Chicago’s New Stadium Gets a Big Name: McDonald’s Park

The Chicago Fire soccer team has just announced that its upcoming stadium, located at The 78 in the South Loop, will be called McDonald’s Park. This naming deal is a first for the fast‑food giant in a U. S. professional sports venue and will last until at least 2040. The Fire’s owner, Joe Mansueto, said the partnership reflects shared values and a deep connection to Chicago. The stadium is scheduled to open in 2028, just before the start of the MLS season that year. When it opens, a flagship McDonald’s restaurant will also be on site, planned to open in spring 2028. Beyond soccer, the venue is set to host concerts, community gatherings and other fan‑focused events all year long. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski described the project as more than just a stadium, calling it “a place that serves up joy, brings together community, delivers impact and is designed to serve generations to come. ” The partnership also includes a special seating area for families of Ronald McDonald House, giving them pre‑game meet‑and‑greets and unique experiences.In addition to the stadium, McDonald’s will support the Fire’s youth soccer initiative, the Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth Soccer (P. L. A. Y. S. ) program. The sponsorship will double the number of Chicago Public Schools served—from 70 to 140—by the time the park opens, with a long‑term goal of reaching over 280 schools and more than 125, 000 students. The stadium itself is a $750 million project that broke ground in March. With 22, 000 seats and funded largely by Mansueto, it will give the Fire a dedicated home instead of playing at Soldier Field or in suburban venues due to scheduling conflicts with other events. The arena will also anchor the long‑awaited development of The 78, a 62‑acre site that has been undeveloped for years. The first phase of the area will feature over 1, 400 feet of riverfront space, a new water taxi stop, miles of bike trails, public parking and sports fields. Early renderings showed a warehouse‑style design that nods to Chicago’s industrial past, but newer images now highlight McDonald’s iconic golden arches at the entrance and inside the stadium.