Funded entirely by the owner, located on the river and built for football, rugby and concerts – this will be the new home of Chicago Fire. "Our city deserves a world-class club with a world-class home," the owner says.

Chicago Fire want a new home

A letter signed by club owner Joe Mansueto appeared on Chicago Fire media on Tuesday. A world-class city like ours deserves a world-class Club – with a world-class home to match the American billionaire announced the construction of a new stadium. The Chicago Fire is a Club on the rise. And soon, we’ll have a permanent home he promises.

As for now, the Fire play at Soldier Field – the 3rd venue in the club's 27-year history – but sharing a stadium with the Chicago Bears creates scheduling problems. On top of that, the 67,000-seater is too big for an MLS team – average attendance was around 21,500 fans per game last year, and has reached 26,000 spectators this season.

Fortunately for fans, the Chicago Fire are not moving to the outskirts. The new facility will stand just one kilometre from the current one, in The 78 neighbourhood, just above the South Branch of the Chicago River, not far from downtown. This location was golden, perfect for a stadium, Mansueto said.

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A brick fortress worthy of Chicago

The new facility will have a capacity typical of MLS stadiums – around 22,000 seats. Although its main use will be for football, the board also envisages hosting rugby or lacrosse matches as well as concerts and other events. Joe Mansueto believes the stadium will become a real fortress. Opposing teams will be intimidated, the owner outlines his vision.

According to him, the facility – like the club – must reflect Chicago. So although the shape will be similar to other MLS stadiums like Energizer Park, Lower.com Field or GEODIS Park, the design - prepared by Gensler - calls for a brick facade, referencing the city's industrial manufacturing heritage. Although the club has only released a sketch for now, the president said he will soon release visuals of the project.

Interestingly, all costs – estimated at $650M – will be borne by Mansueta. This will accelerate the timetable for the work, which is expected to begin at the end of the year and be completed in the spring of 2028. Joe Mansueto isn't just building a soccer stadium — he's reshaping the future of soccer in Chicago, praised MLS commissioner Don Garber.

© John Picken Photography (cc: by) | Chicago Fire have been playing at Soldier Field since 2020. They also played here from 1998 to 2001 and from 2003 to 2005.