Chicago Stars FC Building Player-Centric Performance Center In Bannockburn

BANNOCKBURN, IL — Soccer is set to become synonymous with the North Shore over the next couple of years and beyond.

Chicago Stars FC, a professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League, will kick off the season next month with a temporary home at Northwestern University's Martin Stadium. In addition, the team announced it will be building a player-centric performance center in Bannockburn, slated to open in 2027.

In partnership with Populous and Marquee Development, the Chicago Stars have identified a 10-acre site in Bannockburn for the center, which will also serve as the hub for all team operations. The sustainably built performance center will feature two full-sized soccer pitches and a goalkeeper-specific pitch. Construction is slated to begin this spring.

The 45,000-square-foot adaptive re-use building will also include intentional recovery modalities, a weight room with easy indoor/outdoor access, and spaces designed to enable mindfulness. An official with the team tells Patch the cost of the project is not known at this time, as the team is "still in the process of mapping that out" with its partners.

Following a decade of playing at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Chicago Stars FC decided it needed to compete in front of bigger crowds, striking a deal with Northwestern at the 12,000-seat lakefront stadium. While the move to Evanston may be temporary as the team seeks a future stadium site, officials believe it sets up a synergy with the future nearby performance center.

"Today marks a historic moment in Chicago Stars FC's history," said Laura Ricketts, Chicago Stars executive chairperson. "This facility will set the standard in women's professional soccer by providing the infrastructure our players need to develop to their highest level of performance. Our aim is for the performance center to serve as a point of community pride and a landmark asset that reflects our club's identity. This new facility isn't just an investment in the Stars, it's an investment in the future of women’s soccer."

The team believes the performance center will also provide commercial opportunities for the club to help promote growth and investment.

"We look forward to welcoming the Chicago Stars to Bannockburn," Village Manager Stephanie Hannon said. "This partnership supports the continued growth of women's professional sports while bringing a world-class athletic facility to our community. The Stars' commitment to excellence and their positive impact as role models for young women across the Chicagoland area make them a strong fit for our Village."