NWSL · NWSL · Est. 2012 · SeatGeek Stadium
Updated March 16, 2026
The Chicago Stars enter their first NWSL season with enormous buzz and a front office that spent aggressively in the expansion draft. Head coach Rory Dames protege and former USWNT assistant Jitka Klimkova is tasked with building chemistry fast. The club secured Mallory Swanson in a blockbuster trade, giving the hometown hero a chance to anchor the attack in front of a rabid Chicago fanbase.
Chicago has not had a top-tier women's professional team since the Red Stars' rebrand and relocation saga. The Stars' ownership group has invested heavily in a downtown training facility and secured a multi-year deal to play at SeatGeek Stadium. Preseason friendlies drew over 15,000 fans, and the club is projecting to lead all expansion teams in average attendance.
Mallory Swanson's trade to Chicago is the storyline of the NWSL offseason. The 27-year-old USWNT forward, who grew up in nearby Rockford, Illinois, gives the expansion side instant credibility and a marketing centerpiece. After her ACL recovery in 2024 and a strong bounce-back 2025 in Kansas City, Swanson says she's in the best shape of her career and ready to carry a franchise.