Children’s Mercy Park - Sporting KC Stadium Guide

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By Football Tripper
Last Updated: August 14, 2021

Inside Dick's Sporting Park

Sporting Park, formerly known as Livestrong Sporting Park after disgraced cycling cheat Lance Armstrong’s company, is a 18,467 capacity purpose built Soccer Stadium in located in Kansas City. Home of Major League Soccer Club Sporting Kansas City since 2011, fans refer to the ground as both “The Blue Hell” and “Home of the Brave”.

Sporting KC Stadium Guide

Stadium Facts

Overview
Team:Sporting KC
Opened:2011
Capacity:18,467
Address: One Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kansas, 66111
Pitch Size:110m × 69m
Stadium Owner:Kansas Unified Development, LLC.
Operator:Sporting Kansas City
Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Mercy_Park
Stadium Names
Former Names:Livestrong Sporting Park (2011–2013), Sporting Park (2013–2015)
Construction Details
Broke Ground:2010
Built:2010-2011
Architect:Populous
Construction Cost:$200 million
Structural Engineer:Thornton Tomasetti/KH Engineering Group

Children’s Mercy Park History

Sporting Kansas Park first opened in time for the 16th Major League Soccer Season, with the inaugural home fixture held against Chicago Fire on 9th June 2011. The Wizards third stadium in total, previously the club had played at the Arrowhead NFL Stadium between 1996-1997 and CommunityAmerica Ballpark between 2008-2010.

After playing in venues not really designed for soccer matches, the move to the purpose-built facilities at Sporting Park was a huge relief for the club, with the move anticipated to occur sooner if it had not been for the global economic crisis of 2008-2009. Costing an estimated $200 million at the time, the project was incentivised by a $30 million tax rebate by the local council.

Designed by famous sporting architects Populous who famously built England’s National Stadium, and two MLS Grounds: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and BBVA Compass Arena, Sporting Kansas Park is similarly intimate with a capacity of 18,467 for soccer matches. It can however be expanded to 25,000 when hosting concerts.

Upon opening, Sporting Kansas announced that they had formed partnership with Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation with the stadium becoming known as the Livestrong Sporting Park. The deal was terminated two seasons later after Armstrong publicly confessed to doping throughout his cycling career.

To date Sporting Kansas Park holds the distinction of being the only MLS ground to have hosted the MLS All-Star Cup, a match of the U.S national team, and the MLS Cup in a single season. Occurring in the 2013, the attendance records was continually broken, starting with the All-Stars game against A.S Roma followed the Eastern Conference Final against Houston Dynamo which reached the fire safety limit.

View of Children’s Mercy Park

Sporting KC Info

Full Name:Sporting Kansas City
Rivals:Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake
Founded:1995
Team Colours:Blue
Club Mascot:Blue the Dog
Nicknames:Wizards
Famous Players:Peter Vermes, Matt Besler, Roger Espinoza, Amadou Dia, Khiry Shelton
Team Owner:Sporting Club
Team Goalscorer:Preki (77)
Most Appearances:Graham Zusi (353)
Official Website:http://www.sportingkc.com/
Team Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_Kansas_City

Children’s Mercy Park Seating Plan

Below is a seating plan of Sporting KC's Children’s Mercy Park:

Sporting Park Seating Plan Kansas

Stand Photos

Sporting Park Stadium is comprised of four stands: North, East, South and West.

Click the thumbnails above to enlarge an image of each stand and to read a more detailed description of each part of the Stadium.

Matchday Experience

Best Pubs near ground

Sporting Park embedded within the heart of an shopping and entertainment complex and thus there are a numerous places to drink at before the game, although the number of restaurants does outweigh the number of bars within the complex.

North west of the ground there is the likes of Yard House Sports Bar, Chili’s Grill & Bar, and a Hooters bar which is famous American invention known for “wings & waitresses”.

Food - Places to eat

The Shopping centre has it all from affordable fast food chains such as McDonalds, Taco Bell and Quiznos to more sit down restaurants such as Olive Garden, IHOP and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Inside Sporting Park there are a number of food options to choose from courtesy of caterers KC American Sportservice.

Sporting KC Club Shop

Sporting KC Club Shop

Fans can purchase Sporting Kansas City goods from the two stores located either side of the stadium at sections 114 and 131. Open on match days only, these are supplemented by several merchandise kiosk dotted around the stadium’s concourse and the official MLS Online Store.

Can you take a stadium Tour?

Sporting Kansas City sadly do not offer fans stadium tours of the facilities at Sporting Park as of the 2015 season, however if this ever changes we’ll be sure to update this section.

How to buy Sporting KC Tickets

Tickets to see Sporting Kansas City play at home during the 2015 MLS season are generally priced between $25.50 – $160.00 depending on where you sit within the stadium. After adding tax and booking fees onto the prices you’re probably looking at a total cost up to $10.00 more expensive than listed.

2015 Sample Ticket Prices:

  • North Stand Terrace: $25.50
  • East Stand: $45.95 – $88.88
  • South Stand: $37.80
  • Main Stand (West): $59.66 -$130.00

To purchase tickets you can either phone the box office on 888-4KC-GOAL, purchase a ticket at the stadium in the build up to the match or visit the official Ticketmaster page for online sales.

How to get to Children’s Mercy Park

Where is Children’s Mercy Park?

Sporting Park is located next to Kansas Speedway which is just off of the Interstate 435, a few miles west of the main city centre.


Driving

The address for satnav is as follows:

  • Sporting Park, One Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS 66111.

Car Parks

Whilst there are numerous car parks located around Sporting Park, only lots I and J are designated as “general parking” which means you can just turn up at the day and drop your car off. Check out this parking map to see the general parking areas – they are highlighted orange.

Hotels Near Children’s Mercy Park

Within five minutes either side of Sporting Park there are hotel choices starting with Holiday Inn Express (North), Hampton Inn Kansas (East), Chateau Avalon (South) and Country Inn & Suites by Carlson (South) which is the most affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who plays at Children’s Mercy Park?

American side Sporting KC play their home matches at Children’s Mercy Park.

What is the capacity of Children’s Mercy Park?

As of 2024 Children’s Mercy Park has an official seating capacity of 18,467 for Football matches.

When was Children’s Mercy Park opened?

Children’s Mercy Park officially opened in 2011 and is home to Sporting KC

What is the postcode for Children’s Mercy Park?

The postcode for Children’s Mercy Park is 66111.

Are there any Covid restrictions at the stadium?

Covid Restrictions may be in place when you visit Children’s Mercy Park in 2024. Please visit the official website of Sporting KC for full information on changes due to the Coronavirus.