Soldier Field’s major modern renovation took place in the early 2000s and the revamped stadium officially reopened on September 29, 2003.

Key renovation dates

  • Planning for a full rebuild and expansion was announced in 2000 as part of a broader lakefront improvement plan.
  • Demolition of most of the old stadium structure, while preserving the exterior colonnades, began in January 2002.
  • The renovated Soldier Field reopened for NFL games on September 29, 2003, when the Chicago Bears played their first game in the new facility against the Green Bay Packers.

What changed in the renovation

  • The project created a new 61,500‑seat, state‑of‑the‑art facility inside the preserved historic shell, adding modern seating, suites, and upgraded amenities.
  • The renovation combined the original colonnades with new glass-and-steel and elliptical seating structures, giving the stadium its distinctive contemporary look.

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