One-of-a-kind women’s football stadium to be expanded as part of £1.1bn project

CPKC Stadium, the world's first professional venue built specifically for a women's sport team, is set to be expanded as part of a £1.1bn project.

An agreement has been reached for the home of Kansas City Current to be expanded to more than 18,000 seats as part of a new £1.1bn transformation of the Berkley Riverfront area.

CPKC Stadium expansion included in development agreement

A development agreement has been approved by the city council which will clear the way for a wide-ranging transformation of the Berkley Riverfront area.

A major element of the project will be the expansion of Kansas City Current's home ground, the CPKC Stadium, which was opened as the world's first professional sports stadium built specifically for a women's sport team.

The redevelopment is anticipated to see the CPKC Stadium grow to over an 18,000 capacity, with Mayor Quinton Lucas saying the increase should allow the venue to host more major events as well as retaining its main role as the home of Kansas City Current.

One of the major events being eyed by the city to be hosted at the CPKC Stadium is the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cu, while city officials are also looking to host matches from the men's Rugby World Cup at the venue.

Alongside the redevelopment of the CPKC Stadium, the transformation of the Berkley Riverfront area will also include additional parking, infrastructure and commercial spaces, with more bars and restaurants also due to open as the first tenants begin moving into the River's Edge and Confluence complexes.

The project, which is moving into the next phase following the approval, will cost an estimated £1.1bn, with almost £140m to be provided in city funding for the stadium expansion, while the remaining costs of the wider project will be covered by private investors.

Although the Berkley Riverfront project is moving into its next phase, a construction start date for the expansion of the CPKC Stadium has not yet been announced.

FGG Says: Another big step in the women's game

The construction of the CPKC Stadium was already a major milestone for the women's game, marking the first purpose-built arena for a women's sport team, and the further expansion of the venue is another big step forward – showing the success of the project and the commitment to further supporting Kansas City Current.