January 10 – MLS side Sporting Kansas City have shifted their upcoming home fixture against Inter Miami to the 76,000-seater Arrowhead Stadium, home of Kansas City Chiefs, in anticipation of the presence of Argentine football sensation Lionel Messi.
While the team typically hosts their games at the 18,457-seat capacity Children’s Mercy Park, the allure of Messi’s arrival on April 13 has prompted the club to transition to the larger Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Situated a little over 20 miles from Children’s Mercy Park, Arrowhead Stadium stands five times larger than Kansas City’s true home.
In July 2010, the team engaged in a friendly match against Manchester United, drawing a crowd of 52,424 spectators. The all-time MLS attendance record in Kansas City, which stands at 32,867, is expected to be smashed with the arrival of Messi and Inter Miami.
“This match has generated an unprecedented amount of interest since Major League Soccer released our schedule less than three weeks ago,” said Sporting Kansas City president and chief executive Jake Reid.
“We believe this will be the biggest event in Kansas City this spring and we are proud to partner with Arrowhead Events to provide an incredible experience for our fans and our team. The opportunity to host this match, which is set to be Lionel Messi’s first MLS match in the Midwest, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is especially exciting as our region prepares to host Copa America matches this summer and Fifa World Cup matches in 2026.”
Arrowhead Stadium’s significance transcends this MLS encounter, as it holds the distinction of being one of the selected venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, slated to span the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
On top of this, the stadium is scheduled to host a Conmebol 2024 Copa America clash between the United States and Uruguay on July 1.
Mark Donovan, Kansas City Chiefs and Arrowhead Events president, added: “The Arrowhead Events team is excited to open up GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to host our friends from Sporting KC for their match against Inter Miami CF this spring.
“The venue remains one of the top destinations and experiences for fans of all sports. The interest and demand for this match is extremely high, and we know that both clubs, their supporters, and viewers will enjoy experiencing this unique soccer match played at the home of the Chiefs.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732693074labto1732693074ofdlr1732693074owedi1732693074sni@g1732693074niwe.1732693074yrrah1732693074