Quick Facts

At a Glance

The essentials before you book anything.

Address

1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS 66111

Location

Village West, Wyandotte County — near Kansas Speedway & Legends Outlets

Home Team

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Capacity

18,467 soccer · 25,000 concerts

Airport

Kansas City International (MCI) ~25 min

Where to Stay

Village West / Legends · Downtown KC · Country Club Plaza

18,467

Soccer Capacity

2011

Opened

MLS

League

Grass

Natural Surface

See seating options

Stadium Guide

The Experience

Opened June 9, 2011 — Children's Mercy Park is a purpose-built soccer stadium and consistently rated among the best atmospheres in MLS. Compact, loud, and designed entirely around the game.

Inside

The Stadium

Soccer-specific design — every seat angled toward the pitch, no football sightline compromises. One of the tightest and most intimate stadium designs in American soccer
Natural grass surface — traditional playing surface that Sporting KC and supporters prefer
HD video boards and modern amenities throughout following upgrades
Field-level suites along the sidelines — the closest premium experience to the action at this venue
Supporters' sections contribute heavily to the atmosphere — one of the most vocal supporter cultures in MLS
Can expand to 25,000 for concerts — the Village West location makes it a regional entertainment destination beyond soccer

Day Of

Arrive Ready

60 minutes early for Sporting KC matches — the pre-game supporter atmosphere outside and inside the stadium is part of the experience
Open-air stadium — Kansas City weather varies significantly by season; spring and fall games can be windy and cold, summer matches are warm. Check the forecast
Located near Kansas Speedway and Legends Outlets — ample parking and a lively pre-game scene in the Village West entertainment district
Rideshare from Downtown Kansas City is approximately 20–25 minutes

Team & Programming

Events & Schedule

Home to Sporting Kansas City — MLS Cup champions and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winners. The stadium also hosts international matches, concerts, and special events year-round.

MLS

Sporting Kansas City

Full MLS season from February/March through October/November
Multiple MLS Cup appearances and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships hosted here
One of the best supporter atmospheres in MLS — the Cauldron supporters section is among the most vocal in the league
Sections 129 and 130 at midfield are the go-to for best viewing angle on the pitch

International

National Teams · Concerts

Beyond Sporting KC

International soccer — national team friendlies and tournament matches hosted here
Concerts expandable to 25,000 capacity — a major regional entertainment venue in the Village West district
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches — one of the most significant cup competitions in American soccer
The Village West location with Kansas Speedway and Legends Outlets creates a full-day entertainment destination

The Cauldron

Best Supporter Section in MLS

The Cauldron — Sporting KC's primary supporter group — occupies the north end and consistently creates one of the loudest atmospheres in American soccer. For fans who want the full standing, singing, and flag experience, the endzone supporter sections are the destination. For those who prefer seated viewing, the sideline sections are recommended.

Soccer-Specific

Built for Football

Children's Mercy Park was designed exclusively for soccer — every seat has an uncompromised sightline to the pitch. The compact bowl keeps every fan close to the action regardless of section. For MLS matches, this is one of the best pure soccer environments in the United States.

Kansas City

Village West

Located in the Village West entertainment district on the far west side of Wyandotte County — Kansas Speedway is adjacent, Legends Outlets is a short walk. Downtown Kansas City is ~25 minutes east. The area has strong hotel and restaurant supply specifically oriented around the entertainment complex.

Tell us your target date and we'll confirm availability and put options together.

Inquire About Dates →

Where to Sit

Seating Map

Two main seating categories — Sidelines (Sections 101–113, 115, 123–134) and Endzone/Corner (Sections M4–M9, 116–122). Sections 129–130 are the midfield sweet spot.

Best SeatsMidfield Sideline

Sideline Level

Sections 101–113, 115, 123–134. Best views for a Sporting KC match. Sections 129 and 130 are the midfield sweet spot — the go-to recommendation for most groups. Largest sections with the most rows of seating in the stadium.

