Peoria City, Bradley Co-Host Jamboree Style Event Sunday Afternoon
(APRIL 17, 2026 | PEORIA, IL) – Peoria City will tease the start of its fifth season of USL League Two soccer when the Flying Carp co-host the second annual Shea Classic with the Bradley University men’s soccer team Sunday afternoon at Shea Stadium.
The Shea Classic will be the first of six exhibition events in Peoria City’s 2026 CEFCU Friendlies Series and will feature a jamboree-style format that also will include the Illinois Central College men’s soccer team. While Bradley and ICC both will feature their spring rosters, Peoria City’s squad will include fully-rostered players Tommy Barrell,Jose Gomez, Kevin Mejias, Josh Reddy teamed with a number of players participating in a trial with the club.
Sunday’s Shea Classic will be a free admission event with the track parking area opening at 10:00 am and the rotation of games starting at 1 o’clock. Food truck vendors Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee and That Bald Guy BBQ will be on site and Peoria City will conduct a clearance sale of merchandise with all items available at a 50 percent discount. Fans also may purchase 2026 season tickets, reserved season tailgate parking spaces and single-game tickets for the upcoming Peoria City season.
Peoria City is preparing for its fifth season bringing family-friendly entertainment from the nation’s premier pre-professional soccer league to Central Illinois. Building rosters made up of a combination of local, college and international talent from all levels across the globe, Peoria City has qualified for the USL League Two Playoffs in three of its first four seasons, including a historic run to host of the national final in 2024.
Following Sunday’s Shea Classic, Peoria City will continue its CEFCU Friendlies Series Saturday, May 2 by hosting the Northwestern University Men’s Soccer team in a 6:00 pm contest at Shea Stadium, a tune-up before opening the League Two season May 9 at FC Ambush. The Flying Carp also will host Sueño FC May 12 (6:00 pm), BOHFS St. Louis May 16 (7:30 pm) and River Light FC May 19 (6:00 pm) in CEFCU Friendlies before hosting perennial League Two power and rival Des Moines Menace in their regular-season home opener May 23 (7:30 pm), all at Shea Stadium.
Peoria City season and single-game tickets, as well as School of Carp Kids Club and Booster Club memberships, are available by visiting PeoriaCitySoccer.com.