Peoria City to Host Soccer Day Camps Mondays Jan. 18 and Feb. 15

PEORIA, IL (Nov. 9, 2026) – School will be out, but soccer camps will be in during the annual winter Monday holidays at the area’s premier indoor training facility. Peoria City will host its annual Holiday Monday Winter Soccer Camps on Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Feb. 15 Presidents Day at The Yard Peoria (1503 W. Altorfer Dr., Peoria).

Peoria City and area collegiate players will serve as camp counselors, providing boys and girls youth players of all skill levels ages 5-14 (grades K-8) instruction throughout each camp. Both will run from 9 am – 2 pm. Campers will be separated into groups based on age and skill level and instruction will feature multiple sessions of highly-focused, individual training with each camper receiving maximum touches on the ball. After a short lunch break, campers will be divided into teams for 3v3/4v4 games that will feature both directional and non-directional games and activities to provide each player with real match decision-making scenarios, as well as the opportunity to enhance their speed of play and play in a high tempo environment to facilitate movement both with and without the ball. While there will not be specific goalkeeper training during the day, the camps will provide aspiring goalkeepers a maximum amount of work with their feet, which is essential to their development in the modern game.

The camp days will feature a short lunch break from 11:15-11:45 am and campers should provide their own lunch. Peoria City will not provide lunch.

The counselors will remain on site to provide supervision of any camp participants who wish to remain at The Yard until the facility opens to the public at 4 o’clock.

Camp registrations are available for each individual date for $70 ($60 for members at The Yard Peoria) or $130 when registering for both camp dates ($110 for The Yard members). The 2-hour after-care program requires a separate registration fee of $20 per camp date.

For complete Peoria City camps information and to register, visit peoriacitysoccer.com/camps.

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Peoria City Players Preparing for Postseason

Peoria City college highlights heading into the final week of the regular season and the opening rounds of conference tournament play:

Prosper Adagani – The second-leading scorer during his sophomore season at High Point, Adagani helped the Panthers (10-3-4, 5-0-2) to their fourth consecutive Big South Conference regular-season championship. He enters the postseason with 20 points on nine goals and two assists. High Point will host a Big South semifinal game Sunday evening.

Oliver Benson – Benson has played in 14 of the 15 games at Northern Illinois this fall, helping the Huskies (8-5-2, 5-2-2) to the top spot in the Horizon League standings heading into today’s regular-season finale versus Robert Morris. With a win today, NIU will host a Horizon League semifinal game Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Tommy Coughlin – Coughlin is one of three field players to start all 15 games this season for his new team, Seattle (5-7-3, 2-3-2). Seattle enters Saturday’s regular-season finale at Denver tied for fifth in the West Coast Conference standings with the top four teams qualifying for next week’s WCC Men’s Soccer Championship.

Mitch Coughlon – Coughlon enters Bradley’s regular-season finale Wednesday at Western Michigan with a team-best seven goals, which ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Braves need a result at WMU to extend their season.

Evrit Fisher – Fisher has appeared in all 15 games for Northwestern (5-6-4, 2-4-3), including 10 as a starter, heading into Wednesday’s season-finale at Wisconsin. Fritz Volmar has started all 14 games in which he has appeared and ranks second on the team with his 1167 minutes played.

Thatcher Hogan/Kayden Hudson – The pair of native Peorians have helped Michigan State qualify for the six-team Big Ten Conference Tournament and Spartans (10-3-3, 5-2-2) will close out the regular season by visiting nationally-ranked Indiana and Peoria City teammate Grant Paskus Wednesday night. The Big Ten Conference Tournament will kick off with the quarterfinals between seeds 3-6 Sunday with the semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 11.

David Jesus/DJ Koulai – Fully recovered from his summer injury, Jesus has started all 15 games for Florida Atlantic (6-2-7, 3-2-3) this fall, while Koulai has started 14 of his 15 games at his new school. Koulai is one of three players tied for second on the team with four goals and 11 points, while Jesus is right behind with eight points on two goals and four assists. Jesus registered an assist and scored what proved to be the game-winner on an assist from Koulai in Sunday’s 3-2 win against UAB. As the No. 4 seed, FAU will host Memphis in an American Athletic Conference quarterfinal game Friday night with the winner advancing to the semifinals next Wednesday at top-seeded Tulsa.

