CHICAGO (Dec. 18, 2015) – The Chicago Fire announced Friday its 2016 preseason training camp schedule that begins at The PrivateBank Fire Pitch on Jan. 25 and includes trips to Tampa, Fla. and Portland, Ore. in advance of the club’s 19th MLS season. Additional details on the preseason camp will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’m excited that in just over a month we’ll finally get the team together and begin our preparations for the season,” said Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic. “It’s invaluable that we’re able to utilize The PrivateBank Fire Pitch, our own facility right here in Chicago to set the tone before heading to Tampa and Portland for competitive matches as we build towards opening day.”

Fire players report for entrance physicals on Jan. 24 before training in the Chicagoland area for five days from Jan. 25-29 at The PrivateBank Fire Pitch located on the north side of the city at 3626 North Talman Ave.

Monday, Jan. 25 will serve as Media Day for the full side, providing the first opportunity that the assembled team is available for media interviews in the Chicagoland area.

The Men in Red then depart on Jan. 31 to train on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. before returning to Chicago on Feb. 12.

For the final leg, the Fire close out preseason from Feb. 15 – 28 in Portland, Ore. as part of the 2016 Simple Invitational where they face reigning MLS Cup champions Portland Timbers FC, fellow MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC and NASL side Minnesota United FC.

Tickets for The Simple Invitational, which allow entry to both matches each day, start at $10 and go on sale to the general public starting Friday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. CT online at www.timbers.com. Full tournament ticket packages for The Simple Invitational, starting at $39, also will be available for purchase online.

Below is the club’s full 2016 preseason schedule:

Jan. 24: Players report to Toyota Park for entrance physicals

Jan. 25-29: Training at The PrivateBank Fire Pitch

Jan. 31: Travel to Tampa, Fla.

Feb. 1-11: Train in Tampa

Feb. 12: Return to Chicago

Feb. 15: Travel to Portland, Ore.

Feb. 16-27: First team trains in Portland, Ore. as part of the 2016 Simple Invitational

Games:

Sunday, Feb. 21 – Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 4:30 p.m. CT – Providence Park

Wednesday, Feb. 24 – Chicago Fire vs. Minnesota United FC – 7 p.m. CT – Providence Park

Saturday, Feb. 27 – Chicago Fire vs. Portland Timbers FC – 7 p.m. CT – Providence Park

Feb. 28: Return to Chicago

Feb. 29: 2016 Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon presented by Magellan Corporation