SeatGeek Stadium

SeatGeek Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois, about twelve miles southwest of downtown Chicago. It is the home stadium of the Chicago Red Stars[9] of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The stadium has also hosted the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer, Chicago Machine of Major League Lacrosse, and Chicago Bliss of the Legends Football League (LFL). Originally named Toyota Park when it opened on June 11, 2006, the facility has a capacity of 20,000 and was developed at a cost of around $100 million. The naming rights agreement with SeatGeek went into effect following the Fire's 2018 season.[10][11][2]

This article is about the soccer stadium near Chicago, Illinois, formerly known as Toyota Park. For the two soccer stadiums in Texas see Toyota Stadium and Toyota Field. For other uses, see Toyota Park (disambiguation).
SeatGeek Stadium
SeatGeek Stadium in March 2013
SeatGeek Stadium
Location in the Chicago area
SeatGeek Stadium
Location in Illinois
SeatGeek Stadium
Location in the United States
Former namesToyota Park (2006–2018)
Address7000 South Harlem Avenue
LocationBridgeview, Illinois
Coordinates41°45′53″N 87°48′22″W
OwnerVillage of Bridgeview
OperatorSpectra[1][2]
CapacitySoccer: 20,000[3][4]
Concerts: 28,000
Field size120 x 75 yards
SurfaceKentucky Bluegrass[5]
Construction
Broke groundNovember 30, 2004
OpenedJune 11, 2006
Construction cost$98 million
($124 million in 2019 dollars[6])
ArchitectRossetti Architects
Project managerICON Venue Group[7]
Structural engineerJohn A. Martin & Associates[8]
Services engineerA. Epstein & Sons International[8]
General contractorTurner Construction[7] Harbour Contractors
Tenants
Chicago Red Stars (WPS, NWSL) (2009–2010, 2016–present)
Chicago Fire (MLS) (2006–2019)
Chicago Bliss (LFL) (2011–2012, 2015–2017)
Chicago Machine (MLL) (2007–2009)
Roosevelt Lakers soccer (NAIA) (2010–2019)
Northwestern Wildcats soccer (NCAA) (2015)

Design

Incorporating traditional stadium features from American and European facilities, SeatGeek Stadium includes predominantly covered seating, a brick facade and stone entry archway, and first rows placed fewer than three yards from the field. It includes 42 executive suites, six larger party suites, the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame, and the Fire club offices, as well as a large stadium club/banquet room measuring over 9,000 square feet (840 m2).

A practice facility with two fields (one natural grass; the other artificial turf) for the Fire club and its youth programs lies next to the stadium. The stadium's design allows expansion of 50% more seating at negligible expense. Its 120-by-75-yard (110 by 69 m) natural grass field's $1.7 million turf management system comprises full heating, drainage, and aeration capabilities.

A permanent stage allows the stadium to host concerts and quickly change configurations. A typical conversion from soccer to stage takes no more than 18 hours. The field accommodates 8,000 additional chairback seats for concerts and other stage events.

SeatGeek Stadium is currently operated by Spectra.[1][2]

Naming rights

In 2006, Toyota entered into a ten-year naming rights agreement and renamed the new stadium Toyota Park.[2] In 2016, it was reported that Toyota had opted against renewing their naming rights.[12] Despite this, the stadium continued to be known as Toyota Park through the 2018 season. Afterwards, new sponsor SeatGeek assumed stadium naming rights starting with the 2019 Fire season.[10]

The naming rights agreement that was signed in 2018 is the first such agreement that SeatGeek has ever entered into.[1][2] It has been reported that, as part of the deal, SeatGeek will also serve as the venue's primary ticketing service, starting in 2019.[1] SeatGeek has reportedly promised that they will work to, "bring more live programming, including premier concerts, music festivals and international sporting events" to the stadium.[1][11]

Public artwork

In July 2016 two large scale murals where designed and painted by artist Tony Passero on the east and west walls of the stadium's stage suites. The murals measure 14 feet high by 27 feet in length and are named Offense and Defense.[13]

History

The Chicago Fire entered Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 1998, playing for its first four seasons at Soldier Field in Chicago. The club moved to Cardinal Stadium in Naperville for two seasons while Soldier Field was renovated, leading to calls for a soccer-specific venue. The Fire received several bids, announcing Bridgeview as the winner in 2003. Construction on the Bridgeview venue began on November 30, 2004,[14] and was completed on June 11, 2006.

Future

The Fire and Bridgeview began negotiating a re-evaluation of the stadium lease in 2018, shortly after Joe Mansueto acquired his stake in the team.[15] In early April 2019, several media reports emerged about a potential contract buyout that would allow the Fire to move back to the city of Chicago, playing temporarily at Soldier Field once again.[15][16] On May 8, 2019, Chicago Fire president Nelson Rodriguez confirmed that the team was negotiating a tentative deal with the village to terminate their lease, which was slated to run through 2036, at an estimated cost of $65 million.[17] The terms of the deal were confirmed on July 9, 2019. In consideration for releasing the Fire and MLS from the lease, the Fire will put money toward a “multisport recreation and entertainment center” at the site.[18] The Red Stars have no plans to move.[19]

Major soccer events
Date Teams Competition Attendance
September 10, 2008[20]United States  3–0  Trinidad and Tobago2010 FIFA World Cup qualification–CONCACAF11,452
October 11, 2016[21]Mexico  1–0  PanamaFriendly19,017
Panoramic view of SeatGeek Stadium on June 8, 2013 during the MLS regular season match between Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers. Downtown Chicago is visible on the horizon on the left.

