassed by their fierce rivals, the Miami Heat.
4. Chicago Blackhawks
Professionally, Chicago has one team in the National Hockey League called the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks are the original six. They have won the coveted Stanley Cup over the years, including 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013 and most recently 2015. They have a strong rivalry with another previous Original Six side called the Detroit Red Wings.
3. Chicago Fire
It is fair to say that compared to other sports in the US, football is not as developed. Recently, however, more and more attention has been paid to the development of this international sport. Not to be outdone, Chicago is involved in the development of the sport through its MLS representation by the Chicago Fire. This football team has won one MLS trophy and has also won four US Open trophies since becoming an MLS member in 1998. Their only MLS title was won in 1998 when the Chicago Fire entered the MLS. Home games are played at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Chicago. They originally played at Soldiers’ Field and spent some time at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville.
2. Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky is a professional basketball team from Chicago, Illinois that is known for its participation in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The side was formed back in 2005, shortly before the start of the 2006 season. Although they play in Chicago and are in the same market as the Chicago Bulls, they are not affiliated in any way. The team won their first playoff spot in their team’s history on August 23, 2013. The first presence in the WNBA Finals was on September 3, 2014.
1. Chicago Red Stars
The city is represented in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) by the Chicago Red Star, which was founded back in 2006. The Red Stars play in Toyota Park. Previously, the Red Stars played for women’s professional football, which is now defunct. The Red Stars are a founding member of Women’s Professional Football (WPS), where they played in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 they withdrew from the WPS due to financial problems and then decided to join the Women’s Major Soccer League (WPSL). in 2011. In 2012, they competed in the elite WPSL, which lasted for one year. In 2013 they joined the NWSL.
