CPKC Stadium – stadium description

How did the stadium for the Kansas City Current come about?

How was the Kansas City Current women's soccer club established?

The FC Kansas City team operated from 2013 to 2017. They became the NWSL champions twice, in 2014 and 2015. After the 2017 season, however, the team was disbanded, and the players transferred to a new club, Utah Royals FC, based in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. In December 2020, Utah Royals FC was purchased by new owners, who relocated the team back to Kansas City, creating a new team called Kansas City Current.

Where has Kansas City Current played so far?

During the first season (2021), the club played its games in the National Women's Soccer League at Legends Field, which, however, is primarily designed for baseball. As of the 2022 season, the team was already playing at the soccer-specific Children's Mercy Park, which is also home to the MLS team, Sporting Kansas City.

How was the infrastructure of Kansas City Current developed?

The new club started from scratch, but its owners were very serious about building their own infrastructure from the very beginning. In September 2021, plans were announced to create a new training center to serve the team. The center, at a cost of $18 million, was built in Riverside, a northern suburb of Kansas City, and was inaugurated on June 21, 2022.

When were plans to build a new stadium for Kansas City Current announced?

The architectural concept for the stadium for Kansas City Current can be seen on a separate subpage

On October 26, 2021, intentions to build a new stadium dedicated to the Kansas City Current were made public. The facility, according to initial plans, was to accommodate 11,000 spectators and cost $70 million. The announcement of the plans was made possible by a 50-year lease agreement for 7.08 acres of land at Berkley Riverfront Park, which was signed with Port KC, the public agency that manages the waterfront.

Local firms were partners in the work on the new stadium: Generator Studio (architects) and JE Dunn Construction with Monarch Build (construction companies).

In May 2022, an updated concept was presented. Among other things, the modified design lacked lighting masts (in favor of spotlights in the canopy), while the capacity of the stands increased (to 11,500 spectators), as well as the estimated cost (to $117 million).

When was the Kansas City Current stadium built?

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the new stadium took place on October 6, 2022. Construction proceeded at a good pace, and on June 21, 2023 the installation of the last steel beam was celebrated. The facility was fully ready for the start of the 2024 season. Construction cost $117 million and was financed privately, by the club, with a little help from the state in the form of a $5.5 million tax credit.

What is the name of the Kansas City Current stadium?

On October 19, 2023, the signing of a 10-year agreement for the naming rights to the stadium was announced. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), a Kansas City-based company that manages a network of railroads in Canada, the United States and Mexico, became the title sponsor, and the stadium was named CPKC Stadium. Interestingly, CPKC funded a mini-train for the club as part of the partnership.

In addition, on November 30, 2023, it was announced that the press box at the stadium would be named after Kansas City area-based sports journalist Grant Wahl ("Grant Wahl Press Box"), who died after collapsing while commentating a match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

When was CPKC Stadium inaugurated?

The stadium was opened on March 16, 2024, on the occasion of Kansas City Current's first game of the 2024 season. At the inauguration, with full stands, the home team defeated the Portland Thorns 5–4. The opening was honored by the flyover of two T-38 aircraft with exclusively female crews.

What are the characteristics of CPKC Stadium?

Where is CPKC Stadium located?

Kansas City Current Stadium is located on the Missouri River waterfront at Berkley Riverfront Park, next to the Christopher S. Bond Bridge (New Paseo Bridge) and close to downtown Kansas City.

How can you get to CPKC Stadium?

There is a limited amount of parking around the stadium. The venue can be reached by bus or tram (KC Streetcar), whose route in 2026 is expected to be extended to Berkley Riverfront Park, in closer proximity to the stadium.

What does CPKC Stadium look like?

The stadium has a soccer-specific layout, with the stands located just behind the field lines. The tallest, two-story grandstands are located along the playing field, while the stand behind the south goal, intended for the loudest supporters, is already noticeably lower. All of these stands share a 70,000-square-foot roof.

The north side, facing the river, should be considered "open", although there is also a narrow row of stands, as well as a sizable (75-foot wide) video screen.

The main stand with its extensive facilities is located on the west side. Additional buildings and a club store have been built behind the stand, as well as a square where fans can gather before the game, named CPKC Plaza. Security control at the entrance to the facility is supported by an AI-assisted system.

The stands along the pitch have folding seats in turquoise shades, while behind the goals there are mainly benches and standing areas. The capacity of the entire facility is 11,500 spectators. Numerous bars and restaurants are available for spectators, and wealthier customers can rent seats in exclusive boxes. The field at the stadium is equipped with natural turf.

All seats offer a very good view of the field, in addition, a significant number of spectators can enjoy the stadium's surroundings – the Missouri River, the skyline of downtown Kansas City (especially from the east stand) or the Christopher S. Bond Bridge (from the west stand).

Who does CPKC Stadium serve?

The stadium was built as a facility for the Kansas City Current women's soccer team and is dedicated primarily to that club. It can also be used to host other matches, such as international fixtures, and it is possible that it will also be used as a base during the 2026 World Cup, some of whose games will be held at Arrowhead Stadium. In addition, concerts and other events can be held there.

Is CPKC Stadium the first stadium dedicated to a women's soccer team?

It is very often emphasized that CPKC Stadium is the first privately financed stadium in the world to be dedicated to a professional women's soccer team. This is true, although it should be noted that there have been stadiums built in the past with women's teams in mind that were not privately funded, such as WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, and Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Regardless, CPKC Stadium is certainly the largest infrastructure investment dedicated to women's soccer to date. Together with the training center, which opened in 2022, Kansas City Current's facilities set a new standard in world women's soccer.