Preston Kipnusu/Chase Wakefield – Kipnusu scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute, leading Drake to a 1-0 win Friday at UIC, keeping the MVC Tournament hopes alive for the Bulldogs (5-7-4, 1-4-1). The goal was the first of the year for Kipnusu, who has been limited to just five games this fall. Wakefield has been a defensive starter in 13 of the 15 games he has played this year. With its regular-season complete, Drake will await the result of Bradley’s game Wednesday at Western Michigan to learn its postseason fate.

Joel McIntyre – McIntrye has started all 18 games in the back line at Western Illinois this year, ranking second among field players with 1317 minutes played and helping the Leathernecks (6-9-3, 4-5-1) qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. WIU will take on Houston Christian Sunday afternoon in St. Charles, MO.

Paul Claes Nielsen – A starter in all 15 games for Belmont (6-5-4, 2-12), Nielsen shares the team lead with five goals heading into Wednesday’s regular-season finale at MVC co-leader Evansville.

Max Rülke – A starter in 16 games, Rülke has helped his new team, Lewis and Clark CC (11-3-2, 6-0-0), to a fifth consecutive NJCAA Region 24 regular-season title. The Trailblazers will host Indian Hills CC, led by former Peoria City assistant coach Zac Newton, in a NJCAA Midwest District semifinal game Thursday afternoon.

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League Two Club Welcomes Chicago Fire FC II to Shea Stadium Nov. 20

PEORIA, IL (OCT. 21, 2026) – Professional soccer stars of tomorrow will showcase their skills at Shea Stadium when Peoria City hosts MLS Next Pro side Chicago Fire FC II in a premier fall exhibition match Friday, Nov. 20 (7:00 pm).

With the college regular-season completed by the game date, all collegiate players not still participating in the postseason will be eligible to join the Peoria City side, while the Chicago Fire FC II squad will feature the Major League Soccer organization’s MLS Next Pro players in their final competition of the 2026 season. Peoria City will feature a collection of both returning players and those looking to showcase their skills as trialists for both the defending USL League Two Great Plains Division champion and the Major League Soccer organization.

Tickets for the Fall Finale premier exhibition versus Chicago Fire II FC will be available as a single event or will be included by making a deposit payment for 2027 Peoria City season tickets. General admission tickets for the Nov. 20 event are $8 each and tickets for field level seating in front of Shea Stadium’s main grandstand are $15. Parking in the Crusens Tailgate Zone will be $5 per vehicle and the lot will open two hours prior to kickoff at 5:00 pm.

New this season, Peoria City will allow fans to lock in the 2026 season-ticket price structure by making a $25 deposit on their 2027 season tickets through the end of the calendar year. Last year’s season-ticket prices started at $64 for general admission seating and included admission to 10 games – four exhibitions and six USL League Two regular-season games – at Shea Stadium. The $25 deposit will guarantee Peoria City will not charge more than $6.40 per game in its final 2027 season-ticket package for deposit participants with the initial payment applied to the final balance, and the Nov. 20 exhibition versus Chicago Fire FC II will be included at no additional charge as a bonus game.

Since 2024, Peoria City has hosted at least nine games in its season-ticket package – 2024 (nine), 2025 (10), 2026 (10) – highlighted by international friendlies versus Chivas de Guadalajara U23 and Atlas FC U21. The club is committed to once again delivering a diverse slate of games in 2027 beyond the required League Two schedule.

Fans making a deposit on 2027 Peoria City season tickets also will be eligible to request use of the club’s Peoria City season tickets during the 2026-27 Peoria Rivermen home schedule at Carver Arena. Peoria City’s season tickets are located in Section 102 at Carver Arena – Row 9, Seats 18-21. After claiming the 2025-26 SPHL William B. Coffey Trophy for posting the league’s best regular-season record, the Peoria Rivermen will open their 30-game home schedule Saturday by hosting the Pee Dee Icecats for a 7:15 pm puck drop. To request tickets, email peoriacitysoccer@gmail.com. Fans making deposits on 2027 Peoria City season tickets may initially request use of up to two Rivermen tickets for one game and the tickets will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional games will be considered if there are no requests from first-time users 48 hours prior to the game. For complete ticket information, visit peoriacitysoccer.com/tickets.

