Sporting Kansas City is set to open the club’s home slate of matches in the 2024 MLS season on Saturday night against the Philadelphia Union with a host of upgrades and enhancements for fans to experience around Children’s Mercy Park.
Key upgrades took place during the offseason to augment the fan experience, highlighted by the installation of new LED technology designed, manufactured and installed by Daktronics at three different locations – including the main display atop the Price Chopper South Stand. In addition, fans will be treated to new state-of-the-art LED sports lighting, allowing the club to create lighting movement and effects before, during and after matches.
Several new hospitality offerings and concessions will be available for supporters to enjoy starting on Saturday with the club’s home opener scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff.
Stadium Enhancements
Daktronics LED Displays
Brand new LED displays by Daktronics will see the main display above the Price Chopper South Stand boosted to measure nearly 35 feet high at its highest point on the right side and angles down to 20 feet tall on the left side of the 126-foot-wide display – a nearly 50 percent size increase from the previous display. On the right side of the main board, a sideboard matches the height at 35 feet and is approximately 5 feet wide.
A lower corner board that measures approximately 14.5 feet high by 24 feet wide Is located outside the Budweiser Brew House. These boards feature a 10-millimeter pixel spacing to deliver crisp, clear imagery with wide angle visibility for spectators throughout the stadium, including those sitting on each side of the main board. Finally, two ribbon boards have been installed along the seating fascia of the stadium, each measuring roughly 5 feet high by 317 feet wide and featuring 10-millimeter pixel spacing.
Musco LED Sports Lighting
In a significant enhancement to the fan experience at Children’s Mercy Park, Musco Lighting has installed 215 new LED fixtures that replaced the stadium-original 258 metal halide fixtures that have been in place since 2011. The new LED Sports Lighting brings a state-of-the-art, addressable (control of each light) lighting technology to Children’s Mercy Park that can create movement and effects along with full integration with the new videoboard displays and stadium audio providing a more immersive and engaging experience for supporters.
Guests at Children’s Mercy Park will be treated to an unparalleled viewing experience, including enhanced clarity and color rendering while every moment at the stadium will be illuminated with stunning and dynamic lighting effects to create lasting memories for all Sporting fans. On MLS Season Pass, new LED lighting technology will elevate the quality of broadcasts, providing even more crystal-clear visuals and vibrant colors. In addition, the LED lights will provide significant energy-saving capability, reduction in power consumption, aligning with Sporting Sustainability initiatives while maintaining top-tier performance.
Evolv Guest Screening
New for supporters as they enter Children’s Mercy Park in 2024, Sporting will implement Evolv Technology’s cutting-edge guest screening and weapons detection system. Replacing the walk-through metal detectors with industry-leading screening technology allows for enhanced venue security while ensuring a more seamless and efficient entry process for guests.
Evolv utilizes advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to detect weapons and threats while providing lightning-fast throughput rates for swifter, non-invasive screening of guests. The new technology minimizes wait times and streamlines entry procedures, allowing guests to enter Children’s Mercy Park quickly and with minimal disruption.
Refreshed Concessions
Dotte Dogs
A brand-new concessions initiative sees “Dotte Dogs” available throughout Children’s Mercy Park via a portable cart. Featuring foot-long hot dogs and chili cheese dogs, this concept pays homage to Wyandotte County and its significance and history to the people of Kansas City.
Dotte Dogs will utilize a Kansas City base while incorporating specialty hotdogs as a nod to opponents for select matches (i.e. “Chicago Dog”). The branding will include local imagery along with a font designed as a nod to local staple The Dotte Shop (Authentic Dotte Original).
New Items
Various new concessions items will be available throughout Children’s Mercy Park in 2024.
- Carnitas Tacos – Served as a set of three tacos featuring Kansas City-based Yoli Blue Corn Tortillas, pork carnitas, diced onions and cilantro and topped with salsa roja.
- Junk Yard Dog – Fans can enjoy a five-inch beef hot dog, doused with Coney chili and topped with crushed kettle chips.
- Expanded & Updated Menu in Huhtamaki Shield Club – Highlighted by Children’s Mercy Park’s featured chicken wings with a choice of Buffalo, spicy honey garlic, BBQ or dry rub, various new food options will be available in the Huhtamaki Shield Club – Sporting’s largest and most accessible premium space.
Self-Pouring Drink Command System
New in 2024, Sporting is set to unveil a self-pouring drink command system allowing fans to skip the lines and pour their own 16-ounce and 24-ounce beers. The system will be introduced with a location in the Huhtamaki Shield Club and a location inside the Budweiser Brew House.
