Chicago Sky to Hold 2026 Training Camp in Downtown Chicago

WNBA team shifts camp from Deerfield to UIC's Credit Union 1 Arena

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball practice scene, with sharp overlapping planes of navy blue, sky blue, and bright orange shapes representing the players, court, and equipment.The Chicago Sky's temporary move of their 2026 training camp to downtown Chicago reflects the team's evolving facilities and the growing importance of university partnerships in professional sports.Chicago Today

For the first time in over a decade, the Chicago Sky will hold their 2026 WNBA training camp outside of their usual Deerfield location. The team will instead prepare for the upcoming season at the University of Illinois-Chicago's Credit Union 1 Arena in downtown Chicago.

Why it matters

This move represents a significant shift for the Sky, who have held training camp at the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield since 2011. The team is currently building a new dedicated practice facility in Bedford Park, but construction delays have pushed back the opening, leading them to seek an alternate downtown location for 2026.

The details

The Sky's training camp will run from April 19 to May 30 at the UIC facility. The team had originally planned to open their new Bedford Park practice facility last December, but weather and construction issues have delayed the project. The new WNBA CBA requires all teams to have a dedicated private facility by the 2028 season.

  • The Sky will hold their 2026 training camp from April 19 to May 30.
  • The team's new Bedford Park practice facility was originally scheduled to open in December 2025 but has been delayed.

The players

Andrea Williams

UIC Director of Athletics, who said this partnership 'reflects our commitment to elevating UIC sports, investing in world-class resources and creating meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes and fans.'

Adam Fox

Chicago Sky CEO and President, who said the team is 'proud to partner with UIC to offer Sky players a premier training camp facility in downtown Chicago, as we work towards completion of our very own world-class performance center in Bedford Park this season.'

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What they’re saying

“This is a landmark moment for UIC Athletics and our campus community. We are thrilled to welcome the Chicago Sky to the Flames Athletic Center. This partnership reflects our commitment to elevating UIC sports, investing in world-class resources and creating meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes and fans.”

— Andrea Williams, UIC Director of Athletics

“We are proud to partner with UIC to offer Sky players a premier training camp facility in downtown Chicago, as we work towards completion of our very own world-class performance center in Bedford Park this season. We are so appreciative of UIC's partnership and look forward to connecting with UIC student athletes, students, and community in a meaningful way.”

— Adam Fox, Chicago Sky CEO and President

What’s next

The Sky's new Bedford Park practice facility is still under construction, with no definitive timeline for completion. The team will continue to use the UIC facility for the 2026 training camp as they work towards opening their own dedicated home.

The takeaway

This temporary move of the Sky's training camp to downtown Chicago represents a shift in the team's operations, as they work to finalize their new permanent practice facility in the suburbs. It also highlights the growing importance of university partnerships in professional sports, as teams seek high-quality training environments close to their home markets.