Chicago Steel to Call Expanded Fifth Third Arena Home

The Chicago Blackhawks hosted an event today with local media members to update them on the progress of the Fifth Third Arena expansion. The privately funded project will double the size of the facility and feature two new rinks, including the Championship Arena, the Blackhawks Hall of Fame, Rocky’s Bar, an outdoor patio, and plenty of amenities for players, fans, parents, and community members. The new building is scheduled to open in January 2026.

The Chicago Steel’s New Home

Today’s most significant hockey news was that the new Championship Arena will be home to the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel. The 2026-27 season will be the first in franchise history where the Steel play in Chicago proper, after playing in Bensenville and Geneva.

Their new home can hold up to 2,000 spectators with stadium-style seating (with cup holders) and exclusive party decks. There will be a state-of-the-art scoreboard, video ribbon boards, and seating areas for scouts and media. The Steel will have their own locker rooms, training facilities, and on-site offices.

“We are thrilled to bring the Chicago Steel home to the city of Chicago,” said Blackhawks CEO & Chairman, Danny Wirtz. “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.”

The Steel are one of the top USHL teams, and they just hired two-time Stanley Cup champion Scott Gomez as their new head coach.

They have produced a lot of NHL talent of late, including Jaccob Slavin, Owen Power, Adam Fantilli, Matt Coronato, Mackie Samoskevich, and Macklin Celebrini.

Hall of Fame, Rocky’s Bar & More

The new building will be the physical Blackhawks Hall of Fame and the Centennial Hall. The interactive display will include a hockey stick for each season in the franchise’s storied history and interactive exhibits. Putting the Hall of Fame at Fifth Third Arena instead of the United Center allows it to be open year-round and not be at the mercy of any other events.

A Walk of Fame commemorative sidewalk will be installed along Jackson Street to honor the team’s history, featuring engraved plaques celebrating the franchise’s six Stanley Cup-winning teams, its Hall of Fame inductees, and reserved space for the legacy to grow with future champions and honorees. 

Rocky’s Bar will take up the second-floor space between the two new rinks and will serve as the facility’s anchor for food and beverage service. It will have a full food and cocktail menu and an all-day café.

The expansion includes an outdoor patio with terrific views of the United Center and the city. There will also be lounges for parents to relax or work during tournaments, or students from Malcolm X College to come over and grab a cup of coffee and study. Parking will be expanded to wrap around the whole building to go along with two new main entrances on the north and south sides of the building.

“Whether you are an athlete, a hockey parent, event attendee, or our neighbor, our goal is to create a new place for people to have fun, be inspired, and to feel more connected to our team and the community,” added Jaime Faulkner, President of Business Operations. “The expansion unlocks possibilities that did not exist before, creating a hub where world-class entertainment meets grassroots celebrations and where championship moments happen alongside neighborhood milestones.” 

The Fifth Third Arena is already a first-class facility, and now it will be even better. Plus, Chicago hockey fans can watch the future of the NHL with the USHL and Steel calling it home. When you add in the ongoing 1901 Project, the United Center campus will be a gem within the greatest city in the world.