The Chicago Fire played at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL from 2006 to 2019 before moving back to Soldier Field in Chicago. There were a few key reasons why the Fire decided to leave their suburban stadium and return to an updated Soldier Field in the city:
Declining Attendance
One of the biggest factors was declining attendance. When the Fire moved to Toyota Park, they were averaging around 16,000 fans per game. However, attendance dropped steadily over the years to under 13,000 per game by 2018. Playing in their own stadium out in the suburbs simply didn’t have the same draw as being in downtown Chicago.
Inconvenient Location
Related to attendance, the location of Toyota Park proved to be inconvenient for many fans. Despite being just 15 miles from downtown, the commute could take 30-45 minutes from Chicago. Public transit options were limited as well. This made it difficult for fans to get out to weeknight games in particular.
Lack of Gameday Atmosphere
The atmosphere and experience at Toyota Park on gamedays was underwhelming for many Fire fans. With large empty sections of seats, the stadium often felt cavernous. The suburban location meant fewer people tailgating or making a day out of going to the game. There simply wasn’t the same energy and excitement as their early years at Soldier Field.
Soldier Field Renovations
A big reason for the Fire to return to Soldier Field was the renovations done in 2003. Soldier Field underwent major upgrades while maintaining its historic colonnades. This increased seating capacity to 61,500 for soccer matches. It gave the Fire a significantly larger and more updated home stadium waiting for them back in Chicago.
Change in Ownership
The change in ownership from Andell Holdings to Joe Mansueto in 2019 was a catalyst for the Fire’s return to Soldier Field. Mansueto made it a priority to move the club back to the city and tap into Chicago’s passionate soccer fanbase. The existing lease with Bridgeview stadium was a roadblock that took months of negotiations before an exit agreement was reached.
Difficulty Attracting Marquee Players
According to club officials, Toyota Park’s location and lack of atmosphere made it difficult to attract top level players to the Fire. International players want to live in vibrant cities like Chicago. The club hopes the move will give them a better pitch when trying to sign designated players and elite talent going forward.
More Scheduling Flexibility
With the Fire as just tenants at Toyota Park, scheduling league matches and other events was tricky at times. As lead tenants at Soldier Field again, the Fire will get priority in booking dates. This gives them more flexibility with scheduling that caters to fans and TV networks.
Bigger Revenue Potential
Playing in a large NFL stadium in downtown Chicago simply offers more revenue potential on gamedays. With more seats to sell, the Fire can better capitalize on rivalry matches that draw bigger crowds. A vibrant tailgating scene and more corporate sponsors are also part of the upside.
Conclusion
In the end, the declining attendance, inconvenient suburban location, lack of atmosphere, new ownership, and stadium renovations all led to the Chicago Fire deciding to leave Toyota Park after 13 years. The club is banking on a renewed excitement and energy by returning to a city stadium with more seating, flexibility, and revenue potential. The goal is to re-establish their standing as one of MLS’s most popular teams after a decade of decline out in Bridgeview.