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Fit500 Training Program Focuses on Advanced Player Performance

PEORIA, IL (OCT. 12, 2026) – In collaboration with Peoria City, the area’s premier men’s soccer team, DQ Performance is introducing a new program focused on skill enhancement and injury resilience for advanced soccer players: Fit500 is a six-week training program launching at The Yard Peoria in November.

During each one-hour training session in the DQ Performance Fit500 program, boys and girls soccer players in grades 7-12 (ages 12-18) will benefit from 500 intentional movements and 500 intentional touches of the ball. The program, led by Peoria City contributor Dr. Carey Donlan, a former NCAA Division I women’s soccer player with a doctorate in physical therapy and a PhD in health science; and in collaboration with Peoria City president and technical director Jim DeRose, focuses on four pillars of athleticism and injury resilience with ball skills, touches, speed and agility threaded throughout all activities:

Pillar I: Change of Direction and Deceleration

Focus on the ability to slow down and change direction efficiently. Focusing on this control component reduces strain on the body and makes you a more effective player.

Pillar II: Core Control

Focus on the ability of the core and pelvis to be a strong foundation while the rest of the body moves. Strong core control gives athletes a stable foundation for balance, powerful movements, efficient changes of direction and better control of the ball.

Pillar III: Single Leg Stability and Strength

Soccer is primarily played on one leg. This pillar develops the strength, stability, balance and control needed to push off, plant, strike, land, accelerate and compete on one leg. Single-leg control promotes knee and hip stability and improves injury resilience.

Pillar IV: Reaction Time and Decision-Making

This works on the brain-body connection. Players only have the ball 1-2% of the game on average. To be an effective player, it is not just about how fast you are. It is about how quickly you can perceive the field, make decisions and respond. Players are challenged to react to visual, physical and game-like cues while making decisions under pressure.

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Each training session in the DQ Performance Fit500 program will be held at The Yard Peoria from Nov. 3-Dec. 10: Tuesday mornings from 6:00-7:00 am and Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm. Registration options are available for all 12 sessions at $240 with additional options for either the six morning or six evening sessions at $150 or single-session drop in participation for $35 per session. The registration link for the DQ Performance Fit500 program may be found by visiting the Camps menu online at peoriacitysoccer.com.

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A graduate of Peoria Notre Dame High School, Dr. Donlan earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Creighton University in 2011 while competing as a member of the Bluejays’ women’s soccer team. She went on to earn her doctorate in physical therapy from Bradley University in 2015, then added a PhD in health science from Rocky Mountain University in 2025. She has worked as the strength and conditioning trainer for the Peoria Notre Dame women’s soccer team since 2022 and is a physical therapy instructor at Bradley.

DeRose, who earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Northern Vermont, is well-known in Central Illinois as the second winningest coach in Missouri Valley Conference men’s and women’s soccer history, having led Bradley to seven Valley titles and seven NCAA Tournament appearances during his 28-year career on The Hilltop. He spearheaded the foundation of the Peoria City USL League Two soccer club in 2020 and has overseen the organization’s meteoric rise into the elite echelon of the nation’s premier pre-professional men’s soccer league since the club began competition in 2022. 

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David Jesus Injury Return Sparks FAU in Season-Opener

PEORIA, IL (AUG. 26, 2026) – Several Peoria City alumni put up highlight moments during the opening week of the men’s college soccer season, highlighted by the return from injury by David Jesus (Deerfield Beach, FL/FAU) and Stephen Saladin (St. Louis, MO/Bradley).

A junior midfielder at Florida Atlantic, Jesus suffered a gruesome, non-contact injury to his lower leg in the third game of the USL League Two season May 27 at Springfield FC and missed the remainder of the summer season while he rehabbed back home in Florida. He started Thursday’s season-opener at Mercer and delivered three points on a goal and an assist in 67 minutes during the 3-0 win against the Bears, an effort that was aided by Peoria City veteran forward DJ Koulai (Lewisville, TX/FAU), who dished two assists. Koulai set up the eventual game-winner by Michael Tentchou in the 10th minute and earned the assist on the Jesus goal in the 74th minute.