On November 27, 2010, SeatGeek Stadium was the venue for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification match between USA and Italy; USA defeated Italy 1–0 and advanced to the World Cup.[22][23]

SeatGeek Stadium was the venue for the 2006 MLS All-Star Game in which the MLS side defeated Chelsea F.C. 1–0.[24]

The stadium also hosted the 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup's final in which Chicago Fire defeated Los Angeles Galaxy 3–1.[25]

SeatGeek Stadium hosts annual friendly matches between Chicago Fire and the popular European and Mexican clubs, which in the past included A.C. Milan, Everton, C.D. Guadalajara, Club America, Santos Laguna and others.

SeatGeek Stadium hosted four matches during the group stage of the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Championship.

Rugby union

SeatGeek Stadium hosted its first international rugby match in 2006, United States VS Munster. In June 2008 the stadium hosted three matches of the Churchill Cup, including United States VS Canada, England Saxons VS Scotland A, and Ireland Wolfhounds VS Argentina Jaguares. On June 6, 2009 the stadium hosted a 2009 mid-year rugby test series match between United States and Wales in a warmup match for the USA in its campaign to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[26]

Date Winner Score Opponent Competition Attendance
June 21, 2008 Canada26–10 United States2008 Churchill Cup Bowl Final–
June 21, 2008 Ireland A33–8 Argentinian XV2008 Churchill Cup Plate Final–
June 21, 2008 England Saxons36–19 Scotland A2008 Churchill Cup Final–
June 13, 2009 Wales48–15 United StatesJune tests6,264
November 04, 2016 Māori All Blacks54–7 United Statesend-of-year tests18,700

Other sports events

SeatGeek Stadium served as the home site for Roosevelt University men's and women's soccer matches from 2010 until 2019, when the team moved their matches to Illinois Institute of Technology's on-campus stadium.[27][28] It was announced in December of 2019 that the Chicago Blitz of the Extreme Football League would play their inaugural season at SeatGeek Stadium.[29]

The first college football game at the stadium took place on September 7,2013 between DIII schools John Carroll and Saint Norbert, a game which John Carroll won 41-0. [30]

Music events
The concert stage at SeatGeek Stadium, as seen during the 2010 B96 Pepsi Summer Bash

Since 2006,[31] SeatGeek Stadium has been the host venue for Chicago radio station B96's annual summer concert, The B96 Pepsi Summer Bash.[32] The Crossroads Guitar Festival was held on July 28, 2007 and again on June 26, 2010. A three-day, all-electronic music festival, Future Sound Dance Music Festival, was hosted at SeatGeek Stadium May 24–26, 2013. The Chicago Open Air festival, a 3-day rock festival put on by Danny Wimmer Presents, was held there July 15–17, 2016.

Date Artist(s) Opening act(s) Tour Tickets sold Revenue Additional notes
July 8, 2007Dave Matthews BandGuster2007 Summer Tour——[33]
June 6, 2008Dave Matthews BandSharon Jones and the Dap-Kings2008 Summer Tour——[34]
July 24, 2008Jimmy Buffett—The Year of Still Here Tour——
July 26, 2008
June 13, 2009Kelly Clarkson—All I Ever Wanted Summer Fair Tour——This concert was a part of the "B96 Pepsi SummerBash"[35]
July 31, 2009KornPowerman 5000
Filter		Escape from the Studio Tour——
August 8, 2009Jimmy Buffett—The Summerzcool Tour——Ilo Ferreria, Jake Shimabukuro and Joe Perry of Aerosmith were special guests.[36]
August 11, 2009Phish—Late Summer Tour 2009——
August 15, 2009Jimmy Buffett—The Summerzcool Tour——Ilo Ferreria was the special guest. This show featured a unique medley of “Tryin’ to Reason with Hurricane Season” with a verse of “Banana Republics” in the middle before going back to “Tryin’ to Reason with Hurricane Season.”[37]
June 11, 2010Phish—Early Summer Tour 2010——
August 14, 2010Jimmy Buffett—Under the Big Top Tour——
June 9, 2011Kenny ChesneyBilly Currington
Uncle Kracker		Goin' Coastal Tour——
July 23, 2011Jimmy BuffettIlo FerreiraWelcome to Fin Land Tour——This show was plagued by many technical issues before the power finally went out after Fins. Jimmy performed the first encore while they waited for power to be restored. Once restored, the band came back for the second encore.[38]
August 26, 2012Evanescence
Chevelle
Halestorm
Cavo
New Medicine		—Carnival of Madness——[39]
July 12, 2013Bob DylanWilco
My Morning Jacket
Richard Thompson Electric Trio		Americanarama Festival of Music11,075 / 13,068$689,308
July 14, 2017Kiss—Kissworld Tour——This concert was part of Chicago Open Air.