Endzone / Corner — Children's Mercy Park

Supporter AtmosphereEnd / Corner

Endzone / Corner Level

Sections M4–M9, 116–122. Corner-view seats with great views of the soccer goals as play shifts to either end. Sections 101 and 113 are the largest at 30 rows each. The north end hosts The Cauldron supporter section — the loudest area in the stadium.

Tell us your preference — midfield views or supporter atmosphere — and we'll find the right section.

See Premium Options →

Premium Access

Suites & Premium Areas

Field-level sideline suites — the closest premium experience to the pitch at Children's Mercy Park. Private setting with direct sightlines to the playing surface.

Suites here are field-level sideline — the most intimate premium soccer experience available at this venue. Contact us early for high-demand Sporting KC and international fixtures.

Request Premium Options 737-393-1800

Field Level — Sideline Best Premium

Suite Views

Field-level sideline suites at Children's Mercy Park sit at the closest level to the pitch — exclusively sideline-positioned for the best angle on the game. The compact stadium design means field-level premium access puts you genuinely close to the action in a way that larger multi-purpose stadiums can't replicate.

Field LevelSideline Only

Children's Mercy Park Suite

Main suite level at field level along the sidelines — the closest suite position to the pitch. Sideline-only positioning means unobstructed views of the full playing surface. The most intimate premium soccer experience available at this venue.

By Request

Sporting KC & International Matches

Share your target date and group size — we'll advise on suite availability.

Email Details

Matchday

Inside the Stadium

What to know before you arrive.

Weather

Open-Air — Plan for KC Seasons

Children's Mercy Park is fully open-air. Kansas City weather varies significantly across the MLS season — early spring and late fall matches can be cold and windy, summer matches are warm. The stadium offers no weather protection from upper seating areas. Check the forecast and dress accordingly, particularly for March, April, October, and November fixtures.

Atmosphere

The Cauldron — North End

The Cauldron supporter section occupies the north end of the stadium and is among the loudest and most organised supporter cultures in MLS. On big Sporting KC nights — rivalry matches, playoff games, and international fixtures — the atmosphere at Children's Mercy Park is genuinely exceptional for American soccer. Arrive early to experience the pre-game supporter build-up.

Location

Village West — Parking & Pre-Game

The Village West entertainment district surrounding the stadium has ample parking, restaurants, and bars for pre-game. Kansas Speedway is adjacent and Legends Outlets is a short walk. The area is purpose-built for events — logistics are straightforward. Rideshare from Downtown KC is approximately 20–25 minutes.

Getting Here

Parking, Rideshare
& Entry

Village West location has extensive parking and easy road access. Kansas City International (MCI) is ~25 min. Rideshare from Downtown KC is ~20–25 min.

Parking

Village West — Extensive On-Site

The Village West entertainment district has extensive surface parking surrounding the stadium — one of the easiest parking situations of any MLS venue in the country. The area is purpose-built for large events. Pre-purchase passes where available for high-demand fixtures to guarantee a space close to the gates.

Rideshare

~20 Min from Downtown KC

Uber and Lyft are readily available from Downtown Kansas City and the Country Club Plaza area. Approximately 20–25 minutes from central KC. Pre-book your return pickup before entering — post-match rideshare demand in the Village West area is manageable but fills faster on sold-out nights.

Kansas City International

MCI ~25 Min

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is approximately 25 minutes from Children's Mercy Park — the stadium is on the far west side of the metro, making it one of the more direct airport-to-venue drives of any MLS stadium. Rideshare from MCI is the standard option for fly-in groups.

Travel Times

Getting Here

Downtown Kansas City ~20–25 min by rideshare
Country Club Plaza / Midtown KC ~25–30 min by rideshare
Kansas City International (MCI) ~25 min by rideshare
Village West / Legends hotels ~5 min — most convenient on-site option

Address

Children's Mercy Park

1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS 66111

The Village West entertainment district surrounding the stadium has pre-game dining, bars, and retail at Legends Outlets. Kansas Speedway is immediately adjacent. Arrive 60 minutes early to take in the full pre-game atmosphere.

