Fire Break Ground on New $750M Stadium, Aiming to Ignite Chicago Soccer

The privately funded facility is the first new stadium built specifically for a major professional team in Chicago since 1994.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Chicago Fire have broken ground on a new $750 million privately funded stadium expected to open in late summer 2028. The facility will be the first new stadium constructed specifically for a major professional team in Chicago since the United Center opened in 1994. Fire owner Joe Mansueto said the stadium is "a statement of ambition" and about "believing in the city of Chicago." The Fire's new home could help spark interest in the sport in a city with a strong soccer history but an underperforming MLS franchise in recent years.

Why it matters

The Fire's new stadium represents a significant investment in Chicago's sports landscape, which has seen stadium intrigue around other teams like the White Sox and Bears in recent years. The new facility could help the Fire reconnect with the city's passionate soccer fans and boost the team's profile in MLS after years of struggles.

The details

The $750 million privately funded stadium is expected to open in late summer 2028 and will be located in The 78 development. It will be the first new stadium built specifically for a major professional team in Chicago since the United Center opened in 1994. Fire owner Joe Mansueto said the stadium is "a statement of ambition" and about "believing in the city of Chicago." The Fire previously played at a soccer-specific stadium in suburban Bridgeview, but attendance declined and the team moved back to Soldier Field in 2019, which was seen as a temporary solution.

  • The Fire broke ground on the new stadium on March 3, 2026.
  • The new stadium is expected to open in late summer 2028.

The players

Joe Mansueto

The owner and chairman of the Chicago Fire.

Don Garber

The commissioner of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Jerry Reinsdorf

The owner of the Chicago White Sox.

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“This isn't just a stadium, it's a statement of ambition. It's about pride. It's about believing in the city of Chicago.”

— Joe Mansueto, Fire owner and chairman (suntimes.com)

“The Chicago Fire have had a small but rabid fan base, particularly among their supporters, and they've been missing something. [Mansueto] mentioned it when he talked about his vision. He believes in the city, he believes in this team, believes in the sport, and believes that if he can deliver a best-in-class, world-class soccer stadium, it'll connect all the dots and give this city what it is that I think they want.”

— Don Garber, MLS commissioner (suntimes.com)

What’s next

The new stadium is expected to open in late summer 2028, marking a significant milestone for the Chicago Fire and the city's sports landscape.

The takeaway

The Fire's new $750 million privately funded stadium represents a major investment in Chicago's sports infrastructure and a potential turning point for the underperforming MLS franchise. The state-of-the-art facility could help the team reconnect with the city's passionate soccer fans and raise the profile of the sport in a city with a rich soccer history.