BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (February 13, 2019) — Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Section 8 Chicago today announced joint plans in advance of the 2019 MLS season including a new, second supporters’ section (section 137).

Supporters’ groups will be present at the Fire’s home opener at newly-named SeatGeek Stadium against Orlando City SC on Saturday, March 9 at 12:00 p.m. CT.

The Fire and their supporters have also committed to jointly continue the Fire For Food initiative raising funds and awareness for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The first opportunity for collaboration will see members of the Fire staff join members of the supporters’ community at the Food Depository during the week of March 4, the week of the Fire’s home opener. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Over the course of four productive and informative meetings during the offseason – where we saw a genuine spirit of cooperation – the Club and supporters have agreed on a path forward,” said Fire President & General Manager Nelson Rodriguez. “The focus will be combining our efforts in support of each other and ultimately giving our team home field advantage. I’d personally like to thank Nicole Hack, Marty Tomszak, Joel Piktel and the entire leadership of Section 8 for their desire to find common ground. Our players are looking forward to having loud and colorful sections at both ends of the stadium throughout the season.”

“On behalf of Section 8 Chicago, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Front Office staff that participated in this process and applaud their hard work in reaching this resolution,” said Nicole Hack, Chair of Section 8 Chicago.

The Club and supporters have chosen to create a home field advantage by placing supporters behind both goals. That includes the Harlem End (sections 117 and 118) behind the goal on the North side of the stadium and section 137, located behind the goal on the South side of the stadium. These three approved supporter sections (117, 118, 137) will be devoted only to supporters. Day-of-game tickets and individual tickets in these sections will only be available for purchase through Section 8 Chicago. For additional information on supporters’ season tickets visit Chicago-Fire.com/supporters or call a member of the Season Ticket Services team at (708) 496-6800.

The Fire supporters’ tailgate area will remain on the North side of the stadium. This year, the visiting team’s traveling fans will sit in section 203.

The Men in Red will begin the 2019 MLS season with an away match against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, March 2, beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT. Section 8 Chicago’s viewing party will take place that night at The Globe Pub (1934 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613).