Tower crane permit issued for McDonald’s Park

A tower crane permit has been issued for Chicago Fire FC’s new $750 million privately funded soccer stadium, dubbed McDonald’s Park, at The 78 in the South Loop. Located just south of W. Roosevelt Rd along the South Branch of the Chicago River, the stadium’s address is listed as 1331 S. Wells. 

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 master planned 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 the groundbreaking ceremony celebrated back in March and a foundation piles permit and shallow foundations permit already issued, the issuance of the tower crane permit will allow general contractors Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group, and All Construction Group to place the tower crane, indicating that vertical construction will be starting soon. Work is set to complete so that the stadium will open for the 2028 MLS Regular Season.