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Although Chicago isn’t a host city for this year’s FIFA World Cup, that doesn’t mean we won’t be getting in on the fun.
The city’s Major League Soccer team, Chicago Fire, is hosting a massive, 39-day World Cup celebration at Recess in the West Loop—and they’re going all out.
From Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, July 19, a 360-degree jumbotron in the center of Recess’ sprawling outdoor patio will show every match with full volume, in addition to 21 TVs inside.
The space has transformed into an expansive fan zone. A lineup of activations throughout the tournament includes live music performances, giveaways and sweepstakes (someone is going home with a free car!), and exclusive merch drops in collaboration with local artists like Runsy, Sentrock and Louis de Guzman.
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Programming highlights include a Juneteenth Makers Market on June 17, a daytime rave on June 27 and a foosball tournament on July 5. Check out the full schedule of events here.
"Soccer fans in Chicago know how to bring the energy on a matchday, and we want to channel that same excitement at Recess," says Dan Moriarty, chief marketing officer at Chicago Fire FC. "While Chicago isn’t an official host city, we’re ensuring the city doesn’t miss out on an unforgettable summer. We’ve filled the calendar with exciting activations all tournament long and look forward to extending the Fire fandom even after the competition wraps."
Entry is free, and guests are encouraged to reserve a digital pass in advance. Reservations are also encouraged if you want to secure a table or cabana for your crew.
The madness kicks off when Mexico and South Africa take the field at 2pm on Thursday, June 11. From then on, Recess becomes the unofficial HQ for World Cup fanfare for the next 39 days.