Kansas City Current’s Real Estate Project
On Thursday, Kansas City Current laid the groundwork for an extensive real estate project aimed at enhancing their soccer facilities. The total value of investment in these developments is between $225 million and $250 million, as confirmed by co-owner Chris Long in an interview with ESPN. This initiative is set to bolster the team’s infrastructure, which includes a new performance center tailored for both the main squad and its reserve team, ensuring long-term benefits and improved training conditions.
World Cup Preparations
Moreover, the upgraded facilities are expected to provide an attractive option for teams participating in the 2026 men’s World Cup, as they explore potential training locations for the tournament. Long expressed enthusiasm about hosting various national teams, noting how the team has received numerous tours from different countries and federations, which has raised their profile. He anticipates finalizing an agreement with a national federation in the months leading up to the World Cup.
Planned Developments
The planned developments will include a performance center, four additional grass fields, and a 2,000-seat stadium, which will be constructed next to the Current’s existing facility. Furthermore, a new hotel nearby, also managed by the Longs, is projected to open its doors before the upcoming World Cup next summer. Long highlighted the unique advantage of having administrative and training facilities in proximity, avoiding the common issue wherein front offices and training locales are separated.
Unique Positioning in NWSL
Kansas City stands out among four NWSL markets being considered as training bases for 2026 World Cup teams, as the Current is the only franchise in this group not sharing its spaces with a men’s team. This distinction allows Kansas City Current uninterrupted access to their facilities during the tournament preparations. Additionally, the team is actively involved in advancing pathways for player development within the league, having established a second team that is set to compete in the forthcoming NWSL second division, expected to debut in 2026.
Current Team Performance
Currently, the Kansas City Current’s senior team is performing well in the league, leading by eight points as the NWSL heads into its summer break. With FIFA’s specifications in mind, the new facilities are designed to meet the requirements for a World Cup base camp, ensuring everything remains physically segregated for uninterrupted training.
NWSL Scheduling and Future Plans
As the NWSL prepares for the scheduling challenges posed by the men’s World Cup, the league announced there would be no regular-season matches in June, but teams will still prioritize practice sessions. Regular play is anticipated to resume in July, according to NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman.
Community Engagement and Future Prospects
The Current play their home matches at CPKC Stadium along the Kansas City riverfront, an 11,500-seat venue that cost $143 million to construct. The Longs are in the process of executing the second phase of a comprehensive $1 billion development project for the area, which the stadium will centerpiece.
Interestingly, interest in the new 2,000-seat stadium has already been shown by non-soccer related sports, like flag football and lacrosse, signaling broader community engagement. To further diversify their offerings, the Longs are also earmarking part of their Riverside property for a future WNBA training facility, aligning with a campaign they spearheaded alongside Chiefs quarterback and Current co-owner Patrick Mahomes to attract a WNBA expansion team to the city. Though the league has chosen to expand to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia first, Long remains optimistic that further opportunities will emerge in the future.
