Chicago Fire FC To Open At Soldier Field With Fans On April 17

CHICAGO — The Chicago Fire FC made a much-anticipated move to the city’s Lakefront last season, hoping that shift to Soldier Field would increase the team’s visibility to Chicago’s rabid soccer fanbase. But when the coronavirus pandemic kept fans from attending games in person, the house warming party was put on hold.

The Fire announced on Wednesday that they will open this season at home on April 17 —and in front of about 7,00 fans — after city officials announced Soldier Field can welcome fans. The team anticipates eventually being able to expand up to 25 percent (15,300) of Soldier Field’s 61,500 capacity depending on city heath guidelines. The Fire’s opener against the New England Revolution will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on WGN and on Univision Radio Chicago, the team announced.

The team anticipates to be able to play in front of fans all season, club officials announced and will rely on guidance from city health officials and Major League Soccer as the season progresses. The club will take a phased approach to the opening by first offering seats in the 100 and 200 level sections of Soldier Field while maintaining safe social distancing between each pod of seats, the club announced. The 25 percent capacity restrictions are what is allowable under the state’s Restore Illinois Phase 4 guidance.

The homecoming arrives more than a year after the Fire were originally scheduled to make their Soldier Field debut last March 21 against Atlanta, just as the pandemic was taking hold across the United States.

Fans at Soldier Field will be required to wear masks or facial coverings except when they are eating or drinking at their seat. Social distancing will also continue to be practiced and emphasized throughout the concourse and all public areas of the venue, the team announced. Tailgating, which was a major draw for Fire fans when the club played at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, will not be permitted.

Additional health and safety protocols include staggered entry times and designated entry gates for guests, pre-determined and socially-distanced seating pods in groups of one, two, four or six seats, hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility, and rigorous and frequent cleaning processes throughout the venue, the team said in the release.

“Fans are what it’s all about,” Fire coach Raphael Wicky said in a news release. “We train hard and play hard for you. What’s beautiful about football is our fans are from all walks of life. This is a sport that brings people together and we can’t wait for our supporters to be cheering us on at Soldier Field. We’re going to need them too. They’re the home field advantage that is so crucial in sports. I can promise our fans that every player on our team will give their all to make you proud.”

The Fire finished last season with a 5-10-8 record in Wicky’s first season at the helm. The Fire finished 10th in the Eastern Conference and failed to make the playoffs.

“One of the most exciting parts about our city being able to safely reopen is regaining our ability to get back to Soldier Field to cheer on beloved teams such as Chicago Fire FC," Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. "This announcement was made possible by the many months we have spent planning, strategizing and evaluating how to welcome fans back into the stands and we will continue to work in close partnership with the Chicago Fire FC team to prioritize fans' health and mitigate risk.”