KEY POINTS
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The Chicago Plan Commission unanimously approved a $650 million, 22,000-seat soccer stadium that will anchor The 78, a 62-acre mixed-use development featuring housing, retail, cultural spaces, recreational amenities, and a 1,400-foot public riverwalk.
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The project marks the city’s first major stadium project in three decades and is expected to create roughly 12,000 construction jobs before the 2028 season.
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Regional sports arena construction has normalized in the Midwest after 2024’s record surge, but nationally, megaprojects like the Oakland Athletics ballpark and Jacksonville Jaguars stadium continue driving unprecedented sector growth.
Chicago Greenlights Major Stadium Project in South Loop
The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday unanimously approved plans for a $650 million soccer stadium in the South Loop, clearing the way for Chicago Fire FC owner Joe Mansueto to build a 22,000-seat venue on a long-dormant parcel known as The 78.
The project marks one of the largest private sports developments in Chicago history and the first major stadium construction in three decades, according to officials.
Zoning changes passed without debate, the Sun-Times reported, positioning construction to begin soon with expectations for completion ahead of the 2028 soccer season.
Sector Spending Reaches New Heights
According to ConstructConnect Associate Economist Devin Bell, sports arena and convention center construction starts in the Midwest have reached $1.2 billion year-to-date.
“The Midwest is seeing normalized investment levels following 2024’s record $5.2 billion in starts, although nationally, Sports Arena and Convention Center construction has surged this year with megaprojects,” Bell said.
Bell noted that megaprojects (valued at $1 billion and up) in the sports arena and convention center sector include facilities such as the Oakland Athletics ballpark and the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium. According to the economist, these projects have “pushed spending in the sector to new records.”
Renderings show the planned 22,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium for the Chicago Fire FC, designed by Gensler. Image: Chicago Fire FC. Gensler.
Site Overview of The 78 Development
The proposed nine-acre soccer stadium will serve as the anchor for The 78, a 62-acre mixed-use development along the Chicago River. Developers said they envision the property as a walkable, mixed-use campus designed to offer a dynamic, round-the-clock experience.
Planned by developer Related Midwest, the project is designed to transform a long-vacant stretch of the South Loop into Chicago’s “78th neighborhood.”
The master plan, according to public information, calls for:
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New residential communities, including affordable housing.
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Retail, dining, and entertainment spaces to invigorate riverfront activities.
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Cultural and artistic installations to beautify the area and attract year-round visitors.
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Outdoor and recreational spaces, including a 1,400-foot public riverwalk, bike trails, and sports fields.
Global design firm Gensler is leading the broader neighborhood plan. It coordinates with the stadium design team to integrate the 22,000-seat venue seamlessly with surrounding mixed-use components.
Time Horizon and Construction Opportunities
Chicago’s $650 million soccer stadium at The 78 will generate significant demand across the construction sector, with developers anticipating an estimated 12,000 construction jobs.
An official start date was not announced, although early construction activities may include:
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Site preparation and infrastructure
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Utilities to activate the long-vacant, 62-acre site.
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Flood protection and riverfront stabilization along a stretch of the Chicago River shoreline.
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Roadway and transit connections, including a new water taxi stop and bike path integration.
The 78 neighborhood and the planned new Fire FC stadium's general location are shown on a map, bound generally by Roosevelt and Clark streets in Chicago. This 2019 image from public records labels the area as mixed-use. Image: City of Chicago public records
The Chicago Fire, which have played at Soldier Field since 2020, see the new stadium as a permanent home closer to the city’s core. Team owner Mansueto said in June that the stadium would be more than a venue, calling the stadium and surrounding area a hub for soccer fans across Chicago.
The site had also been considered for a potential new White Sox stadium. City officials left the door open for future proposals on other parcels within The 78.
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