Chicago Fire FC today announced programming details for Chicago Sports Day for the team’s historic home match against MLS expansion side St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday, May 13 at Soldier Field. With kick off set for 12 p.m. CT, the match will be a celebration of Chicago’s major sports teams, with team mascots, trophies, specialty merchandise and Chicago athlete appearances.
“The City of Chicago has such a rich tradition of winning, and we’re looking forward to celebrating this history with our supporters and Chicago sports fans,” said Chicago Fire FC President of Business Operations, Dave Baldwin. “As a Club, we want to build upon the storied sports rivalry between Chicago and St. Louis, and what a better way to kick this off than by hosting an all-out celebration of the greatness of Chicago sports during our first League match versus St. Louis CITY SC.”
Tickets for the May 13 Chicago Sports Day match can be purchased through Ticketmaster by clicking here. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV+, streamed in English on wlsam.com and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 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 Fire alumnus and U.S. Men’s National Team star Brian McBride; current Bears defensive tackle, Andrew Billings; current Bears cornerback, Joshua Blackwell; former Bears linebacker and ESPN analyst, Sam Acho; former Bears cornerback, Jerry Azumah; former Chicago Bulls shooting guard and NBC Sports Chicago analyst, Kendall Gill; former DePaul men’s basketball star and No. 1 overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft, Mark Aguirre; former DePaul Men's Basketball star, Bobby Simmons; former Northwestern Football linebacker and current Illinois State Senator, Napoleon Harris; former White Sox leftfielder and designated hitter, Ron Kittle; and a player from the Chicago Red Stars. These players and legends will be recognized in a special halftime presentation.
Match Presentation
The National Anthem will be performed by longtime Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison, and in-game entertainment will include performances by the Chicago Bucket Boys, who regularly appear at Chicago Bulls games. Fans will hear familiar music from other stadiums throughout the game including the Bulls intro for the Starting XI, Blackhawks goal song “Chelsea Dagger,” and Sound of Chicagoland storytelling “Go Cubs Go.”
Merchandise and Giveaways
The first 5,000 fans who enter Soldier Field will receive a one-of-a-kind Fire-themed hockey jersey. Additionally, fans will be able to purchase specialty “CHI>STL” branded t-shirts. The Chicago Fire’s own DJ Tess will be challenging fans to Chicago sports trivia for some awesome prizes.
Matchday Activations
Soldier Field will be getting in the Chicago Sports Day spirit, with pennants from Chicago’s sports teams in the South Courtyard. Supporters will get the opportunity to have their photograph taken with the Bulls six NBA Championship trophies, test their shot with a pop-up basketball game, hang out with Windy City Bulls Mascot Gus T. Bull, and grab some Windy City Bulls giveaways! The Chicago Red Stars Mascot Supernova will also be on hand to pass out some goodies! Hit the concessions stands for special Chicago Sports-themed nachos in helmets. Families should stop by the Kids Zone where kids can create signs and design the logos of their favorite Chicago teams.
Supporters can also start the pre-match experience early by taking part in the unique, all-new Pier to Pitch water taxi service from Harry Caray's at Navy Pier to Soldier Field, powered by Cazadores. Beginning with this historic match-up, supporters will be able to sit back and enjoy the stunning views of Chicago's skyline from the water as they make their way to the game following a pregame tailgate at Harry Caray's. Tickets to the Pier to Pitch pre-game experience include a selection of food and beverage specials, fun giveaways, Bacardi product samples, and – of course – an unforgettable roundtrip boat experience! For more information and to register for the Pier to Pitch tailgate, click here.
Prior to the May 13 match, the Fire will host St. Louis four days earlier on Tuesday, May 9 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. in the Round of 32 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as the Club pursues their MLS-leading fifth Open Cup. Tickets for the May 9 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match vs. St. Louis CITY SC can be purchased by clicking here.
