Does Chicago Fire FC hold academy tryouts?
SeatGeek Stadium · Bridgeview, Illinois · Checked October 16, 2026
No open tryouts for the Chicago Fire Academy. The main way in for young players is the free Fire Discovery Centers for ages 10 to 12, which run in different Chicago-area towns. Players can come by scout or club recommendation, or by an open application. In the first year, 728 players were observed and 15 were offered U-13 Academy places.
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Discovery Center sessions in the fall, then winter and spring training periods, then Academy offers for the U-13 team.
- 01Fire Discovery Centers (ages 10 to 12)
A free talent program across Chicagoland. Coaches run on-field sessions and evaluate players for the U-13 Academy team. Players arrive by scout recommendation, youth club recommendation or an open application.
Official page ↗ - 02Winter and spring training period
Players who stand out at Discovery Centers are invited to winter training, then a spring training period, before Academy offers are made. In the first season, 45 players were invited to winter training.
Official page ↗ - 03Academy scouting
Fire Discovery Centers build on the club's existing scouting network, which also watches older players.
Official page ↗
- Chicago and the Chicagoland suburbs
- Discovery Center sessions in several towns
- Youth club recommendations
- Ask who is inviting you: the academy itself, or a camp or paid program run by the club's youth department.
- Ask whether the invitation is for one trial, a training pool or a team place. Pools can run for months.
- Ask in writing about cost, travel and school before you agree to anything.
- Tell your child's current club. MLS academies usually contact the current club first.
What to check before you agree
What parents ask about Chicago Fire FC
Are Chicago Fire Discovery Centers free?
Yes. The club says there is no cost for families or players to take part. Registration opens before each fall season.
How many players join the Fire Academy from Discovery Centers?
In the first season, 956 players signed up and 728 were observed. The club offered 15 players places on the U-13 Academy team, and all 15 accepted.
Practice reading the game while you wait
Soccer IQ is how a player decides what to do before the ball arrives. Our Soccer IQ game shows short match moments and asks your child to choose. It is a free early version. It is for practice and talking together. It does not predict whether a child will be picked.
League and college numbers: Youth soccer in the US: the numbers.
- Chicago Fire FC, Discovery Centers ↗
- Chicago Fire FC, Discovery Centers launch (Aug 2023) ↗
- Chicago Fire FC, The impact of Discovery Centers (May 2024) ↗
Last verified October 16, 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us so we can check the page.
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