Meanwhile on Peoria City’s home field at Shea Stadium, Bradley opened the season Thursday with a 2-2 draw against Big East member DePaul, Peoria City players Mitch Coughlon (Washington, IL) and Saladin combined on a go-ahead score in the 74th minute. Coughlon, who has played for Peoria City in three of the last four seasons, was named a preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree and scored his 12th career goal for the Braves Sunday. Saladin originally joined Peoria City in the spring, but injured his knee during a Bradley practice and was unable to compete for the Carp this summer. The second-year transfer from Arizona Western College returned to the pitch Thursday and contributed the assist on Coughlon’s goal during his 51 minutes of reserve action.

Among the additional Peoria City highlights during Week One:

Prosper Adagani (Accra, Ghana) fired off seven shots and finished with a goal and an assist in High Point’s 5-2 win against LIU Thursday night. The Panthers (2-0-0) added a 3-2 win Monday at then-No. 11 Virginia and jumped up to No. 9 in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll. High Point will put that ranking to the test Saturday night when the Panthers visit #4 Maryland.

Although his new squad came away with a pair of defeats, Seattle’s Tommy Coughlin (Crystal Lake, IL) faced a trio of Peoria City teammates in his first two games of the year. Former Carp forward Tanner Anderson (2023, 2025) led #4 Saint Louis to a 4-0 victory against visiting Seattle Thursday night by opening the scoring with an eighth-minute tally. Coughlin logged the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Michigan State, where the veteran midfielder matched up against Peoria City teammates Kayden Hudson (Peoria, IL) and Thatcher Hogan (Peoria, IL). Hudson, who scored a go-ahead goa in the 29th minute of Michigan State’s 6-2 win in the season-opener against Albany, got off three shots in his 36 minutes off the bench Sunday.  Hudson, Hogan and their Michigan State squad will visit SIU Edwardsville Thursday night.

Paul Claes Nielsen (Copenhagen, Denmark/Belmont) scored a pair of goals in a 3-minute span, including the game-winner in the 24th minute, sparking a 6-1 rout against Wright State Sunday.

Grant Paskus (Indianapolis, IN/Indiana) served an assist in Indiana’s 3-0 win Sunday against Evansville.

Max Rülke (Germany/Lewis and Clark CC) posted two assists in Sunday’s 3-0 win against Marshalltown CC.

Peoria City Announces Three Months of Skills Development Programs

(AUG. 4, 2026 | PEORIA, IL) – Offering the area’s boys and girls youth soccer players of all ages and skill levels a comprehensive program in both on-the-ball training and conditioning, Peoria City’s popular After-School Training Program will resume Aug. 31 with three, month-long sessions on tap.

Combining accomplished instructors in both soccer and body development inside the area’s premier indoor training facilities, Peoria City will continue to offer a comprehensive after-school training program at The Yard Peoria (1503 W. Altorfer Drive) and sister facility The House Barbell Club (7920 N. Sommer Drive) to aid the skill development of boys and girls soccer players of all ages and skill levels.

The Peoria City After-School Training Program is a collection of 4-week sessions, each consisting of eight, one-hour sessions from 5-6:00 pm that focus on soccer skills on Mondays and Wednesdays in the soccer room at The Yard Peoria, as well as eight, one-hour sessions focused on strength, speed, agility, flexibility and core development on Tuesdays and Thursdays at The House Barbell Club. Participants have the option of combining the benefits of both programs in a bundled registration for all 16 sessions or selecting from just the soccer program or just the body development program in full. The two specialized programs also are available in half-session options for one training day per week.

Directing Peoria City staff and players for the soccer sessions, club president Jim DeRose oversees the comprehensive training program in coordination with Joey O’Brien, Director of Wellness & Fitness at The House Barbell Club, who leads the conditioning program.

Session 1 of the Peoria City After-School Training Program kicks off Monday, Aug. 31 and will continue through Monday, Sept. 28, followed by two more month-long sessions throughout October and November:

• Session 1: Aug. 31-Sept. 28 (no training Labor Day Sept. 7)

• Session 2: Oct. 5-29

• Session 3: Nov. 2-Dec. 3 (no trainings the week of Thanksgiving)

Conducted each Monday and Wednesday during the 4-week session, the soccer program is available to children in grades PreK through 12th grade (ages 4-18), while the Strength, Speed & Agility program operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is available for children in grades 5-12 (ages 10-18). Participants in both programs are grouped by age and skill for appropriate instruction and development.

