"This Week in Sporting" is a biweekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City. To visit the series archive, click here.
1. Ready for Launch
Sporting Kansas City fans are invited to attend the club’s 2020 Season Launch Party, presented by Ivy Investments, on Thursday at Children’s Mercy Park. Held in partnership with adidas and Michelob Ultra, the Season Launch Party is free and open to the public. The interactive event will run from 5-8:30 p.m. CT, highlighted by autograph opportunities with all Sporting players and the first chance to buy Sporting’s newly revealed 2020 secondary jersey.
Supporters planning to attend must secure one of two ticket options via SeatGeek.com. Fans can claim a complimentary ticket, granting free admission to the event, or upgrade to a $10 ticket that includes a 10-item premium food tasting from the newly revamped concession locations at Children’s Mercy Park. Guests will gain entry through mobile ticketing only and can obtain their ticket through the SeatGeek app.
2. Sporting Sinks Cincy
Sporting Kansas City struck twice in each half to secure a 4-0 preseason win over fellow MLS side FC Cincinnati on Saturday at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona. Daniel Salloi, Roger Espinoza, Johnny Russell and Sporting KC II forward Wilson Harris stamped their names onto the scoresheet as Manager Peter Vermes’ side collected its second straight four-goal victory to open the 2020 preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy.
3. Countdown to Kickoff
For the first time in the 25-year history of Major League Soccer, the month of February will mark the start of regular season play. On Feb. 29, clubs across the United States and Canada will step between the white lines with hopes of collecting three points to begin 2020. A delectable opening day of MLS action will see Sporting Kansas City visit Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 9:30 p.m. CT, giving supporters their first real look at Manager Peter Vermes’ side since last October.
As the anticipated date approaches, SportingKC.com will roll out a 28-day countdown to first kick, offering a comprehensive preview of the season ahead. From key storylines and positional breakdowns to new fan initiatives and perks at Children’s Mercy Park, our Countdown to Kickoff series will highlight the many reasons to be pumped for Sporting’s 2020 campaign. To visit the series homepage as it expands, visit SportingKC.com/countdown.
4. Singles on Sale Friday
Single-game tickets for the first 10 matches of Sporting’s 2020 home schedule at Children’s Mercy Park—including all fixtures through the June 28 matchup against the Portland Timbers—will go on sale to the general public on Friday at noon CT. Season Ticket Members will have access to a two-hour presale that morning beginning at 10 a.m. CT.
The best way to guarantee tickets for all 2020 home matches is to join the Sporting Kansas City family and become a Season Ticket Member. Several multi-game ticket packages for the 2020 campaign are also on sale, including the limited-time Home Opener Pack that bundles the game on March 7 with two flex matches.
5. City of Champions
You might as well call Kansas City the city of champions. The Kansas City Chiefs claimed their first Super Bowl title in 50 years on Sunday, battling from behind to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in a 31-20 thriller that culminated with MVP honors for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
By winning the Super Bowl, head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs joined their fellow Kansas City counterparts as recent league champions. Sporting Kansas City, of course, won the 2013 MLS Cup and three U.S. Open Cup titles last decade, while the Kansas City Royals were crowned 2015 World Series champions.
As @KC2026WorldCup pointed out on Twitter, Kansas City is the only city to win NFL, MLB and MLS championships since Major League Soccer launched in 1996.
