The Chicago Fire have unveiled new renderings of their proposed $650 million riverfront stadium, planned at The 78 development along the Chicago River. Revealed Monday evening, the stadium was designed by architecture company Gensler and draws its design from the “Chicago School” style, incorporating brick, steel, and glass elements symbolizing the city’s industrial heritage and tough character.
Intended to open a new chapter for the club and its supporters, the stadium form reconciles the ambition for the finest of modern comforts with the ambition for the finest of place. It will have panoramic views across the river and public squares open to all, as a powerful architectural icon and a public civic space.
Bordering Related Midwest’s 62-acre mixed-use development just south of Roosevelt Road, the stadium itself will offer fans a first-rate experience. Inside, the seating bowl is designed to seat fans much closer to the field, enhancing sightlines and elevating matchday energy. An open steel canopy will bounce back light and sound onto the pitch, boosting crowd energy and maximizing the team’s home-field advantage.
Upscale seating and hospitality options
The venue will have a variety of upscale seating and hospitality options on various levels: 50 suites, more than 500 Loge seats, and 3,500 Club seats—some with access to private, club-within-a-club areas.
At the center of the stadium will be a unique supporter section, seating around 2,000 fans on safe-standing bleachers. Dedicated to providing a high-decibel and charged environment, the section will be one of the most energetic supporter sections in Major League Soccer.
Although the Fire won’t occupy the adjacent riverfront boardwalk that the renderings portray, the club will have access to surrounding plaza space for pre- and post-game events. Operating temporarily from Soldier Field, the club last month announced plans to build the new stadium on Related Midwest-owned property.
The Chicago Fire FC is poised to revolutionize the city’s sports landscape with a brand-new, soccer-specific stadium in the South Loop. This strategic location has the potential to catalyze the area’s revitalization, bringing new life to a long-undeveloped site.
A World-Class Venue
The open-air stadium will feature a natural grass field and boast a seating capacity of 22,000 fans. The project will cost an estimated $650 million, with team owner Joe Mansueto, founder of Morningstar Financial Services, providing private funding. However, the developer may seek tax increment financing (TIF) to support infrastructure development, which could involve taxpayer dollars. Undoubtedly, the new stadium for Chicago Fire FC will be a world-class venue.
Infrastructure Upgrades
To prepare the site for development, significant infrastructure improvements are necessary. These include relocating railroad tracks, rebuilding the seawall, and installing new water, sewer, and power lines. While Mansueto will cover significant construction costs, the city will likely fund critical infrastructure upgrades. The infrastructure undertaking is crucial for the Chicago Fire’s new stadium project.
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A Bright Future
With construction slated to begin this fall or early next year, the stadium is expected to open ahead of the 2028 Major League Soccer season. This ambitious project promises to bring new energy to the area, providing a world-class venue for Chicago Fire FC fans and contributing to the city’s vibrant sports scene. As the project moves forward, it’s clear that this development will be a game-changer for Chicago. The future of the Chicago Fire new stadium looks incredibly promising.
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Chicago Fire’s Proposed new Stadium: Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: “The 78,” South Loop, Chicago
Project Type: Soccer-specific stadium
Key Features
Seating Capacity: 22,000 fans
Stadium Design: Open-air with natural grass field
Architectural Firm: Gensler
Chicago Fire FC New Stadium: Project Details
Estimated Cost: $650 million
Funding Source: Privately funded by Joe Mansueto, with potential tax increment financing (TIF) for infrastructure development
Infrastructure Upgrades: Relocation of railroad tracks, rebuilt seawall, new water, sewer, and power lines
Project Timeline
Construction Start: Fall or early next year
Rendering unveiling: June 16, 2025
Expected Opening: Ahead of the 2028 Major League Soccer season. Look forward to the Chicago Fire FC new stadium’s opening and its impact on soccer.
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