Tomorrow · 8:00 PM UTC

Abbotsford vs Charlotte

Jun 16, 5:45 PM UTC

Pros. Red vs Pros. Blue

Jun 16, 6:15 PM UTC

Pros. Black vs Pros. Green

Jun 16, 7:15 PM UTC

Pinnacle U17 vs Selects U17

Jun 16, 7:45 PM UTC

Aces U17 vs Gold Star U17

Jun 16, 9:30 PM UTC

Gold U15 vs Red U15

Jun 16, 10:00 PM UTC

Black U15 vs White U15

Jun 17, 5:45 PM UTC

Pros. Red vs Pros. Black

Jun 17, 6:15 PM UTC

Pros. Blue vs Pros. Green

Jun 17, 7:15 PM UTC

Red U15 vs Black U15

Jun 17, 7:45 PM UTC

White U15 vs Gold U15

Jun 17, 9:30 PM UTC

Selects U17 vs Aces U17

Jun 17, 10:00 PM UTC

Gold Star U17 vs Pinnacle U17

Jun 18, 2:00 AM UTC

Charlotte vs Abbotsford

Jun 18, 5:45 PM UTC

Pros. Blue vs Pros. Black

United States Hockey League (USHL)

Chicago Steel To Move Downtown As Blackhawks Unveil Plans For New Arena

Chicago Steel To Move Downtown As Blackhawks Unveil Plans For New Arena

The Chicago Steel will be moving to the Chicago Blackhawks-owned Fifth Third Arena in the West Loop starting in the 2026-27 season.

Jun 3, 2025 by Chris Peters
null

The Chicago Steel will have a new home starting in the 2026-27 season as the Chicago Blackhawks announced plans to host the team in the currently-expanding Fifth Third Arena just blocks away from the United Center.

For the first time in the club’s history, the Chicago Steel will play within the city limits, in Chicago’s West Loop. The Steel currently play in Geneva, Illinois, 45 miles due west of the city center. Prior to that, the Steel called Bensenville, Illinois home. The Steel will play their final season in Geneva in 2025-26 before making the move downtown.

The Wirtz Corporation, which owns the Chicago Blackhawks among other numerous business holdings, purchased the Steel in 2023. When plans for Fifth Third Arena expansion were unveiled, it was speculated that the Steel could be moved, but it did not become official until Tuesday.

According to the Blackhawks, which revealed more details for the Fifth Third Arena expansion Tuesday, the Steel will play in the 2,000-seat “Championship Arena” portion of the multi-sheet facility that originally opened in 2017.

The Championship Arena will also have a center-hung video board, suites and other amenities that will greatly enhance the fan experience.


"We are thrilled to bring the Chicago Steel home to the city of Chicago," said Danny Wirtz, chairman and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks. "Players will have access to the top-tier resources they need to train, compete, and to win championships. Steel fans will gain premium experiences to enjoy at all home games, starting in its 2026-27 season.”

It has been an especially eventful 48 hours for the Steel, which also announced two-time Stanley Cup champion Scott Gomez as its new head coach Monday. Gomez had previously led the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles, following a decorated NHL playing career. He will be joined by former Hobey Baker Award winning defenseman Mike Mottau on his staff.

The Steel have been among the USHL’s most successful franchises in recent years, especially when it comes to attracting top NHL talent. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini played his 16-year-old season with the Steel before playing his draft season at Boston University. He is expected to win the NHL’s Calder Trophy as rookie of the year later this month. Adam Fantilli, who was picked No. 3 in 2023, is also among Steel alumni.

The club has won the Clark Cup as USHL champions twice, in 2017 and 2021. 

Coming off of a rare down season in which the Steel finished second to last in the USHL with a 20-36-5-1 record, brighter days could be on the horizon once again for a team that has become a destination for top prospects in recent years. They'll also now have a shiny new arena to show off to prospective players.

It will be interesting to see how the move impacts attendance one way or another. Chicago is a market oversaturated with options for entertainment dollars -- especially when it comes to sports. Junior hockey has always been a bit of a tougher sell in a market of this size, especially with an NHL and AHL team nearby.

The move will be an adjustment for current Steel fans and for the franchise as a whole. A large chunk of the Chicago area’s robust youth hockey base is located in the surrounding suburbs as opposed to the city. 

Despite being located closer to the youth hockey base in Geneva, the Steel averaged south of 1,500 fans last season and are often among the bottom-three teams in the 16-team USHL when it comes to average attendance. A 2,000-seat max will give Fifth Third Arena the USHL’s smallest seating capacity for any team, but potentially a right-sized venue for the market.

The new arena, however, will offer vastly improved amenities for both players and fans and potentially a more centralized location.

The Steel's arrival is just one element of the expanded offerings at the new facility. Fifth Third Arena will house the Blackhawks' recently announced Hall of Fame in "Centennial Hall" which will feature exhibits and displays celebrating the NHL team's history. Rocky's Bar, opened in tribute to the late Rocky Wirtz who passed away shortly after the Wirtz Corporation purchased the Steel, will offer a full-service food and beverage experience. The facility will also include Lounges for hockey families visiting for practices, games and tournaments, and there will be an outdoor patio.

This is certainly one of the more intriguing developments for the Steel, which have played in the USHL since 2000.

Fifth Third Arena is projected to open in January of 2026.

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Watch the AHL, ECHL, USHL, And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social