Initial details have been revealed for the new home of Chicago Fire FC within The 78. Located on the northern half of the site, the stadium will create a permanent home for the team, which relocated to Soldier Field from Bridgeview in recent years. Efforts for the mixed-use development are being led by the team’s owner, Joe Mansueto, and Related Midwest.

The 78 has frequently made headlines in recent years since its approval. From losing out on DPI in favor of the new Quantum Park to being pitched as the potential future home of the White Sox, the megadevelopment has struggled to gain traction. Currently, the massive former rail yard is serving as a temporary sports park, dubbed Bridge Sports.

Similarly, Chicago Fire FC has been seeking a permanent home since departing SeatGeek Stadium for Soldier Field in 2020. Although the team plays twice as many home games as the Bears, it has neither scheduling priority nor meaningful revenue opportunities at the current venue. Thus, after opening a major new training center, the team is preparing to relocate.

Set to rise on 10 acres of land west of the new Wells Street connector, the 22,000-seat stadium will be situated roughly between West 13th and 14th Streets. Designed by Gensler, the facility will anchor a new sports district. The structure will draw inspiration from the surrounding area, featuring large square arches, extensive glass façades, and a massive overhanging roof.

The team is following the lead of other MLS franchises nationwide that are building new stadiums, particularly as the World Cup is set to return to the U.S. next year for the first time since 1994. The stadium will offer a variety of seating options to ensure broad accessibility. It will also host additional sporting events, concerts, community gatherings, and private functions.

The surrounding area will feature a large public plaza open to the river, surrounded by various structures housing restaurants, retail spaces, and areas for temporary events and pop-ups. Additionally, Related plans to include residential buildings in the first phase of development. Altogether, the project is expected to have five cranes operating during this initial phase.

While the plans are still being finalized, the stadium is estimated to cost approximately $650 million. This will be fully privately funded by Joe Mansueto of Morningstar, joining the likes of The 1901 Project and demonstrating that major facilities can be built without government subsidies or taxpayer dollars. A website for the project is available here.

The project still requires city approval but aims to break ground by the end of the year, with the team expected to move in for the 2028 season, when their Soldier Field lease ends. It is worth noting that both Related and the White Sox have expressed they are still in talks for a new baseball stadium.

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