McDonald's lands naming rights to Chicago Fire FC stadium
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Rendering: Courtesy of McDonald's
The Chicago Fire FC's new stadium now has a name: McDonald's Park.
The latest: The team announced a partnership with Chicago-based McDonald's that extends beyond traditional stadium naming rights.
Context: Unlike a traditional stadium naming rights deal, McDonald's will help with a massive expansion of the Fire's youth soccer and community outreach programs.
- This is the first time McDonald's has secured the naming rights to a professional sports stadium.
What they're saying: "Together, we are creating more than a stadium," McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a press release. "We are building a place that serves up joy, brings together community, delivers impact, and is designed to serve generations to come."
- "McDonald's is the perfect partner — an iconic global brand with deep Chicago roots and shared values in supporting our community," Fire FC owner Joe Mansueto said in a release. "McDonald's Park will be the stadium that Chicago deserves."
Zoom out: The new Fire FC stadium is being privately funded by Mansueto at The 78.
- It's unclear how much money McDonald's ponied up for the partnership, but the fast-food giant says it'll play an active role in shaping the experience at the new stadium.
- There will be a flagship McDonald's restaurant in the stadium.
The intrigue: While the Fire FC season runs anywhere from six to eight months, McDonald's and the club are touting the stadium as a "year-round" destination.
- Plans for the venue include concerts, community events and celebrations throughout the year.
- The partnership will also support community events addressing food insecurity, the Ronald McDonald House and more.
Between the lines: This move by Mansueto shows the Fire's commitment not just to a new soccer stadium, but to expanding soccer's footprint across Chicago. McDonald's has committed to funding an expansion of youth soccer programs through the Fire's P.L.A.Y.S Program.
- The partnership hopes to deliver equipment, funding and access to 280 public schools and over 125,000 kids by 2028. Their goal is to be one of the most comprehensive free soccer programs in the country.
The bottom line: The Fire and McDonald's are betting the club's new stadium can become more than a soccer venue — a year-round community hub and a centerpiece for growing the sport across Chicago.