Chicago Fire has announced a naming rights agreement with McDonald’s for the club’s future stadium, which will be known as McDonald’s Park when it opens in 2028.
Located in The 78, a riverside development in downtown Chicago, the privately financed $750 million venue will hold 22,000 spectators for soccer matches and up to 31,000 people for concerts and special events. The agreement marks McDonald’s first-ever naming rights partnership for a major sports venue in the United States.
According to the club, McDonald’s Park is designed to become a year-round sports and entertainment destination, hosting soccer matches, concerts, community programs and large-scale events. The partnership also reflects the strong local connection between the two organizations, as McDonald’s global headquarters is based in Chicago.
The fast-food giant is expected to play an active role in shaping the stadium experience, including the development of a flagship restaurant inside the venue and fan-focused activations that combine sports, food, culture and entertainment.
“Together, we are creating more than a stadium. We are building a place that delivers joy, unites the community and is designed to serve future generations,” said Chris Kempczinski, president and CEO of McDonald’s.
Joe Mansueto, owner and chairman of Chicago Fire, described the partnership as a key step in the club’s ambition to become a world-class sports organization while strengthening its ties to the city of Chicago.
The agreement will begin generating impact before the stadium opens. Starting in 2027, McDonald’s will become the presenting partner of Chicago Fire’s P.L.A.Y.S. program, which promotes free soccer initiatives in Chicago public schools, particularly in underserved communities.
The initiative currently operates in 70 schools and reaches around 31,000 students. Through the expanded partnership, the organizations aim to quadruple the program’s scale, reaching all 280 public schools in the city and impacting more than 125,000 students over time.
McDonald’s will also provide starter soccer kits featuring both brands, including balls, goals, cones and training equipment.
Beyond soccer development, McDonald’s Park will serve as a hub for community initiatives, including annual food distribution programs to combat food insecurity and fundraising activities supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The agreement further reinforces the growing commercial strength of Major League Soccer stadiums, where naming rights partnerships with global brands have become a central pillar of franchise revenues.
Across the league, clubs have secured stadium naming rights deals with companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Toyota, PayPal and Nubank, reflecting the increasing commercial appeal of soccer infrastructure in North America.