McDonald's and Chicago Fire FC Agree on Stadium Naming Rights

May 13, 2026, 15:43
USSports

Introduction

McDonald's has signed a long-term partnership agreement with the Chicago Fire for their new $750 million stadium, which will be called McDonald's Park.

Main Body

The stadium is expected to be finished in 2028 and will be the main part of 'The 78,' an $8 billion development project in Chicago's South Loop. The open-air venue will hold 22,000 people for soccer matches, but it can be expanded to 31,000 for other events. Importantly, the project is funded privately by owner Joe Mansueto, which means the city does not need to provide public money. This agreement lasts until at least 2040 and is the first time the company has named a professional sports stadium. In addition to the name, the partnership includes business and charity goals. A special flagship restaurant will be built inside the stadium. Furthermore, starting in 2027, McDonald's will support the P.L.A.Y.S. program, which provides soccer equipment and training to students in low-income Chicago public schools. The deal also includes special seating and fundraising efforts for the Ronald McDonald House. Since 1997, the Chicago Fire has mostly played at Soldier Field. Moving to their own stadium follows a trend in Major League Soccer, as teams in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami have also secured corporate naming rights. Currently, the club is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference for the 2026 season under manager Gregg Berhalter.

Conclusion

The Chicago Fire will move from Soldier Field to the privately funded McDonald's Park when it opens in 2028.

Learning

๐Ÿš€ The 'B2 Shift': Moving Beyond Simple Sentences

An A2 student says: "The stadium is new. It costs $750 million. It is in Chicago."

A B2 student connects these ideas to show relationship and complexity.

๐Ÿ” The Secret Weapon: Advanced Connectors

Look at these phrases from the text. They aren't just words; they are 'bridges' that make your English sound professional.

  • "In addition to..." โ†’\rightarrow Use this when you want to add a second, more important point.

    • A2 style: "The deal has a name. It also has charity goals."
    • B2 style: "In addition to the name, the partnership includes charity goals."

  • "Furthermore..." โ†’\rightarrow This is the formal version of "also." Use it to build a strong argument.

    • Example: "The stadium is privately funded. Furthermore, it will support local schools."

๐Ÿ—๏ธ Structural Upgrade: The Passive Voice for Impact

In A2, we focus on who does the action. In B2, we focus on what is happening. This is essential for business and news English.

"The stadium is expected to be finished in 2028"

Instead of saying "People expect the stadium to finish," we use the Passive Voice.

Why? Because the stadium is the star of the sentence, not the people expecting it.

Try this pattern: [Object] + [be verb] + [past participle] + [time/detail]

  • Low level: "Joe Mansueto funds the project privately."
  • B2 level: "The project is funded privately by Joe Mansueto."

๐Ÿ’ก Pro Tip: Precision Vocabulary

Stop using "get" or "make" for everything. Notice how the article uses "Secured" (instead of "got") and "Expanded" (instead of "made bigger"). These specific verbs are the hallmark of a B2 speaker.

Vocabulary Learning

partnership (n.)
a formal arrangement between parties to cooperate toward a common goal
Example:The partnership between the club and the city will bring new opportunities.
agreement (n.)
a formal arrangement where parties agree on terms
Example:The agreement was signed by both sides.
stadium (n.)
a large arena for sports and events
Example:Fans filled the stadium for the opening match.
development (n.)
the process of building or improving something
Example:The development will create new jobs.
venue (n.)
a place where events are held
Example:The venue will host soccer games and concerts.
expanded (adj.)
made larger or increased in size
Example:The stadium was expanded to accommodate 31,000 spectators.
privately (adv.)
by private individuals or groups, not by the government
Example:The project was funded privately.
fundraising (n.)
the activity of collecting money for a cause
Example:Fundraising efforts raised funds for the charity.
flagship (adj.)
the most important or representative item of a group
Example:The flagship restaurant will be located inside the stadium.
program (n.)
a planned series of activities or events
Example:The program teaches children soccer skills.
equipment (n.)
tools or gear needed for a task
Example:The program provides equipment to students.
training (n.)
the process of learning skills through practice
Example:Training sessions improve players' performance.