When Did The NFL Cardinals Move to Arizona?
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The NFL Cardinals first moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1960. Then, in 1988, the team moved to Tempe, Arizona.
The Cardinals’ Origins in Chicago
The Chicago Cardinals, today known as the Arizona Cardinals, are the oldest surviving professional football team in the United States. The Cardinals were founded in 1898 as an amateur football team and became a charter member of the NFL in 1920. The Cardinals played their home games at Comiskey Park from 1920 to 1959 before moving to St. Louis, Missouri. In 1988, the team relocated to Tempe, Arizona, where they have been based ever since.
The Cardinals have won two NFL championships (in 1925 and 1947) and one Super Bowl (in 2009). The franchise has also produced a number of Pro Football Hall of Famers, including wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who is currently the team’s all-time leading receiver.
The Cardinals’ Move to St. Louis
The Cardinals began play in Chicago in 1898, then became the Racine Normals when they were based in Racine, Wisconsin from 1899 to 1900. They were then based in Chicago from 1901 to 1959. In their early years in Chicago, the Cardinals were a founding member of the NFL.
The Cardinals moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1960. They played their home games at Busch Stadium II from 1960 to 2005. The Cardinals moved to their current home, University of Phoenix Stadium, in 2006.
The Cardinals’ Move to Arizona
In 1959, the Cardinals were one of three teams that relocated, along with the Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cardinals moved from Chicago to St. Louis, Missouri, while the Bears moved from Decatur, Illinois to Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago. The Steelers made the biggest move, going from Pittsburgh to Philadephia.
The Cardinals’ Success in Arizona
The Cardinals have been successful since moving to Arizona, winning two NFC Championships and appearing in Super Bowl XLIII. They have also won five division titles, most recently in 2015.
The team’s new home stadium, University of Phoenix Stadium, opened in 2006 and has hosted two Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.
