The holiday lights are coming down, but the sirens of Firehouse 51 are just getting ready to scream again. After a grueling winter hiatus that left fans on the edge of their seats following a cliffhanger-heavy fall finale, NBC has officially pulled back the curtain on the 2026 return date for Chicago Fire Season 14.
As the “One Chicago” franchise enters its mid-season stride, the network is banking on a high-stakes spring to revitalize ratings and resolve the lingering questions surrounding the future of Squad 3 and the leadership at the firehouse.
The Official Return Date
NBC has confirmed that Chicago Fire will return with all-new episodes on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Following the standard “Chicago Wednesday” format, the schedule remains the same:
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Chicago Med – 8:00 PM ET
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Chicago Fire – 9:00 PM ET
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Chicago P.D. – 10:00 PM ET
This January return is earlier than some insiders predicted, as rumors originally suggested the show might stay dark until the February Olympics. However, the network has opted for a “pre-Olympics push” to build momentum before a potential two-week break in early February.
What to Expect: The “Spring Burn”
The winter premiere, reportedly titled “Trial by Fire,” picks up exactly where the December finale left off. According to showrunners, the second half of Season 14 will focus on three major storylines that have been simmering since the fall:
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The Severide and Kidd Strain: With Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) spending more time on high-level Arson Investigations (OFI), his marriage to Stella Kidd is facing its most significant challenge yet. The spring premiere is teased to feature a major “at-home” conflict that forces the couple to decide if their careers can survive their commitment to each other.
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Chief Pascal’s True Colors: The “new guy” in the big office, Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), has been a polarizing figure since his arrival. The 2026 episodes will dive deeper into his mysterious past in Miami, revealing a secret that could compromise his authority over the house.
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The Hunt for a New Recruit: Following the tragic events of late 2025, Firehouse 51 is still down a man. The mid-season premiere will introduce a new candidate whose arrival creates immediate friction with Sam Carver and Violet Mikami.
A “One Chicago” Crossover Event?
Perhaps the biggest reveal from NBC’s 2026 announcement is the confirmation of a three-way crossover event slated for March 2026. This will be the first full-scale crossover since before the pandemic, centering on a massive industrial chemical leak that requires the medical expertise of Med, the tactical rescue skills of Fire, and the investigative muscle of P.D.
The “Wolf Entertainment” Strategy
The 2026 return also highlights NBC’s commitment to the “rotating cast” model. While beloved veterans like David Eigenberg (Herrmann) and Joe Minoso (Cruz) remain the heart of the show, fans should expect to see episodes that spotlight different members of the ensemble to manage the show’s massive 22-episode production cycle.
As the countdown to January 21 begins, the message from NBC is clear: the fire is far from out. Whether it’s the personal drama in the bunkroom or the high-octane rescues on the streets of Chicago, Season 14 is poised to be one of the most transformative years in the show’s history.