The Soccer and SSA programs for each 4-week session are priced at $120 for The Yard Peoria Soccer Members and $180 for non-members, while the bundled option featuring all 16 sessions in both programs is $200 for members and $315 for non-members. The half programs in Soccer and SSA each are available at $75 for members and $115 for non-members. 

For more information on the Peoria City After-School Training Program and to register for any of the open three sessions, visit peoriacitysoccer.com/ and click the “Camps” option in the main header.

Peoria City After-School Training Sessions

Session 1

Aug. 31-Sept. 28, 2026 (No training Labor Day Sept. 7)

Session 2

Oct. 5-29, 2026

Session 3

Nov. 2-Dec. 3, 2026 (No trainings Thanksgiving week)

Peoria City to Host Postseason Opening Rounds July 16 & 18

(JULY 12, 2026 | PEORIA, IL) – Some familiar faces and one first-time opponent will visit Shea Stadium when the 2026 USL League Two Playoffs Presented by VensureHR kicks off Thursday at Shea Stadium. With the completion of the regular season Sunday afternoon, the complete postseason field has been set and the CEFCU Peoria Pod will feature Great Plains Division champion Peoria City (10-1-1), Heartland Division champion Minneapolis City SC (12-0-0), Valley Division champion West Virginia United (9-2-1) and Heartland Division runner-up Sueño FC (8-3-1).

The first two rounds of the Central Conference portion of the League Two Playoffs will be contested Thursday and Saturday at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium. The only unblemished team during the 2026 League Two regular-season, Minneapolis City SC will put its perfect record to the test in Thursday’s 3:00 pm game versus West Virginia United. Peoria City will face its one-time Heartland Division rival, Sueño FC, in the second quarterfinal game at 7:30 pm Thursday night. The two winners will meet in the Central Conference semifinal game Saturday at 7:30 pm at Shea Stadium.

The Crusens Tailgate Zone will open at 1:30 pm Thursday and 4:30 pm Saturday with stadium gates opening one hour prior to each game.

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CEFCU Peoria Pod – Tickets

Each of the three games will be treated as an individual event and tickets are on sale now at peoriacitysoccer.com/tickets for each game, or as part of a 3-game weekend pass. 

Single-game general admission tickets are $8 for each of Thursday’s two games and $10 for the Saturday semifinal, while Field Side Grandstand tickets are $15 for each of the two Thursday games and $20 for the Saturday semifinal. The popular Family & Friends 4-Pack also is available for each game: General Admission at $25 ($6.25 per ticket/minimum 4 tickets) for each of Thursday’s two games and $30 ($7.50 per ticket/minimum 4 tickets) for Saturday’s semifinal game. The Jeff Burtis Game Day Bundle (one parking space, four single-game GA tickets, four tennis balls for the Halftime Tennis Ball Toss, four Discover Peoria Play Zone activity tickets and four concessions vouchers) also will be available for single-game purchases both Thursday ($36) and Saturday ($40).

Individual and 4-Pack General Admission and Field Side Grandstand tickets also are available in the 3-game Weekend Pass options, offering an ever deeper discount.

Peoria City corporate partners and members of the Peoria City Booster Club will be provided complimentary postseason tickets matching their regular-season quantities, while 2026 Peoria City Season-Ticket Holders will have been provided a promo code, allowing them to purchase tickets and reserved tailgate parking at a 25 percent discount. Both groups should be on the lookout for emails from the club with more information on their special offers.

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CEFCU Peoria Pod – Noteworthy

Peoria City now has qualified for the USL League Two Playoffs in four of the club’s first five seasons and will be hosting postseason action for the second time: during the 2024 season, the Carp became the first-ever League Two club to host all five rounds of the postseason, advancing to the national championship game at Shea Stadium.

When Peoria City entered League Two in 2022, the Flying Carp competed in the Deep North Division with Minneapolis City SC, then were joined by Sueño FC in the Heartland Division for the 2024 campaign. All three teams traveled to Des Moines last season for the Central Conference Quarterfinals and Semifinals, where Minneapolis City SC and Peoria City played to a 2-2 draw, before the Crows advanced in penalty kicks, 4-1. Current Peoria City forward Preston Kipnusu, who scored a hat trick in Saturday’s season-finale versus Springfield FC, scored an acrobatic bicycle kick against the Flying Carp as a member of the 2025 Minneapolis City squad. Sueño FC stunned the pod host Des Moines Menace, 4-2, in the quarterfinal round, before falling to Minneapolis City, 2-0 in the semifinal matchup of Heartland Division rivals.

