McDonald’s lands naming rights to Chicago Fire’s new stadium
McDonald’s has become the inaugural naming rights partner for Chicago Fire FC’s new US$750m stadium at The 78, with the deal also funding a major expansion of the club’s youth football programme across Chicago Public Schools.
McDonald’s has signed a long-term naming rights partnership with Chicago Fire FC that will see the club’s new stadium branded as McDonald’s Park when it opens in 2028.The agreement links a flagship venue asset to a broader community platform, using the stadium project to scale youth participation and add year-round commercial programming beyond matchdays.Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s chairman and chief executive, said: “Together, we are creating more than a stadium.”“We are building a place that serves up joy, brings together community, delivers impact, and is designed to serve generations to come.”The stadium is being developed at The 78, a riverfront site near downtown Chicago, and the build has been positioned as a privately funded project led by the club’s ownership.Joe Mansueto, Chicago Fire FC owner and chairman, said: “As we take the next step on our journey to build a world class Club, our commitment to Chicago is at the center of everything we do.”“That’s why McDonald’s is the perfect partner – an iconic global brand with deep Chicago roots and shared values in supporting our community. McDonald’s Park will be the stadium that Chicago deserves.”Commercially, the partnership goes beyond naming rights visibility, with McDonald’s set to play a role in shaping the fan experience inside the venue, including a permanent flagship McDonald’s restaurant and in-stadium programming designed to drive repeat visits.The stadium plan also includes immersive fan and culinary experiences, with the site positioned as a multi-use sports and entertainment destination capable of hosting concerts and other large-scale events.A core pillar is youth football access through the Chicago Fire Foundation’s P.L.A.Y.S. programme, which McDonald’s will support as presenting partner from 2027.The club said the partnership is designed to remove equipment as a barrier through co-branded starter kits, with a phased expansion that targets more than 280 under-resourced Chicago Public Schools and more than 125,000 students over the life of the deal.The programme currently operates in 70 Chicago Public Schools, with the footprint set to double by the stadium opening, expanding to around 140 schools and reaching more than 60,000 students.The agreement also embeds charitable activity into matchday operations, including a stadium-wide Round-Up fundraising mechanic supporting Ronald McDonald House, plus a dedicated seating section and matchday experiences for families.McDonald’s Park is expected to become a central asset in Chicago Fire’s growth strategy, combining premium naming rights, F and B revenue, events programming and community impact into a single commercial narrative ahead of the 2028 launch.