The Chicago Fire Football Club surprised the city earlier this week by announcing plans for a new $650 million stadium near downtown Chicago, occupying a site that has long been sought by developers for its prime location. The stadium, which would be financed by club owner and Chicago native Joe Mansueto, would serve as the anchor for “The 78,” a name for the city’s unofficial 78th community area near the city’s central business district. The soon-to-be developed Chicago neighborhood, in the South Loop, sits on Roosevelt along the Chicago River. The name for the new neighborhood, “The 78,” was given its name to reference Chicago’s 77 officially defined “community areas.” Plans for the mixed-use, $7 billion neighborhood include seven acres of green space, a five-acre sports part, entertainment, retail, housing, dining and more, according to the Chicago Fire website. The new, open-air stadium will seat 22,000 fans, the announcement said, with the initial phase of construction scheduled for fall 2025 or early 2026. It’s expected to open in 2028, ahead of the MLS regular season.

Photo Credit: Chicago Fire Football Club