Soldier Field Foundation

Enhancing Soldier Field’s legacy by honoring Veterans, inspiring the public, and driving sustainable economic impact for Chicago

The Soldier Field Foundation

Mission

The Soldier Field Foundation is a private, non-profit 501 (c)3 organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Soldier Field’s legacy. It advocates for inclusive, multi-use access and innovative programming that inspires and engages. The Foundation champions a vibrant monument that honors Veterans and drives sustainable economic impact for the Chicago Park District, Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois.

Vision

In partnership with the Chicago Park District, military and Veterans organizations, Museum Campus institutions, and cultural, sports and community allies, the Foundation will provide guidance and resources to sustain fiscal and civic vitality—ensuring a living memorial legacy for the City of Chicago and every person who has ever worn a uniform in service of the United States of America. The Foundation will bring history to life to speak to the present.

Chicago Needs a Municipal Stadium

After the end of the leases for the Bears and Fire, Soldier Field will be available to host some of the events that now shut down Grant Park and our downtown streets, extending the stadium’s concert season through October. Soldier Field can also host professional, semi-professional, collegiate, and Chicago & Cook County Public School events, including football, soccer, rugby, track, and lacrosse. These and other inspirational events will bring the public back into Soldier Field.

Soldier Field's Existing Monuments & Our Veterans Need to be Honored

There are already a dozen beautiful memorials in and around Soldier Field, and its interior spaces provide the opportunity to create state-of-the art virtual exhibits and interpretative plaques to enhance the memorial aspects of the stadium. These exhibits will honor Veterans and celebrate the history of Soldier Field and the diverse events held within it over the past 100+ years. Enhanced reality can bring memorials to life, while not interfering with circulation during events.

The Gold Star Mothers Deserve a Memorial to Celebrate their Sacrifices and Service

Soldier Field was originally named Grant Park Municipal Stadium, but mothers and fathers whose sons had given their lives in service to our country in World War I convinced Chicago leaders to dedicate it to them, and it was renamed Soldier Field on Armistice Day in 1925. From 1925 through today, many Gold Star Mothers follow in the tradition of Grace Darling Seibold, living their lives dedicated to service of the veterans who do come home and need their help.

PERSPECTIVE

Soldier Field & Roman Colosseum

Soldier Field and the Roman Colosseum share striking similarities: both were built after a Great War, atop the ashes of a Great Fire, and sit near their city centers. Each originally allowed their fields to be flooded to host mock naval battles. The Colosseum was rebuilt repeatedly from 80 AD to 523 AD and held roughly 50,000–87,000 spectators. It was one of the first free-standing stadiums on a nearly flat site with numbered ground-level entrances—80 in its era versus Soldier Field’s 44 today. Roman emperors and senators recognized this municipal stadium’s civic value and repeatedly restored it while their civilization endured. Today, the Colosseum Archeological Park is still renovating and opening new areas to visitors and concert-goers.

NEWS

Announcing Soldier Field Foundation

"Soldier Field Foundation (SFF) announces its establishment on Veterans Day 2025 to honor the 100th anniversary of the City of Chicago's renaming of the former Grant Park Municipal Stadium to SOLDIER FIELD, at the request of the Gold Star Mothers and Fathers in honor of their sons who gave their lives for our country in the Great War. Since that Day, Soldier Field stands as a memorial to all those who have worn a uniform for America."