After a decade-long stadium agreement, Chicago Stars FC announced on Wednesday their departure from the Village of Bridgeview and SeatGeek Stadium. The team has officially designated Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston as their new home starting with the 2026 NWSL season.
Chicago Stars president Karen Leetzow heralded the 2026 relocation to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium as a “historic step” and the dawn of a “new era” for the club. She emphasized that this move is part of a broader transformation, which includes the recent appointment of acclaimed head coach Martin Sjogren, significant international player signings, and other forthcoming initiatives poised to propel the team in a new direction.
This announcement precedes the expiration of the Stars` current lease at SeatGeek Stadium at year-end. Fans will have an early preview of the new venue this Sunday, as the Stars are set to host the reigning NWSL Champions, Orlando Pride. The club is promoting this match as the “Lakefront Faceoff,” highlighting the picturesque lakeside setting of the new facility.
Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium offers stunning views of the Chicago skyline. This facility was built as a temporary solution during the construction of a new Ryan Field for Northwestern Wildcats Football. It is part of the University`s extensive Lakefront Athletics and Recreation Complex, which boasts various multi-use sports fields, including Lakeside Field, a dedicated field hockey pitch.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss expressed his delight in welcoming the Chicago Stars, commending the club`s dedication to the community. He noted that their youth programs and collaborations with local businesses would inspire future generations and forge a robust bond between the team and the city.
Martin Stadium, with a capacity of just over 12,000 spectators, is considerably smaller than the 20,000-seat SeatGeek Stadium. Additionally, the new venue features an artificial turf field, contrasting with the natural grass pitch of their former home.
Despite the move, the NWSL franchise has historically faced challenges in consistently selling out matches and attracting large crowds. Their peak attendance in suburban Bridgeview, pre-pandemic, was 17,388 for a post-2019 FIFA Women`s World Cup welcome match, with nearly 10,000 fans attending a 2019 NWSL semifinal.
The acquisition of the team by a new ownership group, spearheaded by Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts in late 2023, sparked optimism and expectations for resolving the club`s persistent attendance issues. Criticisms of SeatGeek Stadium frequently centered on its remote location and inadequate public transport access. Furthermore, the Stars often had to share the facility with other sports teams, local community events in the parking areas, and various special events or concerts.
For much of their tenure, the Stars were not the primary tenants at SeatGeek, frequently sharing it with Chicago Fire FC. The Fire terminated their lease in 2019 and now play at Soldier Field, though they continued to use Bridgeview for training until their new facility opened in Chicago`s Near West Side this May. The MLS team recently unveiled ambitious plans for a privately funded, $650 million stadium in the city`s South Loop, targeting a 2028 completion.
Last season, the Stars made headlines by hosting a regular season match at Wrigley Field, drawing an unprecedented attendance of over 35,000. This event vividly demonstrated Chicagoans` strong enthusiasm for major sporting spectacles, hinting at the league`s potential appeal.
The move to Martin Stadium presents a new opportunity for the club to evaluate fan accessibility. A variety of transportation options will be available for attendees, ranging from CTA and suburban PACE bus services to the scenic lakefront bike path.
Securing a new home facility has been a critical priority for the franchise, alongside other significant changes like a recent rebrand, all aimed at revitalizing the club. The relocation to Evanston offers the new ownership an opportunity to explore more lasting solutions. However, the club`s announcement specified that Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will serve as their home only for the 2026 NWSL season, not as a permanent venue.
