CPKC Stadium
The Kansas City Current emerged in December 2020 as a transitional franchise named Kansas City NWSL. Owners Angie Long, Chris Long, and Brittany Matthews moved quickly to absorb the roster of Utah Royals FC after that team announced its closure on the same day. The new organization sought to play at Children's Mercy Park, a soccer-specific stadium owned by Sporting Kansas City. Major League Soccer representatives declined to share the facility with the women's team. For the 2021 season, the squad played home games at Legends Field alongside the Kansas City Monarchs baseball team. Delays converting the baseball diamond into a soccer pitch forced a temporary move back to Children's Mercy Park for an April 26 Challenge Cup match.
Chris Long first pitched the idea of a dedicated practice facility and stadium to Generator Studio design director Tom Proebstle in December 2020. Proebstle evaluated more than ten potential sites before selecting Parcel 8 east of Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park. This land had previously served as a dumping ground for the collapsed roof of Kemper Arena. Initial concepts called for 6,000 seats but grew to 11,500 by May 2022. Ownership formally proposed a privately financed $70 million project with an 11,000-seat capacity in 2021. They signed a fifty-year lease with Port KC on the 26th of October 2021. The budget later rose to an estimated $117 million after the seating count increased. The owners requested six million dollars in state tax credits to help cover the higher costs.
Groundbreaking occurred officially on the 6th of October 2022, though construction work began earlier that year. J. E. Dunn Construction Group and Monarch Build led general construction efforts starting in May 2023. Generator Studios designed the interior while Thornton Tomasetti handled structural engineering. Taliaferro & Browne provided surveying services and coordinated with the United States Army Corps of Engineers regarding Missouri River levee impacts. A press box dedicated to late journalist Grant Wahl opened in November 2023. The design features a safe standing section for supporters and retractable seating for potential gridiron football use. All seats sit within one hundred feet of the pitch to ensure close views. Future expansion could increase capacity up to twenty thousand five hundred seats.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City acquired naming rights on the 19th of October 2023 through a ten-year agreement. This deal established CPKC Stadium as the venue name. The project remains the first privately financed stadium built exclusively for a professional women's soccer team. No National Women's Soccer League side owned or controlled its primary home venue before this initiative. Previous teams relied on venues controlled by Major League Soccer or United Soccer League organizations. These arrangements often caused scheduling conflicts for the women's franchises. The private financing model allowed ownership to bypass traditional public funding requirements entirely.
The stadium hosted its first match between the Kansas City Current and Portland Thorns on the 16th of March 2024. Vanessa DiBernardo scored the opening goal in front of a sell-out crowd. Kansas City won that historic game with a final score of five to four. By the conclusion of the 2024 season, the Current became the first NWSL team to sell out every single home match. This achievement marked a significant milestone for women's soccer attendance figures across the league. The success demonstrated strong community support for the new facility immediately upon opening.
CPKC Stadium expanded beyond soccer to host the Big 12 Conference women's tournament in late October and November 2024. The Kansas Jayhawks won that competition. Orlando Pride defeated Washington Spirit 1-0 in the 2024 NWSL Championship held on the 23rd of November 2024. Barbara Banda scored the winning goal for Orlando. International matches began appearing in 2025 when Mexico played Jamaica on April 5. USA Rugby faced Canada on May 3 with star player Ilona Maher leading the team before ten thousand fifty-eight fans. The Premier Lacrosse League and Women's Lacrosse League hosted All-Star events July 4 through 5. Stanford defeated Duke 1-0 in the NCAA Women's College Cup title game on the 9th of December 2025.
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Common questions
Who owns CPKC Stadium and when was it announced?
Owners Angie Long, Chris Long, and Brittany Matthews own CPKC Stadium. They announced the project in December 2020 as a privately financed initiative.
Where is CPKC Stadium located in Kansas City Missouri?
CPKC Stadium sits on Parcel 8 east of Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park. This land previously served as a dumping ground for the collapsed roof of Kemper Arena.
When did construction begin on CPKC Stadium?
Groundbreaking occurred officially on the 6th of October 2022 though work started earlier that year. J. E. Dunn Construction Group and Monarch Build led general construction efforts starting in May 2023.
How much does CPKC Stadium cost to build?
The budget rose to an estimated $117 million after seating capacity increased from 11,000 to 11,500 seats. Ownership requested six million dollars in state tax credits to cover these higher costs.
What is the seating capacity of CPKC Stadium?
CPKC Stadium features 11,500 seats with all positions within one hundred feet of the pitch. Future expansion could increase capacity up to twenty thousand five hundred seats.
Who named CPKC Stadium and when was the deal signed?
Canadian Pacific Kansas City acquired naming rights on the 19th of October 2023 through a ten-year agreement. This deal established CPKC Stadium as the official venue name.