Peoria City and Sueño FC were scheduled to renew their rivalry in a CEFCU Friendlies Series match May 12 at Shea Stadium, but the match was abandoned when the visitors were unable to travel the day of the game due to a medical situation. Peoria City is 2-0-0 all-time against Sueño FC, earning 6-0 and 4-2 wins during the 2024 season. While Peoria City has never faced West Viriginia United, the Carp are unbeaten in four previous meetings against Minneapolis City SC – two wins and two draws. The teams met three times during the 2022 campaign, before last year’s postseason matchup.

Peoria City season and single-game tickets, as well as information on summer camps, memberships in the Aqua-Tots Peoria School of Carp Kids Club and booster club, and sign ups for the Joey Olson COUNTRY Financial Ball Chasers all are available for visiting the club online at PeoriaCitySoccer.com. For all of the latest news about Peoria City, please visit the News link within the About menu and be sure to follow all of the Peoria City social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, X.

– #UpTheCarp –

Discounted Tickets, Merch and Promotional Giveaways Highlight Peoria City Finale Saturday

(JULY 10, 2026 | PEORIA, IL) – Peoria City will pay tribute to its dedicated fan base and will celebrate a trio of championship seasons when the nationally-ranked Carp host local rival Springfield FC in the 2026 USL League Two regular-season finale Saturday night at Shea Stadium.

Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Molly Maid, will feature half-priced game tickets, promotional fan giveaways and discounts on select Peoria City merchandise. In addition to celebrating Peoria City’s 2026 Great Plains Division title, the first division championship in club history, the Carp also will honor the Peoria Rivermen’s 2025-26 SPHL Presidents Cup and the Morton High School Girls Soccer Team, which captured conference, regional, sectional and super sectional championships on the way to runner-up in the 2026 IHSA Class 2A state championship.

Having already clinched the Great Plains Division title with the best single-season points total (28) in club history, #15 Peoria City (9-1-1) will be shooting for its first-ever 10-win regular season Saturday night against Springfield FC. The club also is attempting to celebrate the trio of championships in front of the largest regular-season crowd in club history, a mark set July 2, 2025 against Des Moines Menace (2,053).

Fans wishing to purchase tickets for Saturday night’s clash in advance may visit peoriacitysoccer.com/tickets and use the promo code FANS2026 during checkout to receive the 50 percent discount on General Admission and Field Side Grandstand tickets, as well as the Jeff Burtis State Farm Bundle, which includes one Crusens Tailgate Zone parking space, a minimum of four general admission tickets and a corresponding number of tennis balls for the Halftime Tennis Ball Toss, Discover Peoria Play Zone activity tickets and concessions stand vouchers. Tickets also will be available at half-price when purchasing in person at Shea Stadium Saturday night.

The Crusens Tailgate Zone will open at 4:30 pm Saturday and will include music from WWCT 99.9 FM and the food truck lineup is scheduled to include Kona Ice, The Station, That Bald Guy BBQ, Tony’s on Wheels and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee.

The Discover Peoria Play Zone is scheduled to open at 5:30 pm with $15 haircuts and free hair coloring from Snyder’s Barbershop, balloon art from Unique Twist and Twisting Crew, a guest reptile appearance from Wildlife Prairie Park and activities from Joey Olson COUNTRY Financial, Jeff Burtis State Farm and the School of Carp Kids Club. Stadium gates will open at 6:30 pm and all season-ticket holders to enter through Gate 2 will receive a 2026 Great Plains Division Champion rally towel, courtesy of Molly Maid. Additional rally towels will be available for $6 each at the 1894 Sports Merchandise Stand. All fans also may receive a complimentary Panini 2026 FIFA World Cup Sticker Album, while supplies last. The remaining stock of official club merchandise (Aretyn replica game jerseys, straw cowboy beach hats and foam fish hats) will be discounted 20 percent Saturday night.

