The Chicago Fire on Wednesday revealed details of the luxury hospitality offerings planned for their new $750 million stadium under construction at The 78 development in Chicago’s South Loop. Set to open in time for the 2028 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, the privately funded venue—dubbed McDonald’s Park following a long-term naming rights deal with the fast-food chain—will showcase high-end amenities including upscale dining, mini-suites, a private speakeasy, and heated luxury seats.
The 22,000-seat stadium, designed by architectural firm Gensler, will feature a natural grass field, 50 luxury suites, and a canopied roof. Construction began in March on what is planned as the city’s first new major sports venue in over 30 years, located on a 62-acre site along the Chicago River south of Roosevelt Road. With concrete foundations already poured, steel framing is expected to be erected later this year.
Fire executives emphasize that many of the luxury seat reservations have come from Chicago residents who are not avid soccer fans but are attracted to the experience of the new facility. “A large majority of the folks who have signed up are not diehard soccer fans or Chicago Fire fans,” said Dave Baldwin, the team’s president of business operations. “They’re excited to be part of a stadium that’s the first new venue to be introduced in the city of Chicago in over three decades.”
Luxury seating options include 600 premium seats divided into three tiers priced between $10,000 and $25,000 annually. The highest tier, known as the Chairman’s Club, is invitation-only and accommodates 80 guests, granting access to all stadium events. The 319 Field Seats offer exclusive features such as behind-the-scenes access to the players’ tunnel and a private speakeasy, while the 191 Loge Seats provide a mini-suite setting for smaller groups. All luxury seats are wider, cushioned, and heated, a rarity among U.S. venues.
To date, more than 40% of the premium corporate suites have been sold, and 120 individual luxury seats have been presold to the team’s friends and family members, Baldwin said. Most buyers are committing to multi-year agreements, ranging from five to ten years. Luxury seat sales will begin October 7 for current season-ticket holders before opening to the general public.
The new stadium, backed by billionaire team owner Joe Mansueto, is set to host 17 regular season MLS matches as well as additional events, including concerts, comedy shows, and international soccer games. The Fire’s growing appeal is buoyed by Polish striker Robert Lewandowski’s recent addition to the roster. With average attendance reaching a franchise-record 24,000 per game this season at Soldier Field, the club anticipates strong demand once the new venue opens.
McDonald’s Park is part of a wider resurgence in Chicago-area sports venues, including the proposed rebuilding of the Chicago White Sox stadium near The 78 and Northwestern University’s $875 million Ryan Field renovation in Evanston, set to open this week. MLS Commissioner Don Garber praised the Fire’s new stadium, calling its premium hospitality offerings “best-in-class” and expressing confidence that McDonald’s Park would become one of the world’s premier soccer venues.