They’re minor league in name, but these Illinois minor league sports teams are major in excitement and talent.
You probably know the names of Illinois’ major league teams in the “big four” American sports of baseball, football, ice hockey and basketball. The Cubs, Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls – they’re larger-than-life names ingrained in the minds of everyone with even a passing interest in sport.
But there’s more to sport in Illinois than just the big names. Illinois’ minor leagues serve up top quality action every season. Often, they’re the place where the big stars get their start – so grab a ticket now to see a future star of the major leagues today!
Minor League Baseball in Illinois
Illinois' minor league baseball scene features the Kane County Cougars and Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League. Even more teams represent Illinois in the Frontier League, including the Joliet Slammers, Schaumburg Boomers, and Windy City ThunderBolts. Get to know the local culture and experience some community spirit by catching a game.
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Kane County Cougars - Geneva, Illinois
The Cougars started life as the Wausau Timbers, but it's in Geneva where they've really made their name. They've won two Midwest League championships, sent 150 players to the Major Leagues, and became the first Class A Minor League Baseball team to reach a lifetime fan attendance of 10 million.
Kane County Cougars - Geneva, Illinois -
Peoria Chiefs - Peoria, Illinois
Like the Cougars, the Peoria Chiefs play in the Midwest League of Minor League Baseball. The club began as the Peoria Suns back in 1983, but the name didn’t stick for long – by the next season they were playing under the current Chiefs name. See them play at Dozer Park, Peoria.
Peoria Chiefs - Peoria, Illinois -
Gateway Grizzlies - Sauget, Illinois
The Gateway Grizzlies play in the West Division of the Frontier League, the oldest currently running independent baseball league. Since they started in 2001, they’ve had a strong record, including a Frontier League championship win in 2003 and 30 players sent to MLB affiliates.
Gateway Grizzlies - Sauget, Illinois -
Joliet Slammers - Joliet, Illinois
The Joliet Slammers play in the East Division of the Frontier League. They took over from the former Joliet JackHammers back in 2011, and since then have won two Frontier League championships. And yes, the name is indeed a reference to that famous landmark, Joliet Prison.
Joliet Slammers - Joliet, Illinois -
Schaumburg Boomers - Schaumburg, Illinois
The Boomers are one of the most successful teams in the Frontier League, championship winners in four of the eleven seasons they’ve played. The Boomers are named in honor of the greater prairie chicken, which performs a mating dance known as "booming" - which mascot Coop the Boomer has mastered.
Schaumburg Boomers - Schaumburg, Illinois -
Southern Illinois Miners - Marion, Illinois
The Miners, named for the Southern Illinois region’s history of coal mining, play in the West Division of the Frontier League. The Miners began in 2007 as Marion's second-ever professional baseball team, following the two-season Marion Indians in 1947-1948.
Southern Illinois Miners - Marion, Illinois -
Windy City ThunderBolts - Crestwood, Illinois
The ThunderBolts are one of the oldest teams in the Frontier League. But it was some path getting here. They started out in the former North Central League as the Will County Claws, before joining the Heartland League as the Will County Cheetahs and then the Cook County Cheetahs.
Windy City ThunderBolts - Crestwood, Illinois -
Chicago Dogs - Rosemont, Illinois
The Chicago Dogs are Illinois’ newest professional baseball team, joining the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball in 2018 with a vision of “the best ballpark experience in America.” The name isn’t canine in nature – it’s named for the famous Chicago street food.
Chicago Dogs - Rosemont, Illinois
Minor League Hockey in Illinois
Illinois has a strong minor league hockey presence, with teams in both the American Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League. The Chicago Wolves and Rockford Icehogs play in the former, feeding directly into the NHL. In the latter, there's the Peoria Rivermen and Quad City Storm, delivering high-energy hockey action into each of their regions.
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Chicago Wolves - Rosemont, Illinois
The Wolves are one of minor league hockey’s most successful teams. They’ve posted a winning record every one of their 29 seasons, gone to playoffs 24 times and won five championships. They're also well-known for their community involvement, and their pre-game pyrotechnics.
