As Excitement Builds for Another Strong Season, Luncheon Will Take Place on February 17, 2026, at Swissôtel Chicago
CHICAGO (December 11, 2025) – The Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of Chicago Fire FC, will hold its highly anticipated 2026 Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon, presented by global steel distributor Magellan Corporation, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Swissôtel Chicago (323 E Wacker Drive).
The annual event will offer fans their first opportunity to meet the entire 2026 Chicago Fire First Team and coaching staff, while helping to raise funds for the Club’s proprietary presented by Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian).
Tickets for the 2026 Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon are available for purchase at https://2026kickoff.givesmart.com.
The event will begin with a welcome reception at 11:00 a.m. CT, followed by formal programming and lunch at 12:00 p.m. CT. During the reception, attendees will have the chance to bid on exclusive Chicago Fire experiences, merchandise, and more via the silent auction, with all proceeds benefitting the Chicago Fire Foundation. Additional details on the silent auction will be announced in early 2026.
This year’s luncheon carries added significance as it celebrates the Club’s inspiring resurgence, following a breakthrough 2025 campaign that featured the team’s first postseason appearance since 2017 and first playoff victory since 2009. With momentum building and a promising 2026 season on the horizon, the event will offer fans a unique opportunity to meet the full First Team and coaching staff while supporting the Foundation’s impactful P.LA.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program presented by Meridian.
For more information on the Chicago Fire Foundation and its programming, please visit: chicagofirefc.com/foundation/.
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 FC
The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Club began play in 1998 as one of the League’s first expansion franchises. The Fire have won six major domestic titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup; the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups; as well as the 2003 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Chicago Fire FC’s affiliate team, Chicago Fire II, plays in MLS NEXT Pro, a professional league that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT, the youth academy programs, through to MLS. The Chicago Fire Academy currently features five teams ranging from U-13 to U-18. The Club’s charitable arm, the Chicago Fire Foundation, was recognized as ESPN’s 2019 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year and has made significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout Chicagoland, providing over $10 million back to the community. The Fire train at the Endeavor Health Performance Center, a $100M state-of-the art-facility and play their home matches at historic Soldier Field. For more information, visit chicagofirefc.com.
Magellan Corporation
Magellan Corporation sources, sells and distributes specialty steels and other metallurgical products from the United States and around the world. For nearly four decades, it has been recognized as an industry leader, delivering superior supply chain knowledge, technical expertise, and tailored business solutions to customers. In an uncertain market, Magellan provides consistency and value for stakeholders. An exemplary corporate citizen, Magellan’s logo is visible to Chicago thanks to prolific support of sports teams, music venues and cultural initiatives. Additionally, Magellan partners with dozens of nonprofit groups addressing critical societal needs throughout the Chicagoland area.
