Chicago Fire Hosting Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Stadium at The 78

Chicago Fire FC is set to host a major milestone event as the club prepares for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of its new stadium at The 78. The event, scheduled for Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m., marks another important step in the organization’s long-term plan to establish a permanent home in downtown Chicago.

Speakers expected at the ceremony include Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderman Pat Dowell, Fire owner and chairman Joe Mansueto, and team president Dave Baldwin. Current head coach and director of football Gregg Berhalter, along with Fire alumni and other guests, are also expected to attend.

While the ceremony celebrates forward progress, the new venue will not host matches for several years. The club expects the stadium to be ready in time for the start of the 2028–29 MLS season, signaling a new era for both the team and the league.

A Stadium Built for the Future of MLS

The timing of the project aligns with a major transition happening within Major League Soccer. Beginning with the 2028–29 season, MLS is expected to shift from its traditional spring-to-fall schedule to a late-summer-to-spring calendar.

This change represents one of the biggest structural shifts in league history, and the new Chicago Fire stadium is expected to open right as that transition begins. The move positions the club to start a new chapter with a dedicated soccer-specific venue designed to support long-term growth.

A Major Investment Led by Joe Mansueto

Fire owner Joe Mansueto is personally funding the 22,000-seat stadium, continuing a series of major investments aimed at reshaping the club.

Since taking ownership, Mansueto has overseen several key changes:

• Moving the Fire back to Soldier Field for the 2020 season
• Opening a new performance center last year
• Expanding spending on players and coaching staff
• Helping guide the team back to the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since 2017

The stadium project represents the next phase in that transformation, providing the club with a purpose-built home designed specifically for soccer.

Why a Permanent Stadium Matters for the Fire

The search for a long-term stadium has followed the team throughout much of its history.

After Soldier Field renovations displaced the club in the early 2000s, the Fire spent time playing in Naperville before moving to a soccer-specific stadium in Bridgeview in 2006. While the facility offered a dedicated soccer environment, its suburban location created challenges in attracting urban fans and maintaining strong attendance.

In 2019, Mansueto and the Fire paid $65.5 million to alter their lease agreement with Bridgeview and return to Soldier Field immediately. Even after the return, speculation remained about whether Soldier Field would serve as a permanent home or simply a temporary stop.

The groundbreaking at The 78 confirms the club’s long-term vision for a dedicated stadium within the city.

What the New Stadium Represents for Chicago

Beyond soccer, the project represents another major development milestone for The 78, the large mixed-use neighborhood planned along the Chicago River. The stadium is expected to anchor future activity in the area, helping connect sports, entertainment, and urban development in one of the city’s largest planned projects.

For fans, the new venue promises:

• A more intimate soccer atmosphere
• A permanent home tailored to the club’s identity
• Improved fan experience compared to shared venues
• Stronger long-term stability for the franchise

Looking Ahead to 2028

Although the first matches are still more than two years away, the groundbreaking ceremony signals that the project is officially moving from planning into construction.

For a club that has spent decades searching for the right long-term home, the event represents more than construction progress. It marks a significant step toward building a permanent identity in the heart of Chicago.

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