Chicago Wolves - Rosemont, Illinois -
Rockford IceHogs - Rockford, Illinois
The Rockford IceHogs are part of the American Hockey League, often facing off against the Wolves. The team came to Rockford via Baltimore and Cincinnati, taking over from a different team of the same name in 2007. They’re an affiliate team of fellow Chicago-area team, the NHL's Blackhawks.
Rockford IceHogs - Rockford, Illinois -
Peoria Rivermen - Peoria, Illinois
The former Peoria Rivermen moved to Utica, New York in 2013. That left Peoria without a pro hockey team. The former owner and two former execs of that team thought that just wouldn’t do – so they quickly formed a new team under the same name, joining the Southern Professional Hockey League.
Peoria Rivermen - Peoria, Illinois -
Quad City Storm - Moline, Illinois
The Quad City Storm is Illinois’ newest professional hockey team, starting up in the 2018-2019 season. Like the Rivermen, they play in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
Quad City Storm - Moline, Illinois
Other Minor League Teams in Illinois
Indoor Football: Quad City Steamwheelers - Moline, Illinois
The Quad City Steamwheelers started off with the Champions Indoor Football league in 2018. Though this team is still relatively new, the name should be familiar to area fans: they’re named after a Quad Cities team of the same name which played arena football between 2000 and 2009.
Soccer: Chicago Fire FC II - Bridgeview, Illinois
Chicago Fire FC II are the reserve team for Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire FC. They kicked off in 2022 in MLS Next Pro, providing a platform for emerging soccer talents to showcase their skills, and for soccer fans to get another fix. Catch the future stars in action at SeatGeek Stadium!
Basketball: Windy City Bulls - Hoffman Estates, Illinois
The Windy City Bulls play in the NBA G League, as the affiliate of Chicago’s NBA team Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Bulls also own and operate the team.
Ultimate Frisbee: Chicago Union - Evanston, Illinois
Chicago Union compete in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA)™ Central Division, calling Northwestern University's Martin Stadium home. Since starting in 2013, they've made the Division playoffs seven out of ten seasons, winning in 2013, 2021, and 2022.
Lloyd Hopkins Field
Alton
"The Hop" is the home of the Alton River Dragons, a Prospect League team, who had their inaugural season in 2021.
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Decatur Blaze Hockey
Decatur
The Decatur Blaze is a proud member of the USPHL - a Junior A league - and plays out of the Decatur Civic Center.
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The Chicago Dogs
Rosemont
Enjoy great baseball and entertainment all season long at our world-class ballpark, Impact Field.
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Peoria Rivermen Hockey
Peoria
The Peoria Rivermen is a minor league hockey club.
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Kane County Cougars
Geneva
This 50-acre forest preserve houses the Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium (home of the Kane County Cougars minor league baseball team).
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Schaumburg Boomers Baseball
Schaumburg
Minor league baseball. Promotional giveaway nights. Fireworks at Friday and Saturday night home games.
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Kane County Cougars Baseball at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark
Geneva
Minor league, Class A, Chicago Cubs affiliate. Games and events April-Sept. 14,000 seats, parking for 10,000. Easy access from I-88. Perfect for concerts, corporate outings and…
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The Corn Crib
Normal
The state-of-the-art Corn Crib Stadium is home to the Normal CornBelters and Heartland Community College athletic teams.
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Windy City ThunderBolts
Crestwood
The Windy City ThunderBolts are a professional minor league baseball team located in Crestwood, Illinois.
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Joliet Slammers
Joliet
The Slammers are dedicated to bringing fans major league entertainment at minor league prices.
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Peoria Chiefs Baseball Team
Peoria
The Peoria Chiefs are the St. Louis Cardinals Single A Affiliate in Peoria.
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Quad City Storm
Moline
Catch the excitement as The Quad City Storm, an SPHL Hockey team, takes to the ice.
Read more about Quad City Storm