Los White Sox welcomed fans for Hispanic Heritage Night, presented by Modelo, on Friday, September 19 vs. Los San Diego Padres. A vibrant evening honoring the culture, pride and contributions of Chicago’s Hispanic communities, the celebrations included lively music and dance performances, special pregame recognitions, a platform spotlighting local small businesses and more.
Here’s a look at the activities and giveaways fans enjoyed:
Tailgate Entertainment: The evening’s festivities began at tailgates across Rate Field’s lots, moving to the beat with Bachata and Salsa lessons by El Encuentro, while Escuela de Rancho kept the energy soaring once the music hit the stage.
Local Business Mercadito: The organization held a mercadito for fans, presented by BMO, spotlighting local Hispanic-owned businesses, including Werk Mija, Sabinas Foods, City Paws and Magnifico Coffee Roasters.
Lotería Night: Before first pitch in the ballpark’s patio, fans gathered for a White Sox–themed lotería — a Mexican game of chance similar to bingo — turning every card flip into laughs, cheers, and plenty of smiles.
Game Changers Photographer: Helping capture the night’s celebration, the White Sox invited photographer Eduardo Cornejo as part of the Game Changers series, presented by Modelo. In its ninth season empowering underrepresented communities in sports, the series is one of the many ways the organization continues to elevate multidimensional storytelling and foster a sense of belonging for every fan at the ballpark.
Pregame Entertainment and National Anthem: From the warning track, the Sox treated fans to a lively musical performance by Mariachi Monumental de México, a Chicago-based mariachi group that has been together since 2009. Soon afterward, the group delivered the evening’s National Anthem to a loud ovation for their performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
Ceremonial First Pitch: Mexican singer, songwriter and accordion player Ramón Ayala threw one of the game’s ceremonial first pitches. Known as “The King of the Accordion”, Ayala has been a major figure in norteño music for over 50 years and has earned four Grammy Awards. Following Ayala, three-time All-Star, 2020 American League MVP and fan-favorite José Abreu drew a thunderous applause from the Sox faithful as he too threw a first pitch. Abreu spoke to the fans saying, “I love you Chicago!”
T-Shirt Giveaway: The first 15,000 fans, ages 21+, enjoyed a Guayabera T-shirt giveaway, presented by Modelo. Known for its light, breathable fabric and traditionally worn to celebrate special occasions, the Guayabera T-shirt is a symbol of pride and heritage in Latin American culture.
T-Shirt Redemption: Fans had the opportunity to purchase two different special ticket offers. One featured a Hispanic/White Sox themed co-branded White Sox T-shirt with the words “Somos White Sox,” which translates to “We are White Sox”. The other, a Cristo Rey Jesuit High School/White Sox co-branded T-shirt with “Southside Cristerios” printed across the front.
Hero Of The Game: During the game, the White Sox recognized U.S. Army Sergeant José Manuel Ahorrio — a proud Hispanic and Chicago native. Ahorrio joined the Army in 1986 shortly after he was deployed to Germany in 1987.
Photo Opportunities: The Sox invited fans to take photos with a Hispanic-themed backdrop in Section 154, thanks to Meag Maldo.
Hispanic Heritage Night was a memorable celebration highlighting the everlasting impact of Hispanic cultures in Chicago. The White Sox look forward to continuing these celebrations and creating more opportunities for fans to connect and celebrate at the ballpark in 2026.
White Sox Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night with Pride and Tradition was originally published in Inside the White Sox on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.