Chicago Hounds will host Dawg Town Block Party in Bridgeview

Shaquille O’Neal will perform at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview this summer.

DJ Diesel, who is also known as former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, and American Celtic band Dropkick Murphys are set to perform at the 2023 MLR Championship Final at SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave., on Saturday, July 8. 

The Chicago Hounds rugby team organization will host a day of festivities featuring a “Dawg Town Block Party” on July 8 at SeatGeek Stadium.

The Chicago Hounds are a professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby, North America’s professional rugby competition. The Hounds were named as an MLR expansion franchise in 2022 and are currently playing their inaugural season at SeatGeek Stadium. 

The Dawg Town Block Party fan festival will showcase Chicago rugby and culture, and will include vendors, musicians, food and beverages.

Rugby-specific activities will include a youth tournament, high-performance combine, social sevens tournament, and rugby 101 sessions. Tickets for the event are now on sale and include access to all of the day’s festivities.

Activities include the Dawg Town Block Party, which will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and a pregame concert featuring DJ Diesel (O’Neal) from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The MLR Championship Final will be shown live from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Fox and the Rugby Network. A postgame concert featuring the Dropkick Murphys will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

“The 2023 MLR Championship Final promises to be our biggest and best yet. It will be the culmination of an exciting season and will have something for everyone to enjoy. A trip to Chicago should be on every rugby fan’s to-do list this summer. We cannot wait,” said Nic Benson, MLR CEO.

“The Chicago Hounds are proud to host the 2023 Major League Rugby Championship Game. We’re throwing the Dawg Town Block Party for our die-hard rugby fans and for anyone looking to learn more about the sport. Come on out and enjoy an old-fashioned Chicago summer block party. Welcome to Dawg Town,” said Peter Bernick, majority owner of the Chicago Hounds. 

For more information, tickets, and travel packages for the Dawg Town Block Party and MLR Championship Final, visit www.chicagohounds.com/block-party . Tickets start at $40.