The mall is located approximately 27 miles (43 km) from the Chicago Loop and attracts more than 27 million visitors each year.

[10] It was built on 191 acres (0.77 km2) of prairie land, previously occupied by farms, cows, and a village tavern.

[10] Singer Carol Lawrence, actor Vincent Price, and two marching bands entertained at the debut.

[11] By the end of September 1971, another 28 stores and restaurants had opened and that first business year finished with 138 specialty retailers.

The Streets of Woodfield was built between 1999 and 2000, replacing another indoor mall, One Schaumburg Place, which opened in 1991.

The Streets of Woodfield featured Carson's, Dick's Sporting Goods (formerly Galyan's), and GameWorks.

[citation needed] An outdoor shopping center named Woodfield Village Green opened across the street in late 1993.

[21] Joe's Crab Shack opened on the northeast edge of the mall the same year, but it was one of 41 locations in the chain to close in 2017.

Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson observed that, "Woodfield established a focal point for development throughout all of the northwest suburbs.

Without Woodfield, we wouldn't have office towers in Itasca or corporate development in Hoffman Estates.

"[citation needed] In 1995, Woodfield Associates commissioned a brand new $128,000 paint job for the mall water tower.

[39][citation needed] Uncle Julio's officially opened in the JCPenney wing in 2016, replacing Ruby Tuesday, which closed in 2012.

[citation needed] In the summer of 2018, Blocks to Bricks, a hybrid store and museum dedicated to Lego and other construction toys, opened.

[47] In August 2020, it was announced that upscale specialty department store retailer Lord & Taylor would shutter its traditional brick and mortar format as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[48][49] In September 2021, it was announced Sears would shutter as part of an ongoing decision to eliminate its traditional brick-and-mortar format.

In addition to Primark, new additions include Miniso, Radio Flyer, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gilly Hicks, Showcase, Lovisa, Offline by Aerie, Earthbound, Athleta, Warby Parker, and The North Face.

[54][55][56] In August of 2023, Radio Flyer announced that they will be opening their first retail store at Woodfield Mall after 106 years.

[57] In January of 2024, Zellano Home Furniture moved into the lower level of the former Sears department store.

The makeover consisted of an updated grand court, including the removal of the brick fixtures and leveling out many multi-leveled sections of floor.

[59] In 2017, Woodfield planned and announced a $14 million renovation to introduce a new food court in the Sears wing.

The food court introduced a seating area containing 820 seats for quality fast-casual dining restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Charley's Philly Steaks, Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza, and more.

[65] The man, later identified as Javier Garcia of Palatine, Illinois, was charged with terrorism as a result of the incident; he appeared in court on September 29, 2019, and was denied bond.

[72] On September 11, 2022, a person's leg and finger were "crushed" by one of the escalator steps inside JCPenney.