Categories: Chicago Stars FCNWSLWomen's Football

Chicago Stars FC to move to Evanston in 2026

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 05: A general view during the first half between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Indiana Hoosiers at Martin Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL–On Wednesday, Chicago Stars FC announced they will play their home games at Martin Stadium on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston for the 2026 season, ending a ten-year run at Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium (neé Toyota Park). The Stars are playing in Evanston this Sunday for their “Lakeshore Faceoff” against Bay FC (2pm CT, Fox Chicago+/NWSL+).

Martin Stadium, formerly Lakeside Field, is on the banks of Lake Michigan and is home to Northwestern’s soccer and women’s lacrosse teams and is also the temporary home to Northwestern’s football team while Ryan Field is being renovated. Martin Stadium also hosted the Chicago Tempest of Women’s Elite Rugby this season. Capacity at the ground is around 12,000 in its current setup.

While there are more public transportation options available, as well as being able to bike towards the stadium on the lakefront path, the weather will get noticeably cold in the non-Summer months.

“This move to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in 2026 marks a historic step for the club and a new era for the Chicago Stars,” said Chicago Stars President, Karen Leetzow. “This is just one step in a series of changes, including the recent hiring of renowned head coach, Martin Sjogren, exciting international player acquisitions and other incredible initiatives that are soon to be announced and will set the club on a new trajectory. I invite fans from around the Chicagoland area to join us September 7 to get a preview of 2026 and to sign up for season ticket memberships next year to join us on this next great journey.”

The Stars’ status at SeatGeek Stadium has not been a pleasant one as they have constantly had to play second fiddle to other teams like the Fire from 2016 to 2019 and currently the Chicago Hounds, festivals, and concerts. The stadium’s location in Bridgeview, not easily accessible through public transportation, has also been a pain point for fans. The Fire broke their lease with Bridgeview in 2019 to move back to Soldier Field and anticipate moving to a new stadium by the Chicago River in 2028.

Like the Stars’ position on the NWSL table, the average attendance at SeatGeek Stadium has been poor. They are averaging just 3,020 thru eight matches in Bridgeview which would put them dead last in attendance by over 2,200 per match. They are only second bottom in average attendance (5,628) buoyed by the June 14th doubleheader with the Fire at Soldier Field which drew 26,492. It was a similar story last season where the over 35,000 crowd for a match at Wrigley Field boosted their average figure to 8,156 (with the average of just games at Bridgeview at just 4,833) in 2024.

As of now, the arrangement is just for the 2026 season as the hope is that one day the Stars will get a home of their own–preferably within City Limits. It is the latest step in rebuilding and rebranding the club since it was bought by the Ricketts Group in 2023. Come 2026, the club will have a new home, a new manager in Martin Sjogren, and hopefully a new look roster that will help them move up the NWSL table.