‘The best fan experience’ in KC? What you’ll find inside Current’s new CPKC Stadium

When CPKC Stadium opens on March 16, it’ll mark the debut of the first stadium built for a professional women’s sports team worldwide.

The Current will face the Portland Thorns, at noon central, and the club has high expectations for fans taking in the season opener, starting with the ease of entry.

Walking in the door should be entirely “frictionless,” according to Current vice president of facility development Scott Jenkins.

“You can almost walk in without breaking stride,” Jenkins said.

The stadium gates will be retrofitted with AI-supported security screening provided by Xtract One. The system, similar to what Sporting KC rolled out at Children’s Mercy Park this season, will allow fans to enter without taking out their wallets, key and similar items as they pass through scanners.

It’s as simple as walking through the gates. With mobile entry, fans simply tap their phone or scan their ticket and walk right into CPKC Stadium.

Here are some of the other stadium features...

Accessible and inclusive

Once you’re inside, you’ll find the stadium simple to navigate. All restrooms, food and beverage, and other amenities are on a singular concourse. With the KC Current app, fans can tap to enter the stadium, order food or merchandise from their seat and more.

The Current has also created a variety of inclusive areas like a sensory room — which can help reduce sensory overload and accommodate people who have a sensory processing disorder — a nursing restroom and a universal changing station complete with an adult-sized changing table.

Fans with gluten and peanut allergies should know that the stadium will have gluten-free options and be completely peanut-free, the club said.

Location and view

There are plenty of spectacular views from the stadium. From most of the east side of the stadium, fans will have an angle through the corner to view the downtown skyline. Views of the Christopher S. Bond Bridge and the Missouri River from the west stand might catch fans’ eyes as well.

Jenkins’ favorite spot in the stadium is the northwest perch, located on the north side of the broadcast booth and press box, calling it the “hidden gem.” From the perch, fans can look back at a beautiful view of the downtown skyline — and make a 180-degree turn and have an expansive view of the stadium, the scoreboard area, the Missouri River and Bond Bridge.

Right on the action

Speaking of views, the most important view in the stadium is the view of the pitch.

The intimate design of CPKC Stadium will have fans who are sitting in the last row, the farthest away from the action, less than 100 feet back from the touchline on the pitch, Jenkins said.

The steeper angles and views from the seats closest to the field are aimed to make you feel like you are right on top of the action.

Food and beverage partners

If you’ve paid attention to the Current’s “Teal Tuesdays” in the offseason, you’ve seen the extensive list of in-stadium food options.

Just to mention a few of the stadium’s offerings: Billie’s Grocery, Waldo Thai, Martin City Brewing, Yoli Tortilleria, Joe’s Kansas City BBQ and more will be available.

Focus on fan experience

As a veteran stadium manager, Jenkins most recently opened Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a stadium lauded for its ease of fan experience.

Jenkins believes excellent service is the “secret sauce” to making CPKC Stadium a great venue.

“It’s one thing to build a building,” Jenkins said. “It’s another to deliver that level of service. We’ve got great amenities and a great building, and we’re gonna complement that with a service level that’s gonna surprise people.”

Jenkins added that if you combine the service, the location and the building itself: “You’ve got what I think is going to be the best fan experience in Kansas City, if not beyond it.”

This story was originally published March 10, 2024 at 5:00 AM.