The stage is set for a celebration worthy of the first-time WNBA champion Chicago Sky, who clinched the title Sunday afternoon beating the Phoenix Mercury 80-74.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Chicago will celebrate the 2021 WNBA champions beginning with a parade and ending with a rally at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
It’s the city’s first championship celebration since the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 and the first basketball championship celebration since the Bulls celebrated their sixth NBA title in 1998.
“The city of Chicago could not be prouder of our winning Chicago Sky,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “We are thrilled to throw a celebration worthy of this historic moment in Chicago sports and congratulate the Sky for bringing our city its first WNBA title.”
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. when the Sky leave Wintrust Arena and head north on Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Randolph Street. The entourage will go east on Randolph to Pritzker Pavilion.
Street closures will begin after 10 a.m. on Indiana Avenue from 21st Street to Cermak Road and Michigan Avenue will reopen as soon as the championship motorcade passes.
The rally will begin at noon and is free and open to the public. There will be a security screening at entrances to the Pavilion on Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street.
COVID-19 vaccination is not required for fans to attend but the city highly encourages it. The Pritzker Pavilion will be open to fans beginning at 10 a.m.
Throughout the Sky’s championship run, coach/general manager James Wade repeatedly shared his desire to give Chicago another winner.
Tuesday, fans will be able to share their appreciation for the Sky giving them another champion to celebrate.
