Winnemac Stadium
West grandstand exterior as seen in 2026 | |
Full name | Jorndt Field at Winnemac Stadium |
|---|---|
| Address | 5105 North Leavitt Street Chicago, Illinois United States |
| Owner | Chicago Public Schools |
| Operator | Chicago Public Schools |
| Capacity | 4,500 |
| Type | Stadium |
Current use | Soccer Rugby |
| Public transit | Brown Damen and Western 49, 49B, 50, 80, 92 UPN at Ravenswood |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1930s |
| Renovated | 2004 |
| Tenants | |
| |
Winnemac Stadium is a stadium located inside Winnemac Park in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the seven stadiums operated by Chicago Public Schools, which play host to Chicago Public League sporting events.[1] As of 2022, it was holding approximately 1,000 games each year.[2] Winnemac Stadium was constructed in the 1930s. Like the park, its takes its name from the Potawatomi chief name "Winamac". Since 2004, its sports turf has been named "Jorndt Field", after teacher Louis C. Jorndt.[1]
The stadium's grandstand is brick-clad, and has a seating capacity of 4,500.[3]
Overview
Many soccer teams have called the venue "home" over its history.[4] In the 1940s and 1950s, the Chicago Maroons and Chicago Vikings of the North American Professional Soccer League were tenants of the stadium.[4][5] Edgewater Castle FC of USL League Two and USL W League began playing their home games at the venue for their men's and women's teams' 2026 seasons.[4]
The stadium was the venue for the finals of the 1956 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup).[6][7] On July 11, 2005, the Croatian national U21 team played a friendly at the stadium against the Chicago Fire of the MLS.[4]
In 1967, the venue was one of several Chicago stadiums used as a home venue by Chicago Circle Chikas football, with a game against Illinois State being played at the stadium.[8]
The stadium was renovated in 2004 and renamed Jorndt Field after Louis C. Jorndt, who taught and coached at Amundsen High School (a high school located inside Winnemac Park) from 1930 until 1953. His son Dan and his wife Pat donated $1 million for the renovation.[9]
Football scenes for the movie The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, a film about the life of Ernie Davis that was released in 2008.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Facilities". Chicago Public Schools (IL). Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Sabino, Pascal (July 27, 2022). "Knute Rockne Stadium Won't Be Ready For Fall Sports After Renovation Delayed By Work Stoppage At Illinois Quarries". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ Bailey, Ryan (November 10, 2025). "Edgewater Castle FC Announces 2026 Entry Into USL League Two and USL W League". Edgewater Castle FC. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ a b c d Mullins, Gareth (December 3, 2025). "Edgewater Castle FC Announces Winnemac Stadium For 2026". Edgewater Castle FC. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Maroons — Kicking Back". Protagonist Soccer. April 17, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ "Kings of The Cup". MIR97 Media. April 24, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ Wangerin, David (2006). "Soccer In a Football World; The Story of America's Forgotten Game" (PDF). p. 103. ISBN 978-1-59213-885-2. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- "Chicago Circle tickets on sale". The Daily Herald. September 17, 1967. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Kindt, Bill (October 1, 1967). "Redbirds escape, 16–14". The Pantagraph. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Amundsen High School Alumnus and Spouse Announce $1 Million Dollar Donation Archived October 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The Express". It's Filmed There. December 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2026.