Where to Stay

Hotels & Neighborhoods

Children's Mercy Park is on the far west side of the KC metro. Two base options — Village West for stadium convenience, or Downtown/Plaza for city access with a 20–25 min drive.

Most Convenient

Village West / Legends

Hotels immediately surrounding the stadium in the Village West district — the most logistics-free option for the game itself. Within walking distance or a 5-min drive. Legends Outlets, Kansas Speedway, and pre-game dining all immediately accessible.

Most Vibrant

Downtown Kansas City

KC's entertainment and restaurant core — Power & Light District, Crossroads Arts District, and the best concentration of bars and dining in the metro. ~20–25 min from the stadium by rideshare. Best base for groups who want the full KC experience beyond the match.

Most Upscale

Country Club Plaza

Kansas City's most refined shopping and dining district — Spanish architecture, upscale hotels, and strong restaurant supply. ~25–30 min from Children's Mercy Park. Best for groups who want higher hotel quality alongside easy city access.

Most Characterful

Crossroads Arts District

Kansas City's creative and culinary neighbourhood — independent restaurants, galleries, and one of the best food scenes in the Midwest. ~20 min from the stadium. Best for groups who want to experience authentic Kansas City culture around the match.

Luxury

Hotel Kansas City — downtown, landmark conversion
The Fontaine — Country Club Plaza, upscale boutique
InterContinental Kansas City — Country Club Plaza
21c Museum Hotel Kansas City — Crossroads, art-forward

4-Star

Marriott Kansas City Downtown — Power & Light District
Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center
Hyatt Regency Crown Center — connected to Crown Center
Hilton President Kansas City — downtown historic

Upper-Midrange

Village West / Legends corridor — closest to stadium
Downtown select-service — Power & Light access
Country Club Plaza mid-tier — strong neighbourhood access
Matched to date, inventory, and group size

Village West hotels fill quickly for sold-out Sporting KC matches and major events at Kansas Speedway. Downtown and Plaza options provide more inventory with a slightly longer drive.

Kansas City — Beyond the Match

Kansas City BBQ — Joe's Kansas City, Q39, and Arthur Bryant's — is genuinely world-class and should be on any itinerary. The Crossroads Arts District and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art are the city's cultural highlights. The Power & Light District downtown has the best concentration of bars and nightlife in the metro for post-match evenings.

FAQ

Common Questions

First-time visitor answers, plainly stated.

What are the best seats for a Sporting KC match?

Sections 129 and 130 on the sideline at midfield are the go-to recommendation — the best angle on the pitch and the most complete view of the game. For groups who want to be in the supporter atmosphere, the north endzone Cauldron sections offer a completely different but equally compelling experience. For a first visit, the sideline midfield sections are recommended.

What is The Cauldron?

The Cauldron is Sporting Kansas City's primary supporter group, occupying the north end of the stadium. It's one of the most well-organised and vocal supporter sections in MLS — standing, singing, flags, and drums throughout the match. If you want to be immersed in the supporter culture, these are the sections to be in. If you prefer a seated, quieter viewing experience, the sideline sections are more appropriate.

Is there a lot of parking at Children's Mercy Park?

Yes — the Village West entertainment district has extensive surface parking surrounding the stadium. It's one of the easiest parking situations in MLS. The area was built around large-scale events with Kansas Speedway as the anchor, so parking infrastructure is substantial. For sold-out matches or concerts, pre-purchasing a pass is recommended to secure a closer spot.

How far is Children's Mercy Park from Downtown Kansas City?

Approximately 20–25 minutes by rideshare from Downtown Kansas City. The stadium is on the far west side of the metro in Wyandotte County, Kansas — a straight shot west from downtown along I-70. For groups staying downtown, rideshare is the most practical option. Village West hotels are the most convenient if your priority is minimal travel logistics around the match.

Children's Mercy Park Stadium Guide

At a Glance