Fireworks and flames go off as Chicago officials and Chicago Fire representatives hold groundbreaking ceremony, March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the team’s new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air soccer stadium at the north end of the area called “The 78” near Roosevelt Road in Chicago’s South Loop. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Groundbreaking for the Chicago Fire’s $750 million stadium took place on March 3, with structural steel rising up this year to meet the scheduled opening by the 2028 season. Announced in June, the Fire are building a 22,000-seat, open-air soccer facility at the north end of The 78, a long-fallow megadevelopment planned for 62 acres along the Chicago River south of Roosevelt Road.
Heavy equipment sits at the north end of the area called "The 78" near Roosevelt Road in Chicago's South Loop before a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, for what will be the Chicago Fire soccer team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)Joe Mansueto, owner of the Chicago Fire soccer team, speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium at the north end of the area called "The 78" near Roosevelt Road in Chicago's South Loop, seen behind him. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to the media after attending a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the Chicago Fire soccer team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium at the north end of the area called "The 78" near Roosevelt Road in Chicago's South Loop. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)Joe Mansueto, center, owner of the Chicago Fire soccer team, talks to Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, right, stands nearby during a groundbreaking ceremony on March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium in Chicago's South Loop. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)Joe Mansueto, owner of the Chicago Fire soccer team, speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium at the north end of the area called "The 78" near Roosevelt Road in Chicago's South Loop, seen behind him. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)Heavy equipment sits at the north end of the area called "The 78" near Roosevelt Road in Chicago's South Loop before a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, for what will be the Chicago Fire soccer team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)Joe Mansueto, center, owner of the Chicago Fire soccer team, mingles with guests after a groundbreaking ceremony, March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium at the north end of the area called The 78 in Chicago's South Loop. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)A baseball diamond remains in The 78 development, Feb. 16, 2026, before construction of the Chicago Fire stadium in the South Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Crews move soil for environmental remediation in The 78 development Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, before construction of the Chicago Fire stadium in the South Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A soccer field and pickleball courts are located along an extended South Wells Street next to the Chicago River inside The 78, a long vacant 62-acre former rail yard site in the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A sign marks The 78, a long vacant 62-acre former rail yard site in the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)New pickleball courts as well as baseball and soccer fields are visible along an extended South Wells Street inside The 78, a long vacant 62-acre former rail yard site in the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)An artist's rendering shows the planned external view of the Fire stadium in The 78. (Gensler)An artist's rendering shows the interior of the proposed Fire stadium. (Gensler)The planned west facade of the Fire stadium in an artist's rendering. (Chicago Fire FC and Gensler).