Peoria City season and single-game tickets, as well as information on summer camps, memberships in the Aqua-Tots Peoria School of Carp Kids Club and booster club, and sign ups for the Joey Olson COUNTRY Financial Ball Chasers all are available for visiting the club online at PeoriaCitySoccer.com. For all of the latest news about Peoria City, please visit the News link within the About menu and be sure to follow all of the Peoria City social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, X.

– #UpTheCarp –

Peoria City to Host Opening Postseason Weekend July 16 & 18

(JULY 9, 2026 | PEORIA, IL) – The USL League Two Playoffs Presented by VensureHR are returning to Shea Stadium as 2026 Great Plains Division Champion Peoria City (9-1-1) has been selected to host a 4-team pod for the Central Conference Quarterfinals July 16 and Semifinal July 18 at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium.

Having qualified for the League Two Playoffs for the fourth time in the club’s five-year history, Peoria City has been selected as a postseason host for the second time: during the 2024 season, the Carp became the first-ever League Two club to host all five rounds of the postseason, advancing to the national championship game at Shea Stadium.

Currently ranked #15 in the League Two Week 9 Power Rankings, Peoria City still has regular-season work to finish, however, before hosting the opening rounds of the playoffs next week. The Flying Carp will host Springfield FC in the regular-season finale Saturday (7:30 pm) at Shea Stadium. Looking to draw the largest regular-season crowd (2,053) in club history, Peoria City will celebrate a trio of championship teams, as well as its loyal fan base Saturday night. In honor of Fan Appreciation Night, Saturday’s finale tickets are half-priced (use promo code FANS2026 during checkout when purchasing tickets online at peoriacitysoccer.com/tickets) and the club will recognize its own Great Plains Division championship, as well as the Peoria Rivermen’s 2025-26 SPHL Presidents Cup regular-season title and the Morton High School girls soccer team historic run to the 2026 IHSA Class 2A state championship game. Remaining stock of official club merchandise (Aretyn jerseys, straw cowboy beach hats and foam fish hats) will be discounted 20 percent at the 1894 Sports Merchandise Stand and all fans may claim an official Panini 2026 FIFA World Cup Sticker Album upon entry.

About the Playoffs CEFCU Peoria Pod

The three teams that will join Peoria City for the CEFCU Peoria Pod in the 2026 Playoffs will be announced once all eight postseason spots in the Central Conference have been secured. Heading into the final round of League Two play this weekend, six spots have been claimed: Peoria City, Heartland Division champion Minneapolis City SC, Great Lakes Division champion Flint City Bucks, Valley Division champion West Virginia United and Great Forest Division co-leaders FC Buffalo and Steel City FC. Sueño FC and Chicago Dutch Lions are battling for the Heartland Division’s second playoffs entry, while Peoria City’s Great Plains Division rival Santafé Wanderers FC joins Valley Division members Northern Indiana FC and Louisville City FC in the fight for the final Central Conference postseason bid as a wildcard entry.

The CEFCU Peoria Pod will begin with the first quarterfinal game Thursday, July 16 at 3:00 pm with the Crusens Tailgate Zone opening at 1:30. Peoria City will play in the second quarterfinal game, set to kick off at 7:30 pm July 16. The two winners from July 16 will meet in the Central Conference Semifinal game Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 pm with the Crusens Tailgate Zone set to open at 4:30. Each of the three games will be operated as a stand-alone event.

CEFCU Peoria Pod postseason tickets are on sale now with options available for each of the three games individually or in a complete, 3-game weekend pass.

Single-game general admission tickets are $8 for each of Thursday’s two games and $10 for the Saturday semifinal, while Field Side Grandstand tickets are $15 for each of the two Thursday games and $20 for the Saturday semifinal. The popular Family & Friends 4-Pack also is available for each game: General Admission at $25 ($6.25 per ticket/minimum 4 tickets) for each of Thursday’s two games and $30 ($7.50 per ticket/minimum 4 tickets) for Saturday’s semifinal game. The Jeff Burtis Game Day Bundle (one parking space, four single-game GA tickets, four tennis balls for the Halftime Tennis Ball Toss, four Discover Peoria Play Zone activity tickets and four concessions vouchers) also will be available for single-game purchases both Thursday ($36) and Saturday ($40).

