Chicago Fire FC announced the launch of the Play Proud League as a new addition to the Chicago Fire Rec Soccer (CFRS) programming.
The league is being launched in conjunction with Common Goal's Play Proud initiative, a grassroots-driven program that works with all stakeholders across the soccer industry to make society and stadiums a safer space for the LGBTQ+ community, their families and friends.
The aim of the Play Proud League is to be an inclusive, physically and psychologically safe space created for LGBTQ+ people, friends and allies to compete and build community—and playing ability doesn't matter.
The Play Proud League officially starts play on Wed., June 28, at the Fire Pitch, 3626 N. Talman Ave. The season will take place on Wednesdays through Aug. 16 with eight games per team guaranteed, plus playoffs. Teams will receive a Play Proud League pride jersey, as well as complimentary tickets to the Chicago Fire's June 10 Pride Night celebration match versus Columbus Crew SC.
The Fire will celebrate the club's annual Pride Night at Soldier Field on Saturday, June 10, during their home match versus Columbus Crew SC. As part of Pride Night, players in the Play Proud League will receive complimentary tickets to the match and will stand alongside FC Pineapple—a supporter group of Chicago Fire Rec Soccer who help to connect the CFRS community to the Chicago Fire FC matchday experience at Soldier Field—in unity.
Interested participants can sign up for the Play Proud League at chicagofirefc.com/cfrs/playproud.
Tickets for the Fire's June 10 Pride Night match versus Columbus Crew SC are available for purchase here. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV+ and transmitted locally in English on 890 WLS-AM and in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
—Andrew Davis
