Cubs Unveil “Champions Gate” to Mark 10-Year Anniversary of 2016 World Series Win

On the weekend of the ten-year anniversary of the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series triumph—the franchise’s first championship in 108 years—the team installed “Champions Gate” in front of Wrigley Field. The archway displays plaques honoring the three championship seasons in Cubs history: 1907, 1908 and 2016. A ribbon-cutting ceremony featured members of the 2016 roster and former staff, drawing a large crowd of fans and city officials.

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Former World Series MVP Ben Zobrist, team leader Anthony Rizzo, former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta and other 2016 players took part in the ceremony. Former manager Joe Maddon and Rizzo addressed the audience. Owner Tom Ricketts, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and longtime executive Epstein sat on the stage as the archway was unveiled.

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• “It's been a blast,” — Epstein

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• “It's crazy how the old feelings just come back right away. It's a special group. What they mean to each other lives on.” — Epstein

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• “I wouldn't [have] left voluntarily,” — Epstein (joking about his tenure had the curse not been broken)

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• “After we got back from Cleveland, I woke up with that same feeling, 'Oh, we did it.' But then I was like, 'Is this a dream again?' Of course, it wasn't.” — Epstein

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The installation of Champions Gate serves as a physical reminder of the Cubs’ rare championship legacy and reinforces the cultural impact of the 2016 victory on the city of Chicago. By commemorating the 1907, 1908 and 2016 titles together, the franchise links its early-20th-century successes with the modern era, fostering a sense of continuity for longtime fans while providing a new landmark for future generations visiting Wrigley Field.

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