Chicago Fire FC Reveals Details For Privately Funded Stadium

The new stadium will seat approximately 22,000 fans, striking a balance between an electric, high-demand atmosphere and a world-class matchday experience. It was designed by Gensler in “Chicago School” fashion with the enduring elegance of the warehouses that represent the city’s grit and hard work. From sweeping riverfront views to open public plazas, every element of the stadium design is being thoughtfully considered to honor Chicago’s classic and historic identity while igniting an exciting modern era for the Club and its supporters.

“I love this city and its architecture,” said Joe Mansueto. “This stadium is adding to Chicago’s iconic skyline, so I want it to look timeless. It will look like it’s always belonged here, but with the modern innovations required for a world-class soccer club.”

The brick, steel, and glass facade will wrap an interior designed to deliver unmatched comfort, style, and service, reimagining what it means to not only experience a Fire match in Chicago, but to experience a soccer match in the United States.

The bowl is designed to prioritize the match viewing experience with seating positions that are dramatically lower and closer to the action. The stadium will feature a variety of best-in-class hospitality spaces, amenities, and premium seating options across multiple tiers with 50 suites, more than 500 Loge seats, and 3,500 Club seats, including some with access to exclusive clubs-within-clubs. An exposed steel canopy over the seating bowl will help enhance the intimacy of Fire matches by directing light and crowd noise back to the pitch, creating an environment that will enhance the Fire’s home-field advantage.

A dedicated supporter section will be built at the core of the stadium for the most passionate fans in the league. The section is purpose-built to be loud with room for approximately 2,000 die-hard fans on safe-standing bleachers.

“We are creating a fortress for our team and a home for our fans,” said Dave Baldwin, Chicago Fire FC President of Business Operations. “The open-air stadium with grass playing surface and intimate environment is intentional to give our team an edge and bring our supporters even closer to the team they love.”

The club is now accepting deposits for season ticket memberships at the new stadium at DearChicago.com. Additional details regarding the selection process will be released soon. Current Season Ticket Members will receive priority and the best way to put yourself in a position to secure seats in the new venue is by becoming a Member today.

In addition to Fire matches, the Club is excited for this stadium to be a true community asset. It can host a variety of other sports and entertainment events, such as international soccer matches, rugby matches, concerts, festivals, live performances, fundraisers and charity events, trade shows, corporate events, conferences, community events, and much more.

“The vision for the Chicago Fire FC stadium was set during our interview with the team — to exemplify “MLS 3.0″ and establish a new standard for the fan and hospitality experience,” said Kirk Funkhouser, Principal-in-Charge, Gensler. “We design every space with an eye toward elevating the match day experience and look forward to delivering an exceptional venue that Chicagoans, players, coaches, and staff will enjoy for years to come.” 

The stadium will serve as a catalyst for the first phase of The 78, whose 62-acre master plan was also designed by Gensler. Drawing its name from Related Midwest’s vision of creating Chicago’s 78th neighborhood, the walkable, pedestrian-oriented campus will create a dynamic, 24/7 district with new residential and commercial buildings, a half-mile riverwalk, and a network of interconnected community spaces that support year-round programming. The initial phase will include restaurants, storefronts, and a range of complementary spaces that serve as a vibrant extension of the fan experience.

“With this stadium, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to catalyze investment that transcends The 78, benefiting area residents while drawing visitors to this vast expanse of downtown riverfront,” said Curt Bailey, president of Related Midwest. “Our plan gives us the flexibility to consider every aspect of the fan experience – not only before, during, and after matches, but throughout the year.”

Construction at The 78 is anticipated to begin by the beginning of 2026, and the new stadium is expected to open in 2028. The stadium will create thousands of jobs, both during and after construction, and will also generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city of Chicago.

This month, Major League Soccer (“MLS”) Commissioner Don Garber added, “Joe Mansueto isn’t just building a soccer stadium–he’s reshaping the future of soccer in Chicago. 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.”

Download renderings of the stadium here.

About Chicago Fire FC
The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Club began play in 1998 as one of the League’s first expansion franchises. The Fire have won six major domestic titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup; the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups; as well as the 2003 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Chicago Fire FC’s affiliate team, Chicago Fire II, plays in MLS NEXT Pro, a professional league that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT, the youth academy programs, through to MLS. The Chicago Fire Academy currently features five teams ranging from U-13 to U-18. The Club’s charitable arm, the Chicago Fire Foundation, was recognized as ESPN’s 2019 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, and has made significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout Chicagoland, providing over $10 million back to the community. The Fire train at the Endeavor Health Performance Center, a $100M state-of-the art-facility, and play their home matches at historic Soldier Field. For more information, visit chicagofirefc.com.

About Gensler
At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design.

Gensler is the designer of Q2 Stadium, home of Austin FC, and BMO Stadium, home of LAFC, and BMO Field, home of Toronto FC.

About Related Midwest
Related Midwest, the Chicago office of Related Companies, is the preeminent developer of mixed-use properties, affordable housing communities, and luxury condominium and rental homes across Chicago. The company commands a portfolio of residential, mixed-use and master-planned properties, including pioneering projects like The 78, a transformational 62-acre development in the heart of downtown Chicago envisioned as the city’s next great neighborhood, and 8080 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, a 400-acre innovation campus in the South Chicago neighborhood anchored by the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park. Related Midwest is also the largest developer of affordable housing in the Midwest, with more than 10,000 units, and has never converted an affordable unit to market-rate.

For more than 30 years, Related Midwest has been an industry leader in community commitment and routinely leads the industry in establishing progressive standards for its business ecosystem. The company is deeply committed to improving neighborhoods, creating sustainable opportunities for small businesses and community residents, and building inspirational places and homes for all. Related Midwest’s business model is built on partnership with community-based firms as well as mentorship of small and emerging businesses as they launch and grow. The firm is a founding partner in HIRE360, a first-of-its-kind organization designed to expand professional development and employment opportunities in the trades.

About The 78
One of the largest and most ambitious real estate developments in Chicago history, The 78 will transform 62 acres of undeveloped riverfront land into downtown’s most vibrant mixed-use community. The 78’s walkable campus will create a dynamic, 24/7 experience for residents and visitors, with new homes, commercial buildings, outdoor recreational spaces including a half-mile riverfront promenade and cultural, entertainment and sports venues, including a soccer-specific stadium for Chicago Fire FC.

SOURCE Chicago Fire FC