The Daily Dig:
Chicago Fire FC released updated plans for its $650 million soccer stadium in the South Loop, confirming a 22,000 seat venue that'll anchor The 78 riverfront development with a spring 2028 opening. The stadium sits on 62 acres between Roosevelt Road and the Chicago River and will be the teams first permanent home after years of playing at Soldier Field.
City Council approved the project in September 2025, and owner Joe Mansueto is covering the bill with private funding. The stadium leads a mixed use district that'll include retail, office, sports, and entertainment space. Construction breaks ground in early 2026, with a joint venture of Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group, and ALL Construction Group leading the build. It's the first major sports facility built in Chicago in over 30 years.
Project Snapshot:
Team / Developer: Chicago Fire FC
Owner / Funding: Joe Mansueto - fully privately financed
Project Type: Professional soccer stadium
Project Cost: $650 million
Capacity: 22,000
Location: South Loop - The 78 riverfront development
Site Size: 62 acres
Site History: Former landfill and rail yard
City Approval: Chicago City Council approved (September 2025)
District Program: Retail, offices, sports and entertainment
Role: Anchor for new riverfront community
Groundbreaking: Early 2026
Construction Team: Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group, ALL Construction Group (joint venture)
Target Opening: Spring 2028
Current Venue: Soldier Field
Market Significance: First major Chicago sports facility in 30+ years
TheJobWalk Thoughts:
Approvals are done, the stadium sets the program, and first dollars hit site work and structure before mixed-use blocks rise around it. Private money moves faster than public cycles, so procurement runs through preconstruction relationships instead of late bids. Urban civil, demo, and structural trades positioned early stand to carry work across phases as the riverfront fills out, assuming you're in before the vertical program stacks.
