Chicago Fire share more stadium details

Article posted by Coliseum, June 25^th, 2025

Image: Chicago Fire and Gensler

Chicago Fire FC have unveiled more details of the club’s $650 million soccer-specific stadium in downtown Chicago.

Chicago Fire said the new stadium will seat approximately 22,000 fans, striking a balance between an electric, high-demand atmosphere and a world-class matchday experience.

It was designed by Gensler in “Chicago School” fashion with the enduring elegance of the warehouses that represent the city’s grit and hard work.

From sweeping riverfront views to open public plazas, every element of the stadium design is being thoughtfully considered to honor Chicago’s classic and historic identity while igniting an exciting modern era for the Club and its supporters.

The stadium, announced in early June, will be entirely privately financed by the Club’s Owner and Chairman, Joe Mansueto.

Image: Chicago Fire and Gensler

The stadium will anchor The 78, Related Midwest’s 62-acre development located along the Chicago River just south of Roosevelt Road.

Chicago Fire Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Chicago (US). The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The Fire plays their home games at Soldier Field which they share with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL).

The 62,500-capacity Soldier Field is a multipurpose stadium on the Near South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1924 and reconstructed in 2003 the stadium has served as the home of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) since 1971 as well as the Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) from 1998 to 2006 and since 2020.

Mansueto said, “I love this city and its architecture. This stadium is adding to Chicago’s iconic skyline, so I want it to look timeless. It will look like it’s always belonged here, but with the modern innovations required for a world-class soccer club.”

Image: Chicago Fire and Gensler

The brick, steel, and glass facade will wrap an interior designed to deliver unmatched comfort, style, and service, reimagining what it means to not only experience a Fire match in Chicago, but to experience a soccer match in the United States.

The bowl is designed to prioritize the match viewing experience with seating positions that are dramatically lower and closer to the action.

The stadium will feature a variety of best-in-class hospitality spaces, amenities, and premium seating options across multiple tiers with 50 suites, more than 500 Loge seats, and 3,500 Club seats, including some with access to exclusive clubs-within-clubs.

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.

A dedicated supporter section will be built at the core of the stadium for the most passionate fans in the league. The section is purpose-built to be loud with room for approximately 2,000 die-hard fans on safe-standing bleachers.

Dave Baldwin, Chicago Fire FC President of Business Operations, said, “We are creating a fortress for our team and a home for our fans. The open-air stadium with grass playing surface and intimate environment is intentional to give our team an edge and bring our supporters even closer to the team they love.”

In addition to Fire matches, the stadium can host a variety of other sports and entertainment events, such as international soccer matches, rugby matches, concerts, festivals, live performances, fundraisers and charity events, trade shows, corporate events, conferences, community events, and much more.

Kirk Funkhouser, Principal-in-Charge, Gensler, said, “The vision for the Chicago Fire FC stadium was set during our interview with the team — to exemplify “MLS 3.0” and establish a new standard for the fan and hospitality experience.

“We design every space with an eye toward elevating the match day experience and look forward to delivering an exceptional venue that Chicagoans, players, coaches, and staff will enjoy for years to come.”

The stadium will serve as a catalyst for the first phase of The 78, whose 62-acre master plan was also designed by Gensler. The initial phase will include restaurants, storefronts, and a range of complementary spaces that serve as a vibrant extension of the fan experience.

Construction at The 78 is anticipated to begin by the beginning of 2026, and the new stadium is expected to open in 2028.

The stadium will create thousands of jobs, both during and after construction, and will also generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city of Chicago.

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