While the NFL’s Bears, MLB’s White Sox, and NWSL’s Stars have struggled for years to finalize deals for new stadiums, Chicago’s MLS team has swooped in and passed its neighbors.
The Fire have unveiled a plan to build a $650 million soccer-specific stadium at The 78, an undeveloped parcel on Chicago’s South Loop, near downtown, that also has been considered by the White Sox. Targeted to open in 2028, the planned 22,000-seat facility ends a long period of instability for the Fire in which it has played over the years at Soldier Field, SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill., and Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville, Ill., never fully fitting in at any of those disparate venues.
“A world-class city like ours deserves a world-class club—with a world-class home to match,” Fire owner and chairman Joe Mansueto wrote in an open letter to the city of Chicago. “This project is more than just a stadium. It’s a space for fans of all ages, backgrounds, and neighborhoods to come together and celebrate the beautiful game—right in the heart of our city.”
The soccer stadium is intended to anchor a larger, mixed-use development at the site, in turn resembling in some ways the Wrigleyville area around the Cubs’ Wrigley Field on the city’s north side. Mansueto, estimated to be worth $6.6 billion, is the founder of the financial services firm Morningstar, and he also owns the Mansueto Ventures media company that publishes Fast Company and Inc.
“Joe Mansueto isn’t just building a soccer stadium. He’s reshaping the future of soccer in Chicago,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a social media post. “This is one of the most ambitious stadium projects in MLS history, and a powerful reflection of Joe’s extraordinary commitment. I toured the site recently, and there’s no doubt that this will be a transformative moment for the club and a landmark for Chicago sports.”
A Different Approach
Notably, Mansueto plans to fund the project privately, a fundamental divergence from the proposals from the Bears and White Sox, which each call for billions in public funding and infrastructure support.
The Fire announcement arrives as the Bears have made some limited progress on a potential domed stadium in suburban Arlington Heights, Ill., while the White Sox effort to build a ballpark at The 78 has stalled amid the lack of support among state lawmakers to help fund it. A 62-acre parcel owned by developer Related Midwest, The 78 has long been seen as one of Chicago’s best untapped properties.
“If the community is supportive, the Chicago Fire would be an excellent anchor tenant for The 78 site,” said Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson.
The White Sox, meanwhile, said they “remain confident” the site could potentially house both teams, and that the club continues to discuss options with Related Midwest about The 78.
While the Fire is making a significant move off the field, the club’s on-field struggles continue. The Fire have reached the MLS playoffs just once since 2013, and are 11th in the Eastern Conference so far this season.
