Chicago Fire FC to Build $650M Soccer Stadium in South Loop as Club Seeks Permanent Home by 2028

Chicago Fire FC has unveiled plans to build a privately funded, soccer-specific stadium on a long-vacant 62-acre stretch known as The 78, aiming for completion by the start of the 2028 MLS season. The new $650 million open-air venue will seat 22,000 fans and anchor a broader mixed-use development along the Chicago River just south of Roosevelt Road.

Fire owner Joe Mansueto, the billionaire founder of Morningstar, will finance the stadium entirely out of pocket, a rarity in a city where sports teams often pursue public subsidies. However, the site still requires significant infrastructure work—relocating train tracks, repairing seawalls, and extending utilities—costs that may be offset by an existing $450 million tax-increment financing district.

“This is more than a stadium,” said Mansueto. “It’s an investment in Chicago, in the Fire, and in the community. We want to build something iconic that brings people together and gives the team a real home advantage.”

The project will be designed by global architecture firm Gensler and feature a natural grass field. Mansueto hopes to begin construction by late 2025 or early 2026. While Soldier Field remains the team’s temporary home under a newly signed lease extension, the Fire’s vision is clear: move out of a cavernous NFL stadium and into an intimate venue where atmosphere and fan experience come first.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber praised the initiative, calling it one of the most ambitious in league history and a defining moment for soccer in Chicago. The stadium is also expected to serve as a catalyst for long-awaited development at The 78, a site that has seen multiple failed mega-projects over the years.

In addition to matches, the stadium will host concerts and events year-round, while surrounding restaurants, bars, and residences aim to recreate the community buzz of Wrigleyville on the South Side.

Founded in 1997, the Fire won the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in their inaugural season but have struggled to build a consistent fanbase. That may soon change: attendance is rising, the club recently opened a $100 million training facility, and head coach Gregg Berhalter is now in charge of team strategy.

A public meeting about the stadium will be held on June 16. Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomed the plan, noting that if the community supports it, “the Chicago Fire would be an excellent anchor tenant for the 78 site.”

For Mansueto, who fell in love with soccer while coaching his children, the stadium represents both a personal and civic milestone. “It’s about turning passion into impact,” he said. “And giving Chicago the world-class club it deserves.”