The Chicago Fire made news earlier this week when they announced that they have made plans to build a new soccer-specific stadium and a permanent home for the first time in their team’s history.
Chicago has bounced around from stadium to stadium while not having their roots down in their stadium.
They have played in a soccer-specific stadium in their past, unfortunately, it was used by other teams and was out of the city. Playing in the city and strengthening the connection with Chicago were important to this organization.
They proved how much they wanted this with the deal they struck to stay in the city at no cost to the taxpayers and the City. We will explore this deal on the financial side as well as how the location will benefit the city as a whole.
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The New Stadium Deal
Before we talk about the location, let’s talk about the numbers behind this deal. Stadium deals are not new news for pro sports across the world. In Chicago, it has been an ongoing problem for two Major sports teams in the City.
The Chicago Bears and the White Sox have been fighting for a new stadium deal where the taxpayers contribute the most money to the stadium. The City has fought this, claiming that these major sports teams should be funded by the owners who will profit the most from a new deal.
Fire owner Joe Mansueto has called Chicago home since going to University in the city. He has raised his family in Chicago while running his multiple businesses in the city.
Mansueto’s stadium deal costs the city nothing, as he is fronting the entire estimated cost of 650 million dollars. Mansueto’s paying for the stadium is allowing the city to raise funding for everything around the stadium, like public transportation, apartments, local shops, and businesses.
The Location
Location is everything when dropping a stadium in a large city like Chicago. Public transportation, access, parking, and proximity to the rest of the city are important when trying to build a successful stadium that will benefit the team and the city.
This new Soccer stadium is being built in the unofficially named area called the 78 in Chicago near downtown. This area is highly sought after due to its proximity to downtown, making it a hotspot for future visitors.
There is a subway stop near where the new potential stadium will be built. The situation for this stadium to be one of the best in the MLS is already set. With the team improving their play on the field this season, a new stadium will attract new fans.
Soldier Field may be a classic stadium, but it is too big for the Fire. On top of being old, falling apart, and inconvenient, it is time for the Fire to leave the home of the Chicago Bears and make a claim to a true home that is only theirs.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / Pacific Press Agency
Recording Date 24.05.2025