Gone is the turf field and multi-color lines for the Chicago Red Stars as the team heads back to the natural grass field of Toyota Park for all home games in the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
“In 2016, it’s time to return to our original home — Toyota Park. Our fans and sponsors will now enjoy an exciting game day environment in a major league stadium, while our players and the rest of the teams throughout the NWSL will enjoy the benefits of competing on a world class, natural grass pitch,” said Arnim Whisler, owner of the Chicago Red Stars. “It was hard to leave Toyota Park in 2010, but we are thankful for the warm reception and incredible support of Benedictine University and the Village of Lisle over the last three years. It gave us an intimate and affordable setting as our club and the league have grown.”
The Red Stars played at the 20,000-seat, soccer-specific Toyota Park in 2009 and 2010 as part of the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league before moving to Benedictine University in 2011 to play in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). The Red Stars returned to Toyota Park in 2015 to play two regular season games and their NWSL semifinal match.
According to the Red Stars, the club is working with the Village of Bridgeview to offer free parking to all regular season home games in 2016. And the club is honoring previously announced season ticket pricing through Sunday, January 10, 2016.