Chicago Fire secure $424m public funding for McDonald's Park stadium

The Chicago Fire have received a major boost for their new stadium project, with the Chicago City Council's Finance Committee voting to allocate $424 million in property tax revenue toward infrastructure improvements around the planned venue.

Pending full council approval, the funds will be used to build new roads, pedestrian walkways, and a city-owned parking garage with 1,200 spaces. The $750 million stadium itself, named McDonald's Park, is being privately financed by Related Midwest, which will be reimbursed for the infrastructure costs.

McDonald's Park: A first for US sports

The 22,000-seat venue will be located at The 78, a vacant former rail yard in downtown Chicago. It will feature a permanent McDonald's flagship location and marks the first time the fast-food giant has been a naming-rights partner for a US sports franchise.

• Stadium groundbreaking took place in March 2024.
• Target opening for the Fire is the 2028 MLS season.
• Infrastructure work is expected to continue for three years after the stadium opens.
• The Fire currently play at Soldier Field, which is also undergoing a proposed $630 million renovation.

What's next

The full Chicago City Council is expected to vote on the infrastructure funding in the coming weeks. Once approved, construction on the stadium and surrounding improvements will accelerate, with the Fire aiming for a 2028 debut in their new home.

Meanwhile, Soldier Field's future remains uncertain, as the Chicago Bears explore a move to Indiana, potentially leaving the stadium's wider redevelopment plans in flux.