The bell is about to ring at Firehouse 51 once again, and fans of the high-octane Dick Wolf drama, Chicago Fire, are eagerly waiting to see their heroes back in action. The longest-running of the One Chicago franchise, the show has consistently delivered heart-stopping rescues, deeply personal drama, and the unbreakable bond of a firehouse family. As the hiatus wraps up, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is: When does Chicago Fire return in 2025?
We have the official word directly from NBC, and the good news is that the wait for more action with Kelly Severide, Stella Kidd, and the rest of the crew is almost over. Get your deep-dish pizza ready and clear your Wednesday nights—the crew is coming back to save the day!
Season 14 Starts On… The Official Chicago Fire Return Date
Mark your calendars! Chicago Fire Season 14 will officially premiere on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 9/8c on NBC.
The show will retain its prime-time slot as the centerpiece of NBC’s mega-successful One Chicago block, airing immediately after Chicago Med (Season 11 premiere at 8/7c) and followed by Chicago P.D. (Season 13 premiere at 10/9c). This highly anticipated date will see all three One Chicago shows return to kick off the fall 2025-2026 television season, promising a full night of high-stakes drama.
Where and When to Watch the Season 14 Premiere
- Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) / 8:00 PM Central Time (CT)
- Network: NBC
- Streaming: New episodes will be available to stream the next day, Thursday, October 2, 2025, on Peacock, which remains the exclusive streaming home for the entire One Chicago franchise.
If you are a fan who likes to binge-watch, Peacock is your go-to, as all previous seasons of Chicago Fire are available on the platform, allowing you to catch up on the drama before the new season ignites.
What to Expect from Firehouse 51: Storyline Rumors and Spoilers
The Season 13 finale left fans with several massive cliffhangers and promises of major shake-ups, and Season 14 is gearing up to be one of the most turbulent yet for the beloved team. Showrunners have teased a season of “shake-ups and new people,” indicating that the structure and personnel of Firehouse 51 will be tested like never before.
1. A Baby and New Challenges for Severide and Kidd
Perhaps the biggest emotional bombshell from the Season 13 finale was Stella Kidd’s (Miranda Rae Mayo) revelation to Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney): she’s pregnant! The new season is guaranteed to explore this life-altering news, adding a new dimension of risk to their already high-stakes jobs. Showrunner Andrea Newman has commented on how parenthood will “amp everything up” for the couple, testing their relationship while keeping the “in love and sexy” dynamic fans adore. This new family dynamic will undoubtedly raise the emotional stakes every time one of them rushes into a burning building.
2. Major Departures and Arrivals at Firehouse 51
The new season will see some significant changes to the Firehouse 51 roster, which will open the door for fresh faces and new drama.
- Farewell to Familiar Faces: Sadly, the team is saying goodbye to a few regulars. Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) are both confirmed to be exiting the series. While Carver’s exit was foreshadowed by his requested transfer, Ritter’s departure will likely play out early in the season, giving the character a proper farewell arc.
- New Blood: To fill the void on Truck 81, the show is set to introduce new characters. Brandon Larracuente is joining the cast as a new series regular, Sal Vasquez, a promising new firefighter. His arrival will force the existing team dynamic to adapt, and fans can expect new conflicts and new bonds to form as they integrate him into the family.
3. Departmental Turmoil and Command Changes
The end of Season 13 saw Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) firmly entrenched at 51, and a major plot point for Season 14 will be the widespread changes coming from the top of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD). Showrunners have hinted at a city-wide mandate for cost-cutting and personnel restructuring, a storyline that will put pressure on Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker, who is still expected to appear, possibly less frequently after a shift in his arc) and the entire firehouse. This “clean house” mentality will bring political intrigue and bureaucratic hurdles right to the front door of Firehouse 51, potentially putting everyone’s job in jeopardy.
The Full One Chicago Lineup for Wednesday Nights
For those who treat Wednesday as their “One Chicago Night,” here is the full 2025 fall premiere schedule:
This three-hour block of Dick Wolf programming has been a staple of NBC’s schedule for years, and the return of all three shows on the same night makes for a can’t-miss evening of television. Keep an eye out for potential crossover events, which often happen early in the season and tie together the action across Firehouse 51, Med, and the Intelligence Unit.
Why Chicago Fire Continues to Burn Bright
Entering its 14th season, Chicago Fire shows no signs of slowing down. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its compelling mix of action, human-interest stories, and the powerful sense of family among the first responders. Every week, the show reminds us of the dedication and danger faced by firefighters, rescue squad members, and paramedics.
Season 14 promises to build on this legacy by introducing high personal stakes with the Severide-Kidd baby, while simultaneously raising the professional stakes with departmental shake-ups and new faces. It’s a delicate balance of continuity and change that keeps the show feeling fresh for long-time viewers and accessible for newcomers.
