Chicago Fire FC’s new, $750M stadium set to open in the next few years officially has a name — and it may just come with a side of fries.
“McDonald’s Park” is set to open in 2028, according to a joint announcement. The name marks Chicago-based McDonald’s first-ever naming rights partnership for a major professional sports stadium in the U.S., the announcement said.
The stadium, located at an undevelopment area known as ‘The 78,’ will “serve as a world-class sports and entertainment destination, anchoring year‑round programming and creating a new gathering place for fans, families, and communities.”
According to officials, McDonald’s will play an “active role” in shaping the park, including design of a flagship restaurant inside the stadium and immersive fan experiences.
“Together, we are creating more than a stadium,” Chris Kempczinski, Chairman and CEO of McDonald’s, said in the release. “We are building a place that serves up joy, brings together community, delivers impact, and is designed to serve generations to come.”
Where is the new stadium? What to know about ‘The 78’
The Fire’s new, privately funded stadium will be located at an area along the Chicago River in the South Loop known as “The 78.” According to officials, the stadium “will integrate public plazas, activated outdoor spaces, and connectivity to surrounding retail and residential development, positioning the stadium as both a matchday destination and a year-round city asset.”
The stadium will seat more than 22,000 people for soccer matches, and even more for concerts and special events.
Groundbreaking at the site took place earlier this year, with the stadium expected to open by 2028.
The groundbreaking will mark phase one of an $8 billion project to revitalize an underdeveloped area of Chicago known as ‘The 78.’
