The National Stage: 1926-1970
From Dempsey vs. Tunney's 'Long Count' to FDR's Army-Navy address, Soldier Field became America's arena. Notre Dame played here. Civil rights leaders spoke from its platforms.
By Editorial Team · 2025-12-02
America Finds Its Arena
By the late 1920s, Soldier Field had become something more than a Chicago landmark. It was America's arena—a stage big enough for the biggest moments in sports and public life.
The stadium could hold 100,000 people. When they all showed up, the roar carried across the lake.
The Fight That Changed Boxing
September 22, 1927. Jack Dempsey versus Gene Tunney for the heavyweight championship of the world. 104,943 fans packed Soldier Field—the largest crowd in boxing history.
In the seventh round, Dempsey landed a combination that dropped Tunney to the canvas. The referee started to count. Then he stopped. Dempsey hadn't retreated to a neutral corner. By the time the count resumed, Tunney had recovered. He went on to win by decision.
The 'Long Count' fight became one of the most debated moments in sports history. Dempsey fans still argue he was robbed. Tunney supporters say rules are rules. Either way, Soldier Field had hosted something unforgettable.
104,943 — Fans at the Long Count fight
A Stadium Goes to War
When World War II began, Soldier Field returned to its original purpose. The stadium named for soldiers now served them directly.
War bond rallies filled the seats. Military ceremonies honored those serving overseas. In 1944, the field itself was used for training exercises—young men learning formations before shipping out to Europe and the Pacific.
FDR addressed troops here. The Army-Navy game drew 70,000 in 1944, a moment of normalcy in the middle of a global conflict.
The Postwar Years
After the war, Soldier Field continued as Chicago's gathering place. Ski jumping competitions in winter. Soccer matches in summer. College football whenever the big programs came to town.
The Bears were still playing at Wrigley Field, but Soldier Field kept calling them south for special events. The College All-Star Game—NFL champions versus the best college players—became an annual tradition starting in 1937. For decades, it was one of the marquee events in American football.
By the 1960s, the stadium was showing its age. But it had earned its place. Three decades of championships, speeches, and spectacles had made Soldier Field part of the city's identity.