Latest news with #ChicagoFireFC
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Fire unveil plans to open soccer-specific stadium in 2028
June 3 - The Chicago Fire unveiled plans to build a privately funded, soccer-specific stadium along the Chicago River on Tuesday. The 22,000-seat facility, located just south of Roosevelt Road, has a projected cost of $650 million and is expected to open in the spring of 2028. Club chairman and owner Joe Mansueto said the project includes an entertainment district with restaurants, retail and office space and residential buildings, along with green space and an extension of the Chicago Riverwalk. "A world-class city deserves a world-class football club -- with a world-class home to match," Mansueto said of the 62-acre project located in the city's future 78th neighborhood. "Our privately funded stadium is purpose-built for soccer to give our players an edge and our fans an incredible matchday experience. This development will be transformative for both the Chicago Fire FC and the city of Chicago. Our new stadium will be the anchor of this new neighborhood which will build community, create thousands of jobs, and have a significant positive economic impact." The stadium will feature a natural grass playing surface and will be easily accessible by public transportation. "Joe Mansueto isn't just building a soccer stadium -- he's reshaping the future of soccer in Chicago," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "This is one of the most ambitious stadium projects in Major League Soccer history, and a powerful reflection of Joe's extraordinary commitment to the Fire, the fans, and the city. I toured the site recently, and there's no doubt that this will be a transformative moment for the club and a landmark for Chicago sports." The Fire currently play their home matches at Soldier Field, home of the NFL's Chicago Bears, after relocating from SeatGeek Stadium in nearby Bridgeview, Ill., in 2020. --Field Level Media
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Chicago Billionaire to Pay for $650 Million Soccer Stadium
By and Miranda Davis Updated on Save Billionaire Joe Mansueto is using his fortune to build a new stadium for his Chicago soccer team. The founder of Morningstar Inc. and owner of Chicago Fire FC said Tuesday he will personally fund a $650 million stadium to be built at a 62-acre development south of downtown called The 78. Set to open in 2028, the stadium will be able to accommodate 22,000 spectators.
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Chicago Pro Soccer Club Revives Delayed Megaproject With $650 Million Stadium
Chicago's Major League Soccer club has reached a deal to self-finance a new downtown stadium, seizing an opportunity after Illinois officials balked at requests for subsidies for a new baseball stadium on the site. The Chicago Fire's new 22,000-seat soccer stadium is expected to serve as the nucleus of a giant master-planned neighborhood in the heart of downtown Chicago.
CBC
14-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
TFC looks to score 1st win of the year at Saturday home opener
As the BMO Field gets a World Cup facelift, Toronto FC will look to make its own improvements to pick up its first win of the season in the club's home opener Saturday afternoon. After starting the year with a tie and two losses on the road — picking up one point out of a possible nine — TFC will host Chicago Fire FC at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Midfielder Kosi Thompson told reporters Friday that the home crowd could be the spark the team needs. "Having that energy at BMO, it gives us that extra little push in the 75th, 80th, 85th minute," Thompson said at a news conference following a training session at BMO Field. Thompson said the team is young and learning a new system under new leadership, but the talent is there. "There's certain things that we've talked about as a collective that needs to change from the last couple of games, and they're not these massive changes," Thompson said. "They're small things that can be fixed." The team will be looking to rebound from another tough season, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year in 2024. New coach Robin Fraser says this year's club has potential. "I'd say the plus is character," Fraser said Friday. "I think there are a lot of really good hard-working players who try to do exactly what's asked of them. And when they do … I think we've had some pretty decent moments." Fraser replaces John Herdman, who stepped down after the end of last season, after being dogged by allegations linking him to the Paris Olympic drone-spying scandal. This year's club is dealing with injuries and inexperience, and veteran Canadian soccer reporter John Molinaro of TFC Republic says fans shouldn't get their hopes up too much. "As much as they might not want to admit it, it's a rebuilding season," Molinaro told CBC Toronto. "They're coming off a bit of a poor 2024 campaign, it's a new coach with a new sort of mentality and playing style, and they're still trying to find their feet." Chicago is having its own struggles, starting the season with a 1-1-1 record. The club is coached by Greg Vanney, who led TFC to its only MLS championship in 2017. Fraser was an assistant on Vanney's coaching staff that season. TFC has history on its side for Saturday's game. The club has a 9-6-3 record in home openers. 1st match at BMO Field since reno work started The Reds haven't played at home since October, when Lionel Messi caused a stir at BMO Field, making his first appearance in Toronto with visiting Inter Miami. Since that time, work has begun on renovations to bring BMO Field up to FIFA World Cup standards in preparation for the tournament next summer. The stadium is hosting six World Cup matches, and is getting a nearly $150-million upgrade ahead of time. WATCH | BMO Field getting World Cup upgrades: BMO Field is getting a $150M makeover ahead of FIFA World Cup 11 days ago Duration 2:32 Fans won't get to enjoy the renovations just yet, which include new video scoreboards, upgraded luxury suites and a rooftop patio. But they will have to navigate through construction for parts of this season. To bring stadium capacity up to 45,000 for the World Cup, temporary grandstands will be added to both sides of the field, and fans will have to enter through the southern gates for some matches while work is underway on the northern stands.
Axios
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
New Messi exhibit makes Chicago first stop on U.S. tour
An immersive exhibit of soccer megastar Lionel Messi's life is coming to Chicago this summer. Zoom in:"The Messi Experience — A Dream Come True" will take visitors through the life of Messi, one of the sport's greatest living athletes. The 75-minute interactive experience tells Messi's story through multi-sensory experiences, like allowing visitors to train like Messi and to relive the star's iconic moments on the pitch. Chicago is the first stop on the exhibit's 2025 U.S. tour. What they're saying: "I am thrilled to see this project come to life and bring fans even closer to me — both on and off the field," said Messi in a press release. "I have always sought to inspire and connect with people through my passion for soccer, and this experience will allow fans to relive the most unforgettable moments of my career." Zoom out: Messi is not coming to town for the exhibit, but Inter Miami will play the Chicago Fire FC on April 13 at Soldier Field. What's next: " The Messi Experience" will open at 2375 W. Logan Boulevard in Bucktown in July.
