After a decade navigating the professional soccer landscape from Bridgeview, the Chicago Stars FC is set to illuminate a new horizon. The club officially announced its strategic relocation to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston for the 2026 NWSL season, signaling a decisive shift in its quest for a brighter future and a deeper connection with its burgeoning fanbase.
A Decade`s End: Bidding Farewell to SeatGeek Stadium
For ten seasons, SeatGeek Stadium served as the Stars` base of operations. While it provided a professional venue, its location in suburban Bridgeview often posed a significant challenge. Fans frequently cited difficulties with public transportation access, and the stadium itself, originally built for the Chicago Fire FC, meant the Stars were often a secondary tenant in a multi-purpose facility. This arrangement, coupled with the sheer size of the 20,000-seat stadium, made it an uphill battle to cultivate the vibrant, intimate atmosphere essential for NWSL growth. Despite passionate moments, including a pre-pandemic high of nearly 18,000 attendees after the 2019 FIFA Women`s World Cup, consistent sell-outs remained elusive. The club’s lease expiring at the end of the year has paved the way for this much-anticipated change.
Evanston Beckons: A New Home with a View
The move to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston represents more than just a change of postcode; it`s a strategic embrace of accessibility and aesthetics. Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, the new venue boasts unparalleled views of the iconic Chicago skyline. As Stars President Karen Leetzow articulated, “This move… marks a historic step for the club and a new era for the Chicago Stars.”
Martin Stadium, an interim facility while Northwestern University reconstructs Ryan Field, offers a more modest capacity of just over 12,000. While smaller than SeatGeek, this presents an opportunity to create a more consistently sold-out, electric atmosphere. Furthermore, its location within the university’s Lakefront Athletics and Recreation Complex ensures excellent connectivity. Fans can look forward to a multitude of public transportation options, from CTA and PACE buses to the scenic lakefront path, making game days a far less logistical puzzle. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss welcomed the Stars, highlighting the club`s commitment to community engagement through youth programming and local business collaboration – a vital ingredient for any successful sports franchise.
The Ricketts Era: A Holistic Reboot for the Stars
This stadium pivot is not an isolated event but a cornerstone of a comprehensive revitalization strategy initiated by the new ownership group, led by Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts. Her acquisition of the team in late 2023 was met with palpable enthusiasm, signaling a serious commitment to elevating the club. The stadium relocation joins a series of ambitious changes, including the recent hiring of renowned head coach Martin Sjogren, exciting international player acquisitions, and a planned rebranding. It`s a top-to-bottom re-evaluation aimed at transforming the Stars into a perennial contender, both on and off the field.
The underlying principle is clear: make the Chicago Stars FC a more prominent, accessible, and integral part of Chicago`s vibrant sports culture. The success of a special regular season match at Wrigley Field, which drew over 35,000 fans, served as a powerful testament to the latent demand for top-tier women`s soccer in the city. The Evanston move is an attempt to harness that potential more consistently.
From Grass to Iron: A Practical Compromise
One notable technical change will be the playing surface: Martin Stadium features an iron turf field, a departure from the natural grass pitch at SeatGeek. While some purists may raise an eyebrow, this is a pragmatic reality for a multi-use facility and a common feature in modern sports. The focus, ultimately, remains on the quality of play and the fan experience, which the club is keen to enhance.
A Glimpse into the Future: The 2026 Season as a Bellwether
It`s important to note that the club`s announcement specifies Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium as the home for the 2026 NWSL season, without confirming it as a permanent solution. This suggests that the upcoming season will serve as a crucial test. Will the new location prove to be the long-term answer, or a vital stepping stone towards a purpose-built stadium within Chicago proper?
Regardless, the move to Evanston marks a bold, necessary, and incredibly promising chapter for the Chicago Stars FC. It embodies a proactive approach to fan engagement, community integration, and strategic growth. As the club prepares for the `Lakefront Faceoff` against the reigning NWSL Champions Orlando Pride – a symbolic preview of the stadium`s ambiance – the message is clear: the Stars are not just changing venues; they are redefining their destiny. For fans of professional women`s soccer in Chicago, the future, quite literally, looks brighter from the lakefront.
