Stadiums
Soldier Field
1410 S. Museum Campus Dr, Chicago
The original home of the team, opened on April 4th, 1998 as the Fire took on the Tampa Bay Mutiny, winning 2-0 (both courtesy of Frank Klopas).
Soldier Field was home to the Fire for three of their six major trophies, the ’98 MLS Cup, the ’98 Open Cup, and the ’00 Open Cup.
Toyota Park / SeatGeek Stadium
7000 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview
The Chicago Fire’s first permanent soccer specific home, then known as Toyota Park.
Opened on June 11, 2006 for a limited crowd of season ticket holders and special guests, the Fire drew 3-3 with New England before officially hosting a sold-out crowd on June 25th against New York Red Bulls, winning 2-0.
Toyota Park was also the site of the Fire’s last trophy win, a 3-1 defeat of the LA Galaxy in the Open Cup Final (their fourth overall).
Cardinal Stadium (North Central College)
455 S. Brainard St, Naperville
This field served as the Chicago Fire’s temporary home in 2002 and 2003 as Soldier Field underwent renovation.
Though their time there was short, the 2003 season would go down in history as the Fire won both the Supporters Shield and the US Open Cup – the first MLS side to do so.
Now known as Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
The Early Days
Navy Pier (Gateway Park)
600 E. Grand Ave, Chicago
On a sunny day, October 8th 1997, Peter Wilt announced the arrival of Chicago’s MLS club – the Chicago Fire – at this location looking out over Lake Michigan, the Chicago Skyline, and their future home, Soldier Field.
Halas Hall (Lake Forest College)
1920 Football Dr, Lake Forest
The Fire’s first Chicago area training site and a key part in the success of their inaugural season.
John Hancock Center
875 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago
The Signature Lounge on the tower’s 95th floor was the site of the Fire’s inaugural Expansion Draft as both Chicago and Miami started building their rosters.
Front Office Space
US Soccer House
1801 S. Prairie Ave, Chicago
Prior to the Fire being announced as an expansion franchise, they did not yet have a home base to work from.
The US Soccer Federation offered space in their offices as the club looked for its first permanent home.
Though time spent there was short, many of the initial critical decisions made by the club occurred here.
The Equitable Building
401 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago
This first rental space headquartered the Chicago Fire offices at the time of the Oct 8, 1997 announcement as the club hammered out details with both the league and the city.
311 W. Superior St, Chicago
The first “permanent” office space of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club organization.
Mag Mile Building
980 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago
After the 2002 return move to a newly renovated Soldier field (having spent time in Naperville), this was the second office space rented by the club in the city proper.
Current Fire HQ
1 N. Dearborn St, Chicago
Marked the return of the club to the city in an official capacity this season and serves as the current center of business operations.
Club Lago
331 W. Superior St, Chicago
This lounge near the first Fire offices was the “unofficial” site of many player signings and where key business transactions were completed before becoming official up the street.
Fire Anniversary Parties
Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark St, Chicago
The site of the 15th anniversary party planned and executed by members of the supporter community, Section 8 Chicago board members, and local partners.
An event that would mark the continual stewardship of club history by fans and set a benchmark for landmark anniversaries in the future.
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St, Chicago
The site of the 20th anniversary party which saw the October 8th Committee build on the success of the 15th anniversary to expand the events program and present an extremely impressive exhibit cataloguing the club’s history.
Other Notables
Brehon Pub
731 N. Dearborn Ave, Chicago
This was the site of weekly staff happy hours in the Fire’s early days and a place where supporters occasionally mingled with staff as well.
Wrigley Building
410 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago
When Joe Mansueto purchased the building – later the site of the 2019 Fire Pop-Up Shop – it signaled his intent to continually make his mark on Chicago.
The shop marked the club’s return to the city and hosted jersey reveals, but it also showed a renewed sense of ambition by the club and commitment to the city.