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Chicago Fire Break Ground on $750 Million South Loop Soccer Stadium
New stadium will transform the city's sports landscape and catalyze development of The 78 neighborhood.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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The Chicago Fire hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for their privately funded $750 million soccer stadium on a vacant former rail yard in the South Loop. The 22,000-seat open-air stadium is slated to open by the 2028 season and will be the most expensive in MLS. The stadium is part of The 78, a long-planned $8 billion mixed-use development that has struggled to get off the ground, and is seen as a catalyst for the project.
Why it matters
The new Fire stadium is a major milestone for the team, which has been an 'itinerant franchise' for much of its nearly three-decade history, and will give the club more control over its schedule and operations. It also represents a transformational development for the city of Chicago, providing a new pro sports venue and helping to kickstart the long-stalled The 78 megaproject.
The details
The stadium will feature a natural grass pitch, 50 luxury suites, intimate seating, and a canopied roof. It is being designed by architectural firm Gensler. The Fire will play at Soldier Field for two more seasons before moving into the new stadium in 2028. The team's owner, Joe Mansueto, negotiated a $65.5 million lease buyout with Bridgeview to allow the move back to the city.
- The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 4, 2026.
- The new stadium is slated to open by the 2028 season.
- The Fire will play at Soldier Field for two more seasons before moving into the new stadium.
The players
Joe Mansueto
The owner of the Chicago Fire and founder and executive chairman of Morningstar, an investment research firm.
Don Garber
The commissioner of Major League Soccer, who has overseen the league's expansion to 30 teams and the opening of new soccer stadiums across the country.
Curt Bailey
The president of Related Midwest, the developer behind The 78 mixed-use megaproject where the new Fire stadium will be located.
Brandon Johnson
The mayor of Chicago, who called the groundbreaking a 'transformational day' for the city.
What they’re saying
“There are few things that unite a city like a professional sports team. We look forward to getting this stadium up, bringing Chicago together, jump-starting a whole new neighborhood in Chicago.”
— Joe Mansueto, Owner, Chicago Fire (Chicago Tribune)
“What league can be viable without having homes that are cathedrals for the sport?”
— Don Garber, Commissioner, Major League Soccer (Chicago Tribune)
“Today is a huge step forward for our club, gigantic step forward in having our own stadium, and it's a whole mindset shift as we move from a tenant to an owner. We'll be able to control our own schedule.”
— Joe Mansueto, Owner, Chicago Fire (Chicago Tribune)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
The new Chicago Fire stadium represents a transformational development for the city, providing a new pro sports venue and catalyzing the long-stalled The 78 megaproject. It marks a major milestone for the team, which will have more control over its operations and schedule, and could help grow the sport's popularity in Chicago.
