In a move as bold as a last-minute goal in extra time, the Chicago Fire FC has unveiled plans to construct a $650 million, soccer-specific stadium in the heart of the South Loop, transforming a once-idle tract of land into the fiery epicenter of a new era in Major League Soccer.
A New Stadium, A New Era
With architectural ambition and urban energy colliding, billionaire Joe Mansueto, the Morningstar founder and owner of the Fire, has revealed a sweeping vision for a 22,000-seat stadium to rise on the 62-acre site known as “The 78″—a location that has flirted with various dreams, including a new ballpark for the Chicago White Sox.
Construction is set to begin as early as late 2025, with completion aimed squarely at kickoff for the 2028 MLS season. The stadium would be the first permanent home for the Fire since their tenure began at Soldier Field, where their lease expires this year.
“A world-class city deserves a world-class football club — with a world-class home to match,” Mansueto wrote in a statement, promising that The 78 will deliver just that.
