The Chicago Fire entered Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 1998, playing its first four seasons at Soldier Field in Chicago, which they shared with the National Football League (NFL)'s Chicago Bears. Beginning in 2002, the club moved to Cardinal Stadium (now Benedetti–Wehrli Stadium) in Naperville for two seasons while Soldier Field was renovated, leading to calls for a soccer-specific venue. The Fire received several bids before announcing Bridgeview as the winner in 2003. Construction on the Bridgeview venue began on November 30, 2004,[12] and was completed on June 11, 2006.[citation needed]
Naming rights
In 2006, Toyota entered into a ten-year naming rights agreement and renamed the new stadium Toyota Park.[2] In 2016, it was reported that Toyota had opted against renewing their naming rights.[13] Despite this, the stadium continued to be known as Toyota Park through the 2018 season. Afterwards, new sponsor SeatGeek assumed stadium naming rights starting with the 2019 Fire season.[10]
The naming rights agreement signed in 2018 was the first such agreement SeatGeek entered into.[1][2] It was reported that as part of the deal, SeatGeek would also serve as the venue's primary ticketing service starting in 2019.[1] The company reportedly promised that they would work to "bring more live programming, including premier concerts, music festivals and international sporting events" to the stadium.[1][11]
Future
The Fire and Bridgeview began negotiating a re-evaluation of the stadium lease in 2018, shortly after Joe Mansueto acquired his stake in the team.[14] In early April 2019, several media reports emerged about a potential contract buyout that would allow the Fire to move back to Chicago, playing temporarily at Soldier Field once again.[14][15] On May 8, 2019, Fire president Nelson Rodriguez confirmed that the team was negotiating a tentative deal with the village to terminate their lease, which was slated to run through 2036, at an estimated cost of $65 million.[16] The terms of the deal were confirmed on July 9, 2019. In consideration for releasing the Fire and MLS from the lease, the Fire will put money toward a "multisport recreation and entertainment center" at the site.[17] The Red Stars have no plans to move.[18] On January 27, 2021, Chicago House AC of the NISA announced that they had selected SeatGeek Stadium as their home.[19]
Nevertheless, in 2022, because of Soldier Field availability, the Fire played late-season matches at the stadium and may still play other matches there in future seasons while it solves its Chicago stadium situation. Moreover, its MLS Next Pro affiliate Chicago Fire FC II is based out of Bridgeview.
Incorporating traditional stadium features from American and European facilities, SeatGeek Stadium includes predominantly covered seating, a brick facade and stone entry archway, and first rows placed fewer than three yards from the field. It includes 42 executive suites, six larger party suites, the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame, and the Fire club offices, as well as a large stadium club/banquet room measuring over 9,000 square feet (840 m2).
A practice facility with two fields (one natural grass; the other artificial turf) for the Fire club and its youth programs lies next to the stadium. The stadium's design allows expansion of 50% more seating at negligible expense. Its 120-by-75-yard (110 by 69 m) natural grass field's $1.7 million turf management system comprises full heating, drainage, and aeration capabilities.
A permanent stage allows the stadium to host concerts and quickly change configurations. A typical conversion from soccer to stage takes no more than 18 hours. The field accommodates 8,000 additional chairback seats for concerts and other stage events. SeatGeek Stadium is currently operated by Spectra.[1][2]
In July 2016, two large-scale murals were designed and painted by artist Tony Passero on the east and west walls of the stadium's stage suites. The murals measure 14 feet high by 27 feet in length, and are named "Offense" and "Defense".[20]
Panoramic view of SeatGeek Stadium (then Toyota Park) on June 8, 2013, during a regular season match between the Chicago Fire and the Portland Timbers. Downtown Chicago is visible on the horizon on the left.
SeatGeek Stadium served as the home site for Roosevelt University men's and women's soccer matches from 2010 until 2019, when the team moved their matches to Illinois Institute of Technology's on-campus stadium.[32][33] It was announced in December 2019 that the Chicago Blitz of the Extreme Football League would play their inaugural season at SeatGeek Stadium.[34]
The first college football game at the stadium took place on September 7, 2013, between DIII schools John Carroll and Saint Norbert, a game which John Carroll won 41–0.[35]
Ilo Ferreria was the special guest. This show featured a unique medley of "Tryin’ to Reason with Hurricane Season" with a verse of "Banana Republics" in the middle before going back to "Tryin’ to Reason with Hurricane Season."[44]
This show was plagued by many technical issues before the power finally went out after Fins. Jimmy performed the first encore while they waited for power to be restored. Once restored, the band came back for the second encore.[45]
Pace operates the #387 SeatGeek Stadium Express nonstop from the Midway Orange Line Station for Chicago Fire matches and special events.[47] A $2.475 million transit center operated by Pace was constructed at the east end of the stadium's parking lot in 2014.[48][49]
The Fire had also provided bus transportation from nine different bar locations in the city to and from the games.[50] However upon moving back to Soldier Field that service is no longer offered for SeakGeek Stadium.
