White Sox to Bring Back SoxFest in 2025: A Timeline of the Hiatus

The organization has been on quite a rollercoaster ride since the last SoxFest. Shortly after the 2020 event, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States. MLB's season was delayed and shortened, but the Sox made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The pandemic hindered social gatherings, nixing any hope for a SoxFest the following January.

The 2021 campaign saw the White Sox clinch the AL Central title under the guidance of Tony La Russa, a controversial managerial hire. Despite an ALDS exit, the South Siders seemed to be on the rise amid their contention window. COVID-19 concerns still permeated, resulting in another year without SoxFest.

The White Sox' 2022 season was riddled with injuries and underperformance as the club finished 81-81 and missed the playoffs. La Russa stepped away due to health issues, and former Kansas City Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol was brought in for his first managing gig. A winter gathering could've taken place, but the White Sox didn't host SoxFest 2023, mysteriously citing "several factors."

The White Sox stumbled out of the gate in 2023 and never recovered, leading to a mass sell-off of core players at the trade deadline and a front-office shakeup. As fan angst turned into apathy, the team was mum on SoxFest 2024. A convention never came together and the Sox instead quietly announced a season ticket holder party for Jan. 26, 2024.

With the organization finally set to face (some of) its fans on the day of the aforementioned ticket holder event, SoxFest 2025 was announced.

Convenient.