American professional soccer club Chicago Fire Football Club (FC) has commenced construction on a new privately funded football stadium located at The 78 in Chicago’s South Loop.
The club is investing $750m in the facility, making it the first major professional stadium developed in the city in over 30 years.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Representatives from Chicago Fire FC, including owner Joe Mansueto and president Dave Baldwin, attended a groundbreaking event alongside city officials, development partners and community members.
Mansueto said: “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.”
The stadium, designed by Gensler, will accommodate over 22,000 spectators and feature a grass playing surface as well as a dedicated section for supporters.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataPlanners expect the venue to host not only football matches but also concerts, international sporting events and community activities throughout the year.
The site sits on the Chicago River within The 78 development and aims to provide public plazas and outdoor spaces with access to nearby retail and residential areas.
Chicago Fire FC expects to open the stadium in time for the 2028 Major League Soccer season.
Baldwin said: “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 centre. Today is proof that we are delivering on that promise.”
The project forms part of a broader investment plan initiated by Mansueto following his full acquisition of the club in 2019.
Since then, total investment surpasses $1bn and includes projects such as the Endeavor Health Performance Center and an expanded academy programme.
The Endeavor Health Performance Center, which opened in 2025, houses training facilities for both senior and academy teams.
Additionally, the club moved its business operations to Chicago’s Wrigley Building and launched the Dear Chicago Experience Center to showcase future plans for fans and partners.
Development of the new stadium involves collaboration among several firms: Related Midwest leads as master developer; Gensler provides architectural expertise; and Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group and All Construction Group manage construction.
