Chicago Fire's Bold $650M Stadium Plan Aims to Transform 'The 78' into a Thriving Urban Hub
- Natalie Frank
- Jun 4
- 1 min read
Privately funded soccer stadium set to anchor Chicago’s newest neighborhood, blending sports, community, and revitalization
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D June 4, 2025
![Chicago Fire Players await new stadium; Hayden Schiff/flickr [CC BY 2.0]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1de624_50daa63c87b84acfaa068276b16a75bc~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_719,h_482,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/1de624_50daa63c87b84acfaa068276b16a75bc~mv2.png)
CHICAGO IL - The Chicago Fire Football Club has announced plans to build an advanced, $650 million soccer stadium in the South Loop area, known locally as "The 78." This project intends to give the team a new home while revitalizing a 62-acre stretch of land that’s been largely unused for decades.
The new open-air stadium, which will seat around 22,000 spectators, will be located along the Chicago River just south of Roosevelt Road. With a natural grass field, the design focuses on creating a top-tier venue that celebrates Chicago’s sports legacy and promotes community connections.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, with the goal of opening in time for the 2028 Major League Soccer season.
