**Chicago Blackhawks Unveil Expansion Plans for Fifth Third Arena**
The Chicago Blackhawks have revealed plans and renderings for a major expansion of the Fifth Third Arena, located at 1801 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago. The project will increase the size of the facility to more than 250,000 square feet.
As part of the expansion, the arena will become the new home for the Chicago Steel, a United States Hockey League (USHL) team currently based at Fox Valley Arena in Geneva, Illinois. The Steel have been owned by the Wirtz Corporation—the same ownership group behind the Blackhawks—since 2023.
Originally opened in 2017, Fifth Third Arena began undergoing renovations in 2024. The facility is situated in Chicago’s West Side and serves as the official training center for the Chicago Blackhawks.
“Through the Fifth Third Arena expansion, we are creating the epicenter of hockey in the Midwest,” said Danny Wirtz, chairman and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks. “This venue is where NHL superstars train alongside rising talent, creating an environment where championship dreams can take flight.”
The expansion is expected to be completed by January 2026. Once finished, the upgraded arena is projected to host more than 1.5 million visitors annually.
