Chicago Fire breaks ground on stadium at The 78

The Chicago Fire FC has officially broken ground on its new $750 million privately-funded soccer stadium at The 78 in the South Loop. Club Owner and Chairman Joe Mansueto, joined by President of Business Operations Dave Baldwin, city leaders, project partners, and community stakeholders, commemorated the milestone at a ceremonial groundbreaking in the South Loop. 

“This is a historic day for Chicago Fire FC and for the city we are proud to call home,” said Joe Mansueto, Owner and Chairman of Chicago Fire FC. “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.”

Designed by Gensler, 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 engineered for atmosphere, and premium hospitality offerings that rival the best venues in global sport. 

The stadium has been designed to be authentic to Chicago, reflecting the rich industrial heritage of the city with a brick facade that incorporates steel and glass. 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.

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.

Located within The 78, developed by Related Midwest, the stadium will become the centerpiece of the megadevelopment that will eventually build out a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood around the stadium. The stadium’s riverfront location will integrate public plazas, activated outdoor spaces, and connectivity to surrounding retail and residential development.

With ground broken, construction will officially commence. Environmental remediation recently began on the site and general contractors Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group, and All Construction Group will lead the new construction. The stadium is set to open for the 2028 MLS Regular Season.