CHICAGO — The MLS All-Stars will suit up against Spanish super club Real Madrid next week at Soldier Field, but you don't have to be a pro athlete or buy tickets to get into the footy fun.
A whole week of festivities ranging from beach soccer to a free concert will precede the Wednesday match between the stateside All-Stars and Los Blancos. The All-Stars will be captained by Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, and though Real Madrid will be without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the back-to-back Champions League winners still promise to bring enough star power to fill seats at Soldier Field.
RELATED: Major League Soccer All-Star Game To Be Held At Soldier Field
Here's a rundown of the week's All-Star festivities:
Saturday: North Side Viewing Party
Watch a preseason El Clásico match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the Chicago Fire's away match against Sporting KC and a west coast match between the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders starting at 5 p.m. Saturday at the PrivateBank Fire Pitch, 3626 N. Talman Ave.
Admission is free, but those who go must sign up for the MLS All-Star Fan Pass to attend.
1-9 p.m. Sunday: Beach Soccer on North Avenue Beach
Get some sand in your toes and kick a soccer ball around too with scrimmages and other games from 1-9 p.m. Sunday at North Avenue Beach. A DJ will accompany the games, which will feature appearances from MLS All-Stars and other celebrities. Heineken and Coke will be available. Admission is free.
5-7 p.m. Sunday: Real Life Skills Challenge at the Fire's practice pitch
Watch MLS All-Stars and other pros compete in a series of skill challenges from the FIFA video game franchise beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday at the PrivateBank Fire Pitch, 3626 N. Talman Ave.
Admission is free, but those who go must sign up for the MLS All-Star Fan Pass to attend.
Noon-4 p.m. Monday: All-Star Community Day in Gage Park
MLS Works and the Chicago Fire will unveil two new mini-pitches with games and other fun starting at noon Monday in Gage Park, 411 W. 55th St.
6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday: Men In Blazers At Harris Theater
Soccer superfans Men In Blazers will record a live show starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Admission is free, but those who go must register through the MLS All-Star Fan Pass.
8 p.m. Monday: Free X Ambassadors show at Northerly Island
X Ambassadors, known for their hit "Renegades," will play a free concert starting at 8 p.m. Monday at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Linn White Drive. Those who go must register through the MLS All-Star Fan Pass.
8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday: Pop-up shop at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive
Grab some gear at the Downtown hotel.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday: Open training sessions at Soldier Field
Watch the MLS All-Stars and Real Madrid warm up for the big game. General admission tickets are $18 and available online.
8 a.m.-midnight Wednesday: Pop-up shop at the Hyatt Regency Chicago
3-7 p.m. Wednesday: Match Day Soccer Celebration outside Soldier Field
Play games and see soccer stars in advance of the All-Star match starting at 3 p.m. on three of Soldier Field's lawns. Admission is free.
8 p.m. Wednesday: MLS All-Stars vs. Real Madrid
Tickets for the match are still available online.