Individual and 4-Pack General Admission and Field Side Grandstand tickets also are available in the 3-game Weekend Pass options, offering an ever deeper discount. Peoria City corporate partners and members of the Peoria City Booster Club will be provided complimentary postseason tickets matching their regular-season quantities, while 2026 Peoria City Season-Ticket Holders will be provided a promo code, allowing them to purchase tickets and reserved tailgate parking at a 25 percent discount. Both groups should be on the lookout for emails from the club with more information on their special offers.

Peoria City season and single-game tickets, as well as information on summer camps, memberships in the Aqua-Tots Peoria School of Carp Kids Club and booster club, and sign ups for the Joey Olson COUNTRY Financial Ball Chasers all are available for visiting the club online at PeoriaCitySoccer.com. For all of the latest news about Peoria City, please visit the News link within the About menu and be sure to follow all of the Peoria City social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, X.

– #UpTheCarp –

Peoria City to Host Big-Screen Watch Party, Postgame Fireworks

(JUNE 30, 2026 | PEORIA, IL) – Peoria City is ready to celebrate a big week in both the club’s and the nation’s history and invites the community to join in the fun. The Carp will host their third World Cup Watch Party for the US Men’s National Team Wednesday night at The Yard Peoria, then will take on FC Ambush with their first USL League Two division title on the line Thursday night at Shea Stadium.

World Cup Watch Party | Wednesday, July 1 | 6:30 PM | The Yard Peoria

Peoria City has upped its viewing game for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, inviting the community to take in Wednesday night’s game between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina on its new, 30-foot movie screen inside the soccer room at The Yard Peoria (1503 W. Altorfer Drive, Peoria).

Admission is free to join the Peoria City players for the viewing of Thursday’s 7:00 pm Round of 32 game between the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to the giant-screen viewing inside the soccer room at The Yard, all attendees will receive a free Panini Official 2026 FIFA World Cup Sticker Album. Food truck vendors from Phoenix Cafe and Soda Lab will be on site to serve guests, while Peoria City will have simple concessions and merchandise available. Overflow parking will be available along Altorfer Drive and at the PIPCO facility across the street from The Yard Peoria.

Peoria City vs FC Ambush | Thursday, July 2 | 7:30 pm | Shea Stadium

Peoria City will be attempting to clinch its first-ever USL League Two division championship when the undefeated Carp (8-0-1) take on FC Ambush in a Great Plains Division showdown Thursday night at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium. In addition to the action on the field, Thursday’s game will kick off the 250th Independence Day holiday weekend celebration and will be followed by a postgame fireworks show.

The Crusens Tailgate Zone will open at 4:30 pm with food truck vendors represented by The Daily Wrap, Monari Chili Dog, Soda Lab, Top That and Tropical Sno. The Discover Peoria Play Zone will open at 5:30 pm and will feature haircuts and coloring from Snyder’s Barbershop, face painting by Expressions Body Art, treats from Nothing Bundt Cakes and Anglerfish games. Stadium gates will open at 6:30 pm with all fans receiving a free Panini Official 2026 World Cup Sticker Album and the postgame fireworks will begin immediately after the game’s end (approximately 9:40 pm).

Parking is $5 for the Crusens Tailgate Zone inside the track area adjacent to Shea Stadium with a limited number of free spaces available in the paved lot bordering Nebraska Avenue. While parking is not permitted at the neighboring U.S. Agriculture Laboratory, free parking is available at the nearby Prairie Farms Dairy, Newman Golf Course and upper Laura Bradley Park. Peoria City annually ranks among League Two’s national attendance leaders, but the club is issuing a challenge to the community to sell out Shea Stadium for the first time ever for a regular-season game and is offering two great promotions to enhance the challenge. In addition to Thursday’s postgame fireworks show, Peoria City will celebrate Fan Appreciation Night July 11 by offering half-price discounts on tickets for the regular-season finale. When purchasing tickets online for the July 11 game, use the promo code FANS2026 during check out to receive the 50 percent discount.

Peoria City season and single-game tickets, as well as information on summer camps, memberships in the Aqua-Tots Peoria School of Carp Kids Club and booster club, and sign ups for the Joey Olson COUNTRY Financial Ball Chasers all are available for visiting the club online at PeoriaCitySoccer.com. For all of the latest news about Peoria City, please visit the News link within the About menu and be sure to follow all of the Peoria City social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, X.

– #UpTheCarp –