This January, Chicago’s professional women’s soccer team, the Chicago Stars, applied for a unique-use application at Northwestern University’s Ryan Field. If approved, the application would let them play 15 matches per year at the stadium, starting in 2027. For the past 12 seasons, the Stars played their home matches at Seatgeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. This year, the team will change stadiums, playing at Northwestern’s Martin Field. However, the Stars’ relocation to Martin Field is temporary, and they hope to secure Ryan Field as their home for the 2027 season.
According to the Chicago Stars Director of Community, Noelle Schmitt, only one out of the 16 teams in the National Women’s Soccer League has a permanent stadium.
“The rest of the teams have to rent from other men’s teams, football teams, colleges and universities, which causes problems with scheduling and attendance before even attracting talent,” said Schmitt.
In Schmitt’s eyes, the Stars’ presence in Evanston will benefit both the team and Evanston residents.
“Our teams will stay at Evanston hotels, and we expect our fans to shop at local stores and eat at local restaurants,” said Schmitt. “We’re really excited to continue to grow youth programming in Evanston and support some of the youth organizations here, like Girls Play Sports and Kumba Olympics.”
The proposal to use Ryan Field has encountered opposition, specifically from the MLCA (Most Livable City Association), which consists of residents who also opposed the rebuilding of Ryan Field in 2023.
The MLCA plans to collect petitions from residents neighboring Ryan Field who oppose the proposal, which could make the approval process more difficult for the Stars. If the petition were to become effective, the zoning laws would necessitate a supermajority of city councilmembers, meaning that seven out of the nine councilmembers would have to vote in favor of the permit in order for the Stars to gain access to Ryan Field.
Maizlyn Kelly, a junior on the varsity girls’ soccer team, is concerned that the proposal will create unrealistic expectations.
“My biggest worry is that there’s a sense of hope around all of these potential community opportunities that might not be delivered,” said Kelly.
In response to complaints from Evanston residents, the Stars have emphasized their plan to ensure a welcoming environment and shown optimism about the opportunity to connect with the Evanston community.
“We take pride in being good neighbors and a part of the community,” said Schmitt. “Our fan base is a lot of young families, and it’s a very family-friendly environment.”
Kelly recognizes that the games would come with inherent consequences, like increased traffic. However, she believes that the Stars’ time at Ryan Field could greatly benefit the Evanston community, possibly influencing professional women’s sports in other cities.
“I think it would be really amazing to have a spotlight on Evanston because we can showcase all of the wonderful things that we do and potentially inspire the rest of the country and the world to think big,” said Kelly.
This February, the Evanston Land Use Commission will review the Stars’ application. If passed, the application will go before the Planning & Development Committee before going to the City Council for a final vote.
