NWSL club Chicago Red Stars find solution to avoid being booted from home stadium for concert

SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview was going to host Riot Fest despite a Red Stars game set for the same time

By Sandra Herrera Aug 14, 2024 at 7:28 pm ET• 3 min read

A months-long back and forth between NWSL club Chicago Red Stars, the village of Bridgeview and Riot Fest, one which would have seen the club temporarily booted from their home stadium, has finally reached a temporary solution. Riot Fest and the Chicago Red Stars have announced a partnership between the two organizations "to celebrate the spirit of both women's sports and live music" that will no longer interfere with the Sept. 21 game against San Diego Wave FC. 

"I would like to thank Riot Fest and the organizers for communicating with us over the past two months and during this process. I look forward to our partnership and each of us being able to host our events in a manner that best serves our fanbases and allows us to collaborate going forward," said Chicago Red Stars president, Karen Leetzow.

Here's what to know:

A new partnership

The Chicago Red Stars were exploring venue options around their Sept. 21 match against San Diego Wave FC after the music festival's usage of SeatGeek Stadium saw their game unable to take place there. The summer announcement that Riot Fest, a music festival, would be held at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. -- primarily in the surrounding parking lots -- presented some logistical issues for the NWSL franchise. 

The new partnership will feature the two organizations working together to "foster strong community ties and celebrate the achievements of women in sports while creating unforgettable experiences for both supporters." The Red Stars will have a booth at Riot Fest weekend where fans can learn about the club, have a chance to win Red Stars tickets, and more. The Red Stars will host a future "Riot Fest Night," on Nov. 3 with more details between the two sides to follow in the coming weeks.