Limited-edition kit features flags representing this summer’s international soccer tournament, to be auctioned off in July
CHICAGO (July 14, 2026) — Chicago Fire FC today revealed its 2026 commemorative jersey design and officially opened the auction to benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation. This year’s one-of-a-kind design celebrates a summer of international soccer, featuring flags of participating nations incorporated into the jersey name and number on the back of the kit.
Worn by Fire players during the match – their first match after observing a six-week break for international soccer competition – each jersey will be autographed by its corresponding player. The auction opened Tuesday, July 14 at 10 a.m. CT and will close at the end of halftime during the Fire’s next match on Thursday, July 16. Bids can be placed by fans in the United States by visiting 26.jersey.givesmart.com or texting “26JERSEY” to 76278.
All proceeds will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation, which is committed to enhancing the academic performance and development of key social and emotional learning (SEL) skills among elementary school students through sports-based curriculums. Serving more than 1,600 youth annually, the Foundation’s programs teach soccer skills and emphasize SEL traits and values such as emotional regulation, goal setting, cooperation, respect, communication, and teamwork.
Auction winners will be contacted during the second half of the Fire’s match on July 16. Winning bidders who attend the match will have the opportunity to get their jersey autographed in person by the corresponding player. Winning bidders unable to attend the match will have their jersey signed and mailed to them.
The Men in Red have joined the rest of Major League Soccer in observing a break for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, returning to play host to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Thursday, July 16. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, followed by a Two Friends concert to conclude the Summer Concert Series, presented by Café Bustelo. Additionally, the match marks the Homecoming Red Out, presented by Wintrust, featuring a Foam Finger giveaway. The match will be broadcast globally on Apple TV and transmitted locally on WLS 890 AM in English and TUDN Chicago 106.7-HD2 and Uforia by TREBEL app in Spanish.
For regular Club updates, follow Chicago Fire FC on X (@chicagofire using hashtags #cf97), Instagram (@chicagofire), TikTok (@chicagofire), Facebook at facebook.com/chicagofire/, Threads (@chicagofire) and Bluesky (@chicagofire.bsky.social).
About Chicago Fire Football Club
Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is a professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). One of the league’s first expansion teams — founded on Oct. 8, 1997 (the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire) — the Club has earned six major domestic trophies, including four U.S. Open Cups and the 2003 Supporters’ Shield, and returned to the playoffs in 2025, winning its first postseason match since 2009.
The Club recently began construction on its privately-funded, soccer-specific stadium, McDonald’s Park, in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, a transformational new home set to open in 2028. The team currently plays at historic Soldier Field and trains at Chicago’s Endeavor Health Performance Center, a $100 million state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2025.
The Club’s development pathway includes Chicago Fire II, which competes in MLS NEXT Pro, and the Chicago Fire Academy, featuring five teams from U-13 to U-18. Off the field, the Chicago Fire Foundation — internationally recognized, including as ESPN’s 2019 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year — has made significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout Chicagoland, providing more than $10 million back to the community. For more information, visit chicagofirefc.com.
