Sporting Kansas City

The fallout from the 2008/09 financial crisis saw the project for the new stadium in Kansas postponed, and after much deliberation, construction finally began in 2009. It can be found next to Kansas Speedway, and is the home of Major League Soccer franchise Sporting Kansas City. It is the club’s third home venue, having previously played at Arrowhead Stadium and CommunityAmerica Ballpark, from 1996 to 2007, and 2008 to 2010 respectively.

Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation held the naming rights to the stadium between 2011 and 2013, before Children’s Mercy Hospital acquired the rights in a ten-year partnership in 2015.

Sporting KC opened the stadium in June 2011 with a goalless draw against Chicago Fire in MLS. It has gone on to host the United States men’s national team, MLS Cup and MLS All-Star Game, all of which happened in 2013, becoming the only stadium to host all three in the same year.

Tours of Children’s Mercy Park allow guests to explore the lounge in the locker room, the Premium Tower, the press box, and the pitch among many other areas. Prices are $15 for adults, $12 for children, $12 for senior, and $10 for groups of ten or more.

Sporting KC supporters are well known for regularly selling out their home matches, having recorded over 100 straight sellouts in August 2017. The club boasts a season-ticket holder list of 14,000, with 3,000 in waiting. The main supporters’ group is known as The Cauldron, which can be found in the north stands on matchday. Joining The Cauldron in the north stands are several other groups, including Mass Street Mob, Trenches, Fountain City Ultras, K.C. Futbol Misfits, Northland Noise, Omaha Boys, Ladies of SKC, King City Yardbirds, and La Barra KC. The south stand meanwhile hosts The Wedge, Ad Astra SKC, and American Outlaws – Kansas City Chapter.

The club’s mascot is Blue the Dog, while Sporting KC have long-standing rivalries with Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake. A much newer rivalry is that with Minnesota United FC, which is known as the nicest rivalry in sports due to the general regional proximity in a location reportedly known for niceness.

SeatGeek is the official provider of the club’s tickets. Single match tickets, premium tickets, group tickets and vouchers can all be found here.

Official club website

Sporting Kansas City fixture list

Children’s Mercy Park is located at the intersection of I-70 and I-435, 15 minutes west of downtown. There are a number of parking options available at the stadium, for both season ticket members and non-season ticket members. Season ticket members can make use of NFM Lots 1 and 2, Blue lots 1 and 2, and White lot. Non-season ticket members can use Orange lot for free, and can be accessed:

From I-435 N & S: Proceed to I-70 and exit at 110th St. Turn right onto 110th St and continue straight through the light at Village West Parkway. Take a right on State Ave, when you arrive at Phoenix Dr. take a right. Once on Phoenix Dr. follow the direction of signage and parkingpersonnel.

From K-7: Proceed to I-70 and exit at 110th St. Turn right onto 110th St and continue straight through the light at Village West Parkway. Take a right on State Ave, when you arrive at Phoenix Dr. take a right. Once on Phoenix Dr. follow the direction of signage and parking personnel.

From West: Approach from State Ave. Take a right at Phoenix Dr. and follow the signs and parking personnel to your lot.

Given the stadium’s proximity to Kansas Speedway, there is an abundance of accommodation options in the area. Hampton Inn Kansas City The Legends and Best Western Premier Kc Speedway Inn & Suites are both available at around $100 per night. Another option is Holiday Inn Express Kansas City – at the Legends, whose prices start at around $104.

Sporting KC boast their very own sports bar, gaming parlour and social lounge in downtown Kansas City’s Power & Light District, called No Other Pub. Food and drinks are available at this club-specific bar, which is located at 1370 Grand Blvd.

Again given Children’s Mercy Park’s proximity to Kansas Speedway, there are a number of restaurants and fast-food outlets nearby, including LongHorn Steakhouse, Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que, Olive Garden Italian, and Dave & Buster’s among many others.