Who occupied SeatGeek Stadium from 2016 to 2017?
SeatGeek Stadium SeatGeek Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview , Illinois , about twelve miles southwest of downtown Chicago . It is the home stadium of the Chicago Red Stars of the National Womens Soccer League ( NWSL ) , Chicago House AC of the National Independent Soccer Association ( NISA ) , and Chicago State Cougars mens and womens soccer teams of the NCAA Division I . The stadium has also hosted the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer , Chicago Machine of Major League Lacrosse , and Chicago Bliss of the Legends Football League ( LFL ) . Originally named Toyota Park when it opened on June 11 , 2006 , the facility has a capacity of 20,000 and was developed at a cost of around $100 million . The naming rights agreement with SeatGeek went into effect following the Fires 2018 season . Design . Incorporating traditional stadium features from American and European facilities , SeatGeek Stadium includes predominantly covered seating , a brick facade and stone entry archway , and first rows placed fewer than three yards from the field . It includes 42 executive suites , six larger party suites , the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame , and the Fire club offices , as well as a large stadium club/banquet room measuring over . A practice facility with two fields ( one natural grass ; the other artificial turf ) for the Fire club and its youth programs lies next to the stadium . The stadiums design allows expansion of 50% more seating at negligible expense . Its natural grass fields $1.7 million turf management system comprises full heating , drainage , and aeration capabilities . A permanent stage allows the stadium to host concerts and quickly change configurations . A typical conversion from soccer to stage takes no more than 18 hours . The field accommodates 8,000 additional chairback seats for concerts and other stage events . SeatGeek Stadium is currently operated by Spectra . Naming rights . In 2006 , Toyota entered into a ten-year naming rights agreement and renamed the new stadium Toyota Park . In 2016 , it was reported that Toyota had opted against renewing their naming rights . Despite this , the stadium continued to be known as Toyota Park through the 2018 season . Afterwards , new sponsor SeatGeek assumed stadium naming rights starting with the 2019 Fire season . The naming rights agreement that was signed in 2018 is the first such agreement that SeatGeek has ever entered into . It has been reported that , as part of the deal , SeatGeek will also serve as the venues primary ticketing service , starting in 2019 . SeatGeek has reportedly promised that they will work to bring more live programming , including premier concerts , music festivals and international sporting events to the stadium . Public artwork . In July 2016 two large scale murals were designed and painted by artist Tony Passero on the east and west walls of the stadiums stage suites . The murals measure 14 feet high by 27 feet in length and are named Offense and Defense . History . The Chicago Fire entered Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 1998 , playing for its first four seasons at Soldier Field in Chicago . The club moved to Cardinal Stadium in Naperville for two seasons while Soldier Field was renovated , leading to calls for a soccer-specific venue . The Fire received several bids , announcing Bridgeview as the winner in 2003 . Construction on the Bridgeview venue began on November 30 , 2004 , and was completed on June 11 , 2006 . Future . The Fire and Bridgeview began negotiating a re-evaluation of the stadium lease in 2018 , shortly after Joe Mansueto acquired his stake in the team . In early April 2019 , several media reports emerged about a potential contract buyout that would allow the Fire to move back to the city of Chicago , playing temporarily at Soldier Field once again . On May 8 , 2019 , Chicago Fire president Nelson Rodriguez confirmed that the team was negotiating a tentative deal with the village to terminate their lease , which was slated to run through 2036 , at an estimated cost of $65 million . The terms of the deal were confirmed on July 9 , 2019 . In consideration for releasing the Fire and MLS from the lease , the Fire will put money toward a “multisport recreation and entertainment center” at the site . The Red Stars have no plans to move . Chicago House AC of the NISA announced on January 27 , 2021 that they had selected SeatGeek Stadium as their home . Major soccer events . On November 27 , 2010 , SeatGeek Stadium was the venue for the 2011 FIFA Womens World Cup qualification match between USA and Italy ; USA defeated Italy 1–0 and advanced to the World Cup . SeatGeek Stadium was the venue for the 2006 MLS All-Star Game in which the MLS side defeated Chelsea F.C . 1–0 . The stadium also hosted the 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S . Open Cups final in which Chicago Fire defeated Los Angeles Galaxy 3–1 . SeatGeek Stadium hosts annual friendly matches between Chicago Fire and the popular European and Mexican clubs , which in the past included A.C . Milan , Everton , C.D . Guadalajara , Club America , Santos Laguna and others . SeatGeek Stadium hosted four matches during the group stage of the 2014 CONCACAF Womens Championship . Rugby union . SeatGeek Stadium hosted its first international rugby match in 2006 , United States VS Munster . In June 2008 the stadium hosted three matches of the Churchill Cup , including United States VS Canada , England Saxons VS Scotland A , and Ireland Wolfhounds VS Argentina Jaguares . On June 6 , 2009 the stadium hosted a 2009 mid-year rugby test series match between United States and Wales in a warmup match for the USA in its campaign to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup . Other sports events . SeatGeek Stadium served as the home site for Roosevelt University mens and womens soccer matches from 2010 until 2019 , when the team moved their matches to Illinois Institute of Technologys on-campus stadium . It was announced in December of 2019 that the Chicago Blitz of the Extreme Football League would play their inaugural season at SeatGeek Stadium . The first college football game at the stadium took place on September 7 , 2013 between DIII schools John Carroll and Saint Norbert , a game which John Carroll won 41-0 . For their 2021 season , the Chicago State Cougars mens and womens soccer teams are playing at the stadium . Music events . Since 2006 , SeatGeek Stadium has been the host venue for Chicago radio station B96s annual summer concert , The B96 Pepsi Summer Bash . The Crossroads Guitar Festival was held on July 28 , 2007 and again on June 26 , 2010 . A three-day , all-electronic music festival , Future Sound Dance Music Festival , was hosted at SeatGeek Stadium May 24–26 , 2013 . The Chicago Open Air festival , a 3-day rock festival put on by Danny Wimmer Presents , was held there July 15–17 , 2016 . Accessibility . Pace operates the #387 SeatGeek Stadium Express nonstop from the Midway Orange Line Station for Chicago Fire matches and special events . A $2.475 million transit center operated by Pace was constructed at the east end of the stadiums parking lot in 2014 . The Fire had also provided bus transportation from nine different bar locations in the city to and from the games . However upon moving back to Soldier Field that service is no longer offered for SeakGeek Stadium .