Accessibility

Pace operates the #387 SeatGeek Stadium Express nonstop from the Midway Orange Line Station for Chicago Fire matches and special events.[40] A $2.475 million transit center operated by Pace was constructed at the east end of the stadium's parking lot in 2014.[41][42]

The club also provides bus transportation from nine different bar locations in the city to and from the games.[43]

See also

References
  1. Bora, Ryan (April 21, 2018). "SeatGeek Grabs Naming Rights For Chicago MLS Stadium; Promises More 'Live Programming'". pollstar.com. Pollstar. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  2. Thomas, Ian; Eric, Fisher (April 20, 2018). "SeatGeek lands naming rights to Chicago Fire's stadium". www.bizjournals.com. Chicago Business Journal. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  3. https://www.chicago-fire.com/toyotapark
  4. "Fun Within Reach". Toyota Park. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  5. "Field of Dreams: Toyota Park has men's soccer whistling bluegrass". DePaulia. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  6. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  7. "Toyota Park". Iconvenue.com. June 11, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  8. "Built for Sports and Showbiz". Sports Business Journal. Street's and Smith's. July 10, 2006. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  9. "Chicago Red Stars to Play 2016 Season at Toyota Park". Chicago Red Stars. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  10. "Indebted Chicago Suburb Catches a Break With Naming Rights Deal". Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  11. Long, Zach (April 19, 2018). "Next season, you'll watch the Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium". www.timeout.com. Timeout. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  12. Rivera, Guillermo (August 10, 2016). "Fire sale? – at least three groups interested". www.chicagonow.com. Chicago Now. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  13. "Mural installation brings abstract perspective to Chicago Fire matchday". Chicago Fire. September 26, 2016.
  14. Gehring, Stephanie (November 21, 2004). "Stadium work under way". Southtown Star. p. A13. Retrieved May 31, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Mikula, Jeremy (April 7, 2019). "Fire eye return to Soldier Field". Chicago Tribune. p. 8. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  16. Santaromita, Dan (April 5, 2019). "Chicago Fire consider stadium lease buyout, return to Soldier Field". Pro Soccer USA. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  17. Mikula, Jeremy; Mahr, Joe (May 8, 2019). "Bridgeview says the Chicago Fire will pay $65 million in a proposed deal to leave SeatGeek Stadium". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  18. https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/ct-chicago-fire-seatgeek-stadium-lease-bridgeview-20190709-ts7xrw3ydvcgthcpzrmdfikbge-story.html
  19. https://www.twitter.com/JohnDHalloran/status/1126467428744159234.html
  20. "USA vs Trinidad and Tobago". September 10, 2008. Archived from the original on August 4, 2013.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  21. "Peralta nets winner as Mexico tops Panama". October 11, 2016.
  22. uefa.com. "Italy fall to United States as lineup confirmed". Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  23. FIFA.com. "FIFA USA beat Italy to seal final spot". Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  24. mlssoccer.com. "MLS All-Star Game 2006". Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  25. ussoccer.com. "Chicago Fire Defeat L.A. Galaxy, 3–1, to Win Fourth U.S. Open Cup Title". Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  26. bbc.co.uk. "United States 15–48 Wales". Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  27. "ATHLETIC FACILITIES". rooseveltlakers.com. Roosevelt University. Retrieved June 14, 2015. Men's and Women's Soccer Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
  28. Adnan Basic. "Women's soccer look to build despite challenging start to the season". rutorch.com. Roosevelt University. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  29. "A NEW ERA IN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT, THE X LEAGUE". extfl.com. Extreme Football League. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  30. https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2013/contrib/20130907ztnkww. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. allaccess.com. "B96 Announces Summer Bash Lineup In Chicago". Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  32. b96.radio.com. "B96 Pepsi SummerBash". Archived from the original on March 17, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  33. http://dmbalmanac.com/TourShowSet.aspx?id=453056503&tid=93
  34. http://dmbalmanac.com/TourShowSet.aspx?id=453056544&tid=98
  35. Conner, Thomas (May 7, 2009). "Kelly Clarkson, Asher Roth, more at B96 Bash". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 8, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  36. http://www.buffettworld.com/archives/2009-summerzcool/08-08/
  37. http://www.buffettworld.com/archives/2009-summerzcool/08-15/
  38. http://www.buffettworld.com/archives/2011-welcome-to-fin-land/07-23-11/
  39. Soref, Dave. "Evanescence, Chevelle head up Carnival of Madness 2012 tour". Sound Spike Media LLC. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  40. pacebus.com. "Toyota Park Express Bus Service". Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  41. "Pace selects Toyota Park for new transit center" (PDF). October 2013.
  42. "Lipinski announces construction of new transit center at Toyota Park". November 12, 2013.
  43. "2016 Chicago Fire Pub To Pitch Bus Schedule". Chicago Fire. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
Preceded by
Soldier Field		 Home of
Chicago Fire FC
2006 – 2019		 Succeeded by
Soldier Field
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