Peoria City to kick off season, CEFCU Friendlies Series with pair of college exhibitions
(MARCH 24, 2026 | PEORIA, IL) – For the second consecutive year, Peoria City will kick off its 2026 season with a pair of exhibition events versus collegiate competition, the latest events announced as part of the CEFCU Friendlies Series.
With a commitment to provide its fan base a full season of family-friendly entertainment while providing its roster of players the maximum opportunity to showcase their talents, Peoria City is partnering with CEFCU to deliver a series of eight exhibition games to complement its 2026 USL League Two schedule this spring and summer. The club announced Monday it will conclude the CEFCU Friendlies Series with a July 4 exhibition at USL League One professional club Forward Madison FC.
Peoria City’s 2026 season and CEFCU Friendlies Series will begin Sunday, April 19 when the Flying Carp partner with the Bradley University men’s soccer team to co-host the Shea Classic, a jamboree style event that will feature a handful of committed Peoria City players with several trialists, as well as the Bradley, Illinois Central College and Indian Hills Community College teams. Set for a 1:00 pm start at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium, the Shea Classic will be a free admission event.
Featuring a more complete roster of committed players, Peoria City will continue to trial prospective additions to the roster when the Flying Carp host Big Ten Conference foe Northwestern Saturday, May 2. The 6:00 pm exhibition will be the first in Peoria City’s 11-game season-ticket package. The Crusens Tailgate Zone will open three hours prior to the start time of both collegiate events.
The eight games in the CEFCU Friendlies Series will expand Peoria City’s 2026 schedule to 20 total games, including 12 home events. All 12 home games are scheduled to be played at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium and will be included in 2026 season-ticket packages (the April 19 game will be a free admission event for all fans).
Peoria City’s 2026 season tickets are on sale now with several options available by clicking the “Tickets” link online at PeoriaCitySoccer.com:
- General Admission and Shea Brigade End Zone – $64
- GA and Shea Brigade End Zone Family and Friends 4-Pack – $56 each (min. 4 tickets)
- Field Side Grandstand – $120
- Field Side Grandstand Family and Friends 4-Pack – $105 each (min. 4 tickets)
- Reserved Tailgate Parking – $40
Peoria City season-ticket benefits include:
- Entry to all home regular-season and friendly matches for the 2026 season
- Invitation to a special Peoria City Season-Ticket Holder kickoff party prior to the start of the 2026 USL League Two season
- First opportunity to purchase tickets to 2026 USL League Two Playoff games in the event Peoria City hosts postseason games
- First opportunity to purchase tickets to 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup games in the event Peoria City qualifies and hosts a game(s)
- Priority order to purchase season tickets for the 2027 Peoria City season
Season tickets will be delivered digitally through new ticketing partner, vivenu. In addition to managing digital tickets on a mobile device, fans also will have the ability to print a paper version of their ticket for presentation on game days. Season-ticket purchases also may be made in person at The Yard Peoria by emailing peoriacitysoccer@gmail.com to schedule an appointment. Single-game tickets are expected to go on sale Monday, March 30.