Play Proud League Footer

ABOUT CFRS PLAY PROUD INITIATIVES

Chicago Fire FC’s Play Proud initiatives are an inclusive, physically, and psychologically safe space, created for LGBTQIA+ people, friends, and allies to compete and build community. Whether you are a soccer enthusiast or never kicked a ball, these programs are a place where everyone can be their authentic selves and enjoy the beautiful game.

WHY IT MATTERS

Why Chicago Fire FC partnered with Common Goal to launch our Play Proud initiatives: Play Proud League and Play Proud Cup

  • 80% of adults have witnessed homophobia in sport
  • 78% of people believe that an openly gay person wouldn’t be a safe spectator in sport
  • The most common place for LGBTQIA+ discrimination is a stadium
  • 81% of gay men and 74% of lesbians stay completely in the closet when playing sport
  • 95% of athletes said their teammates’ responses to them coming out were “neutral” to “perfect”

Learn more about the challenges LGBTQIA+ people face and see the full Outsports report here.

PLAY PROUD LEAGUE

PPL Webpage 2024
REGISTER
FORMAT
DAY(S)
DATES
LOCATION
COMPETITION LEVEL
FEE
8v8 Open
Wednesdays
December 4, 2024 - February 5, 2025
Fire Pitch
Recreational/Intermediate
$1,765

*This is an eight-week season and will skip December 24-25, 2024 and December 31, 2024 - January 1, 2025 for the holidays. Teams will play six weeks of games followed by two weeks of playoffs or friendlies. 

  • Indoor 1 registration opens October 25, 2024.
  • Teams use Sprocket to register, set rosters, check standings, etc.
  • City of Chicago Amusement Tax applied at registration checkout.
  • Free Agent fee is determined by team player is assigned to.
    • No payment is required until you are assigned to a team.
  • More info? Here are answers to FAQs
  • Games begin as early as 7:00 pm and conclude no later than 11:50 pm
  • For additional questions, please contact cfrs@chicagofirefc.com

CHICAGO FIRE FC & COMMON GOAL

In 2021, Chicago Fire FC became a founding partner of Common Goal’s Anti-Racist project, to address the structural and systematic problems that make football inaccessible and unwelcoming to marginalized communities. In 2022, the Club expanded its relationship with Common Goal to launch the Play Proud initiative – Common Goal’s grassroots-driven program that works with stakeholders at all levels of the game across the soccer industry to make our cities and stadiums a safer space for the LGBTQIA+ community, their families, and friends.

Learn more about Common Goal and join the movement here.