The MLS side announced plans to build a new soccer-specific stadium along the Chicago River
Joe Mansueto commits $650 million for world-class soccer venueStadium project anchors larger mixed-use developmentNew 22,000-seat facility ends uncertainty after years at Soldier FieldGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Chicago Fire FC unveiled plans for a new privately funded, soccer-specific stadium. Club chairman and owner Joe Mansueto said that the 22,000-seat open-air venue will be located along the Chicago River
The $650 million stadium will feature a natural grass surface with construction expected to begin by late 2025 or early 2026, targeting completion in time for the 2028 MLS season.
“A world-class city deserves a world-class football club – with a world-class home to match. We're building one," owner Mansueto said. "Our privately funded stadium is purpose-built for soccer to give our players an edge and our fans an incredible matchday experience. This development will be transformative for both the Chicago Fire FC and the city of Chicago. Our new stadium will be the anchor of this new neighborhood which will build community, create thousands of jobs, and have a significant positive economic impact."
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“Joe Mansueto isn’t just building a soccer stadium – he’s reshaping the future of soccer in Chicago,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “This is one of the most ambitious stadium projects in Major League Soccer history, and a powerful reflection of Joe’s extraordinary commitment to the Fire, the fans, and the city. I toured the site recently, and there’s no doubt that this will be a transformative moment for the club and a landmark for Chicago sports.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Fire's stadium will anchor the ambitious 62-acre development called "The 78," named to reference Chicago's 77 officially defined community areas. The mixed-use $7 billion neighborhood development will eventually include restaurants, retail spaces, office buildings, residential units, along with seven acres of green space and an extension of the Chicago Riverwalk.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
Construction on the stadium project will begin in late 2025 or early 2026 and will take at least two years, targeting completion in time for the 2028 MLS season. The Fire will continue playing at Soldier Field through at least the 2027 MLS season while development progresses.
