Chicago Fire FC Honors Hispanic Heritage Month as Part of Year-Round Commitment to the City’s Latino Community
CHICAGO (Sept. 10, 2025) – Chicago Fire FC today announced its full slate of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, including the launch of a limited-edition capsule collection with Chicago-based streetwear label Gente Fina and the Club’s annual Hispanic Heritage Night match, presented by Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian), on Saturday Sept. 27 at Soldier Field.
“Chicago Fire FC is proud to have one of the most diverse fan bases in Chicago,” said Chicago Fire FC President of Business Operations Dave Baldwin. “Through initiatives like Hispanic Heritage Night and partnerships like our collaboration with Gente Fina, we are excited to celebrate this community that brings so much energy and passion to our Club.”
The Fire’s collaboration with Gente Fina, a homegrown brand founded by designer Emmanuel Cabrera, reflects a shared pride in Chicago’s Latino community and deep Mexican roots. The collection includes elevated, co-branded t-shirts, knitted polos, and varsity-style letterman jackets, each designed to fuse fútbol culture with Chicago streetwear. Limited quantities will be available for purchase at an exclusive launch party at the Endeavor Health Fire Pitch on Saturday Sept. 20 from 5 to 11:00 p.m. The event will also feature a live viewing of the Chicago Fire FC match against Minnesota United FC, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s been both an honor and a dream come true working with the Fire,” said Gente Fina founder Emmanuel Cabrera. “This collection is more than a fashion drop – it’s proof that amazing things can happen when you follow your passions, and I hope that this collection inspires the next wave of first generation American designers.”
Chicago Fire FC will continue the celebration at its Hispanic Heritage Night match, presented by Meridian, on Saturday, Sept. 27, when the Fire host the Columbus Crew. Festivities will include:
- A variety of cultural activations, performances, and matchday experiences dedicated to honoring the city’s Hispanic community.
- An exclusive Chicago Fire FC clear fanny pack giveaway (designed to meet Soldier Field’s clear bag requirements), presented by Meridian, for the first 5,000 fans who enter Soldier Field for the match
- A guest appearance by Sentrock, a Chicago-based Mexican street artist, who will ‘Sound the Alarm” — the Fire’s pre-game stadium ceremonial ritual.
- Participants from the Kicks for Kids program, presented by Meridian, will take part in the pre-match Fire Flag Holding Ceremony. This Chicago Fire Foundation program provides underserved youth with access to Fire matches and unforgettable game-day experiences.
“Meridian is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of Chicago Fire FC’s Hispanic Heritage Night,” said Cristal Gary, Meridian Plan President and CEO. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to building healthier communities by celebrating culture, fostering connection, and creating inclusive experiences that bring families together—on and off the field.”
Tickets for the Fire’s Hispanic Heritage Night Match, presented by Meridian, are available starting at $29* and can be purchased HERE via Ticketmaster or by calling 888-MLS-FIRE. The match will also be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and transmitted locally on wlsam.com (English) and Que Buena Fire via the Uforia App (Spanish). A replay of the match will be available on Marquee Sports Net on Sept. 29 at 8:00 p.m.
For additional information on Chicago Fire FC, including information on the 2025 MLS Season, please visit: chicagofirefc.com. For regular Club updates, follow Chicago Fire FC on Twitter (@chicagofire and @VamosFire using hashtags #cf97 and #VamosFire), Instagram (@chicagofire), TikTok (@chicagofire), and Facebook at facebook.com/chicagofire/.
The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Club began play in 1998 as one of the League’s first expansion franchises. The Fire have won six major domestic titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup; the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups; as well as the 2003 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Chicago Fire FC’s affiliate team, Chicago Fire II, plays in MLS NEXT Pro, a professional league that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT, the youth academy programs, through to MLS. The Chicago Fire Academy currently features five teams ranging from U-13 to U-18. The Club’s charitable arm, the Chicago Fire Foundation, was recognized as ESPN’s 2019 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year and has made significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout Chicagoland, providing over $10 million back to the community. The Fire train at the Endeavor Health Performance Center, a $100M state-of-the art-facility and play their home matches at historic Soldier Field. For more information, visit chicagofirefc.com.
About Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc.
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and its family of health plans provide government-sponsored managed care to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs. This includes Meridian’s Medicaid and Medicaid-Medicare plans, and YouthCare HealthChoice Illinois. YouthCare is a specialized program designed to address the healthcare needs of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) youth in out-of-home placement and former foster youth. Meridian connects members to care and offers comprehensive services to support lifelong health and wellness. Learn more at ILmeridian.com.
