Chicago Stars FC Performance Center
Coming 2027
Chicago Stars FC Unveils New Training Facility Ahead of 2026 Season
In a momentous step for the Chicago Stars FC, the club is set to open its first ever privately owned and operated training facility. Nestled on 10 acres in Bannockburn, IL, this state‑of‑the‑art complex will be purpose‑built in partnership with and specifically for Chicago Stars FC's professional soccer players.
Fast Facts
Sustainably Built
State-of-the-art weight room and recovery equipment
Two full-size fields and goalkeeper training pitch
Grass | Turf | Seasonal Dome
Press conference, media, office and content spaces
Mindfulness and wellness spaces
Performance Center Vision
The Chicago Stars are thrilled to partner with global design firm Populous on the performance center. The firm was selected because of their extensive work with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and their industry-leading vertical focused on designing world-class facilities for women's elite sports. The investment in the performance center is as much an investment in the growth of the women’s game as it is an effort to continue to fuel gender equity in sport.
The Chicago Stars selected Marquee Development – a sports and mixed-use real estate company – as its development partner for the project. After a thorough search, the team chose the Bannockburn site for the club’s performance center as it is conveniently located near the club's new home stadium, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, in Evanston, IL, and gives the Chicago Stars access to both expansive business centers in Evanston, Chicago and surrounding communities.
The Chicago Stars selected Marquee Development – a sports and mixed-use real estate company – as its development partner for the project. After a thorough search, the team chose the Bannockburn site for the club’s performance center as it is conveniently located near the club's new home stadium, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, in Evanston, IL, and gives the Chicago Stars access to both expansive business centers in Evanston, Chicago and surrounding communities.
Athlete Centered
Female Focused
Purpose Built
The parties are working directly in concert with Chicago Stars FC athletes and staff to deliver a one-of-a-kind player centric facility. In addition to player ideation sessions prior to the project launch, the design team has been working with players and staff to ensure every detail is thoughtfully designed to enhance player experience.
The project will utilize the latest research and insights in female health and elite performance—pulling best practices and principles from sports facilities globally and tailored to the unique specifications of women athletes.
The design will focus on integrating the facility and surrounding landscape, by incorporating natural patterns, light, and views to improve well-being for the athletes. The aim is to balance the intensity with which the athletes train and compete with the serenity of nature to enhance development, accelerate recovery, and to ensure athletes can unlock peak performance during competition.
Female First
The project will utilize the latest research and insights in female development and elite performance—pulling best practices and principles from sports facilities globally and tailored to the unique specifications of women athletes. U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach, Emma Hayes, consulted on the project in conjunction with the experience and expertise brought forth by Populous who has delivered 4 NWSL training facilities to date and advised the NWSL league office on the Training Facility Standards which will officially roll out to clubs later this year.
Player Centric
The parties are working directly in concert with Chicago Stars FC athletes and coaching staff to deliver a one-of-a-kind player centric facility. In addition to several player ideation sessions that occurred before the project launched, players and coaching staff will be consulted as a critical part of the design and building process.
Purpose Built
The design will focus on integrating the facility and surrounding landscape, by incorporating natural patterns, light, and views to improve well-being for the athletes. The aim is to balance the intensity with which the athletes train and compete with the serenity of nature to enhance development, accelerate recovery, and to ensure athletes can unlock peak performance during competition.
Commercial Opportunities
The Chicago Stars’ performance center will also provide commercial opportunities for the club to help promote growth and investment. The Stars are leading an extensive search for a naming-rights partner to join the Chicago Stars’ team and help drive the club’s vision to serve as a leader in the Chicago sports community and pave the way for equity and inclusion in sports. Construction of the Chicago Stars’ performance center is slated to begin in the Spring of 2026, with the goal of opening and fully hosting team training operations in 2027.
If your company is interested in learning more, please reach out to the Chicago Stars business development team.
If your company is interested in learning more, please reach out to the Chicago Stars business development team.
FAQ
The performance center will be located in Bannockburn, IL, roughly 30 miles from downtown Chicago. This will bring the players closer to their 2026 stadium located in Evanston, IL.
Construction of the Chicago Stars’ performance center is slated to begin in the Spring of 2026, with the goal of opening and fully hosting team training operations in 2027.
The performance center will be the first-of-its-kind, private, dedicated facility for the Chicago Stars players. One of only eight women’s specific soccer training facilities nationwide. The investment in the performance center is as much an investment in the growth of the women’s game as it is and effort to continue to fuel gender equity in sport.
The club is in the process of identifying a naming rights partner and securing other important facility partnerships. If your company is interested in learning more, please reach out to the Chicago Stars business development team.
Where will the CSFC Performance Center be located?
Bannockburn, IL. Roughly 30 miles from downtown Chicago and just 10 minutes south of Halas Hall (Chicago Bears Training Facility). This will bring the players closer to their 2026 stadium located in Evanston, IL.
What is the project timeline?
Chicago Stars FC will break ground in Spring 2026. Construction will take place throughout 2026. The Performance Center is scheduled to open 2027.
Will the Performance Center be open to the public?
The Performance Center will be the first of its kind dedicated facility for the Chicago Stars FC women’s professional soccer players and one of only eight women’s specific soccer training facilities nationwide. The investment in the performance center is as much an investment in the growth of the women’s game as it is an effort to continue to fuel gender equity in sport.
Is there a naming rights partner?
The club is in the process of identifying a naming rights partner and securing other important facility partnerships. If interested in becoming a Performance Facility partner, please reach out to business development at Chicago Stars FC. sarnold@chicagostars.com
Are the Chicago Stars FC seeking public funding?
No, the Performance Center is being funded by Stars FC investors and strategic partners who support the project. Chicago Stars FC will not be seeking public funding for this project.
When with the CSFC Performance Center open?
The Performance Center is scheduled to open upon Phase I completion late summer, 2027.
Stay Up to Date
Subscribe to the Chicago Stars Newsletter to stay updated on all the latest training facility developments and other organization news.
Newsletter Subscribe
"*" indicates required fields