A rendering of McDonald’s Park, which will be home to the Chicago Fire FC. | Rendering courtesy of McDonald’s.
McDonald’s is expanding its presence in the soccer world.
The Chicago-based fast-food giant on Wednesday said it has acquired the naming rights for a $750 million, privately funded stadium for the Chicago Fire Football Club. McDonald’s Park, as the stadium is to be called, is expected to open in 2028.
It’s the first time that McDonald’s has signed a naming rights deal for a major professional sports stadium in the U.S.
The stadium is to be located in The 78, a riverfront location in Chicago. McDonald’s said the stadium will serve as “a world-class sports and entertainment destination” featuring year-round programming.
The company also said that it would play a role in shaping the experience at the stadium, including the design of a flagship restaurant.
The stadium will host Chicago Fire home matches and concerts and special events. There will also be immersive fan and culinary experiences inside the stadium. The Chicago Fire is a professional soccer club that plays in Major League Soccer, or MLS.
“Together, we are creating more than a stadium,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a statement. “We are building a place that serves up joy, brings together community, delivers impact and is designed to serve generations to come.”
The stadium represents a major and visible commitment to Chicago by McDonald’s, which opened its headquarters in the city in 2018 after occupying an office in suburban Oak Brook, Illinois since 1971.
It’s also another commitment to the sport of soccer for McDonald’s, which is already an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The deal includes a commitment to youth soccer across Chicago. McDonald’s will be a presenting partner for the Chicago Fire’s P.L.A.Y.S., (or Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth Soccer) Program. That will support a multi-year expansion of free school-based soccer programming at Chicago Public Schools.
Starting in 2027, the partnership will deliver cobranded “Soccer Starter Kits” including balls, goals, cones and training materials to 280 underresourced elementary schools.
The P.L.A.Y.S. footprint will double by 2028 from 70 schools to 140. Ultimately, McDonald’s and the Chicago Fire want to expand that program to all Chicago elementary schools with need.
Visitors to the stadium will be able to round up their purchases for the Ronald McDonald House. There will be a Ronald McDonald House seating section for families, meet and greets for families staying at local Ronald McDonald Houses and an annual Family Night featuring a 50/50 raffle for the charity’s benefit.
“As we take the next step in our journey to build a world-class club, our commitment to Chicago is at the center of everything we do,” Joe Mansueto, Chicago Fire FC owner and chairman, said in a statement.
He called McDonald’s “the perfect partner, and iconic global brand with deep Chicago roots and shared values in supporting our community. McDonald’s Park will be the stadium that Chicago deserves.”
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.
