What Sports Teams Does Illinois Have?

Illinois is home to some of the most well-known sports teams in the world. The state of Illinois, and more specifically the city of Chicago, has seen several championship seasons in multiple sports. Read on to look at what sports teams are located in the state of Illinois and how each team came to be.

What Are the Biggest Sports Teams in Illinois?

Below are the professional teams located in Illinois:

• Chicago Bears
• Chicago Blackhawks
• Chicago Bulls
• Chicago Cubs
• Chicago Fire FC
• Chicago Red Stars
• Chicago Sky
• Chicago White Sox

Chicago Bears

Sport: Football

League: NFL

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Stadium: Soldier Field

Founded: 1919

Championships: 9 (8 Pre-Super Bowl era)

The Chicago Bears are a professional football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Bears were founded in 1919 by the A.E Staley company, originally named the Decatur Staleys. In 1921, the Decatur Staleys moved to Chicago, Illinois, and became known as the Chicago Staleys. That same year, Virginia Halas McCaskey bought the team from Staley for $100. In 1922, Halas renamed the team to the Bears in connection to the city. The Bears moved into Soldier Field in 1971 from Wrigley Field and have won eight NFL championships along with Super Bowl XX.

Chicago Blackhawks

Sport: Ice Hockey

League: NHL

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Stadium: United Center

Founded: 1926

Championships: 6

The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was founded in 1926 and was named after the Sauk Indian Chief Black Hawk, an important figure in the history of Illinois. The Chicago Blackhawks play in the United Center, which is located in west Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks have won six Stanley Cups, making them tied for the fourth most successful NHL team alongside the Boston Bruins. 

Chicago Bulls

Sport: Basketball

League: NBA

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Stadium: United Center

Founded: 1966

Championships: 6

The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association. The team was founded in 1966 and plays in the United Center, which they share with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. The Bulls were one of the most successful basketball teams during the 1990s. The team won its first three-peat from 1990-1993, and a second three-peat with a team featuring a lineup of Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Luc Longely, and Ron Harper, led by Micheal Jordan. The team has had a massive impact on the people and city of Chicago.

Chicago Cubs

Sport: Baseball

League: MLB

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Stadium: Wrigley Field

Founded: 1870

Championships: 3

The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Chicago Cubs currently play in Wrigley Field and are one of two MLB teams based out in Chicago. The team shares a strong history dating back to its founding in 1870, when they were called the Chicago White Stockings. In recent years, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series in 2016 after coming back from a 3-1 deficit to the Cleveland Indians. The Chicago Cubs have had many references in pop culture such as featuring in the film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” 

Chicago Fire FC

Sport: Soccer

League: MLS

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Stadium: Soldier Field

Founded: 1997

Championships: 1

The Chicago Fire Football Club is a professional soccer team in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Fire were founded in 1997 as one of the MLS charter teams. The Chicago Fire currently play in Soldier Field, which they share with the Chicago Bears, but have previously played in Toyota Park. The MLS team has a strong commitment to serving the city of Chicago and is named after the Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed large portions of the city. Although the team has only been around for 26 years, Chicago Fire has grown a loyal fan base.

Chicago Red Stars

Sport: Soccer

League: NWSL

Location: Bridgeview, Illinois

Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium

Founded: 2006

Championships: 0

The Chicago Red Stars are a professional women’s soccer team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) based in Bridgeview, Illinois. The team was founded in 2006 by Arim Whisler and previously played in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). The Chicago Red Stars currently play in the SeatGeek Stadium, which has a capacity of 28,000. The Red Stars are currently devoted to growing a community in Bridgeview that brings families together and provides the next generation with access to the sport. In an attempt to reach the community, the Red Stars developed community outreach programs, such as the Red Stars Academy.

Chicago Sky

Sport: Basketball

League: WNBA

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Stadium: Wintrust Arena

Founded: 2005

Championships: 1

The Chicago Sky are a professional women’s basketball team in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded in 2005 and joined the WNBA in 2006 for their first season. The Sky were founded by Michael Alter, a Chicago native, who believed that Chicago is the best sports city in the world and needed a WNBA team. The Chicago Sky play in the Wintrust Arena, which holds a capacity of 10,000 after moving from the AllState Arena. The team created the Sky Cares Court Renovation program, which refurbishes public basketball courts in Chicago.

Chicago White Sox

Sport: Baseball

League: MLB

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Stadium: Guaranteed Rate Field

Founded: 1894

Championships: 3

The Chicago White Sox are a professional baseball team in Major League Baseball (MLB). The team was founded in 1894 in Sioux, Iowa, as a minor league organization. The White Sox then moved to Chicago in 1901 and were promoted to an American League team, winning three World Series titles since. Located in the south side of Chicago, Guaranteed Rate Field park is home to the White Sox with a capacity of 40,000. The White Sox are known for their production of talented Hall of Famers such as Frank Thomas, Luis Aparicio, and Nellie Fox.

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