Now, this is likely to upset the majority of our readership. When it comes to sports, Chicago is blessed with some of the biggest and most famous in the country. Most of the time, Chicagoans will support any of the local favorites against any out-of-towners (except when it comes to Cubs or White Sox, of course) – and Illinois sports betting sites will confirm that.
But which is the best team in Chicago? The Blackhawks have won six Stanley Cups – but are they really the best sports team in the city? We’ve taken a close look at all the major league sports teams in Chicago and ranked them, in our opinion, to see who comes out on top. Let the arguments begin.
5. Blackhawks, NHL
With the Chicago Sky winning the WNBA championship last year, we almost didn’t pick the Blackhawks in our top five Chicago teams at all. There hasn’t been much to shout about when it comes to hockey in recent years – but it is the history of the organization that wins out here.
The Hawks may not have made the postseason at all in the last two years – and not gotten further than the first round since 2015 – but there have been six Stanley Cup triumphs in its history. Only three other teams have managed more than that, and Chicago has lifted the trophy three times in the last 12 years.
4. White Sox, MLB
This is where we really expect there to be some debate about our rankings. Both Major League Baseball teams in Chicago have won the World Series on three occasions and represent distinct parts of the city. So it is very difficult picking one above the other.
The White Sox actually seem to have the slight upper hand this season, but its history is not quite as successful as its city rival. The postseason has been a rarity in the majority of recent seasons, so we’re naming the Chicago White Sox as the fourth-best team in the city.
3. Cubs, MLB
Happy now, Cubs fans? The playoff history for the Cubs is about as barren as for the White Sox. After a flurry of World Series triumphs near the beginning of the 20th century, it took 108 years for the Cubs to add to their two championships. There had been a sign the year before – but it was 2016 when the World Series returned to the iconic Wrigley Field.
Worryingly, there has been no postseason action at all in two of the last three years, but the recent history is just about better than the White Sox. The famous fans the Cubs tend to attract will be hoping that it won’t be as long before they can celebrate another championship.
2. Bulls, NBA
Alongside the Blackhawks, the Bulls are actually the most successful sports team in Chicago – as far as championships go. There have been, of course, a number of great players in the history of the team, but it is Michael Jordan that ensures that the Bulls rank so highly in our list.
He orchestrated the three back-to-back-to-back championships in the early 1990s and then retired. There were no more championships until he came back to the court and won three more, claiming the MVP award on each occasion. Since then, it has been a little quieter, with playoff appearances not translating to championship success.
1. Bears, NFL
For the number one team in Chicago, we’ve gone with the Bears. This is a possibly controversial decision, considering the fact that they have only ever won one Super Bowl – and that came 37 years ago. But the Bears hold a special place in the heart of any Chicagoan – and that counts for a lot for us.
Postseason action has been a little too scarce in recent years too, as Green Bay and Minnesota have beaten the Bears to the playoffs. But hope springs eternal, and we know that everyone in the city is behind the Bears to come back strong once more – one day.
Photo credit: The feature image has been done by Max Bender. The photo in the body of the article has been done by Taylor Smith.
