Official: First Permanent U.S. Gundam Base Opens in Chicago on Dec 12

It's official: The United States is finally getting a permanent home for Gunpla. Bandai Namco Amusement America has confirmed that The Gundam Base Chicago will open its doors on December 12, 2025.

The Gundam Base Chicago Grand Opening

The first permanent Gundam Base in the U.S. opens December 12, 2025.

It's official: The United States is finally getting a permanent home for Gunpla. Bandai Namco Amusement America has confirmed that The Gundam Base Chicago will open its doors on December 12, 2025. Located in Rosemont, IL, this 3,000 sq ft (approx. 278 sq meters) facility marks a historic milestone as the first permanent flagship store in the U.S.

What to Expect

Located at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, the store is designed to be a pilgrimage site for fans. Key features include:

• Exclusive Merchandise: Access to "Gundam Base Limited" Gunpla kits that were previously only available in Asia or at conventions.
• 6-Foot Statue: A massive Gundam statue (approx. 1.8 meters) will anchor the store, perfect for photo ops.
• Gundam Card Game: Dedicated space and products for the new TCG.
• Event Zone: A designated play area for workshops and displays.

Gundam Base Chicago Storefront Concept

A glimpse at the new 3,000 sq ft flagship store at Fashion Outlets of Chicago.

Pop-Up World Tour

To celebrate the opening, a limited-time Gundam Base Pop-Up World Tour will operate nearby from December 12, 2025, to January 11, 2026, offering even more exclusive items and workshops.

Gundam Base Pop-Up World Tour

A special pop-up store will run nearby, offering even more exclusive items.

This new permanent location brings the full Gundam Base experience to the US. Will you be planning a trip to Chicago for the opening? Let us know in the comments below!

Can't make it to Chicago?

While the exclusives are in-store only, you can still build your army online. Please note that these are general affiliate links to the storefronts and do not necessarily lead to the specific product mentioned in this article. Your purchase directly supports the site. Prices are approximate and may vary depending on the retailer and location.

For HobbyLink Japan: Get your favorite model kits and anime figures straight from the source. Shop the latest releases on HobbyLink Japan.

For Amazon USA: Looking for fast shipping within the US? Find a great selection of popular Gunpla kits and Gundam figures on Amazon USA.

For Premium Bandai USA: For exclusive and limited-edition items, check out the official P-Bandai USA store.

Every purchase through these links helps support the site!

Sources

• 1st Official Permanent Gundam Base Store in U.S. Opens in Rosemont, IL on December 12 | Anime News Network (Accessed December 5, 2025)

If you are interested in purchasing merchandise related to the Gundam world or another Japanese franchise, don't forget to visit HLJ. 

 

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