Detailed Timeline of Chicago Fire at Toyota Park
Here is a more detailed timeline of the Chicago Fire’s tenure at Toyota Park and their return to Soldier Field:
2003
- Soldier Field undergoes $660 million renovation while maintaining historic colonnades
- Capacity increased to 61,500 for soccer matches
2006
- Toyota Park opens in Bridgeview, IL as new 20,000 seat soccer-specific stadium
- Chicago Fire soccer club moves from Soldier Field to Toyota Park after playing first eight seasons downtown
- Fire draw 17,034 fans in home debut at Toyota Park
2007
- Toyota Park attendance averages 16,843 per match
2008
- Average attendance dips slightly to 15,909
2009
- Attendance rebounds to 16,790 per game
2010
- Toyota Park attendance drops to 14,689 as club misses playoffs
2011
- Lowest average attendance yet at Toyota Park with 14,166 per match
2012
- With arrival of Sherjill MacDonald, attendance bumps up to 15,165
2013
- Signing of Mike Magee helps draw 15,741 fans on average
2014
- Attendance declines again to 14,316 as playoff drought continues
2015
- Slight uptick to 15,024 fans per match
2016
- Another Fire playoff miss leads to dip in attendance to 14,555
2017
- Average attendance is lowest since 2011 at 13,344 per game
2018
- Number falls again to 12,324, last time averaging over 12,000
2019
- Joe Mansueto takes over ownership from Andrew Hauptman
- Announces plans to move back to Soldier Field citing location challenges
- Negotiates exit from Toyota Park lease after months of talks
- Chicago Fire return to Soldier Field after $90 million in upgrades
Chicago Fire’s Attendance Figures at Toyota Park
Here are the Chicago Fire’s average attendance figures from each season they played at Toyota Park:
Year | Average Attendance |
---|---|
2006 | 17,034 |
2007 | 16,843 |
2008 | 15,909 |
2009 | 16,790 |
2010 | 14,689 |
2011 | 14,166 |
2012 | 15,165 |
2013 | 15,741 |
2014 | 14,316 |
2015 | 15,024 |
2016 | 14,555 |
2017 | 13,344 |
2018 | 12,324 |
This table illustrates the steady decline in attendance from the initial excitement of the new stadium in 2006 to the low numbers in the final years. The most drastic drops came between 2009-2011 and 2017-2018 as the playoff drought continued.
Toyota Park vs. Soldier Field Capacity
One of the motivating factors to move back to Soldier Field was the difference in seating capacity:
Stadium | Seating Capacity |
---|---|
Toyota Park | 20,000 |
Soldier Field | 61,500 |
Toyota Park had 20,000 seats for soccer matches. In contrast, Soldier Field could accommodate over 60,000 fans. This presented an opportunity for significantly higher attendance numbers and increased revenue on matchdays.
Getting to Toyota Park vs. Soldier Field
Here is a comparison of getting to each stadium on gameday:
Category | Toyota Park | Soldier Field |
---|---|---|
Distance from downtown Chicago | 15 miles | Located downtown |
Public transit options | Limited shuttle buses from train stations | Easily accessible by CTA bus & train |
Average drive time from Chicago | 30-45 minutes | 15 minutes or less |
Parking | On-site lots | Surrounding garages & lots |
This illustrates how Soldier Field offers much easier access for fans traveling from Chicago. The suburban location and lack of transit to Toyota Park was a major drawback cited by fans.
Notable Moments at Toyota Park
While their time at Toyota Park ultimately ended poorly, the Chicago Fire did have some memorable moments at the stadium:
August 2007 – David Beckham’s MLS Debut
David Beckham’s first appearance for the LA Galaxy in MLS came at Toyota Park in a 4-0 loss. The game drew a sellout crowd of 21,193 eager to see Beckham.
October 2008 – Playoff Clinching Win over D.C. United
In 2008, the Fire clinched a playoff spot with a 3-2 victory over D.C. United in their Toyota Park finale. A late John Thorrington goal sent the sold-out crowd into a frenzy.
September 2010 – Nery Castillo Debuts for Chicago
Mexican star Nery Castillo made his first start for the Fire at Toyota Park in September 2010 after joining the club as a designated player. He drew immediate buzz and excitement to the stadium.
October 2011 – Fire Eliminate the Red Bulls
Down 1-0, the Fire got two late goals from Orr Barouch and a game-winner from Dan Gargan in extra time to stun the Red Bulls. The upset win in the 2011 wildcard playoff match sent Toyota Park into a frenzy.
Conclusion
Toyota Park started off full of promise for the Chicago Fire after years at Soldier Field. However, a variety of factors from declining attendance to inconvenient access led the club to make the decision to move back downtown. Now returning to a renovated Soldier Field, the Fire hope they can regain the electric atmosphere of their early MLS days playing in the city’s famous stadium.