Over the course of the the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular season, much of the focus surrounds the teams and players, how they perform on the pitch and where the team is on the table. There is, however, a lot that happens outside the white lines, specifically in the community. Last year, the Chicago Stars showed for Chicago in communities across the city. Here are just some of the activities the community team put together for the in 2025.
The Chicago Stars community team works diligently all year to make sure the club is giving back to our hometown. Through club-hosted events and by partnering with other city and community organizations, the Chicago Stars help bring soccer to underserved communities in the hopes of inspiring more interest and participation, especially among young women, in the game of soccer. We know that women who participate in competitive sports are more likely to become business leaders and learn the skills needed to have successful professional careers. So, while not everyone can grow up to be a professional soccer player, the skills they learn from the sport can help them later on in life.
With this in mind, our community team introduced a new initiative this year meant to reach as many children across Chicago as possible. Future Stars Fest, presented by Wintrust, was a series of free events hosted by the club on the north, south and lower west sides of the city. Partnering with the Chicago Park District and other community organizations operating in each host neighborhood, the Stars put together a day filled with activities for all kids, not only those interested in sports. Participants had the chance to work on their soccer skills with Chicago Stars players, explore fun scientific projects, channel their artistic sides and more in these welcoming and encouraging environments.
In partnership with the club’s front-of-kit partner, Wintrust, the Chicago Stars community met with players to discuss causes that are meaningful to them. Together, the team came up with three initiatives players wanted to support including to serve those in need, increase engagement in athletics among young women and support women-owned businesses across Chicagoland. At the start of summer, the Chicago Stars teamed up with Sarah’s Circle – an organization working to help women permanently end their homelessness – to provide and serve food from a local restaurant to residents at Sarah’s Circle. The Stars also worked with the Women’s Business Development Center, providing microgrants to 15 women-owned businesses and inviting the entrepreneurs to an All-In Women’s Business Expo hosted before a Stars match at SeatGeek Stadium. Business owners set up stations at the stadium where they and Stars fans had the opportunity to learn more about their work and foster meaningful community connections. To help inspire young women to be active, the Stars worked with Girls on the Run an organization that creatively blends running with a curriculum designed to help girls be joyful, healthy and confident. Stars players visited a Girls on the Run practice to meet with the participants, answer questions and distribute new running shoes. In addition to supporting these events, Wintrust also provided grants to each organization helping ensure they continue to serve and expand their reach.
With the club’s announcement of their marquee match at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium September 7, followed by the team’s announcement of moving their home matches to Evanston in 2026, the community team made a concentrated effort to establish a presence in the Evanston community. Over the summer, the Stars supported and had a presence at the monthly Evanston Night Markets where street team members promoted the September 7 match by handing out giveaways, offering attendees the chance to win prizes and held raffles. Front office associates also participated in the annual Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate and even fielded their own soccer team in the annual Evanston Unity Fest and took home the Unity Cup for good sportsmanship. Leading up to the September 7 match, the clinics team held a free prematch clinic where local children participated in soccer drills, played in mini games and met with Chicago Stars forward, Shea Groom, all before walking over to the stadium to watch the Stars’ match against the Orlando Pride.
In support of the LGBTQ+ community, and for the third consecutive year, the Chicago Stars walked in the annual Chicago Pride Parade, which brought several hundred thousand people together in a joyful, community-powered celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, visibility and resiliency. In support of the Hispanic community, the Stars designed their Sobresalimos shirt and donated the net proceeds to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). The team also donated their spot in the annual Mexican Independence Day Parade to ICIRR, who walked the parade route alongside the club’s mascot, Supernova. In another annual tradition for the club, the team participated in the Little Village Chamber of Commerce’s La Villita Navideña celebration where local families come out to celebrate the holidays, play games and receive gifts for the children.
These are just some of the events, initiatives, celebrations and programs the Chicago Stars community team undertakes to make sure we are showing up for our city and our neighbors. Their work across Chicagoland helps create touchpoints between our club and athletes and the members of this community, provides support to underserved areas and helps us show that when we say we’re Chicago’s team, we mean it. We are thankful for your support, not just at our matches, but also for your support year-round. Thank you for helping us make an impact in 2025. We look forward to continuing our community efforts and making you proud in 2026!
