The City Council has approved the Chicago Fire FC’s plan to build a $650 million soccer stadium at The 78 site in the city’s South Loop.
This marks the first major stadium built in Chicago in more than 30 years, and the project is supported through the private investment of owner and chairman Joe Mansueto. The 22,000-seat stadium is being bankrolled by Mansueto, but tens of millions of public dollars would still be needed to prepare the long-dormant site for development.
“We’re grateful to have received City Council’s approval for our new stadium, a transformative project that will anchor Chicago’s newest neighborhood, The 78,” said Chicago Fire FC President of Business Operations Dave Baldwin.
Beyond Chicago Fire matches, the stadium would host global concerts and events, creating thousands of jobs, fueling economic growth, and driving new energy into the South Loop. The Fire team currently plays at Soldier Field, where they moved to full time in 2020. The stadium is expected to break ground in early 2026 and open in time for the 2028 MLS season.
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