The Chicago Fire’s stadium at The 78 has a new moniker — McDonald’s Park — as part of a naming rights deal announced Wednesday.
“As we take the next step on our journey to build a world class Club, our commitment to Chicago is at the center of everything we do,” Joe Mansueto, the billionaire owner and chairman of the Fire, said in a news release. “That’s why McDonald’s is the perfect partner — an iconic global brand with deep Chicago roots and shared values in supporting our community. McDonald’s Park will be the stadium that Chicago deserves.”
The deal marks the first time McDonald’s has inked a naming rights partnership for a major professional sports stadium in the U.S., according to a news release. The Chicago-based fast food chain will hold the naming rights until at least 2040.
The Fire declined to share financial terms of the deal. McDonald’s didn’t respond to a request for comment.
McDonald’s Park is expected to open in 2028 — in time for the 2028-2029 MLS season, which starts in summer 2028.
There will be a McDonald’s flagship restaurant, expected to open in spring 2028, and the stadium will host year-round events such as concerts, community events and fan experiences.
“Together, we are creating more than a stadium,” Chris Kempczinski, chairman and CEO of McDonald’s, said. “We are building a place that serves up joy, brings together community, delivers impact and is designed to serve generations to come.”
The Ronald McDonald House will also collaborate with the Chicago Fire Foundation, dedicating a Ronald McDonald House seating section for families who will also have access to pregame meet‑and‑greets and special experiences, according to the Fire.
Starting next year, McDonald’s will be the presenting partner of the Fire’s Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth Soccer program, which offers free soccer programs at Chicago Public Schools. The deal will help expand the P.L.A.Y.S. program’s presence from 70 schools to 140 by the time McDonald’s Park opens. The partners’ long-term vision is to serve more than 280 CPS elementary schools, which would be more than 125,000 students.
The Fire broke ground on its $750 million South Loop stadium in March. The 22,000-seat stadium, bankrolled by Mansueto, will be a huge boon for the team, which currently plays at Soldier Field but has had games pushed to the suburbs due to scheduling conflicts with the Bears and concerts.
The stadium will serve as an anchor for The 78, the 62-acre site at Roosevelt Road and Clark Street that had eluded development for years. The land was one of the largest undeveloped parcels left in the city.
The first phase of development at The 78 will include more than 1,400 feet of publicly-accessible riverfront space, a new water taxi stop, 1 1/2 miles of bike trails, Divvy bike stations, two temporary surface parking lots, public parking and 3 acres of sports fields, according to owner Related Midwest.
Initial stadium renderings show a property that resembles a warehouse, invoking Chicago’s industrial manufacturing roots. The updated renderings, shared Wednesday, now have McDonald’s signature golden arches and company name above the entrance and inside the stadium.
While it’s unclear how much McDonald’s paid for naming rights, other companies have doled out millions in similar deals. When the White Sox signed its 13-year deal with Rate, then called Guaranteed Rate, it was estimated to be $2 million per season.