CHICAGO (April 4, 2024) – Chicago Fire FC today announced programming details for Chicago Sports Night, taking place on Saturday, April 6 at Soldier Field for their home match against Houston Dynamo. With kick off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT, the Fire will celebrate the Chicago sports community and the city’s major sports franchises through pre-match festivities, displayed memorabilia, and special athlete and mascot appearances.
“Chicago is one of the greatest sports cities in the world. With a storied history among the Windy City’s teams and their passionate fanbases, we want to take this opportunity to honor that history and the devotion of all Chicagoland supporters,” said Chicago Fire FC President of Business Operations Dave Baldwin. “We are excited to celebrate the success of the organizations who have shaped the Chicago sports landscape by providing countless memories and legendary moments for the city of Chicago sports fans over the years.”
Tickets for the April 6 Chicago Sports Day match can be purchased through Ticketmaster by clicking here. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV, transmitted locally in English on wlsam.com and in Spanish on WRTO 1200 AM.
Supporters will experience a wide variety of activations throughout the match, featuring all of Chicago’s major sports teams:
Special Appearances
Chicago Sports Day will feature special appearances by Chicago sports athletes and alumni. Athletes and alumni currently scheduled to appear include current Bears linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds; former Blackhawks goaltender, Scott Darling; former White Sox leftfielder and designated hitter, Ron Kittle; former Bulls shooting guard and NBC Sports Chicago analyst, Kendall Gill; former Bulls center and NBC Sports Chicago analyst, Will Perdue; current Bears cornerback, Greg Stroman Jr.; former White Sox outfielder, Dan Pasqua; current Red Stars forward Ally Schlegel; and current Red Stars forward Penelope Hocking. These players and legends will participate in a pre-match autograph session with photo opportunities available beginning at 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Additionally, former Bears cornerback, Charles “Peanut” Tillman will be “Sounding the Alarm” prior to kickoff.
Matchday Activations
Fans can enjoy a variety of activities prior to the match including activations in the South Courtyard from FIFA, NHL 2K24, and NBA 2K. There will also be gaming stations for MLB The Show 24, and giveaways from Chicago Sports teams and NASCAR Chicago. Local mascots will be making appearances for photo opportunities including Sparky, Bears mascot Staley, White Sox mascot Southpaw, Red Stars mascot Supernova, DePaul mascot DIBS, and Windy City Bulls mascot Gus T. Bull. Mascot photo opportunities will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the South Courtyard at Sparky’s photo stop and will conclude at 6:30 p.m. In the United Club, autographed items from Michael Jordan and other high-end sports memorabilia will be on display, courtesy of Elite Icons. In the Kids Zone, young Fire fans will have the opportunity to get Chicago Sports Day-themed face paint and coloring pages. For the dedicated Chicago sports fans, DJ Play will be hosting Chicago sports trivia while playing music on the Dr Pepper Stage.
Match Presentation
Returning to perform the National Anthem will be longtime Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison. A familiar tradition to Chicago Bulls fans, a Chicago Fire-themed “Running of the Bulls” video will play for the first time at Soldier Field. After the Fire close out the first 45 minutes of the match, a local youth soccer team will take on a team of Chicago mascots in a friendly scrimmage during halftime.
Merchandise and Giveaways
The first 5,000 fans entering Soldier Field will receive an exclusive, limited edition Chicago Fire-themed baseball jersey. In the South Courtyard prior to the match, fans can enter the “Pop A Shot Competition” for a chance to win a premium seat upgrade and a basketball signed by Bulls legend, Dennis Rodman. The contest will begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at 7:10 p.m.
In addition to Chicago Sports Day, the Fire will also be hosting Mexican Heritage Night during the April 6 match. To celebrate the occasion, Fire fans who purchase a ticket through this link will take home a special edition Mexican Heritage x Chicago Fire FC scarf designed by local artist Ramiro Huizar (@ramiro\_arte\_).
