Has Kansas City found itself as a premier USA soccer town? Why yes, fans say
“It’s official, Kansas City is the loudest we’ve been to.”
The words spoken by the NBC Sports studio team for Premier League Mornings Live could barely be heard inside the confines of the KC Live! Block in the Power & Light District Saturday, Sept. 20. The pre- and post-game shows were filmed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., which saw thousands of fans of every team in the top English soccer league stick around the entertainment center to watch the action.
Fans from Kansas City and across the country woke up early to get inside, with some experiencing hour-long waits in line at 14th and Walnut streets. Jerseys of every team in the league, both modern and vintage, were mixed in with the crowd, although it turned into a sea of red and blue at noon when Manchester United played Chelsea.
The bars and restaurants inside the venue were open all day, access to the latest EA FC video game and photo opportunities brought additional entertainment to a city that’s fully embraced soccer. They’ll return to KC Live! Sunday from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., where a similar crowd is expected.
World travelers
Saturday’s slate of games saw plenty of action from the Big Six in the league — Chelsea Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham — which was a big draw for plenty of fans within driving distance of Kansas City.
Fewa Alonge drove from Lawrence to meet up with Tobi Abina and support their favorite team, Manchester United, during their noon matchup against Chelsea. The friendsare from Nigeria and said soccer is huge in their country, so they were used to the passion showcased in Kansas City.
Kansas City’s proven itself to be a soccer hub, Abina said, and he added that NBC bringing its fan fest to the area only helps cultivate the soccer community in the area. People who would’ve never met otherwise can see that they have a common interest, and can rally behind a team that plays on a different continent.
As to why they chose the Red Devils to support, Abina gave credit to superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, while Alonge said he had friends in high school who were also fans, so he found it easy to support them then.
“I regret my choices right now, but it is what it is,” Alonge said.
“We are loyal,” Abina said.
While they chose their teams, the child of Jennifer and Peter Eyestone chose theirs. Julian Eyestone is a goalkeeper for Brentford, a smaller club that has been in the Premier League since the 2022 season.
The Eyestone familytraveled from Dallas to Kansas City, taking an eight-hour drive after airlines cancelled flights at the last minute Friday due to equipment outages. The newly found emptynesters who met decades ago in St Louis had a free weekend and decided to make the trip to Kansas City to support the team and their 19-year-old son.
They also used to support other clubs when they lived in London, but Jennifer Eyestone said they’re now a little bias towards Brentford, as they were both wearing Brentford jerseys — one yellow and one green.
“It’s a pretty cool job for a 19 year old,” Peter Eyestone said.
Brentford lost 3-1 to Fulham, but it didn’t stop the Eyestones from enjoying Kansas City’s soccer atmosphere. Peter Eyestone said it gave him goosebumps to see the turnout Saturday.
Is Kansas City ready for the World Cup?
Jennifer Eyestone said if Saturday was any indication, Kansas City is more than ready for the World Cup. Arrowhead is ready to host six games in total during the month-long international soccer tournament, including a quarterfinal match.
Smithville native McKenzie Robinson signed up as a volunteer for the World Cup and is eager to not only see how the city gets ready, but to see how global soccer communities will merge with Kansas City, which she said is one of the top soccer cities in the country.
“I like how soccer is a universal sport, and that anywhere you go, everyone knows how to play it,” Robinson said. “Even if you don’t speak the same language, we’re all together.”
Salina-born, but Lenexa-living Chad Reinert thinks the city is ready as well, noting past sporting moments like the Royals’ back-to-back World Series appearances, the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl victories and Fox bringing its pregame show to KC Live!.
These examples show the city can facilitate large-scale events, but Reinert wants to see people enjoying a stress-free time getting around and finding things to do before and after the games is easily accessible to non-Kansas City natives.
“The thing that stops people from coming is “What are we going to do in Kansas City?” Reinert said. “I think now we have some of that stuff.”
Kansas City will know which teams will play here in the group stages after the draw in December and will have to prepare to host thousands of traveling fans from countries selected to play in Kansas City or that will choose the area as their home base.
Thoughts from a Premier League ambassador
Retired soccer player Jonás Gutiérrez is a club legend for Newcastle United. On the last game of the 2014-2015 season, he provided a goal and an assist to keep the team in the Premier League, and he did it two months after returning from a battle with testicular cancer.
It’s not his first time in Kansas City; Newcastle played in the area in 2011 during their preseason. But this time, he’s able to walk around the city and enjoy the atmosphere. He wasn’t surprised to see the long lines and excitement from the crowd, and said the popularity of the sport has been building not only in Kansas City, but across the country.
The former Argentina national team midfielder hopes that the roars of the crowd can carry over to the games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium next summer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He knows how passionate Chiefs fans are, and would love to see the international fans match the energy inside Saturday’s watch parties.
“I hope Argentina has a game here so I can come around,” Gutiérrez said.
