CHICAGO (June 22, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC today announced the Club's continued plans to celebrate Pride this month, including participation in the Chicago Pride Parade on Saturday, June 26 and details around the Club’s Pride match on Wednesday, June 29 against the Philadelphia Union at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Pride Parade
On Sunday, June 26, the Fire will take part in the city’s biggest Pride event by walking in the annual Chicago Pride Parade. This year’s parade marks the 51st in its history and will begin in the North Halsted neighborhood at 12:00 p.m. CT, where it will travel south to Diversey and Sheridan in Lincoln Park. The Fire merchandise truck, decked out for Pride, will be a part of the parade procession, along with promotional items for all to receive.
Pride Night Match – Wednesday, June 29
The Club’s annual Pride Night match will take place on Wednesday, June 29 as the Fire hosts the Philadelphia Union at 7:00 p.m. CT. Center on Halsted, an organization committed to securing the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ community of Chicagoland, will be the team’s special guests that night.
The first 5,000 fans in attendance will have the opportunity to obtain a special Pride beach towel and will also enjoy special performances from members of Chicago’s LGBTQIA+ community. Tierna Davidson, a defender for the Chicago Red Stars and U.S. Women’s National Team, will serve as the Club’s Firestarter on the night.
To celebrate the Fire’s involvement as one of the vanguard sponsors of the Common Goal’s Play Proud initiative, the Club will proudly display imagery throughout Soldier Field to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. As the Philadelphia Union is also a member of the Play Proud cohort, both teams will come together shortly after the pre-match ceremonies on June 29 to hold a Play Proud banner in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Ahead of the match, the Fire will unveil an LGBTQIA+ flag which will be displayed year-round on the Fire’s website to show the Club’s ongoing and unwavering support.
Fire players will also wear Pride-themed warm up tops as part of Major League Soccer's "Soccer For All'' initiative. Fans interested in purchasing their own 2022 adidas Pride Pre-Match Top can do so here and in the team store on match days at Soldier Field.
In addition, the Club has partnered with Play Proud to have proceeds from the Fire’s Pride t-shirt, available in the team store at Soldier Field, benefit the non-profit.
Staff and Community Efforts
During Pride month and beyond, the Chicago Fire staff, youth programming, and community teams will continue to reflect on, educate around, and advance the Club’s efforts toward promoting inclusivity in the organization.
The Club will continue their efforts with Common Goal’s Play Proud initiative, which includes a cohort of select pro soccer clubs, supporter groups, and community organizations coming together to provide governance, education, and programming to make our sport more inclusive and to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Fire will also be expanding its partnership with Center on Halsted to provide more opportunities for those in the LGBTQIA+ community to participate in soccer by providing year-round resources, facilities and new adult programs across the city.
Chicago Fire’s Soccer in The Community will partner with America Scores to run year-round programming for the LGBTQIA+ community and Chris Gibbons, Director of Inside Inclusion, will hold an educational workshop with the Fire front office and leadership team on diversity, equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination in the workplace.
Ticket and Broadcast Information
Tickets for the annual Pride Night match against the Philadelphia Union can be purchased here. The match will be televised on WGN and CF97 Live, and will be transmitted locally in Spanish on Univision Radio.
