Soldier Field – Chicago Fire FC
- Dave Cottenie
- Jun 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 8
Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Soldier Field 1410 Special Olympics Drive Chicago, IL 60605
Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 62,500
Temporary Fire
The Chicago Fire Football Club is one of the original Major League Soccer franchises. Established in 1997, the Fire's original home was Soldier Field. The wave of soccer specific stadiums brought the team out to Bridgeview, Illinois in 2006. The new location did not prove to be beneficial to the team and they returned to Soldier Field in 2019. In 2025 the Fire announced their intention to move to a new soccer-specific stadium just over a kilometer west of Soldier Field to be named McDonald’s Park. It is expected to open for the 2028 season. The Fire are owned by Joe Mansueto and are named after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Fire won the 1997 MLS Cup and 2003 Supporters’ Shield.
Soldier Field is the venerable home of the Fire and the Chicago Bears of the NFL. Originally built in 1924, Soldier Field underwent a massive renovation in 2002 which gave it the contrasting styles that it is known for today. Formerly a National Historic Landmark, Soldier Field was delisted in 2006.
Food & Beverage 3
There are a variety of food options at Soldier Field, however, since the Fire draw much smaller crowds than the Bears, not all the concession stands will be open for soccer games here. There is still a decent selection, including street tacos from Taqueria 77, brisket nachos from Shoreline BBQ, smashburgers from Burger Bungalow, polish sausages and brats from 606 Sausage Co., and local favourite, Italian beef from Durham Bar. Other stadium staples can be found throughout the stadium. The best selection is in the lower concourse, but there are some options on the 200 level as well. Soldier Field offers a decent selection of alcoholic beverages and is unique in that RC cola and Dr. Pepper are the soft drinks of choice.
Atmosphere 4
Soldier Field is one of the most unique venues in MLS and the NFL. The unique, Romanesque exterior with the concrete pillars from the original stadium was maintained. This created the unique “stadium within a stadium” setup that is now in place. Soldier Field remains a dedicated monument to the men and women of the armed forces, which is prominent on the exterior, a refreshing change from the forgettable corporate naming monikers. The pillars are prominent on the east side of the stadium, on Special Olympics Drive where the lawn also features some pre-match activities. Most fans will enter from the south, where there is a bit of a plaza and the bronze statues of Walter Payton and George Halas can be found.
Inside the “outer stadium,” at the south, fans are immediately greeted by a bronze statue of a soldier in front of the American Flag, reminding fans of the dedication of the stadium. The outer concourse is almost a time warp where the columns from the old stadium meet the more modern, stainless steel inner structure. Fans will immediately notice that Soldier Field is the home of the Bears, with plenty of Bears history found in the outer concourse. Some temporary markings and banners are placed for the Fire, but it is clear that they are second or third class citizens in Soldier Field. Some other items of note are an interesting timeline depicting the history of Soldier Field and the Chicago Fire FC Wall of Honor.
Inside the seating bowl, the pitch runs from north to south with a disjointed seating structure. The upper deck is empty for Fire matches. The east side is where the luxury boxes are found. They are sparsely populated and quite far from the action and rest of the fans. The 100 level is populated on all four sides and the 200 level on the west side also welcomes fans. Although the 200 level offers the most protection from the elements, including the famous Chicago wind, it has muted acoustics and feels removed from the rest of the fanbase. The north end has colored seats spelling out CF97 and the supporter groups populate field level on the south end. Large video boards are in the northeast corner and south end.
The gameday production at a Fire match is strong. The players enter from the north end and turn toward the west side in the traditional soccer entry. The pre-match festivities feature a number of pyro features, living up to the Fire name. The official mascot, Sparky, is present at most matches. To start the match, a celebrity will “sound the alarm” in the south end, signaling the beginning of the match by raising an axe and riling up the supporter groups.
Neighborhood 5
Soldier Field is located on the Museum Campus in Chicago, immediately west of Lake Michigan. There are a number of local spots near for pre and post-game food and drink. Some options include, Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, Victory Tap, Buttercup, Casa Tulum, Oliver’s, The Staley, The Spoke & Bud and Weather Mark Tavern.
Soldier Field is shared with the NFL’s Chicago Bears. Chicago is known as one of the top sporting cities and there are a ton of other sporting options. These include the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, Sky and Wolves. There are also a number of college basketball experiences to be had including UIC, Chicago State, Loyola and DePaul. Probably the top college in the area is just north in Evanston, where the Northwestern Wildcats are in a power conference for football and basketball. Tours of Soldier Field are also available.
Since Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States and a tourist destination, there are a ton of other tourist options. Some of these include the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Alder Planetarium, 12th Street Beach, Balbo Monument, Glessner House, Art Institute of Chicago and Navy Pier.
For fans who wish to stay near Soldier Field, the Best Western, Marriott Marquis and Canopy by Hilton are all options close by.
Fans 3
The move from Bridgeview to Soldier Field has benefitted the team on the pitch. At the time of writing, the 2026 season, the Fire averaged almost 18,000 fans per match. Admittedly, Stadium Journey visited early in the season and the weather had not yet hit the springtime norms. The match that was reviewed announced over 28,000 fans. The previous season, the Fire averaged over 23,000 fans per match, which ranked them 8th in MLS. There are 11 supporter groups listed on the official Chicago Fire FC website and they populate the south end of Soldier Field. There is a decent tailgate presence at Chicago Fire matches, found in the south parking lot.
Access 4
Soldier Field is located on the Museum Campus in Chicago, near the South Side neighborhood, on the west side of Special Olympics Drive. It is 1 km east of I-90, so getting to the match by car should not be too difficult. However, Chicago is a major city and traffic is definitely an issue. There are some surface lots and garages very close to the stadium. Pre-planning parking and even pre-purchasing parking is highly recommended. Also, fans who are driving need to be cognizant of the vehicle size limitations when choosing a parking garage.
The public transit in Chicago is plentiful, and the Museum Campus is at the crux of a number of options. The 11th and 18th Street Metra stations are close. Also the CTA “L” Orange, Green and Red lines are all close. Fans should consult the Metra and CTA websites for maps, fares and schedules.
Getting around Soldier Field is not that difficult, especially with the difference in capacity and number of fans in attendance. The washroom facilities are adequate. Fans should keep in mind that there are a number of staircases throughout the stadium, mainly going from the older to newer parts. Ramps are available but may take a little extra effort to find for those with ambulatory issues.
Stadium Journey recognizes that the security protocols for major sporting events are always changing. Stadium Journey highly recommends consulting the Chicago Fire FC and Soldier Field websites before heading to the match for the most up to date security procedures including prohibited items.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets for most Chicago Fire matches begin at $28 for the ends of the 300 level. Tickets go up to $100 for lower level, mid-pitch seating. Parking will come at a cost but can be well researched for the best prices. Concession prices are what one would expect. The environment is solid for soccer matches, an improvement from the Bridgeview days. Overall, fans will enjoy the Fire experience at a price that is not horrible.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the return of the Fire to Downtown Chicago.
An extra mark for Soldier Field as a living monument for members of the Armed Forces.
An extra mark for the naming of the team after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Final Thoughts
Although the time for the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field is fleeting, soccer fans should make sure to experience a match at the team’s original home while they still can. The upcoming McDonald’s Park will definitely make the Fire feel more at home, however, Soldier Field offers a unique stadium experience in a place that was once an Historic Landmark.
