On March 16th, 2024, CPKC Stadium, the first-ever stadium built specifically for a women’s professional sports team, opened its doors for the Kansas City Current’s first home match against the Portland Thorns. The momentous occasion welcomed NWSL fans to a brand-new stadium, designed by Generator Studio under the vision of KC Current ownership, nestled at the Berkley Riverfront in Kansas City, Missouri.
Take a closer look at CPKC stadium and the special features that make this historic structure unlike any other.
No Bad Seat in the House
Kansas City Current Owner Chris Long said it best, “Every seat in the house is perfect. Literally perfect.”
Gone are the days of the dreaded “nose-bleed” section. Every seat in CPKC Stadium is no more than 100 feet from the pitch, offering an unparalleled viewing experience for fans in every seating type. In looking around the stadium, attendees will notice that premium suites are intentionally positioned low to the ground, revamping the outdated suite experience that puts fans at the typical bird’s-eye view. Suite guests at CPKC Stadium can now feel like they’re part of the game while still maintaining the luxury feel that the suite experience provides. Seats in many of the club-level sections offer breathable mesh, AirFlow seating perfect for those hot summer days.
Four Corners of Culinary Excellence
Kansas City Current and Generator Studio worked together to explore numerous ways to elevate the fan experience in every aspect of the stadium. One of those ways was through the culinary offerings for attendees. Specialty food concessions are placed on all four sides of the concourse, offering local eats that diversify the regular sporting event offerings with Thai food, classic Kansas City BBQ, and nutrient-dense vegan options. In working with Kansas City-based restaurants, CPKC Stadium can connect the in-stadium concessions to the Kansas City community.
The Stadium is at the Forefront of Sustainability
In its quest to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, the stadium is equipped with 180 REC Alpha Pure-R solar panels, estimated to produce roughly 100,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually. LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. The collection of solar panels is installed on top of the main gate entrance and the team store, located on the stadium’s west side for maximum sun exposure. The energy harnessed from these solar panels is said to be equivalent to the burning of 70,000 pounds of coal.
In addition to the structure itself, the venue is implementing initiatives inside the stadium to progress the club’s commitment to environmental stewardship. All poured and fountain drinks will be served in reusable cups, that guests can then return to bins around the stadium where they will be inspected for quality, sanitized, and repacked by Bold Reuse for future games. No single-use plastic bottles or cups will be served in CPKC Stadium. Water will be available in aluminum cans. All aluminum from beer, alcohol, and water cans will have dedicated return bins for recycling.
A Soccer Stadium That Does More
While CPKC Stadium is first and foremost the home of the Kansas City Current, the building is capable of so much more than just hosting soccer matches. The stadium has been outfitted with four auxiliary locker rooms to accommodate different sporting and music events. The stadium’s entry plaza can also serve the community to house events like farmer’s and maker’s markets. With a prime location just minutes from downtown Kansas City, CPKC Stadium is a first-class venue for residents and visitors alike.
The Next Stop on the Streetcar Route
The stadium’s location was selected with accessibility in mind. The Kansas City Streetcar Riverfront Extension will provide valuable access to Berkley Riverfront and CPKC Stadium. The new extension, which broke ground on March 1st, will place a streetcar stop a mere 10-minute walk from the gates of the stadium. The KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension will cover 0.7 miles, connecting from the streetcar line at 3rd & Grand to the midpoint of Berkley Riverfront Park, and just steps away from CPKC Stadium.
Celebrate your next Teal Tuesday by sharing some of these fun facts with your squad! If you want to show your support for the Current this season, check out the Generator Studio-designed team store at CPKC Stadium. The first brick-and-mortar store for an NWSL team will be open with free on-site parking available on non-match days.