Sporting Kansas City and KC Pioneers partner to launch unique esports experiences and events

Sporting Kansas City has partnered with the Kansas City Pioneers to create one-of-a-kind esports experiences and opportunities for Sporting players, fans and eMLS athletes.

In the first ever partnership between a Kansas City sports team and a professional esports organization, the Kansas City Pioneers will join Sporting KC players in providing innovative platforms to engage supporters through esports content, live streams and premier events.

“We are extremely excited to work with the KC Pioneers. Like Sporting Kansas City, the Pioneers are a local sports organization who are proud to represent Kansas City on a global stage,” said Blake McFarland, Director of Fan Development for Sporting KC. “We know this partnership will further connect our fans and the KC Pioneers fans through competitive esports and gaming.”

Through this unique collaboration, Sporting and KC Pioneers will elevate esports and foster an inclusive playing environment by launching fan-friendly promotions and a wide variety of programming for players of all ages and skill levels. Sporting will support several of the Pioneers’ leading esports endeavors while also leveraging the organization’s experience to create new and compelling content around the club’s eMLS athletes, competitions and events.

“Our partnership allows us to develop spaces where fans and players connect through culture, gaming and lifestyle,” said Sam Kulikov, CMO of the Pioneers. “We know that this is an exciting space and what we will do together will reflect that.”

Based in Kansas City and founded in 2019, the KC Pioneers use the growing esports platform to champion diversity, inclusion and opportunity for players and fans across the world. The Pioneers consist of top professional teams and players in the world competing in Rocket League, Valorant, Madden NFL, Halo and other popular games.