Universal is bringing a new, year-round immersive experience to Chicago, the city announced Thursday — and this one will have a whole new kind of thrill.
It’s called Universal Horror Unleashed: Chicago.
The new venue will mark the second location for the popular Universal Horror Unleashed brand, following one other location in Las Vegas, and a first for Universal in the Midwest.
Universal Horror Unleashed: Chicago will transform a vacant commercial building, located across from the new Bally’s Casino at 700 W. Chicago Ave., “into a world-class horror attraction and entertainment destination.”
The experience is expected to open in 2027, bringing “terrifying mazes, unforgettable scares, themed bars, unique food and beverage offerings, and a retail space,” according to the announcement.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, the city said, “following design finalization and permitting.”
According to the city, the experience is expected to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact for the city, along with more than 400 permanent jobs, including scareactors, make-up artists, prosthetic artists and more.
