CHICAGO (April 14, 2021) – Chicago Fire FC will celebrate the 2021 home opener, presented by Motorola, against the New England Revolution on Saturday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. CT, as Fire fans return to Soldier Field for the first time since 2006. Highlights for the first game with fans in over 19 months for the Club are summarized below.
HONORING ESSENTIAL WORKERS: The Fire will be welcoming 250 essential workers to the game. They will receive complimentary tickets as the Club shows their gratitude for the workers’ efforts during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations invited to the match include American Red Cross of Illinois, Blvd Vets, Casey Laskowski Funeral Home, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Transit Authority, Illinois Department of Public Health, Jewel-Osco, Munoz and Cvengros MDs, Prieto Math and Science Academy and UPS. Furthermore, the Fire will be highlighting and honoring Caryn Curry and Colleen Cicchetti from Lurie’s Children’s Hospital with a video followed by a live recognition.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: Chicago Public School teacher Cicely Perry will sing the National Anthem for the 2021 Home Opener. Perry has been a teacher for 10 years in the Chicagoland area.
GIVEAWAYS: All fans in attendance of the Home Opener will receive one of three flags. Fans will receive either the iconic Chicago flag, a red Fire flag or a custom-designed flag by Chicago street artist Sentrock. Fans will be encouraged to wave their flags at player procession, after Fire goals and at the final whistle when the Fire secure three points.
STARTING XI FLAGS: Catch a new matchday tradition located outside Gate 6 on the south-east side of Soldier Field. Happening prior to every match, the starting XI flags will be raised 60 minutes before kickoff as the lineups are announced.
CFFC MOBILE APP: The new mobile app from the Fire is an important part of the new matchday experience and all fans are strongly encouraged to download it. Fans can also vote on the new halftime feature, the L-Train Race, to win a prize courtesy of the Fire Team Shop powered by Fanatics. This year, as a part of the recently announced CFFC Live platform, fans will be able to stream all locally-televised Fire games on the mobile app.
IN-GAME ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Step is back in the booth as the official matchday DJ of the Chicago Fire. Tim Sinclair returns for his eighth season as the English-language public address announcer for the Fire. A long-time Chicago presence, he is currently the voice of the Fire, Bulls and Bears. Tico Fernandez will be back in 2021 as the Club’s Spanish-language public address announcer.
ON-FIELD RAIL CAMERA: An on-field rail cam will make its debut as the first camera of its kind in MLS. It will capture the speed of game action along the sideline for all Fire home matches and be featured on both the in-stadium videoboards and the broadcast.
KIDS CORNER: An all-new Kids Corner is located at section 256 and will be available to all families throughout the entirety of the 2021 season. All fans located in the Kids Corner will receive a Sparky flag in their seats that is only available for Kids Club members. An alcohol-free section for families to enjoy, the Kids Corner will continue to grow as more fans are welcomed into Soldier Field.
MERCHANDISE DISCOUNT: All Fire merchandise available at Soldier Field will be 25% off for all fans, starting on April 17 through May 29. Merchandise will only be available for sale outside the stadium at Gate 0 and Gate 47 so fans are encouraged to make their purchase before entering.
PROTOCOL:
- To expediate entrance and minimize touch points between security and fans, NO bags will be permitted in the stadium other than clear bags not exceeding 12” x 12”, 6” or smaller, ADA/medical bags and manufactured diaper bags.
- Fans will be required to enter through their assigned gates. All odd numbered gates are on the east side of the stadium and even numbers on the west side of the stadium.
- All fans, ages two and older, must always wear a facial covering over their nose and mouth – except while actively eating and drinking in their designated seating pods. No exceptions will be made to the mask requirement. Fans must socially distance themselves at all times, and as such, are encouraged to enjoy the game from their seating pod with the exception of visiting concessions or restroom.
- Fans can only use the designated concession stands and restrooms in their respective zones. All zones will be physically separated. All lines will follow proper line spacing and queuing.
- After the conclusion of the game, fans will be dismissed by their rows messaged on the video board and public address. All fans will exit the stadium using the same gate in which they entered.
For more information on Soldier Field Safe, click here.
