Chicago Fire FC Breaks Ground on New $750M Stadium

The privately-funded soccer stadium will be a centerpiece of the South Loop's The 78 development.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Chicago Fire FC officially broke ground on a new $750 million privately-funded soccer stadium in the South Loop, marking a defining moment for the Club and a transformative investment in the future of Chicago. The open-air stadium will seat more than 22,000 fans and feature a natural grass playing surface, 360-degree viewing, a dedicated supporters' section, and premium hospitality offerings.

Why it matters

The stadium project represents a major commitment by Fire FC owner Joe Mansueto to invest in the long-term future of the team and the city of Chicago. The venue will serve as a catalyst for continued economic development and job opportunities in the South Loop, integrating with the broader mixed-use The 78 neighborhood.

The details

Designed by Gensler, the stadium will be located along the Chicago River at The 78 development. In addition to serving as the permanent home of Chicago Fire FC, the venue will host concerts, international sports matches, community events, and other large-scale programming year-round. The stadium is expected to open ahead of the 2028 MLS season, becoming the first major professional stadium built in Chicago in more than 30 years.

  • Chicago Fire FC officially broke ground on the new stadium on March 3, 2026.
  • The stadium is expected to open ahead of the 2028 MLS season.

The players

Joe Mansueto

Owner and Chairman of Chicago Fire FC, who has committed over $1 billion toward the long-term transformation of the Club.

Dave Baldwin

President of Business Operations for Chicago Fire FC, overseeing the stadium project.

Related Midwest

The master developer of The 78, the mixed-use neighborhood where the new stadium will be located.

Gensler

The lead architect for the new stadium design.

Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group, and All Construction Group

The three-way construction partnership responsible for building the new stadium.

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What they’re saying

“This is a historic day for Chicago Fire FC and for the city we are proud to call home. This stadium is about investing in Chicago and creating a world-class home for our fans, players, and community. We are fully committed to delivering a venue that reflects the passion of the city and the ambition of this Club.”

— Joe Mansueto, Owner and Chairman of Chicago Fire FC (businessinsider.com)

“This groundbreaking represents years of vision, planning, and partnership. From day one, our goal has been to create one of the best sports and entertainment experiences in North America – one that is authentic to Chicago and designed with our fans at the center. Today is proof that we are delivering on that promise.”

— Dave Baldwin, President of Business Operations for Chicago Fire FC (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

The stadium is expected to open ahead of the 2028 MLS season.

The takeaway

This stadium project represents a major long-term investment by Chicago Fire FC's owner in the team and the city, signaling the club's commitment to building a world-class soccer organization and creating a premier sports and entertainment destination for Chicago.