A Sporting Life – Sporting Events in Chicago

No matter what month or season of the year Chicago is bound to have a sporting event taking place. It is only one of four US cities to have a professional team for baseball, football, basketball, ice hockey and soccer. The city’s credentials as an outstanding sporting city has been confirmed by it being named the best sporting city in the US by Sporting News in 1993, 2006 and 2010. The city’s 23 active professional sport teams and world class sports facilities is more than enough to identify Chicago as a key sporting destination. While the big five are the ones that attract the most fans, horse racing, roller derby, rugby, soccer, softball, and wrestling are some of the other sports that are attracting fans in the Chicago sports scene.

With many professional sports teams operating in the city there are hundreds of professional, junior and amateur games that take place throughout the year in baseball, basketball and ice hockey. In major league baseball, Chicago is one of the four metro areas in the US that has two major league teams. These are the Chicago Cubs of the National Field whose home base is Wrigley Field Stadium and the Chicago White Sox of the American League whose home base is the US Cellular Field Stadium. Among the many teams in the men’s football league is the Chicago Bears of the National Football League, one of the oldest teams in the country. They play all their home games at the iconic Soldier Field stadium. In basketball the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association are a famous professional team that once fielded internationally famous players of the caliber of Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman. In ice hockey the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, the city’s professional ice hockey team is the one to beat. With so many well known teams calling the metropolis home there is certainly no dearth of sporting events in the city.

The Chicago Marathon to be held in October 2012 is another important annual sporting event that attracts thousands of spectators, a large television audience and runners from around the US and 100 other countries. Open to all age groups, participants in the various events range from 16 to 80 plus years.

Horse racing has been a part of Chicago’s social scene since the mid 19th century. Currently the city has four race tracks for thoroughbred racing. While two of the venues are seasonal, racing takes place at the other two venues throughout the year.

Although it’s the men’s sports team that get all the publicity Chicago has quite a collection of women’s teams and if some sports commentators are to be believed they are as good and even better than some of the men’s teams. A women’s professional softball fast pitch team and the flat track roller derby skating team known as the Windy City Rollers are the teams to look out for. Their games played throughout the year attract quite a number of fans.

Well if you are in the city anytime soon remember that there is always some sporting event that is bound to catch your fancy.

Located in the best part of the city referred to as the Golden Mile, The Peninsula Chicago, according to most guest opinions, is one of the best hotels in the city. Delivering exceptional service and with excellent well maintained facilities and amenities this Chicago five star hotel has received the Mobil Five Star and several AAA Five Diamond awards in recognition since its opening in 2001. Stay at this Chicago hotel downtown to experience well appointed luxurious modern guest rooms and suites, a sophisticated ambience, award winning food and beverage destinations, pampering spa treatments and most of all perfect service, the hallmark of the Peninsula brand.

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