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Chicago Fire in talks to end SeatGeek Stadium lease

Major League Soccer team Chicago Fire has reportedly reached an agreement to end its lease at SeatGeek Stadium, its home since 2006.

The Associated Press news agency reported that the team has reached a memorandum of understanding with the Village of Bridgeview, which owns the stadium.

Chicago Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez said that he is not aware of any signed agreement between the two parties, but confirmed there have been ongoing discussions over an amended lease.

The Fire’s current lease to play at SeatGeek Stadium expires in 2036. The franchise played at Soldier Field, home of NFL American football team the Chicago Bears, until 2005 and there have been reports that it may return to the 61,500-seat stadium.

The Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, citing a report from the Desplaines Valley News, said the Fire would pay $60.5m (£46.5m/€53.8m) to leave SeatGeek Stadium.

The 20,000-seat stadium, formerly known as Toyota Park, was renamed when mobile-focused ticket platform SeatGeek acquired rights in April 2018.

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