The Most Popular Sports Teams in Chicago
The city of Chicago is home to some of the most popular sports teams in the world. There are only ten cities across the United States that have sports teams in all five professional sports, including basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball, and football, and Chicago is one of them. It’s a city that is recognised as the Best Sports City in 2010, 2006, and in 1993. Chicago almost played host to the 2016 Summer Olympics but lost out towards the end against Rio de Janeiro. However, it; did play host to several other sporting events, including the Special Olympics Summer World Games in both 1970 and 1968, the Pan American Games during 1959, and the Gay Games in 2006 as well as the 2017 Warrior Games.
Chicago Red Stars
Chicago is represented in the Women’s Soccer League by the famous Chicago Red Stars that was initially established in 2006. The soccer team played at the prestigious Toyota Park and used to be part of the Women’s Professional Soccer organisation before it was defuncted. The Red Stars were the founding members of the WPS, playing from 2009 through to 2010. During their final year in the WPS, they decided to quit due to financial issues. Thankfully, in 2013, the team decided to join the NWSL.
Chicago Sky
This is a professional basketball team within the city of Chicago and participates in the Women’s National Basketball Association. The group was initially formed in 2005 and competed in the 2006 season. Even though they play in the same city as the Chicago Bulls, there are in no way affiliated with each other. In 2013, the team won their first playoff spot and reached their first finals in 2014.
Chicago Fire
Soccer might not be as developed as other sports in the country, but Chicago has a soccer team nonetheless called the Chicago Fire. The soccer team has managed to win one MLS trophy in its existence and boasts with 4 US Open trophies since it formed part of the MLS back in 1998. The Chicago Fire home matches are enjoyed at Toyota Park.
Chicago Blackhawks
When it comes to professional ice hockey, there’s only one team that everyone known from this city and they are the Chicago Blackhawks. This team formed part of the Original Six side and managed to win the Stanley Cup on several occasions, including 2015, 2013, 2010, 1961, 1938, and 1934.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls formed part of the Eastern Conference Division with the NBA and was initially established back in 1966. The team has been led by some of the most popular basketball players in the world, including Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan. Both these legends assisted in the team obtaining six championships in a total of two three-peats. They managed to repeat this incredible feat from 1996 to 1998. In 2005, a new generation of the Bulls was created called the Baby Bulls that defeated the Miami Heat back in 2007.