**Chicago Fire Announces $650 Million Stadium Project, New Home by 2028**

The Chicago Fire has captured the attention of Major League Soccer (MLS) enthusiasts with the revelation of their upcoming soccer-specific stadium in downtown Chicago. The club plans to construct a $650 million, privately funded stadium with a seating capacity of 22,000 at "The 78," a long-designated redevelopment area. The targeted completion year is 2028, offering the Fire a new, permanent home.

Despite this being the team's second "permanent" stadium, the previous suburban SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, did not meet the needs of the Fire's predominantly urban fanbase. Joe Mansueto, who acquired the club in 2019, had to buy out the lease to relocate the team back to Soldier Field, primarily home to the NFL's Chicago Bears. Upon the completion of this new project, only six MLS teams will remain without a stadium where they are the primary tenants.

The New England Revolution, one of MLS's founding clubs, have played in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as secondary tenants at stadiums meant for the NFL's New England Patriots—both franchises owned by the Kraft family. Recently, plans were proposed to build a new facility in Everett, Massachusetts, but political hurdles mean the team still resides at Gillette Stadium for now.

In Canada, the Vancouver Whitecaps share BC Place with the CFL's BC Lions. The team’s potential sale has added to concerns about relocation. Though discussions are underway to create a soccer-specific venue at the PNE Fairgrounds, no concrete plans have been confirmed.

The Seattle Sounders, renowned for their high attendance, play at the 68,740-seat Lumen Field where they share space with the NFL's Seahawks. While there are ongoing explorations to build a dedicated stadium at a new training facility in Renton, Washington, proximity to downtown Seattle and other factors are still under consideration.

Atlanta United, a franchise with robust support, shares Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, both owned by Arthur Blank. There are no current plans to build a separate venue, largely due to the financial synergy and high attendance figures that make their current arrangement beneficial.

Similarly, Charlotte’s club, known as The Crown, operates under a similar setup as a secondary tenant at an NFL venue owned by David Tepper. Their strong attendance numbers in their initial seasons suggest no immediate need for a separate soccer-specific stadium.

Lastly, the newest MLS entrant from San Diego, while not the primary tenant at Snapdragon Stadium—operated by San Diego State’s football program—benefits from a facility constructed with soccer in mind. With a seating capacity of about 35,000, the venue is only marginally larger than typical soccer-specific stadiums, demonstrating flexibility in serving multiple sports.

This announcement marks a significant move for the MLS, highlighting the trend of establishing purpose-built venues tailored specifically for soccer, enhancing fan experience and fostering team identity.